Michael Jordan - Game Script book report


Background

People in every country know the name Michael Jordan - the most famous basketball player in the world. 

How did Michael Jordan become a famous basketball player? Who encouraged him throughout his way to the top of the NBA league? Who told him that he wasn't good enough? 

Take a part in making Michael Jordan the player that we all know! 
Meet the people in Michael Jordan's life, become one of them and play their role.  

 

Characters

James Jordan

You are Michael's Dad. When your kids are young, you build a big basketball court for them and their friends in the family's back yard. You lay the foundations for Michael's first basketball school.  You encourage all of your kids to play sports.  

When you find out that Michael skips school to play basketball, you tell him that basketball is important but so is High School. 

 


Your Task

You love and care for your son. You encourage Jordan to play, but you also make sure that he makes all the right decisions in life, like finishing High School, choosing a good basketball team to play for, and help him decide if he should play at all. 

Michael trusts you, and consults with you a lot- he knows that you will always help him make the right choices. 


Resources


Deloris Jordan works in a bank

You are Michael's mother. You want your son to be successful and happy. 
When he starts playing basketball for the school team you are happy for him, and support his activities. 

However, when Jordan is in college (University of North Carolina) he wants to join the NBA. You insist that he finishes his four years at UNC , and only then, try to get into the NBA league. Education is very important for you. 


Your Task

You love your son very much and you want him to do well in life. You think that education is the way to become successful in life, but you see that playing basketball makes Michael very happy. You want your son to be happy but also get proper education.  


Resources


Larry Jordan

You are Michael's older brother and best friend. You also play basketball- you are a better player than Michael until high school. After Michael joins the 'A' team, and becomes the best player, you envy him a little but you don't say anything. 


Your Task

You love your brother but in your heart you are mad that he took the leading position in the UNC basketball team. You try to talk him out of joining the NBA. 


Resources


Phil Jackson Basketball coach for the Chicago Bulls (1990-1998)

You are the Chicago Bulls basketball coach. You want Michael to come and play for your team. You are very creative, and Michael respects your ideas and opinions. 

 


Your Task

 Your team is not playing very well, and you want Michael Jordan to become the captain of your team. You are ready to do everything to convince him to came and play for you. Your job is to draft Michael into the Chicago Bulls.  


Resources


Michael Jordan

You are the young Michael Jordan at the beginning of his carrier as a basketball player. As a teenager you played baseball, football and basketball. You are a good player in all three sports. In addition, you are a good student and you can continue for a Masters degree. You are confused and trying to decide what you want to do with your life. 


Your Task

You need to consult with your family members about everything before you make up your mind. 

 Comment on every advice you get. 


Resources


Scene 1: Vote on it



1.

Public Message

Michael won his first championship with his college team. He gets a lot of offers from different colleges to come and play for them. He is only on his third year in college, but he is already dreaming about playing in the big NBA league. 

Michael is young and confused- he is not sure what he should do. Should he move to a different college? Should he try out for a NBA team? Should he finish school, get a degree and forget about professional basketball? 

Help young Michael make up his mind! 

 

Read all the characters' description and play your role.  



2.

Private (Shortly After previous message)

James Jordan :

Help Michael decide what is best for him. 

Deloris Jordan:

You want Michael to study. Convince him to stay in school. 

Larry Jordan:

You envy Michael but don't show it. You need to convince him not to go to the NBA. 

Mention his body structure and level of game.  

Phil Jackson:

Convince Michael to come and play for you. 

Explain why he should come to play for the Chicago Bulls and not other teams. 

Michael Jordan:

Ask for your family members' to give you advice on what you should do. 



3.

Public Message (Shortly After previous message)

Introduce yourself and give Michael your advice. 



4.

Public Message (a while after previous message)

Michael is thinking about playing baseball instead of basketball. What do you think he should do? 



Vote

Do you think that Michael will ever play baseball professionally?  



Option 1
yes
Option 2
no


Ending message for when most people voted for option



Option 1

You are right!
Based on the book we read, Michael Jordan retired basketball in 1993 and started playing baseball in the NFL in 1994. 


Option 2

You need to read the book again

Based on the book we read, Michael Jordan retired basketball in 1993 and started playing baseball in the NFL in 1994. REMEMBER?? 




Discussion Points

Discuss the following points based on Michael's decisions from the book and current discussion: 

Did he stay in college, like is mom wanted him to, and finished his degree? 

Did he agree with his brother's opinion of his skills?  

Did he join the Chicago Bulls team? If yes, then and for how long? 

Was his mother happy with his choices? 

What was the best advice his father gave him?