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Michael Jordan at 50

34 It's Complicated

As MJ struggles to find the winning touch as an NBA executive, he's as popular, not to mention as inscrutable, as ever

BY PHIL TAYLOR

44 Slam Dunk

How a young Jordan took the 1988 All-Star dunk title with a performance that finally won over his rivals

BY LEE JENKINS

50 Through The Lens

No photographer has had more intimate access to His Airness than Walter Iooss Jr., who shared two collages from his personal collection

54 High Hopes

In less than a year, the Winter Games will open in the subtropical resort of Sochi. Will it all work?

BY ALEXANDER WOLFF

DEPARTMENTS

2 SI Digital

4 Leading Off

10 The Mail

14 Scorecard

The NBA's union woes

24 Faces in the Crowd

26 Just My Type

Joe Montana on nerves

BY DAN PATRICK

64 Point After

Longing for baseball

BY STEVE RUSHIN

ON THE COVER: Photograph by Walter Iooss Jr. Illustration by Jordan Metcalf

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ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES

INDELIBULL Michael Jordan's final year with Chicago (1997--98) was one for the ages: He led the NBA in scoring and was MVP of both the regular season and the Finals.

PHOTO