Michael Jordan and the stories associated with him often highlight the kind of dominant mentality the 6x NBA Champion has. In 1998, Jordan retired for the 2nd time from the NBA, due to the difference between him and the front office, particularly with Jerry Krause. The Bulls legend was very passionate about his craft. However, if there was anything that Michael had a bigger drive for, it was to compete. Only after 10 months of retiring for the 2nd time, the 36-year-old came into the Bulls’ facility to go against young Bulls players.
Advertisement
A feud between General Manager Jerry Krause and coach Phil Jackson resulted in Jackson’s leaving Chicago after the victory in 1998. Though Jordan had earlier stated publicly that he would not play for any coach besides Jackson, he explained his decision to retire by saying he had lost the drive and desire that was necessary to continue playing at such a high level, and that he wanted to spend more time with his family. When asked if there was a chance he would come back, Jordan said he was “99.9 percent” sure he would not.
Retired Michael Jordan humiliated young Bulls player in a one-on-one game
Just 10 months after his 2nd retirement, Jordan visited the Bulls training facility. In a video resurfaced, Michael can be seen playing against a Bulls player in a one-on-one game, while the other players watched from the bench.
One after another Jordan made fadeaway jump shots and it was clearly visible that the six-time NBA champion still had the same game in him. After making a shot from around the free-throw line, Michael said, “Don’t call me out of retirement.” Famous for trash-talking, Jordan then torched the Bulls players by showing them the banners around of him.
After his father’s death, Jordan left basketball in 1993, thinking he didn’t have love left for the game. However, basketball never left him. Even in 1998, Jordan didn’t want to retire and wanted to continue his dominance as long as he could until he was removed from the top.
After MJ retired in 1998, the Bulls retained Ron Harper, Dickey Simpkins, Toni Kukoč, Bill Wennington, and Rusty LaRue. Other members of the championship team, either retired or were traded to the other teams. However, going into the next season, the defending champs were last on the table. The Bulls snapped a record of going into 14 consecutive postseasons.
Michael Jordan came out of retirement for the third time at age 38
The love for sports is an undying feeling, however, if one is good at it, it becomes even more difficult to leave it behind and move on. Jordan not only loved the game but had every skill set to play at the highest level. A year later after his retirement, Michael decided to resume his career in basketball. However, this time as a part-owner and president of the Washington Wizards basketball. However, things didn’t go as well as he thought. Wizards only won 19 games that season.
The next season MJ tried rebuilding the team. He hired former Bulls coach Doug Collins and also got in shape to tie his boots again. At 38 years of age, Michael made his second comeback in basketball. However, despite his playing, the Wizards couldn’t make it to the playoffs in two consecutive seasons. He finally retired on April 16, 2003, and later became the majority owner of Charlotte Hornets in 2010.
