Andrew Pace
Michael Jordan is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. During his career, he led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player five times. After initially retiring in 1993, Jordan returned to the NBA in 1995, playing for the Bulls and later the Washington Wizards. He retired for a second time in 1998, only to return once again in 2001, playing for the Wizards until his final retirement in 2003.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of return to basketball | 18 March 1995 |
| Reason for previous retirement | Physical and mental exhaustion |
| Reason for return | Training and desire to play |
| Age at return | 32 |
| Team at return | Chicago Bulls |
| Number of previous retirements | 1 |
| Number of total retirements | 2 |
| Date of final retirement | January 1999 |
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What You'll Learn
Michael Jordan's return to the NBA in 1995
Michael Jordan is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players in history. Jordan abruptly retired from basketball before the 1993–94 NBA season, citing physical and mental exhaustion from basketball and superstardom. He then pursued a career in professional baseball, playing for the Birmingham Barons, an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
However, Jordan's baseball career was short-lived. In March 1995, he decided to return to basketball, announcing his comeback to the NBA with a simple two-word press release: "I'm back." He rejoined the Chicago Bulls midway through the 1994–95 season, wearing number 45, his baseball number. In his first game back on March 19, 1995, Jordan scored 19 points against the Indiana Pacers. Despite his 18-month hiatus, Jordan quickly regained his form, making a game-winning jump shot against Atlanta in his fourth game back.
Jordan's return to the NBA in 1995 generated immense excitement and buzz. His 55-point game at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks became an iconic moment, and his No. 45 jersey became highly popular. Jordan's comeback boosted the Bulls' performance, leading them to a 13–4 record and a place in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
In the 1995–96 season, Jordan led the Bulls to a remarkable 72–10 regular season record, the best in NBA history at the time. From 1996 to 1998, the Bulls won three consecutive championships, and Jordan was named MVP of the NBA Finals each year. Jordan's return not only solidified his legendary status but also showcased his unwavering dedication and remarkable ability to excel in his sport, further cementing his legacy in the NBA.
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Jordan's 1995 performance with the Bulls
Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, announced his return to the NBA in March 1995 after a hiatus of 17 months. Jordan's comeback was announced via a one-page fax letter released by his agent, David Falk, on March 18, 1995, stating, "I'm back." During his time away from the NBA, Jordan pursued a career in baseball, honouring his father, James, who had dreamed of his son becoming a professional baseball player.
Jordan's return to the Chicago Bulls in 1995 saw him play in 17 regular-season games, averaging 26.9 points. The Bulls went 13-4 with Jordan, earning them the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. Jordan's performance saw him finish 11th in MVP voting. The Bulls defeated the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs but lost to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Jordan spent the offseason getting back into basketball shape and returned for the 1995-96 season, leading the Bulls to a then-record 72 regular-season wins. In the 1995-96 season, Jordan averaged a league-high 30.4 points and was named MVP, leading the Bulls to another championship. The Bulls started the season with a five-game winning streak, defeating the Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Portland Trail Blazers. Their first loss of the season came against the Orlando Magic, despite Jordan scoring 23 points and grabbing seven rebounds. The Bulls bounced back, winning 11 of their next 14 games in February, including victories over the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, and Seattle Sonics.
Jordan's performance in the 1995-96 season helped the Bulls achieve a league-best 39-2 home record and become the first NBA team to win 70 regular-season games while also winning an NBA title. This season marked the beginning of the Bulls' second three-peat, with the team winning three consecutive championships from 1996 to 1998.
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Jordan's second retirement and return in 2001
Michael Jordan, widely considered one of the greatest basketball players in history, retired from the sport twice before making a comeback. His first retirement came in October 1993, when he decided to pursue a career in professional baseball. He returned to basketball in March 1995, leading the Bulls to three more championships before retiring again in January 1999.
During his second retirement, Jordan became part-owner and president of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards in January 2000. He relinquished his ownership stake in 2001 to play for the Wizards once again, announcing his return to the NBA on September 25, 2001. Jordan's comeback at the age of 38 was motivated by his passion for the game and his desire to donate his salary as a player to the relief efforts for the victims of the September 11 attacks.
Jordan's return to the court with the Wizards was not as successful as his previous stint with the Bulls. Despite leading the team in scoring, assists, and steals, he was unable to lead them to the playoffs in either of his two seasons. Jordan's final NBA season in 2002-03 was marred by injuries, and he retired for the third and final time on April 16, 2003, at the age of 40.
Jordan's impact on the NBA and his extraordinary athletic abilities solidified his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of the game. His comebacks, especially at an advanced age for a professional basketball player, showcased his unwavering dedication to the sport and contributed to his enduring fame.
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Jordan's time with the Washington Wizards
Michael Jordan's time with the Washington Wizards began on September 25, 2001, when he announced he was coming out of retirement to play for the team he partially owned. Jordan, 38 at the time, stepped down as the team's president of basketball operations to join the active roster.
Jordan's first game as a Wizard was against the New York Knicks on October 31, 2001. He had 19 points, six assists, and four steals in a losing effort. His first home game in Washington was a 14-point win over the Philadelphia 76ers on November 3, 2001. On January 4, 2002, Jordan scored his 30,000th point while playing with the Wizards.
Jordan played two seasons with the Wizards, appearing in 142 games and averaging 21.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists, while shooting 41.6% from the field. Despite his impressive individual numbers, the Wizards struggled to earn a postseason bid during his tenure. They finished the 2001-02 season with a 37-45 record, and Jordan's role that season was limited to 60 games due to cartilage issues in his right knee.
Jordan's final season with the Wizards in 2002-03 ended prematurely due to injuries, and he looked noticeably older and not like the star player he once was. He was fired by Wizards owner Abe Pollin after the season, which officially ended his basketball career. Jordan later expressed disappointment about how his time with the Wizards ended, feeling that his kindness was used against him.
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Jordan's career after basketball
Michael Jordan is a former collegiate and professional basketball player widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players in history. Jordan played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) between 1984 and 2003, winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls.
After his initial retirement in 1993, Jordan pursued a career in professional baseball. He spent the 1994 baseball season with the Birmingham Barons, a minor-league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. In his only season in the minors, Jordan hit .202/.290/.266 over 127 games, adding three home runs and stealing 30 bases.
Jordan returned to basketball in March 1995, announcing his comeback with a one-page letter released by his agent, stating, "I'm back." He led the Bulls to a 72–10 regular-season record in the 1995–96 season, the best in the NBA at the time. The Bulls went on to win three consecutive championships from 1996 to 1998, with Jordan being named MVP of the NBA Finals each time.
Following his second retirement in 1998, Jordan became involved in various endeavours. He owned Michael Jordan Motorsports, a professional motorcycle road racing team competing in the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) until 2013. Jordan also promoted his Jordan Brand clothing line and participated in celebrity charity golf tournaments.
Jordan has authored several books about his life, basketball career, and worldview. He has also been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. In 2006, he became a minority owner and general manager of the Charlotte Bobcats, later known as the Charlotte Hornets, and purchased a controlling interest in the team in 2010, becoming the first former NBA player to achieve this feat. Jordan sold his share in the team in 2023.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Michael Jordan returned to basketball in March 1995, after an 18-month hiatus.
Jordan used a fax machine to send a simple, now-famous, two-word statement: "I'm back."
Jordan's return came at a time when Major League Baseball was in the middle of a strike, the National Hockey League was in a lockout, and the O.J. Simpson trial was ongoing. The sports world needed a hero, and Jordan was that hero.
Jordan wore the number 45 when he returned to the Bulls, the same number he wore when he played baseball.
Yes, Jordan returned to the NBA in 2000, not as a player but as part-owner and President of Basketball Operations for the Washington Wizards. He came out of retirement again in 2001 to play for the Wizards.
