Amanda Knapp
Michael Jordan is a former professional basketball player who played 15 seasons in the NBA between 1984 and 2003. He is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and is known for his prolific scoring and defensive skills. Jordan first retired from the NBA in 1993 at the age of 30, citing a loss of motivation and a desire to spend more time with his family. However, he returned to the NBA in 1995 and led the Chicago Bulls to three more championships. Jordan retired for the second time in 1999 but returned once again in 2001 as a player and part-owner of the Washington Wizards. In 2003, Jordan retired for the third and final time at the age of 40, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most decorated players in NBA history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of first retirement | 6 October 1993 |
| Age at first retirement | 30 |
| Reason for first retirement | Lost motivation, nothing left to prove |
| Date of second retirement | 13 January 1999 |
| Age at second retirement | 36 |
| Reason for second retirement | N/A |
| Date of third and final retirement | 16 April 2003 |
| Age at third retirement | 40 |
| Reason for third retirement | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Michael Jordan's first retirement from basketball in 1993
On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan, arguably the most recognizable athlete in the world, announced his retirement from basketball at the age of 30. Jordan had just won his third consecutive NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls, and his decision to retire shocked fans and the media alike. Jordan himself said that he had lost the "'sense of motivation' to continue playing the game at the highest level.
Jordan's retirement came just three months after the tragic murder of his father, James Jordan, which Jordan later stated had influenced his decision. The loss of his father, with whom he was very close, left Jordan grief-stricken and struggling with the pressures of his immense fame. Jordan also cited physical and mental exhaustion from basketball and superstardom as reasons for his departure from the sport.
In the lead-up to his retirement, there were signs that Jordan was growing tired of the constant media attention and the hassles that came with being a celebrity. During the 1993 NBA playoffs, he was spotted gambling in Atlantic City the night before a game, and it was reported that he had incurred significant gambling losses the previous year. Rumors even circulated that his 1993 retirement was a secret suspension by the league for gambling, although this was denied by the NBA commissioner.
Jordan's first retirement from basketball in 1993 sent shockwaves through the sports world. He was at the peak of his career, playing the best basketball of his life, and his sudden departure left a void in the NBA that was difficult to fill. Jordan's absence was keenly felt, and his decision to leave the game prematurely only added to his mystique as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
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Jordan's return to the NBA in 1995
Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, retired from the NBA on October 6, 1993, at the age of 30. Before his retirement, Jordan had won three consecutive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan cited a lack of motivation and desire to play as the reasons for his early retirement.
On March 18, 1995, Jordan announced his return to the NBA with a concise two-word press release: "I'm back." The following day, he rejoined the Chicago Bulls and took to the court, scoring 19 points against the Indiana Pacers. Despite an 18-month hiatus from the game, Jordan quickly regained his form, delivering a legendary 55-point performance against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 28, 1995.
Jordan's comeback inspired the Bulls to advance to the playoffs, where they faced the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Despite initial comments questioning Jordan's performance, he swiftly silenced critics by scoring 38 points in the following game. Jordan's return to the NBA in 1995 marked the beginning of another successful chapter in his illustrious career, as he went on to lead the Bulls to three more NBA championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998.
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His second retirement in 1999
Michael Jordan is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He played 15 seasons in the NBA between 1984 and 2003, winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. He was integral in popularizing basketball and the NBA worldwide in the 1980s and 1990s, becoming a global cultural icon.
Jordan first retired from the NBA on October 6, 1993, at the age of 30. He then made a comeback to the NBA on March 18, 1995, with a two-word press release: "I'm back".
Jordan's second retirement came on January 13, 1999, at the age of 36. This time, Jordan stated that he was 99.9% certain he was retired for good and would never play in the NBA again. He explained that he had lost the drive and desire necessary to continue playing at such a high level and that he wanted to spend more time with his family. Jordan's announcement came after bitter tension between General Manager Jerry Krause and Coach Jackson, which resulted in the latter's departure from Chicago. Jordan had earlier stated publicly that he would not play for any coach besides Jackson.
Jordan's 1999 retirement sent shockwaves through the NBA, with the great breakup of the championship Bulls team ensuing. Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr, and others were traded or released that January. The Spurs-Knicks series that followed saw the NBA Finals' lowest ratings in 18 years, down 40% from the previous year's Bulls-Jazz series. Economic experts estimated the NBA lost between $100 million and $200 million due to Jordan's absence.
Despite his earlier statements, Jordan returned to the NBA on September 25, 2001, as a player and part-owner of the Washington Wizards. He retired for the third and final time on April 16, 2003, at the age of 40.
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Jordan's comeback in 2001
Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, had a spectacular NBA career. He played 15 seasons in the NBA, winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan first retired from the NBA in 1993 at the age of 30. However, he made a comeback to the NBA on March 18, 1995, announcing his return with a two-word press release: "I'm back".
On January 13, 1999, Jordan retired for the second time at the age of 36. But, on September 25, 2001, Jordan returned to the NBA once again, as a player and part-owner of the Washington Wizards. At 38 years old, he stepped down as the team's president of basketball operations to join the active roster. Jordan's second comeback was not as successful as his first. The Wizards won 37 games in 2001-02 and 2002-03, failing to reach the playoffs in both seasons. Jordan's age and injury troubles limited his effectiveness, and he eventually retired for the third and final time in April 2003 at the age of 40.
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His final retirement in 2003
Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, retired for the third and final time on April 16, 2003, at the age of 40. Jordan played 15 seasons in the NBA, winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls.
Jordan's final two seasons with the Washington Wizards did not result in a playoff appearance, and he often expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of his teammates. Despite this, on February 21, 2003, Jordan became the first 40-year-old to score 43 points in an NBA game. In his final season, tributes were paid to him across the NBA. During his final game at the United Center in Chicago, his old home court, Jordan received a four-minute standing ovation.
Jordan's final NBA game was played in Philadelphia on April 16, 2003. After scoring 13 points, he was replaced with 4 minutes and 13 seconds left in the third quarter. As he sat on the bench, the crowd began chanting, "We want Mike!". Encouraged by his coach, Jordan re-entered the game with 2:35 remaining. With 1:45 left, Jordan was intentionally fouled and made both free throws. This was his final act as an NBA player.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Michael Jordan retired from basketball multiple times. His first retirement was in 1993, followed by another in 1999, and his third and final retirement was in 2003.
Jordan retired in 1993 because he felt he had lost his sense of motivation and desire to play basketball. He also felt that he had achieved a lot in his career and had nothing left to prove.
No, Jordan's father's influence on his career was in switching from baseball to basketball. Jordan's father, James, felt that Michael had the necessary skills to succeed at baseball.
Yes, after his first retirement in 1993, Jordan returned to the NBA in 1995 and led the Bulls to three more championships. He retired again in 1999, but returned once more in 2001 as a player and part-owner of the Washington Wizards.
Yes, Michael Jordan won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls before his first retirement in 1993. He returned to the Bulls in 1995 and won three more championships before retiring again in 1999.
