Helena Frye
On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan announced his retirement from the NBA. Jordan was 30 years old and in the prime of his career, having just won his third consecutive NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan explained that he had lost his motivation to play basketball and felt he had nothing left to prove. He returned to the NBA in 1995, leading the Bulls to three more championships from 1996 to 1998. Jordan retired again in 1998 and made a final comeback in 2000, playing for the Washington Wizards until his retirement in 2003.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First retirement | 1993 |
| Reason for first retirement | Loss of motivation, desire to spend more time with family, and a dying love for the game |
| Return to basketball | 1995 |
| Second retirement | 1998 |
| Third retirement | 2003 |
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What You'll Learn
Michael Jordan's first retirement in 1993
On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, shocked the world by announcing his retirement from the NBA. Jordan was only 30 years old at the time and in the prime of his career, having just won his third consecutive NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls. With three NBA championships and every NBA accolade imaginable, Jordan explained that he had lost his desire to play the game of basketball.
Jordan's decision to retire came as a surprise to everyone, with many rumours circulating about the reasons behind it. Some speculated that he was tired of the grind of the NBA season and wanted to spend more time with his family. Others thought he was burned out from the pressure of being the greatest player in the world and the massive celebrity that came with it. In his book "For the Love of the Game", Jordan wrote that he had been preparing for retirement as early as the summer of 1992. Additionally, Jordan himself later said that the murder of his father three months before his retirement announcement also influenced his decision.
Jordan's first retirement announcement is remembered as a sad day in the history of the NBA, with renowned broadcast journalist Jim Gray commenting: "As a reporter and lover of basketball, it was a sad day." However, Jordan left the door open for a return to the NBA, saying: "The word retire means you can do anything you want. So, if I desire to come back and play again, maybe that's what I want to do. Maybe that's the challenge I may need someday down the road. I'm not going to close that door. I don't believe in 'never.'"
True to his word, Jordan's retirement from basketball did not last long. He decided to pursue a career in baseball, signing with the Birmingham Barons, a minor league team, in 1994. However, he only played one season before quitting baseball in 1995 and returning to the NBA. Jordan's second tour with the Chicago Bulls was just as successful as his first, as he captured two more MVP awards and another three championship rings before retiring again in 1998.
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Jordan's lost motivation
Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, shocked the world when he announced his retirement from the NBA on October 6, 1993. At just 30 years old, Jordan was in the prime of his career, having led the Chicago Bulls to three consecutive NBA championships. So, why did he quit?
Jordan himself provided some insight into his decision, stating that he had lost his sense of motivation and desire to play the game. In an interview, he admitted, "I've always stressed to people that have known me and the media that has followed me that when I lose the sense of motivation and the sense to prove something as a basketball player, it's time for me to move away from the game of basketball... I just feel that I don't have anything else to prove."
The early 1990s were a challenging time in Jordan's personal life, with his immense success leading to increased attention and scrutiny. He had also suffered a tragedy in July 1993 when his father, James, was murdered in North Carolina. This loss was a significant blow to Jordan and likely contributed to his decision to step away from the game.
Jordan's loss of motivation may also have been influenced by a sense of reaching the pinnacle of his career. Having achieved every NBA accolade imaginable, he felt he had nothing left to prove on the court. As he told Bulls coach Phil Jackson, "If I didn't have the desire to step on the basketball court and have something to prove, then I must admit that... I can't step out there and know that I'm out there for no reason. It's not worth it for me, and I don't think it's worth it for my teammates."
Jordan's decision to retire from basketball was unexpected and saddened many fans and followers of the sport. However, it is important to note that his break from the NBA was temporary, as he rejoined the Bulls in 1995 and led them to another three-peat from 1996 to 1998.
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Jordan's return to the NBA in 1995
Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, shocked the basketball world by announcing his retirement in 1993. Jordan, who was 29 at the time, cited his father's death and a waning love for the game as reasons for quitting basketball. During his hiatus from the NBA, Jordan pursued a career in baseball, signing with the Birmingham Barons and later the Chicago White Sox.
However, Jordan's love for basketball was reignited, and on March 18, 1995, he announced his return to the NBA with the famous, brief press release: "I'm back." The next day, Jordan suited up for the Chicago Bulls, wearing the number 45 as his iconic number 23 had been retired by the team. The game against the Indiana Pacers became a worldwide event, with media outlets scrambling to cover Jordan's return. Despite having spent his break from basketball focused on baseball, Jordan demonstrated his enduring talent, finishing the game with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Jordan's impact on the NBA extended beyond his playing career. He was known for his durable playing style, frequently citing David Thompson, Walter Davis, and Jerry West as influences. Jordan's "Love of the Game Clause," written into his contract, allowed him to play basketball against anyone, anywhere, showcasing his passion for the sport. The popularity of the NBA increased during Jordan's time in the league, with television ratings surging.
Jordan retired from the NBA for the second time in 1998, but his influence on the league remained. In 2000, he returned to the league as part-owner and president of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards, showcasing his commitment to the sport beyond his playing days. Jordan's return to the NBA in 1995, after a brief baseball detour, solidified his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
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Jordan's second retirement in 1998
Michael Jordan, also known by his initials MJ, is an American former professional basketball player and current minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Jordan played 15 seasons in the NBA between 1984 and 2003, winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls.
Jordan joined the Bulls in 1984 as the third overall draft pick and quickly emerged as a league star, entertaining crowds with his prolific scoring while gaining a reputation as one of the best defensive players. His leaping ability earned him the nicknames "Air Jordan" and "His Airness".
Jordan won his first NBA title with the Bulls in 1991, followed by titles in 1992 and 1993, securing a three-peat. In 1993, Jordan's father was murdered, and he cited physical and mental exhaustion and a dying love for the game as reasons for retiring from basketball before the 1993–94 NBA season. He then pursued a career in baseball, signing with the Birmingham Barons and the Chicago White Sox.
Jordan returned to the Bulls in March 1995 and led them to three more championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998. During the 1997–98 NBA season, an NBA Entertainment crew shot about 500 hours of candid film of Jordan's and his teammates' off-court activities for a documentary called 'The Last Dance'. In 1998, Jordan won his sixth NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls. He retired for the second time in January 1999, citing a loss of drive and desire, as well as a desire to spend more time with his family.
Jordan returned to the NBA in 2000 as part-owner and president of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards. He came out of retirement again in 2001 as a player for the Wizards and retired for the third and final time in 2003.
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Jordan's final retirement in 2003
Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, retired for the third and final time in 2003. Jordan's first retirement came in 1993, when he stepped away from the Chicago Bulls at the height of his powers to play baseball. He returned to basketball in 1995, capturing two more MVP awards and another three championship rings before quitting again in 1998.
Jordan's second retirement lasted only a year before he returned as a player for the Washington Wizards in 2001. In 2002, it was recognised that the 2002-03 season would be Jordan's final season, and tributes were paid to him throughout the NBA. On February 21, 2003, Jordan became the first 40-year-old to tally 43 points in an NBA game. In his final game at the United Center in Chicago, Jordan received a four-minute standing ovation. In his final NBA game, Jordan scored 15 points against the Philadelphia 76ers. He left the floor with 1 minute and 45 seconds left after a fourth-quarter curtain call.
Jordan's final two seasons with the Wizards did not result in a playoff appearance, and he was often unsatisfied with the play of those around him. On May 7, 2003, Wizards owner Abe Pollin fired Jordan from his role as Director of Basketball Operations. Jordan later stated that he felt betrayed and that he would never have returned to play for the Wizards if he had known he would be fired upon retiring.
Despite leaving the basketball floor for good in 2003, Jordan has remained involved with the game. In 2010, he bought the Charlotte Hornets and runs the team. He has also invested in several businesses, including his Jordan Brand clothing line, and is the richest athlete in the world, worth $1.6 billion as of 2020 according to Forbes.
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Frequently asked questions
Jordan quit basketball for two years between 1993 and 1995.
Jordan lost his desire to play basketball and felt he had nothing left to prove in the game.
Yes, Jordan quit basketball twice. He quit for the first time in 1993 and returned in 1995. He quit for the second time in 1998 and returned in 2000.
Jordan played baseball during his first break from basketball.
Yes, Jordan retired from basketball for good in 2003.
