Andrew Pace
Michael Jordan is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He first retired from the NBA on 6 October 1993, at the young age of 30, citing physical and mental exhaustion from basketball and superstardom. Jordan returned to the NBA in 1995, leading the Chicago Bulls to three more championship wins. He retired for the second time in 1999, at 36, but returned to the league in 2001, playing for two more seasons with the Washington Wizards before retiring for the third and final time in 2003, at 40.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First retirement age | 30 |
| First retirement date | 6 October 1993 |
| Second retirement age | 36 |
| Second retirement date | 13 January 1999 |
| Final retirement age | 40 |
| Final retirement date | 16 April 2003 |
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What You'll Learn
Michael Jordan's first retirement
On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan, at the age of 30, announced his retirement from basketball. Jordan had just won his third NBA Championship and third NBA Finals MVP with the Bulls, and was playing the best basketball of his career. Jordan's decision shocked fans around the world, as he was arguably the most recognizable athlete in the world at the time.
Jordan's first retirement came just four months after winning his third straight title with the Bulls. The night before the announcement, Jordan was at Comiskey Park to throw out the first pitch for Game 1 of the White Sox American League Championship Series against the Blue Jays. During the game, a report from the Denver Post emerged that Jordan was planning to retire. The following day, Jordan held a press conference to announce his retirement.
Jordan's decision to retire was influenced by several factors. One factor was the murder of his father, James, in North Carolina earlier that year. Jordan was also frustrated with his portrayal in the media as an out-of-control gambler. In addition, Jordan had been thinking about walking away from the game for a while, as early as 1990 he had mentioned retiring within five years.
During his retirement, Jordan pursued a career in professional baseball, playing minor league baseball and changing his body for the sport. He also appeared in the 1996 film "Space Jam," which was inspired by a Super Bowl commercial and starred Jordan in a fictional story set during his first retirement from basketball.
Jordan's first retirement lasted just under two years, as he returned to the NBA as a player on January 19, 2000.
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His age at the time: 30
Michael Jordan is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Jordan first retired from the NBA on October 6, 1993, at the young age of 30. Before his retirement, Jordan had won three consecutive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and was a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Jordan's early retirement stunned the basketball world. At 30, he was at the peak of his career and had achieved a level of success that seemed unbeatable. It was hard to believe that he would walk away from the game, especially since he had just completed his three-peat of NBA titles with the Bulls.
Jordan himself cited a lack of motivation to continue playing as the reason for his early retirement. In an interview, he stated that he felt he had achieved everything he wanted to in the NBA and no longer had the desire to compete. This was surprising to many, as Jordan had become synonymous with winning and competitiveness.
Jordan's first retirement lasted only two years. In 1995, he made a comeback to the NBA with the Chicago Bulls, leading them to another three-peat of championships. This cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
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His return to the NBA
Michael Jordan, widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, had a renowned career in the NBA. His career included two retirements; the first came at the end of the 1992-93 season when Jordan was just 30 years old. This initial retirement was short-lived, as Jordan returned to the NBA in March 1995, announcing his famous two-word statement: "I'm back."
During his initial retirement, Jordan pursued a career in professional baseball, a sport he played in high school. However, he couldn't stay away from the hardwood for long. In his return statement, Jordan said, "I'm back for the love of the game; I still have a strong passion for it." And that passion was evident in his performance. In his first game back, Jordan dropped 19 points in a win against the Indiana Pacers, and he went on to average 26.9 points per game in the final 17 games of the 1994-95 season, helping the Bulls secure a playoff spot.
The 1995-96 season, Jordan's first full season back, is often referred to as the "72-win season." Jordan and the Bulls dominated, setting a then-record of 72 wins in the regular season. Jordan averaged 30.4 points per game, won his eighth scoring title, and was named the league MVP. The Bulls went on to win the NBA championship, and Jordan earned his fourth title and first since his return, as well as the Finals MVP award.
Jordan and the Bulls continued their dominance, winning two more championships in the following two seasons, thus completing their second three-peat. Jordan retired for the second time after the 1997-98 season, but he would return once more, this time with the Washington Wizards. He came out of retirement at age 38, playing two more seasons with the Wizards from 2001 to 2003 before finally hanging up his jersey for good at the age of 40.
Jordan's return to the NBA at age 32 proved that he still had what it took to compete at the highest level. His performance during this period further solidified his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players ever to play the game, demonstrating his enduring skill, passion, and impact on the sport. His return not only gave fans more years to admire his talent, but it also added to an already impressive list of achievements, including six championships with the Bulls, five MVP awards, and a lasting impact on the league and the sport itself.
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Second retirement at 36
Michael Jordan is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Jordan retired for the second time on January 13, 1999, at the age of 36. He had previously retired in 1993 at the age of 30, but returned to the NBA in 1995, winning three more championships with the Chicago Bulls.
Jordan's second retirement came at a time when the departures of Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman from the Bulls were looming, and the team was in the latter stages of an owner-induced lockout of NBA players. After his second retirement, Jordan stated that he was "99.9% certain" he was retired for good and would never play in the NBA again.
However, Jordan did return to the NBA on September 25, 2001, as a player and part-owner of the Washington Wizards. Over the next few years, Jordan juggled his time between playing golf in celebrity charity tournaments, spending time with his family in Chicago, and promoting his Jordan Brand clothing line. In 2003, Jordan was fired from his role as Director of Basketball Operations for the Wizards, which he later stated made him feel betrayed.
Jordan finally retired from professional basketball for the third and final time at the age of 40 in 2003.
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Final retirement at 40
Michael Jordan, widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, initially retired from the sport at the relatively young age of 30, shocking the sports world. This came after a very successful period where he led the Chicago Bulls to 6 NBA championship wins in 8 years. However, Jordan's final, and somewhat more low-key, retirement from the sport came at the age of 40, bringing an end to a historic career.
Jordan's final retirement came about following a short stint with the Washington Wizards. After his initial retirement in 1993, Jordan pursued a brief career in baseball, but he returned to the NBA in 1995, rejoining the Bulls and leading them to yet another three-peat championship run. After his second retirement in 1999, Jordan took on an executive role with the Wizards, but he surprised everyone by coming out of retirement once more in 2001, signing a two-year contract with Washington.
Jordan's final two seasons in the NBA were with the Wizards, where he aimed to help the team become playoff contenders. While he didn't have the same impact as his glory days with the Bulls, he still put up respectable numbers, averaging over 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game during his time with Washington. However, the Wizards failed to reach the playoffs during these two seasons.
On April 16, 2003, Jordan played his final NBA game, scoring 15 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. A few days later, on April 19, he officially announced his retirement from basketball, bringing an end to a remarkable 15-season career that included countless accolades and a lasting impact on the sport. Jordan's iconic status was further solidified with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
While Jordan's final retirement came at the age of 40, his impact on the game extended far beyond his playing career. He revolutionized the sport, becoming a global icon and helping to grow the NBA into the worldwide phenomenon it is today. His influence can be seen in the numerous players he inspired, as well as in the continued popularity of the game. Jordan's legacy is that of a true legend, and his impact will forever be felt in the world of basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Michael Jordan was 30 when he retired from basketball for the first time in 1993.
Jordan retired because he lacked the motivation to continue playing.
Jordan played minor league baseball for about a year and then returned to basketball in 1995.
Yes, Jordan retired from basketball three times. The second retirement was in 1999 when he was 36, and the third and final retirement was in 2003 when he was 40.
Jordan has been involved in various business ventures, including his clothing line, motorcycle racing team, and several brand endorsements. He has also authored several books about his life and basketball career.
