Jordans Daily History Lesson: Michael Jordan Announces His Second Return to the NBA

September 25th marks the anniversary of Michael Jordan’s second return to the NBA after a three-year ‘retirement’ that had Jordan lingering around Washington Wizards practices in full gear although he was supposed to be in suit and tie and managing basketball operations. When originally announcing his second retirement from the Chicago Bulls – its storybook ending at the top of the key in Utah, arm raised in follow-through as his game and sixth championship clinching shot went through the net over Bryon Russel – Jordan said he was ‘99.9 percent sure’ he was finished with the game of basketball. It was that 1 tenth of a percentage point that guided him to suit up for the Wizards in a post 9/11 landscape that had him donating the first year of a two year salary to a September 11th victims fund.

“I am happy to welcome Michael Jordan, the player, back to the NBA, although, as commissioner, I am sorry to lose him in the board room,” NBA commissioner David Stern said at the time. “Michael has always brought joy to basketball fans around the world, and, in these difficult times, we can all use a little more joy in our lives.”

MJ would return to the court at the start of the regular season on October 30th against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden to a standing ovation, and recorded 19 points in his first regular season game in three years showing glimpses of greatness while donning those navy and copper uniforms, but was surrounded by a struggling supporting cast littered with young and undeveloped players.

“I am returning as a player to the game I love,” Jordan said at the age of 38. “I am especially excited about the Washington Wizards, and I’m convinced we have the foundation on which to build a playoff-contention team.”

“The opportunity to teach our young players and help them elevate their game to a higher level, and to thank the fans in Washington for their loyalty and support, strongly influenced my decision,” Jordan would state although not in a press-conference but instead in a release through his management agency.

The Wizards would never go on to make the playoffs in Jordans two year stint with them, but they finished 9th in the standings and only a couple games removed each season while MJ proved that he could still play the game of basketball at All-Star caliber levels well into his late 30s and early 40s with knees that grounded him to use his basketball IQ instead of his athleticism.

Source: SI