Michael Jordan’s Return to the NBA: A Timeline
Contents
- Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA: A timeline
- The events leading up to Jordan’s return
- The announcement of Jordan’s return
- The reaction to Jordan’s return
- Jordan’s first game back
- Jordan’s first season back
- The legacy of Jordan’s return
- The impact of Jordan’s return
- The legacy of Michael Jordan
- Michael Jordan: The greatest of all time
Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA was one of the most talked about events in sports history. Here is a timeline of events leading up to and following his return.
Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA: A timeline
Michael Jordan announced his retirement from basketball on October 6, 1993, but he made a shocking return to the NBA just over two years later. Here’s a timeline of key events in Jordan’s NBA Career
September 25, 2001: After a three-year retirement, Jordan announced he was returning to the NBA to play for the Washington Wizards
October 30, 2001: In his first game back, Jordan scored 19 points in a 106-92 win against the New Jersey Nets
April 16, 2003: At age 40, Jordan became the oldest player in NBA history to score 40 points in a game, finishing with 43 points in a 103-96 victory over the Charlotte Hornets
May 13, 2003: In his final NBA game Jordan scored 15 points in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. He ended his career with an average of 30.1 points per game the highest ever.
The events leading up to Jordan’s return
It had been over two years since Michael Jordan played in an NBA game After announcing his retirement in October of 1993, Jordan embarked on a new career in Minor League Baseball However, he was not successful and he decided to return to the sport he loved: basketball.
On March 18, 1995, Jordan announced that he would be returning to the NBA. He did not specify which team he would be playing for, but many assumed it would be the Chicago Bulls the team he played for prior to his retirement.
However, on March 28, 1995, it was announced that Jordan had signed with the Washington Bullets (now the Wizards). He explained that he chose Washington because they were close to his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina
Jordan’s return was met with much fanfare and excitement. He was welcomed back with open arms by both basketball fans and his fellow players. The Bullets’ first game after Jordan’s return saw them play against the Indiana Pacers one of the best teams in the league at that time.
The game was close, but the Bullets ultimately lost 96-93. However, this didn’t dampen spirits as everyone was just happy to see Jordan back on the court playing basketball again.
Over the next few months, Jordan would go on to play some of the best basketball of his career. He averaged over 30 points per game and led the Bullets to the playoffs. Although they ultimately lost in the first round, it was clear that Jordan still had plenty of gas left in the tank.
Since then, Jordan has gone on to have a successful second act as an NBA owner and businessman. But there will always be a special place in everyone’s heart for when he made his triumphant return to basketball after Retirement 2.0.
The announcement of Jordan’s return
On March 18, 1995, Michael Jordan announced his return to the NBA in a two-word press release: “I’m back.” The world of basketball would never be the same.
Here is a timeline of events leading up to and following Jordan’s announcement:
January 13, 1999: Following a short retirement, Michael Jordan announces his return to the NBA with a two-word press release: “I’m back.”
March 18, 1995: Jordan holds a press conference to announce his return to the Chicago Bulls
April 19, 1995: In his first game back from retirement, Jordan scores 19 points in a 105-87 win over the Indiana Pacers
June 14, 1995: In Game 6 of the NBA Finals Jordan hits a game-winning jump shot over Bryon Russell of the Utah Jazz to give the Bulls their sixth championship in eight years.
The reaction to Jordan’s return
When Michael Jordan announced his return to the NBA on March 18, 1995, after a stint in minor league baseball the sports world was sent into a frenzy. Fans and pundits alike weighed in on what Jordan’s return would mean for the league, and for the game of basketball itself.
Here is a timeline of some of the reaction to Jordan’s return:
March 18, 1995: In a press conference held at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, Jordan announced that he would be returning to the NBA after a nearly two-year absence.
“I’m back,”Jordan said. “I’m ready to play basketball again.”
March 19, 1995: In an article for The Washington Post sports columnist Michael Wilbon wrote that Jordan’s return would be “the greatest story in the history of American sports ”
“No athlete has created as much anticipation among sports fans as Michael Jordan ” Wilbon wrote. “Not Babe Ruth Not Muhammad Ali. Not even Joe Namath or Oakley or Magic Johnson ”
March 20, 1995: ESPN aired a special called “The Return,” which was devoted to discussing Jordan’s decision to come back to basketball. Among those who were interviewed for the program was then-NBA Commissioner David Stern, who said that Jordan’s return was “bittersweet” for him.
“It’s bittersweet because it means that one of our greatest players has decided that he can no longer resist his competitive urges,” Stern said. “But it’s sweet because it reminds us all of what we love most about sports.”
April 16, 1995: In his first game back with the Chicago Bulls against the Indiana Pacers Jordan scored 19 points but air-balled a crucial Jump Shot late in the fourth quarter The Pacers won 88-87.
Jordan’s first game back
Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA was one of the most highly anticipated moments in Basketball History After a successful stint in Minor League Baseball Jordan announced his decision to return to the Chicago Bulls in March of 1995.Here is a timeline of key events leading up to and following Jordan’s first game back with the Bulls.
March 18, 1995: Jordan announces his return to the NBA in a press conference, saying “I’m back.”
April 19, 1995: Jordan makes his highly anticipated return to the NBA, scoring 19 points in a 105-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers
June 16, 1995: In perhaps the most iconic moment of his career, Jordan hits a game-winning shot over Craig Ehlo of the Cleveland Cavaliers giving the Bulls a 90-88 victory in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
June 11, 1996: Jordan and the Bulls win their fourth NBA Championship defeating the Seattle SuperSonics in Game 6 of the NBA Finals
Jordan’s first season back
After a long hiatus from the NBA, Michael Jordan rejoined the Chicago Bulls for the 1995-1996 season. Here is a timeline of key events from that season.
October 6, 1995: The Bulls announced that Jordan had rejoined the team.
November 1, 1995: In his first game back, Jordan scored 19 points in a 105-99 win against the Indiana Pacers
March 28, 1996: In a 103-96 win against the Charlotte Hornets Jordan became the first player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points.
April 16, 1996: The Bulls clinched the Eastern Conference title with a 97-83 win over the Atlanta Hawks
May 7, 1996: The Bulls lost to the Orlando Magic in game one of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
May 11, 1996: The Bulls Won game two of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Orlando Magic 110-81.
May 17, 1996: The Bulls lost game three of the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Orlando Magic 103-77.
The legacy of Jordan’s return
On March 18, 1995, Michael Jordan announced his return to the National Basketball Association (NBA) after a nearly two-year retirement. The announcement sent shockwaves through the sports world and invigorated a Chicago Bulls team that would go on to win three more NBA championships with Jordan as their leader.
Jordan’s return was not without its challenges, however. He had to readjust to the physicality of the NBA Game after spending time playing baseball and he also had to deal with the media circus that followed him everywhere he went. Nevertheless, Jordan persevered and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Here is a timeline of key events in Jordan’s return to the NBA:
March 18, 1995: Michael Jordan announces his return to the Chicago Bulls in a press conference at Madison Square Garden
March 29, 1995: In his first game back from retirement, Jordan scores 19 points against the Indiana Pacers The Bulls win 103-96.
June 16, 1995: The Bulls defeat the Shaquille O’Neal-led Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals 4-2. This sets up a rematch of the 1991 NBA Finals between the Bulls and Magic Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers.
June 11, 1996: The Bulls defeat the Seattle SuperSonics in game 6 of the NBA Finals to win their fourth championship in six years. Jordan is named Finals MVP for a record fourth time.
The impact of Jordan’s return
Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA was a huge moment in Basketball History After a brief retirement and stint in minor league baseball Jordan came back to the Chicago Bulls in 1995 and led them to an undefeated season. His return helped create one of the most dominant teams in NBA history and changed the way the game is played today. Here is a timeline of Jordan’s return and its impact on the NBA.
1995: Michael Jordan returns to the NBA
Jordan comes back to the Chicago Bulls after a brief retirement and stint in Minor League Baseball He leads them to an undefeated season and wins the MVP Award
1996: Jordan leads the Bulls to their first championship in three years
Jordan and the Bulls win their fourth championship, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics in six games. This is the first time a team has Won a Title after losing two consecutive Finals.
1997: Jordan wins his fifth MVP award
Jordan wins his fifth MVP award becoming only the second player in NBA history to do so (Wilt Chamberlain is the other). He also leads the Bulls to their fifth championship, defeating the Utah Jazz in six games.
1998: Jordan hits “the shot”
In Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals Jordan hits a game-winning shot over Tyrone Lue of the Jazz, giving the Bulls a 98-97 win and their sixth championship. This is widely considered one of the greatest moments in NBA history
1999: Jordan retires for a second time
Jordan announces his retirement for a second time, although he doesn’t rule out a return at some point in the future. The Bulls go on to win their seventh championship without him, defeating the Sacramento Kings in seven games.
The legacy of Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time. He was a dominant force in the sport for over a decade, winning six NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls and earning numerous individual accolades. Even after retiring from the NBA, Jordan remained a successful businessman and influencer, with his Air Jordan brand becoming one of the most popular in the world.
Jordan’s legacy extends far beyond the basketball court He is widely seen as a cultural icon, and his influence is still felt today. Here is a timeline of some of the key moments in Jordan’s illustrious career.
1984: Drafted 3rd overall by the Chicago Bulls
1991: First NBA Championship with the Bulls
1992: First Olympic gold medal as part of the “Dream Team”
1996: Second Olympic Gold Medal with the United States men’s national team
1998: Sixth and final NBA Championship with the Bulls
2003: Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Michael Jordan: The greatest of all time
Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials MJ, is an American former professional basketball player who is the principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played 15 seasons in the NBA, winning six Championships with the Chicago Bulls His biography on the official NBA website states: “By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.” He was one of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation and was considered instrumental in popularizing the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s.
Jordan played three seasons for coach Dean Smith at the University of North Carolina As a freshman, he was a member of the Tar Heels’ National Championship team in 1982. Jordan joined the Bulls in 1984 as the third overall draft pick He quickly emerged as a league star and entertainer, and became one of its most popular players. In 1986, he won his first NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award