It wouldn’t be a surprise if the 6x NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls came back from retirement to take part in the league. Fans would still be happy to witness the legendary Michael Jordan play ball once again. With an impeccable performance in eight years, winning six championships, fans believed he would never slow down. MJ was 34 when he won his last ring. Although fans were eager for Jordan to win another ring, they didn’t know it was the end of the Bulls dynasty and probably his career.
With various reasons surrounding his final retirement in 2003, MJ came out with the real reason, which was rather surprising for the fans.
Michael Jordan shares the real reason behind his retirement in 1998
MJ eventually made a comeback in 2000, joining the Washington Wizards after his second retirement. Fans were looking for another playoff run from the superstar. Sadly, he did not make it to the playoffs in either of his years with the Wizards.
In a press conference in 1998, Jordan shared “At the beginning of last year I wanted to play a couple of more seasons. But by the end of the season, I was mentally drained. For me to lose my motivation in the middle of the season would be unfair to the other players.”
As Michael Wilbon said in The Washington Post, “No amount of lobbying or begging could change it. The greatness of Michael Jordan was always head to toe, in that order. And if he couldn’t get psyched to dismantle opponents, it was time to retire. So he did.” Jordan further added, “Even with Phil back as coach, I’d have had a tough time finding the challenge mentally”, clarifying the rumors of retirement of Phil Jackson being the real reason.
Why did MJ retire the second time?
Winning his sixth championship, his fifth MVP, and averaging 28.7 points in 1998, there were no signs of him slowing down. Although, that is exactly what Jordan did. During the start of the 1998-99 season, MJ cut his finger while playing with a cigar cutter, which further led to surgery. In addition to the injury, his favorite coach, Phil Jackson, opted out of the team, which contributed to MJ retiring for the second time in his career.
In his last match against the Philadelphia 76ers in 2003, Jordan put up 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Though MJ did not have a great run with the Wizards, Jordan appreciated the fans for giving him a heartwarming retirement.
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