The Chicago Bulls won their last NBA title in 1998. Since then, the franchise has struggled to assemble a formidable team to win their 7th NBA championship.
Most know that the 1997-98 season was filled with turmoil within the Bulls organization. Phil Jackson’s future was questionable, and Michael Jordan was leaning toward retirement.
Jordan gives the Bulls an ultimatum
“His Airness” was pretty vocal at the time and stood pat on his decision to end his stint with the Bulls. He also wanted the Wind City team to consider getting new owners if they wished for their success in the league to continue.
“I don’t want to start a war around here,” Jordan said in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times. “The main reason we do so well is Phil [Jackson]. I’ll say it again. I won’t play for another coach. If (majority owner Jerry) Reinsdorf and the owners don’t like it, sell the team,” he added.
Aware that his demand was pretty steep, Jordan stubbornly made it clear that he would not think twice about retiring. He delivered six NBA titles to the Bulls and believes he has done more than enough to prove his love for the game.
“I couldn’t give you a concrete time frame or whatever. I like to think that every year we keep winning championships and I keep playing. Knowing at some point that management is going to change direction and I don’t feel it’s favorable in my direction, then I won’t have a problem walking away,” Jordan said via the New York Times.
MJ didn’t play forever
Jordan, who was 35 years old at the time, made those comments in March 1998. He was still a force to be reckoned with, but like any basketball player, he was fully aware that his level of play would go down at some point. Air Jordan knew many would be disappointed if he retired for a second time and possibly for good. He addressed this fear.
“You say it will break people’s hearts when I leave,” Jordan explained. “Well, their hearts are going to break sometime. They can’t expect me to play forever.”
As most know, Jordan came out of retirement for a third time in 2001 to play for the Washington Wizards. In the two seasons he played for the Wizards, Jordan averaged 21.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 142 games. Although he showed he could still play, it was apparent that the game of Black Jesus had dipped.