precise position they
were when he had released the shot. The ball dropped through the hoop.
The Bulls led! Jordan had hit the last shot!
The Jazz had time to throw up a desperation shot in the final second, but it missed the basket. The Bulls won, 87–86, their
third straight championship. Jordan’s 45-point performance, capped by his late-shot heroics, made the game perhaps the most
memorable of his career. “It just keeps getting sweeter every time,” he said afterward.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
2001–2003
Jordan’s Finale
In the weeks and months that followed this historic Bulls three-peat, rumors began to spread that the game-winning shot against
Utah would be the last of Jordan’s career. Coach Jackson did decide to retire, and the Bulls decided to rebuild. At the same
time, a labor dispute between the players’ union and the NBA owners caused the start of the season to be delayed by a lockout.
Every day the lockout went on, it seemed more and more likely that Jordan would retire. There were reports that he wasn’t
even working out anymore.
Finally, on January 6 the labor dispute was settled. Jordan flew to Chicago and told his teammates of his decision. Then,
on January 13, he made it official.
“After a great deal of thought,” he said, “I havedecided to retire from basketball.” The Jordan era appeared over.
Over the next year Jordan spent time doing what he wanted to do — golfing, spending time with his family, and taking care
of his business interests. He even purchased a small portion of the Washington Wizards of the NBA.
There was immediate speculation that Jordan would mount another comeback. But he laughed off those suggestions, insisting
that he had no plans to return.
But in the spring of 2001, there were persistent rumors that Jordan was working out again and playing basketball. He didn’t
deny the rumors, but insisted that he had put on a few pounds and simply wanted to get back in shape.
No one was fooled. As spring turned into summer it became clear that Jordan was ready to return. When he sold his share of
the Wizards, it became apparent the rumors were true, as NBA rules prohibit a player from owning a portion of a team.
Many people thought Jordan was making a huge mistake. The Wizards were terrible, and at age thirty-eight, even Jordan’s supporters
had to admit that there was little chance that he could come backand resume his place as the best player in basketball. Many criticized Jordan for his decision, believing he was returning
only for the money and that it was certain to damage his reputation as the greatest player in the game.
Jordan didn’t care. He missed the competition and challenge of playing. He had also discovered that he hadn’t really enjoyed
retirement.
In his first few weeks back in the NBA, it seemed as if Jordan’s critics were right. The Wizards were terrible and won only
two of their first eleven games. And Jordan wasn’t playing very well. His knees were bothering him, and he often had to sit
out practices. He rarely went to the basket, and his patented fade-away jump shot seemed to have deserted him. The comeback
appeared to have been a mistake.
But the bigger mistake has always been in underestimating Jordan. Suddenly, he and the Wizards started playing better. They
won eight straight, and Jordan appeared to be getting his game back.
As 2001 turned into 2002, Jordan turned back the clock. In back-to-back games he exploded for a total of 96 points. His jump
shot was falling and his quickness returned as he got his legs in game shape. Moreover,his young teammates began to learn to play with him, to expect the passes that few other players in the game could make, and
to take advantage of the space on the floor that opened up when the opposition found that they had to start double-teaming
Jordan again.
On January 3 he scored 25 first-half points against the Bulls, including the 30,000th point of his NBA
were when he had released the shot. The ball dropped through the hoop.
The Bulls led! Jordan had hit the last shot!
The Jazz had time to throw up a desperation shot in the final second, but it missed the basket. The Bulls won, 87–86, their
third straight championship. Jordan’s 45-point performance, capped by his late-shot heroics, made the game perhaps the most
memorable of his career. “It just keeps getting sweeter every time,” he said afterward.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
2001–2003
Jordan’s Finale
In the weeks and months that followed this historic Bulls three-peat, rumors began to spread that the game-winning shot against
Utah would be the last of Jordan’s career. Coach Jackson did decide to retire, and the Bulls decided to rebuild. At the same
time, a labor dispute between the players’ union and the NBA owners caused the start of the season to be delayed by a lockout.
Every day the lockout went on, it seemed more and more likely that Jordan would retire. There were reports that he wasn’t
even working out anymore.
Finally, on January 6 the labor dispute was settled. Jordan flew to Chicago and told his teammates of his decision. Then,
on January 13, he made it official.
“After a great deal of thought,” he said, “I havedecided to retire from basketball.” The Jordan era appeared over.
Over the next year Jordan spent time doing what he wanted to do — golfing, spending time with his family, and taking care
of his business interests. He even purchased a small portion of the Washington Wizards of the NBA.
There was immediate speculation that Jordan would mount another comeback. But he laughed off those suggestions, insisting
that he had no plans to return.
But in the spring of 2001, there were persistent rumors that Jordan was working out again and playing basketball. He didn’t
deny the rumors, but insisted that he had put on a few pounds and simply wanted to get back in shape.
No one was fooled. As spring turned into summer it became clear that Jordan was ready to return. When he sold his share of
the Wizards, it became apparent the rumors were true, as NBA rules prohibit a player from owning a portion of a team.
Many people thought Jordan was making a huge mistake. The Wizards were terrible, and at age thirty-eight, even Jordan’s supporters
had to admit that there was little chance that he could come backand resume his place as the best player in basketball. Many criticized Jordan for his decision, believing he was returning
only for the money and that it was certain to damage his reputation as the greatest player in the game.
Jordan didn’t care. He missed the competition and challenge of playing. He had also discovered that he hadn’t really enjoyed
retirement.
In his first few weeks back in the NBA, it seemed as if Jordan’s critics were right. The Wizards were terrible and won only
two of their first eleven games. And Jordan wasn’t playing very well. His knees were bothering him, and he often had to sit
out practices. He rarely went to the basket, and his patented fade-away jump shot seemed to have deserted him. The comeback
appeared to have been a mistake.
But the bigger mistake has always been in underestimating Jordan. Suddenly, he and the Wizards started playing better. They
won eight straight, and Jordan appeared to be getting his game back.
As 2001 turned into 2002, Jordan turned back the clock. In back-to-back games he exploded for a total of 96 points. His jump
shot was falling and his quickness returned as he got his legs in game shape. Moreover,his young teammates began to learn to play with him, to expect the passes that few other players in the game could make, and
to take advantage of the space on the floor that opened up when the opposition found that they had to start double-teaming
Jordan again.
On January 3 he scored 25 first-half points against the Bulls, including the 30,000th point of his NBA
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