Image via Complex Original
On Oct. 6, 1993, Michael Jordan stunned the basketball world when he announced his first retirement from the NBA at the age of 30. Whether you believe that he lost "that sense of motivation and that sense that I can prove something" or consider that the death of his father less than three months prior to his announcement played a major role, it's undeniable that Jordan's departure was a huge moment that would've caused a major ripple effect across the league for years to come. However, on this day 19 years ago, MJ held a press conference declaring his return by simply stating "I'm back!"
Following his first return to the NBA, Jordan went on to receive three scoring titles, two league MVP awards, five All-Star Game selections, and win three more NBA titles. But what would've happened if MJ actually never came back to the league? How would the Chicago Bulls franchise be viewed today? Which players or teams would've stolen the spotlight in MJ's absence? Here are 10 Things That Probably Would Have Happened If Michael Jordan Had Stayed Retired in 1995.
The Knicks still wouldn't have won a title.
With Jordan out of the picture, the Knicks and their fans get the feeling that this was their time. A championship had to be on the horizon. However, it didn't matter. The Knicks would continue to fall short in the playoffs because that's just what they do. Word to Patrick Ewing's missed lay-up. Many Knickerbockers fans could be heard muttering, "this shit never ends" under their breath.
Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman probably would've killed each other.
After numerous failed attempts to trade Scottie Pippen, Bulls general manager Jerry Krause would just try to build talent around their now star player by adding Dennis Rodman prior to the start of the 1995-96 season. With no teammate to vent his frustrations about Rodman's antics, Pippen would go to Krause to complain about The Worm, only to be met with opposition. With few options left, Scottie decides that he is going to kill Rodman during the offseason. The following season, Bulls players return to camp but there's no sign of Rodman or Pippen. Eventually, it is discovered that both guys hated each other so much that they both plotted to kill each other in the offseason.
Atlantic City would've been renamed Jordan City
With more time on his hands, Jordan would single-handedly improve the economy of Atlantic City by spending ridiculous amounts of money on plenty of losing bets. Eventually, A.C. would recognize his many contributions by renaming the city "Jordan City" and giving him a ceremonial "key to the casino" that MJ would also bet away less than an hour later. Jordan's gambling sees no end in sight. What happens in Jordan City, ends up on the back of The Post.
The Jordan "wearing No. 45" rhymes wouldn't have made any sense.
Rappers would be stuck in the studio for hours on end trying to find the right analogy to parallel their greatness with their comeback to the game. In many cases, dudes like Fabolous and Jay Z would simply ad lib something like "Yeah" or "uh huh," or simply keep the line blank altogether with nothing coming to mind.
Bryon Russell would've been the one who pushed off for a title-clinching jumper.
In 1998 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, Utah's Bryon Russell plays the hero after what many argue was a push off to free himself up for a Game 6 game-winning jumper, leaving only 5.2 seconds left on the clock. The Pacers would fail to respond in the ensuing possession and the Jazz went on to win the chip. Funny thing is, since Russell wasn't remotely close to being the best player to ever play in the league, a majority of people are in agreement that Bryon pushed off on his defender on the last basket of the game.
Bill Wennington would've never had a sandwich named after him.
With no Jordan in the picture, the legend of Bill Wennington wouldn't have inspired the making of a sandwich in his honor. Known for his role in the Bulls' 1998 championship run, Wennington would've been known by the media for his personality and all that, but does he deserve a burger? Nah! Instead, the center would just be stuck with a cool ass nickname like Beef Wennington that would be a hit at parties but nothing more.
Kobe probably wouldn't have thought about a turnaround jumper.
For years, Kobe Bryant has been mimicing every single facet of Michael Jordan's game. But with limited exposure and schooling from Jordan, how different would Kobe's game look? When posted up on a defender would Bryant instinctively know to try and knock down a turnaround jumper? Or would KB's game struggle mightily since he couldn't think up any moves of his own? One day, in dire need of ways to revolutionize his game, Kobe is found harassing a ball boy, screaming at him to find videos of MJ "from high school, elementary school, pickup games, wherever!"
Harold Miner would've really been baby Jordan.
Nowadays, it's hard to live up to comparisons to Michael Jordan. However, if Jordan did retire for good in 1994, Harold Miner would've totally lived up to the "Baby Jordan" nickname. With no MJ in the league, Miner would feel more free, putting up astounding point totals, doing it with flair and not suffering any setbacks with knee injuries. Eventually, the media and barbershops would forget about Jordan and start wondering who was going to be the next Miner?
Jordan would make his MLB debut in a White Sox uniform.
Even though Michael Jordan batted a paltry .202 in AA Birmingham, the White Sox would be idiotic to not reap the financial rewards of having MJ man the outfield for a couple of games. So, that's exactly what they did. While Jordan struggled mightily at the plate, the fans still came to see him play. Chicago thought everything was going well until Jordan admits in one press conference, "This sport is fucking boring." With the media already stunned by his revelation, MJ follows that up by saying, "Not gonna lie, I'm going to go gamble." And that was the end of his baseball career.
The Wizards era wouldn't have happened.
This moment in Jordan's history would've never happened and MJ stans would be even more insufferable than they already are.
