The Michael Jordan-led Chicago still remains one of the best teams ever assembled in the history of the NBA. For most parts, MJ and the Bulls ruled the league during their prime.
However, they went through a rough patch when Jordan announced his retirement after winning three straight NBA championships. Once MJ returned to the team, he was a bit out of shape and struggled to do what he was known for – lead the team to a championship.
As a result, the Bulls were defeated by the Orlando Magic in 1994, which led to Jordan getting a wake-up call and training rigorously to make a comeback.
While MJ trained hard to get back his crown, the Bulls were trying to find a replacement for Horace Grant. The Bulls went ahead with Dennis Rodman, who was known for his insane ability to rebound the ball. At the end of the day, it turned out to be an amazing decision. But for a while, the organization considered signing Jayson Williams, who played for the New Jersey Nets at the time.
In fact, it was ‘His Airness’ who reached out to Williams in a New York City bar. Apparently, Jordan waited for over an hour to recruit Williams.
Via Chicago Tribune
“He told me all he needs is for me to rebound, and he’ll get me two or three rings. He was all over me. He said I was at the top of list. He said, ‘I had to come all the way to your neighborhood to find you.
Being reached out by the GOAT himself proves that Williams had a good knack for pulling down rebounds because that would be his role if he had joined the Bulls.
Well, Williams still rejected the offer from Jordan and re-signed with the Nets. That’s why the Bulls shifted their focus to Dennis Rodman.
The rest is history, Bulls with Rodman on the roster, became an even better team and went on to win three more championships before the team finally broke up in 1998.
Maybe they would have won more rings with Williams or maybe not. We will never know.
