Michael Jordan’s best years in the NBA came when he was a part of the Chicago Bulls. When Jordan retired from the league for the second time in his career after winning six NBA Championships, not many thought they would see him play again.
But they were all proven wrong when Michael Jordan returned to the league ahead of the 2001-02 season and joined the Washington Wizards. Speaking of his time with the Wizards, Jordan had one of the worst games of his career against the Pacers, where he recorded just 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. But the way Mike made a comeback is a story that former Wizards coach Doug Collins will never forget.
“And after the game was over, I found out that he’d had like 8 points in the game and he broke a streak of 800-something games in double figures. … He got on the bus and he said, ‘Scoot over.’ And he looked at me, and he said, ‘Do you think I can still play?’ And I said, ‘Absolutely, that’s why I’m here.’ And he said, ‘You know, to be my coach, you have to believe that I can play.'”
Collins then detailed how Michael Jordan had a crazy night of drinking a few cocktails coupled with smoking a few cigars, and it ultimately resulted in Jordan scoring a combined 96 points in his next two games.
“We got on the plane. He has a few cocktails, and smokes a couple of cigars, all the things that you’re not supposed to do. We get back about 3:30 in the morning in Washington. At 7:30 that morning, he’s down in the fitness room. … He’s 41 years old. We play the New Jersey Nets the next night, and Michael scores the first three times he has the ball. Byron Scott takes a timeout, and Michael comes over, and he says, ‘I want the ball right there for the rest of the game, and don’t take me out till I tell you,’ and that’s fine by me. So with two minutes to go in the game, he gives me the sign that he’s had enough.'”
Collins was awestruck with Jordan’s greatness and couldn’t hold in his excitement to ask what had changed for Michael Jordan.
“I take him out of the game and he walks over to the bench, and I said, ‘Michael! What happened tonight?’ and he said, ‘Well, the guy who was guarding me was telling me his back was hurting. Don’t ever tell me you have a problem, I’ll make you pay for that.’ 51 points later. 51 points at age 41. He came back the next game with 46 (45 in reality), and he looked at me and said, ‘I told you, I can still play!’ 97 points (96 in reality). I was absolutely blown away.”
This is yet another example of Jordan’s greatness. Even after having one of the worst games of his career, he made a comeback and scored 51 points in the next game.
Jordan may not have been in his prime during his time with the Wizards, but he still had enough gas in his tank left to show the world what he was truly capable of doing.
A Look At Michael Jordan’s 96 Points In Two Games
Michael Jordan’s scoring outburst against the Hornets was undoubtedly one of the best performances seen by fans. In the game, he recorded 51 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 assists while shooting a sensational 55% from the field. In addition, Jordan went 9-10 from the free-throw line as well.
Behind Jordan’s stunning performance, the Wizards registered a 107-90 victory over the Hornets without even breaking a sweat.
Jordan’s scoring outburst against the Hornets would have shut down his critics for sure. But MJ always likes to take things one step further to provide no chance to his haters.
He did so by following his 51-point performance with 45 points against the New Jersey Nets in the very next game. His entire stat line was 45 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals. He shot 50% from the field and was 12-13 from the free-throw line. The Wizards ended up winning the game as the final scoreline stood at 98-76.
It’s moments like these that still made Jordan’s time with the Wizards memorable for fans and why they are eagerly waiting for the documentary during his time with the franchise.
If it weren’t for injury issues, Jordan would have probably led the Wizards into the postseason as well. But after trying for two seasons, Jordan finally called it a day and retired from the NBA for the third and final time following the 2002-03 NBA season.
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