Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA from retirement late into the 1995 season was one of the biggest talking points of that year. In addition, he turned heads when he sported 45 as his jersey number instead of the iconic 23.
Jordan’s return with his famous “I’m Back” proclamation was regarded as the boldest comeback, and it came with some changes.
Speaking on ‘The Last Dance,’ Jordan explained why he picked 45 as the number when he returned to the Chicago Bulls, and it all had to do with the fresh start that he needed after his 18-month hiatus.
“I didn’t want to wear 23 because I knew my father wasn’t there to watch me, and I felt it was a new beginning and 45 was my first number when I was playing in high school.”
He further added:
“I was nervous because I hadn’t played competitive in a long time, and I just felt naked because my father wasn’t there,” Jordan said. “It just seemed so different.”
It wasn’t an ideal start for Jordan when he returned to play competitive, high-octane basketball. He ended with 19 points in the Bulls’ 103-96 overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Michael Jordan’s Switch From 45 To 23 Was Triggered When The Bulls Played The Orlando Magic In The Conference Semifinals
It wasn’t that Jordan had bad outings when he sported 45 upon his return. Nine days after the loss to the Pacers, he exploded for 55 points at the Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks, and the performance was later dubbed the “Double-Nickel Game.”
He rocked the same number for the rest of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs against the Charlotte Hornets. It all changed when Chicago faced Orlando Magic and former teammate Horace Grant.
The likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, Nick Anderson, and Grant put the screws on the Bulls, who held on to a 91-90 lead with 22 seconds left in Game 1. Jordan’s turnover served as the winner for the Magic and Anderson responded with a cocky reply:
“45 isn’t 23”
And that was slight that Jordan needed as he returned for Game 2, donning 23, the jersey he started with in the NBA, and dished out 38 points coupled with 7 rebounds and 3 assists to put Anderson in his place with a 104-94 win. Despite his impressive outings, the Magic finished the series 4-2. But what it did stoke was the fire that Jordan had simmering.
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