Michael Jordan retired a total of three times — the first time from ’93-’95, the second time from 1998-2001, and the third (last) time after 2003.
Among a series of “what ifs” is the question on what might have transpired had Jordan not retired that first time.
Robert Horry recently admitted that he didn’t believe the Bulls could’ve won eight straight, even with a healthy Michael.
“There’s no way the Bulls would’ve won eight straight championships in a row.”
As for NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith, he says it would have happened if he never retired between 1993 and 1995.
“I definitely think they should be content. you went to six NBA Finals, you won all six of them, and the two that you probably should’ve had but you didn’t get is only because Jordan decided to retire because of a combination of a slew of things.”
The Houston Rockets won both titles between Jordan’s hiatus in the mid-90s. Led by Hakeen Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, they were a force to be reckoned with. By the time MJ returned, their team fell apart — so we’ll never know who would have had the upper hand.
Regardless, if we’ve learned anything from “The Last Dance” it’s that Jordan had a way of making even the hardest tasks seem so easy. perhaps we should all give him and that team the benefit of the doubt.
