Twenty years ago, Michael Jordan announced his triumphant return to the NBA with a simple two-word fax: “I’m back.”
20 years ago today, MJ came out of retirement and suited up for the @chicagobulls in an OT loss to the Pacers. #TBT pic.twitter.com/PeruCC2xkK
— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) March 19, 2015
Eighteen months after stunningly retiring for the first time, Mike (rocking an unfamiliar No.45 jersey) laced up a crispy pair of Air Jordan X and played 43 minutes for the Chicago Bulls in a 103-96 road overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers, with Jordan struggling to reach 19 points on just 7-of-28 shooting.
The Bulls, of course, would go on to win another three-peat as Jordan re-assumed his rightful place atop the hoops world.
I see it's been 20 years since two of the most famous words in sports history: "I'm back"
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
To be honest, after MJ retired the first time in 1993 I thought he was done. I think a comeback was the furthest thing on his mind.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
I'll always remember how shocked we were MJ walked away from the game like that. We were ready to go for a 4th straight.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
I kept tabs on him as he played baseball but we didn't talk all that often. I gave him some space as he needed a break from basketball.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
I really didn't know how much he loved baseball until that point. He was pretty passionate about the game and showed he could hold his own.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
When MJ started showing up at Berto spring of 1995 for practices, it didn't take long to see he was serious about getting back in the game.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
We had a great year in 1993-94, no thanks to Hue Hollins, but the following season was challenging without Horace Grant.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
Horace was a huge piece for us so to be without him and Michael felt like starting over to some degree.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
We all felt after several practices that MJ's return was inevitable but once he said "I'm back" it really gave us a lift.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
He wore 45 of course and we didn't think too much about it in the moment but it wasn't the 23 we were used to seeing.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
MJ had to shake a little rust off but he showed at the Garden his swagger was back in the double nickel game.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
I think the Knicks were tired of him killing them all night so they over compensated on that last play and MJ found @34billy42 for the win.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
Losing to Orlando was tough. It had been a long time since we had MJ and lost in the playoffs. But it fueled us. He took it hard.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
We added some pieces to the roster, including one of the great rebounders of all time in @dennisrodman, and came back ready to work.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
So here's to 20 years ago and ultimately, three more championships.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
