Michael Jordan‘s illustrious career in the NBA is filled with countless iconic moments, but one of the most memorable took place in 1995 when he made a stunning return after his first retirement.
This pivotal decision was apparently influenced by one of his Chicago Bulls teammates, BJ Armstrong, who played a crucial role in reigniting Jordan’s passion for basketball.
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BJ revealed that everything began with a breakfast invitation, but the seemingly simple gesture turned into a catalyst for change. Following their meal, “The Kid” said Jordan found himself back on the court, joining the Bulls for practice sessions.
These scrimmages, though initially friendly and casual, had a profound impact on “His Airness.” BJ believed that it was during these games that MJ rediscovered the competitive spirit that had made him the greatest player in the world.
“He was in Chicago doing something, and I was like Why don’t you come by? ‘ and one thing led to another, we went to breakfast. And before you know it, it went from ‘How are you doing’ to trash-talking, to like, ‘I can beat you’ to ‘No you can’t,’ and as always, he always wins in the end,” BJÂ said on “The Jump” on ESPN in 2020
“I couldn’t believe he did it,” Armstrong continued. “And I’m so embarrassed to say that I lost to him, but If I did lose to someone, it had to be him. It was great to see him come back. It was great to see him back around the guys; it was great to see him talk trash. And I’m really happy that it turned out that way.”
BJ just wanted to help a friend
Armstrong never intended to convince Jordan to make a comeback in 1995. His primary focus was simply to be a supportive friend to MJ, as he understood the emotional turmoil that he was navigating following the tragic death of his father.
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BJ genuinely recognized the weight of what Jordan was experiencing and wanted to provide a comforting presence rather than pressure him into returning to the court. However, Armstrong later reflected on the situation with a sense of fulfillment. He expressed his happiness about having taken part in bringing back Jordan’s passion for the game, something that everybody thought was gone at the time.
“I’ve never thought about it, to be honest with you,” the three-time NBA champion with the Bulls told The Associated Press as he reflected on his role in Jordan’s epic return in a separate conversation. “I just wanted to be a good friend and I just saw something in him. When you see someone who really loves something, he loved it. He didn’t like it. He loved it. That’s who he was. And out of respect to the game of basketball, I wanted to be a good friend.”
“I just got him, he got me, and we got each other and you did what was needed,” Armstrong confided. “I didn’t need to tell anyone or talk about it or anything. That’s just what happened. I was just happy for him because I know what the game of basketball meant to him and meant to his life. He kept basketball in a sacred space and it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
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MJ faced some challenges in his return
In a matter of weeks, Jordan officially announced his NBA comeback, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his already storied career. He returned to the Bulls’ lineup after missing one and a half seasons.
While it seemed like a fairytale story, Jordan’s return was not without challenges. Contrary to what many had expected, MJ struggled to find his rhythm and his longtime personal trainer, Tim Grover, knew that some work needed to be done.
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“The elevation wasn’t quite there; the shot arch was a little bit different,” Grover said, describing Jordan’s performance when he returned in ’95. “He didn’t have a whole offseason to prepare.”
With Jordan back, the Bulls were confident about winning another NBA title. However, they were eliminated by the Orlando Magic in an upset fashion in the Eastern semis.
However, the Bulls superstar bounced back the following season. Chicago finished the 1995-96 season with a historic 72-10 record and went on to win its fourth NBA championship.