It’s a special day for all basketball fans. 28 years ago, to the day, Saturday March 18, 1995, everyone remembers how they learned the news that was going to shake the NBA: Michael Jordan is coming back!
The announcement is made by a press release as short as historic which answers the burning questions of the last days on its future: “I’m Back”.
The three-time champion, already considered the greatest player of all time at the time, returns to the league to reclaim his throne. The dream has come true.
“He arrived this morning, shook my hand and said: it’s done”, says Phil Jackson. “I was hoping for it but I didn’t think it would come true. We had mentioned a possibility at the beginning of the week, and now it happens. For us and the fans, it’s a relief. »
The event of the season in the NBA
For opponents much less. But on all levels, economic, media, sporting, the return of “Air Jordan” is a blessing for the league. Obviously, even more for the Bulls.
“If it makes him happy, I am for him”explains Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the franchise. “I always said he would have my support in everything he did, he seems impatient for this new adventure. I don’t want him to do Superman by playing too much right away. Let it start slowly. »
In his biography, George Eddy remembers this special day. ” The most significant moment of this year 1994-1995, it was obviously the return of Michael Jordan in full season. We thought he was going to get back to the top quickly. He had left the league at just 30, he was far from finished. He came back hungry and many thought he might win the title in 1995. He found a team almost intact compared to that of 1993, with systems he knew by heart. Moreover, with his experience in baseball, he had not put on weight“.
Euphoric, Phil Jackson lacks words
Especially since this comeback is not a way to relieve his temporary desire to play basketball. At just 32 years old, Michael Jordan is definitely back in business. “I don’t know how long he wants to play but he told me several years. He can still change his mind.”comments Jerry Reinsdorf.
Besides the media folklore, Michael Jordan’s first game is scheduled for the next day against the Pacers. A day of preparation is short, even for the best player in the world. And for Phil Jackson too, even if we feel that euphoria has taken precedence over lucidity this Saturday. “I don’t know how I’m going to coach him, I can’t say how long he’s going to play”replies the coach.
With only Scottie Pippen, Will Perdue and BJ Armstrong surviving from the winning years, the back will also have to evolve with unknowns. Without optimal physical condition or training, how does Phil Jackson imagine the face of the meeting and the rest of the season (there are then 17 games left before the playoffs)?
“After the first match, I will be able to describe all that, or not elsewhere. Once on the field, with his red uniform, it will be moving and we are all waiting for this moment. »
The next day, Michael Jordan will score 19 points in the defeat of the Bulls, in a match broadcast directly on Canal+ (we are in 1995…). The essence was elsewhere, in a certain magic of the moment. Then, somewhere, in the hope of seeing “His Airness” again fly, dominate, win as before and not witness a failed comeback. No one will be disappointed.
