4/26/26

 

Jay C. Brandriet

 

It was Michael Jordan’s level of greatness that had me invested in his journey. I was fascinated by the way he dominated his craft.

 

When he came back from baseball in 1995, it was a scary risk to his legacy.

 

It worked out quite well for MJ, who took over the NBA once again.

 

 

The way he finished his career in Chicago, cannot be touched in the category of perfect endings.

 

Making a comeback after sitting for 3 years at age 38?

Playing for the lowly Wizards?

Talk about guaranteed risk.

 

The young superstars in the league wanted a piece of the G.O.A.T., and he was fearless enough to let them have some.

 

This window of time is often referred to as “forgettable.”

It’s said Michael’s Washington days were a sad mistake, and a negative chapter in his basketball story.

While that angle exists for a reason, I think Jordan’s years in D.C. are being misdiagnosed.

 

 

 

HIGHS AND LOWS 

 

 

It was a couple of days after Christmas in 2001. The Wizards lost by 27 at Indiana. Michael scored just 6 points. This ended his double-digit points streak of 866 contests.

Over the next 2 games (victories) Jordan averaged 48 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.5 dimes, and 3 steals. His 51-point night was ignited by information. The guy guarding MJ told him, “My back hurts.”

The good was a rainbow of nostalgia. He still had the ability to close teams out in the clutch. One night in Phoenix, Jordan hit the last second jumper to ice the game. Hundreds of fans wearing Suns jerseys screamed out in joy. Had they forgotten Michael had just beat THEIR team?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bad was hard to look at.

Michael was now dealing with several physical ailments. Sometimes his brilliant jump shot game, would seem like all that he had. His legs could get heavy and his shots would fall flat.

 

 

 

 

HOW GOOD WAS THE WIZARD’S VERSION OF MJ?

 

 

Jordan’s 2 Wizards squads did not make the playoffs. They were 37-45 in both seasons. They had won 19 games the year before Mike got there, and 25 the season after he left.

 

With Washington, Jordan averaged 21.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.5 steals.

He shot 43.1 percent from the field and 80.1 percent from the line.

Number 23 was competing at an All-NBA level before injury.

He was able to provide a defensive punch to this group.

I would guess Mike was somewhere between the 17th to 25th best player in the world.

“All-Star level.”

 

Playing 82 games at age 40?

That feels old school, though it happened in the 2000’s.

 

 

 

He was now more technician than force of nature.

“Air Jordan” was now floor Jordan.

Though sometimes dazzling, and just as fierce.

The Wizard years exposed that MJ was now human.

It was also proof of just how beautiful his shadow was.

 

 

Jay C. Brandriet