Michael Jordan is widely accepted as the greatest basketball player of all time. The Bulls legend was one of the most vicious beasts on the floor. Willing to do anything to win, MJ flew his way to 6 championships. However, after winning just three, His Airness took a surprising step to retire. But his teammates weren’t buying his plan.

The thought of retirement crossed Jordan’s mind more than once in his NBA career. Notably, the six-time MVP stepped away three times. However, his first retirement in 1993 was the most shocking.

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MJ wanted to retire early, and he had thought about his decision. He even told his teammates about his decision. But they did not believe Jordan would step away from his love so soon.

No one believed Michael Jordan

In 1993, Jordan and the Bulls were through with making history. Winning three for three, Chicago has etched themselves in the dynasty books. And there was a lot left for the Bulls to do. Likewise, all eyes were on their Finals MVP, Michael Jordan.

Playing at the pinnacle, everyone expected MJ to continue his legend. However, after averaging 41 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists in the finals, Jordan decided to step away. But it wasn’t an impulsive decision. Jordan had made the decision long before and even tried telling his teammates. But they didn’t believe him.

Jordan said: “We’d have a couple of beers after the game and they’d be complaining about this or that, pointing fingers as they liked to do, and I’d say, ‘Man, you don’t know how good you have it. You watch, I’m not going to be around here much longer. I think this is going to be my last year.’ And they’d say, ‘Sure MJ, sure.’ I kept saying it. Not once, not twice, but three or four times. I could sense they didn’t believe me.”

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But it turns it his teammates got it right in the end. After just 2 years away, MJ’s hunger grew back. He made his return with 3 simple words, ‘I am back’. From there, the NBA landscape changed. Without his return, the league won’t know what Michael Jordan’s impact really was. And in true GOAT fashion, another three-peat solidified his legend.