Michael Jordan quits
basketball…again
By: Ricky Bugeja
The 35 year old Chicago Bulls superstar held a press conference
yesterday at the United Centre in Chicago to announce the end of
his basketball career for good.
After originally quitting in 1993 and returning in 1995, Jordan has
now claimed to be “mentally exhausted” compared to the first time
when he quit because of “other agendas”.
Michael Jordan had stopped playing basketball in 1993 in order to
play minor league baseball, but made it clear that this time there
“won’t be another announcement to baseball or anything to that
nature.” He declared that his major challenge for the years to come
was going to be that of being a parent.
At the speech, Mr. Jordan thanked Bulls CEO Jerry Reinsdorf and
NBA commissioner David Stern for giving him the opportunity to
play basketball. He also thanked them for allowing him to come to
Chicago, meet his wife and build a family there. Jordan said that
through out the years he had tried to “get rid of the gangster
mentality that Chicago was know for” and he hoped that instead,
Chicago would be known “as a championship city”.
Jerry Reinsdorf described Michael Jordan as “simply the best player
who ever put on a basketball uniform”. He explained how Jordan’s
number 23 uniform will be hung in a position of prominence from
the rafters. Reinsdorf then presented Jordan with the 1998 World
Championship Ring.
David stern thanked Michael for “gracing” their court for 13 seasons
and wished him and his wife continued success and good health as
they face parenthood.
Upon being asked whether he would ever return to the court,
Michael Jordan answered, “I never say never, but 99.9 percent I am
very secure with my decision”.
Michael Jordan, 6 feet 6 inches, has a career average of 31.5 points
per game – the best in league history. He has been named NBA’s
most valuable player 5 times.