How did Michael Jordan's age affect his second NBA run with the Washington Wizards?
Michael Jordan's age was the single biggest reason why he wasn’t as impressive playing for the Washington Wizards as he was with the Chicago Bulls. “His Airness” was three years into his second retirement and was already 38 years old when he took his talents to DC.
In two seasons with the Wizards, he averaged a modest 21.2 points on 43.1% shooting. He also had 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game. There were still flashes of old brilliance, but playing on practically one knee didn’t help much either.
The fact that he played 60 and 82 games while averaging 36.1 minutes in those two seasons was perhaps the most impressive part of it. Considering how today’s superstars would choose to sit out in certain games, Michael Jordan refused to take a night off if not injured.
Michael Jordan's age during stint with Wizards
Michael Jordan was 38 when he unretired for the second time and returned to the NBA. Jordan didn’t go back to his old hunting ground in Chicago but decided to play for the Washington Wizards.
He walked off into the sunset following his iconic shot during the 1998 NBA Finals to beat the Utah Jazz and win his sixth championship. Jordan joined his former coach, the legendary Phil Jackson, in retirement.
Meanwhile, Scottie Pippen left the Chicago Bulls to play for the Houston Rockets. Dennis Rodman contemplated retirement but went to the LA Lakers to play with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
Michael Jordan's age, however, wasn’t a deterrent to a front office role. That was why the late Abe Pollin convinced him to work in Washington back in 2000. “His Airness” became a minority owner of the Wizards and also acted as the team’s president of basketball operations.
MJ’s tasks included drafting and signing players. He originally mentioned that he wouldn’t wear the Washington Wizards uniform as he wanted to oversee basketball operations from his office.
Before the 2001-02 season started, Michael Jordan's age wasn’t reason enough for him to hold back and scratch a persistent basketball itch. From the front office down to the final seconds of a game, Jordan wanted to put his imprint on the team.
The Washington Wizards got more than what they bargained for as they got both Jordan the executive and Jordan the player. In just his first season with the team, he led the Wizards in scoring with 22.9 PPG. Rip Hamilton, 15 years his junior, was second with 20.0 PPG.
The following year, MJ was second in scoring with 20.0 points per game, second only to Jerry Stackhouse’s 21.5 PPG.
Comparing Jordan's Wizards and Bulls careers
Prime Michael Jordan and Washington Wizards Jordan were simply not on the same planet.
Jordan’s 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls are widely considered to be the best in NBA history. He was undefeated in the NBA Finals in six appearances and had a mouthwatering collection of achievements.
No one in NBA history was arguably more dominant than Jordan in his years with the Chicago Bulls. He was a five-time MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year winner, three-time All-Star Game MVP, six-time NBA Finals MVP and a 10-time scoring champ.
He averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.3 steals with the Bulls. Jordan's trophy-filled career in Chicago made him a staple in GOAT conversations.
Michael Jordan's age wasn’t considered a factor when it came to popularity in his two seasons with the Washington Wizards. He was still one of the leading vote-getters in the 2002 and 2003 NBA All-Star games.
His game had already declined in Washington, but despite that, he was still the undisputed shot-taker when the game was on the line. MJ still hit a few game-winning baskets that reminded basketball fans of what he once used to do with consistency back in his prime.
Jordan's averages with the Wizards weren’t his usual jaw-dropping numbers. However, considering his age and the age of the players around him, they were still very good.
Michael Jordan's age-related decline was the biggest reason he never led the Wizards to the playoffs. He's resume as an executive in Washington wasn't glittering either.
Fans, though, still remember some of his highlights as a 40-year old who competed with all his heart against players years younger than him.