Scottie Pippen talks about when Michael Jordan announced he was returning to basketball 20 years ago.
Roughly 20 years ago, Michael Jordan made his famous return to basketball from his brief stint in professional baseball.
He released a two word fax that declared “I’m back” and briefly wore the number 45 since his 23 jersey had been retired.
His famous teammate and running buddy Scottie Pippen shared some stories about Jordan’s famous return on Twitter.
I see it's been 20 years since two of the most famous words in sports history: "I'm back"
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
To be honest, after MJ retired the first time in 1993 I thought he was done. I think a comeback was the furthest thing on his mind.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
I'll always remember how shocked we were MJ walked away from the game like that. We were ready to go for a 4th straight.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
I kept tabs on him as he played baseball but we didn't talk all that often. I gave him some space as he needed a break from basketball.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
I really didn't know how much he loved baseball until that point. He was pretty passionate about the game and showed he could hold his own.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
When MJ started showing up at Berto spring of 1995 for practices, it didn't take long to see he was serious about getting back in the game.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
We had a great year in 1993-94, no thanks to Hue Hollins, but the following season was challenging without Horace Grant.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
Horace was a huge piece for us so to be without him and Michael felt like starting over to some degree.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
We all felt after several practices that MJ's return was inevitable but once he said "I'm back" it really gave us a lift.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
He wore 45 of course and we didn't think too much about it in the moment but it wasn't the 23 we were used to seeing.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
MJ had to shake a little rust off but he showed at the Garden his swagger was back in the double nickel game.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
I think the Knicks were tired of him killing them all night so they over compensated on that last play and MJ found @34billy42 for the win.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
Losing to Orlando was tough. It had been a long time since we had MJ and lost in the playoffs. But it fueled us. He took it hard.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
We added some pieces to the roster, including one of the great rebounders of all time in @dennisrodman, and came back ready to work.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
So here's to 20 years ago and ultimately, three more championships.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) March 19, 2015
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