Quote:Upon hearing that, the words "NCAA violation" might spring into your head, but it appears that wouldn't likely be the case, as the Jordan Brand — owned by, of course, Jordan — is the team's official equipment supplier.
It's ok because Michael Jordan can do no wrong, right? I was very young when Jordan was playing and only got to see the end of his career. There is a huge gap between the portrayal of Jordan in the media and the actual Jordan. Case in point, see how they spun the whole thing about him playing baseball. In reality he was facing possible suspension from the NBA for excessive gambling and it just so happened the owner of the bulls owned the white sox and long story short he gets sent to our city to play for the barons. All that said, you can't take away the fact that he is one of the greatest players to pick up a basketball.
I've heard that rumor about the gambling thing and possible suspension. However, since you were young when Jordan was playing, you may not have known that his father was murdered and his body was dumped into a swamp. Two months after the funeral was when Michael announced his first retirement. I believe his father's murder was what led him to retire from basketball.
I wouldn't quite be quoting bleacherreport as a great source. Personally, after almost 20 years, I think if there was more to this story of gambling, it would be out by now. This would be the best kept secret in the freaking world if all of this conspiracy stuff was true with Jordan. He may have had a gambling issue, but I don't think that is why he retired. His father died, and for a guy that gets his passion and energy from his competitiveness, that might have made the game lose a little bit of its meaning to him, and he decided to take a break for a little bit.
If David Stern had made Jordan leave because of gambling, then why would Stern allow Jordan to buy a majority ownership in a team when it's obvious from many reports that he still gambles. There is nothing to the Gambling ban story. Just a fun little conspiracy theory people like to put out there.
His father wanted him to play baseball. He chose basketball. His grief after his father died made him choose to try to follow his fathers wishes.
(03-25-2011 11:06 AM)the_blazerman Wrote: [ -> ]I'm trying to remember the timing on things, MB.
Did his father die before he played for the Barons?
Yes. His father died in July of '93. The body was found in August and Michael retired from basketball in October of '93. He began his baseball career in '94.