“I don’t wanna steal the thunder from Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady”: Michael Jordan’s Second Comeback Threatened to Derail League Growth

When Michael Jordan decided to join the Wizards’ roster, he was heavily criticized for hindering the growth of the league.

many credits Michael Jordan for the success of the NBA worldwide. During MJ’s years in Chicago, basketball fans from all over the world would stand in front of his televisions and watch his His Airness play.

However, once Air Jordan decided to come out of retirement a second time to play for the Washington Wizards, fans criticized Mike for hindering the growth of the league.

As Jordan prepared to return after a 3-year break, he was well aware of the harsh words people had against them. In fact, one of the reporters even spoke about Commissioner David Stern’s views on the league allowing the 5-time MVP to return.

Reporter: “Commissioner Stern was 50-50 on his return. His concern was that you might outshine all these younger ballplayers.”

In response to the reporter, the 6-time champion stated that he had no intention of outshining younger and more promising players.

“I don’t want to overshadow the young players. A lot of people were very nervous that I would stop the growth of the NBA because of my involvement in the NBA. I wanted to add, I’m here to help and help.”

Also Read: Can Zion Williamson Replicate Michael Jordan’s Greatness After Returning From Injury?

“I’m not asking the league to market me in any way”: Michael Jordan

Also, in the same interview, the 38-year-old Jordan revealed that he didn’t want to steal the “thunder” from younger players like Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and others of similar caliber.

In fact, Michael left in a complete rant as to why he also agreed the league should market to younger players rather than himself.

“I don’t want to steal the limelight from Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady and those kinds of people because I think that’s the point where they have to continue to grow and they have. They have continued to grow.

It all depends on how you (the media) perceive this whole process, and how you write it and the marketing aspect. I’m not asking the league to market me in any way. I’m not asking you to put me on television. I just, I’m asking, I just want to play basketball.

Everyone else sees it as an opportunity to make money. Which, anytime I play, that’s how people viewed it either way. I could never control that.

So Mr. Stern, yes, he has a job, he has to do it in terms of making sure he doesn’t promote an old man. And he promotes and markets to young people. He would prefer to market to the young. I want the growth of the basketball business to continue to grow.”

Oct. 1, 2001: Washington’s Michael Jordan discusses how his return to the NBA after a three-season hiatus could affect the league’s growth and marketing. pic.twitter.com/8BhE4C4SFI

— NBA Cobwebs (@NBACobwebs) October 1, 2022

To be fair, we saw a lot less of MJ in his last 2 years. And on the other hand, as influential as “Black Jesus” was, the NBA advertised players like Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.

Also read: Steve Kerr, who won 3 championships with Michael Jordan, declared LeBron James the greatest athlete of all time