When Michael Jordan returned from his first retirement in 1995, his primary focus was on regaining his basketball conditioning after a stint in professional baseball. Despite widespread expectations, Jordan insisted he wasn’t immediately aiming to replicate the dominance he had shown before leaving in 1993.
This was evident even after his historic 55-point performance against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. In the Bulls’ victory, Jordan downplayed the achievement, explaining that he simply found his rhythm during the game.
“I didn’t come here to make a statement—I forgot how to make a statement,” Jordan said after the win. “I just let the game come to me. I felt very relaxed. I had low expectations, but just wanted to fit in and go with the flow.”
During that game, Jordan shot 21-for-37 from the field, but his most critical play was not a shot. With the game on the line, he drew the defense and passed to Bill Wennington for the game-winning basket. Still, his 55 points were a statement in themselves, breaking the NBA’s previous single-game high for the season, a 53-point effort by Willie Burton.
Signs of Jordan’s rapid return to form had appeared just before the Knicks game. In a victory over the Atlanta Hawks, he scored 32 points, sealing the win with a game-winning shot at the buzzer. However, as Jordan’s scoring prowess returned, the Bulls began reverting to an old habit: watching him play rather than contributing. This growing reliance on their superstar frustrated Jordan.
“It really made me feel pressure from my teammates for the first time in my career. I felt really uncomfortable,” Jordan later remarked. “I told them, ‘You’ve got to walk on your own two feet.'”
This internal imbalance proved costly in the 1995 playoffs. While Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Toni Kukoč, and B.J. Armstrong provided offensive firepower, the team’s chemistry was not what it once was. After sweeping the Charlotte Hornets in the first round, the Bulls were eliminated 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by a formidable Orlando Magic team led by Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee Hardaway.
Despite the series loss, Jordan was exceptional, averaging 31.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.5 steals. His performance earned high praise from O’Neal.
“I don’t think Michael ever gets tired,” Shaq said. “He is a real Superman and I am a real Superboy.”
Ultimately, the 1995 season ended in disappointment for the Bulls, but it served as a crucial readjustment period for Jordan. With a full offseason to train, he returned the following year fully restored. The 1995 playoff exit was merely a prelude to the historic championship run that would redefine his legacy.
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