MJ's mid 90s "time out"

[msgkings322]

So the cynical consensus is that Jordan took that time off in the middle of his peak years because he was forced to by David Stern for out of control gambling.

I think it was very little about that if at all. The guy was famously the most intense, win at all costs player in history, and had just willed and played a team (with help, who didn't have that?) to 3 straight championships. Isn't it more likely he really did need a mental break? And in fact it worked really well because he came back and won 3 more. Just sayin'.

Or maybe it was something I'm not thinking of, curious to hear others' opinions, vote above and/or post.

 

[msgkings322]

Not to mention, he retired (first time) right after winning the second 3. He was just as spent mentally after the first 3, he needed a break.

 

[tlance]

The main catalyst was his father's death. His father had always wanted MJ to play baseball. He was paying tribute to his father with his pro baseball attempt.

The gambling myth is absolutely ridiculous. Absent a very public scandal, there is no chance Stern would have banished the league's most popular player. Mid 90s NBA was awful without MJ. In fact, the Knicks/Rockets Finals was so hard to watch that NBC bumped coverage of game 6 to show OJ driving down the highway.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

His Dad's murder.

 

[beardown07]

mehbe his dad was murdered BECAUSE of his gambling.

 

[handicappers]

If you owe someone fat stacks, better pay. You might go broke hand have to file bankruptcy, but you'll be a more humble person in the end

 

[Heatles84]

The main catalyst was his father's death. His father had always wanted MJ to play baseball. He was paying tribute to his father with his pro baseball attempt.

The gambling myth is absolutely ridiculous. Absent a very public scandal, there is no chance Stern would have banished the league's most popular player. Mid 90s NBA was awful without MJ. In fact, the Knicks/Rockets Finals was so hard to watch that NBC bumped coverage of game 6 to show OJ driving down the highway.

I agree with this. That'd be the equivalent of Silver making Lebron retire for some arbitrary reason. You don't force generational talents to retire early because that's bad for busine$$. I don't doubt Jordan has/had a gambling problem. I remember reading an article that if it wasn't for the Jordan brand, he'd be flat broke.

 

[wildturkey]

I voted option 4. The MonStars stole his talent

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

The OP doesn't know anything about MJ.