Editing Michael Jordan (section)

=== Washington Wizards (2001–2003) ===
On September 25, 2001, Jordan announced his return to the NBA to play for the Washington Wizards, indicating his intention to donate his salary as a player to a relief effort for the victims of the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/WSEedfund_011016.html Pollin Establishes Education Fund]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091220040923/http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/WSEedfund_011016.html |date=December 20, 2009 }}, NBA, September 9, 2002. Retrieved October 30, 2023.</ref><ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9400E1DA133AF935A1575AC0A9679C8B63 News Summary]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109171025/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/26/nyregion/news-summary-355658.html |date=November 9, 2012 }}, ''The New York Times'', September 26, 2001. Retrieved October 30, 2023.</ref> In an injury-plagued [[2001–02 NBA season|2001–02 season]], Jordan led the team in scoring (22.9 ppg), assists (5.2 apg), and steals (1.4 spg),<ref name="nbah" /> and was an MVP candidate, as he led the Wizards to a winning record and playoff contention;<ref>{{cite news |last=Wise |first=Mike |date=January 13, 2002 |title=Pro Basketball: Inside The N.B.A.; Jordan Lifts Wizards And His M.V.P. Bid |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/13/sports/pro-basketball-inside-the-nba-jordan-lifts-wizards-and-his-mvp-bid.html |access-date=October 30, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518014944/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/13/sports/pro-basketball-inside-the-nba-jordan-lifts-wizards-and-his-mvp-bid.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland · Page A12 |date=February 2, 2002 |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/248349832/ |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=Newspapers.com |quote=But the race for the NBA's Most Valuable Player award has a late 1980s-early 1990s feel about it, with Michael Jordan competing against a point guard. ... But Jordan, who has returned from retirement to breathe life into the left-for-dead Washington Wizards, and Kidd, who has quarterbacked the Nets out of the mire of the Meadowlands swamps, are the odds-on favorites. ... Jordan's return from three years of retirement has been remarkable, with five 40-point performances already. He is also rebounding and handing out assists on par with his career averages. Most importantly, his indomitable will and thirst for winning have lifted Washington into playoff contention with more wins by Jan. 24 than they had all of last season. ... But if the Nets slip and the Wizards make the playoffs, Jordan will have earned what would be a record-tying sixth MVP. |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518014953/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/248349832/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Jordan would eventually finish 13th in the MVP ballot.<ref>{{cite web |title=2001–02 NBA Awards Voting |website=Basketball Reference |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_2002.html |access-date=October 22, 2022 |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328110313/https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_2002.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> After he suffered torn [[cartilage]] in his right knee,<ref>{{cite web |title=Jordan has surgery; absence to be determined |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |date=February 27, 2002 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2002/0227/1341308.html |access-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-date=August 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813013804/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2002/0227/1341308.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and subsequent knee soreness,<ref>{{cite web |date=February 25, 2002 |title=Jordan remains questionable with bum knee |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2002/0225/1340423.html |access-date=October 30, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518014934/http://www.espn.com/nba/news/2002/0225/1340423.html |url-status=live}}</ref> the Wizards missed the playoffs,<ref name="WizardsIndex">{{cite web |title=Washington Wizards |website=Basketball Reference |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/ |access-date=October 22, 2022 |archive-date=June 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625100058/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> and Jordan's season ended after only 60 games, the fewest he had played in a regular season since playing 17 games after returning from his first retirement during the [[1994–95 NBA season|1994–95 season]].<ref name="dbb" /> Jordan started 53 of his 60 games for the season, averaging 24.3 ppg, 5.4 apg, and 6.0 rpg, and shooting 41.9% from the field in his 53 starts. His last seven appearances were in a reserve role, in which he averaged just over 20 minutes per game.<ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jordami01/splits/2002/ "Michael Jordan 2001–02 Splits"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209071504/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jordami01/splits/2002 |date=February 9, 2018 }}. ''Basketball Reference''. Retrieved October 22, 2022.</ref> The Wizards finished the season with a 37–45 record, an 18-game improvement.<ref name="WizardsIndex" />

[[File:MichaelJordanDepOfDefense.jpg|thumb|Jordan in 2003]]
Playing in his 14th and final NBA All-Star Game in [[2003 NBA All-Star Game|2003]], Jordan passed [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] as the all-time leading scorer in All-Star Game history, a record since broken by [[Kobe Bryant]] and [[LeBron James]].<ref>[http://www.nba.com/games/20120226/WSTEST/gameinfo.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1 "Bryant, West hold on to win NBA All-Star game"]. ''NBA.com''. February 26, 2012. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301060243/http://www.nba.com/games/20120226/WSTEST/gameinfo.html?ls=iref:nbahpt1|date=March 1, 2012}}. Retrieved August 2, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/leaders_career.html "NBA All-Star Game Career Leaders"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107221920/https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/leaders_career.html |date=November 7, 2017 }}. ''Basketball Reference''. Retrieved October 22, 2022.</ref> That year, Jordan was the only Washington player to play in all 82 games, starting in 67 of them as he came off the bench in 15. Jordan averaged 20.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 spg per game.<ref name="nbah" /> He also shot 45% from the field, and 82% from the free-throw line.<ref name="dbb" /> Although Jordan turned 40 during the season, he scored 20 or more points 42 times, 30 or more points nine times, and 40 or more points three times.<ref name="nba.combio" /> On February 21, 2003, Jordan became the first 40-year-old to tally 43 points in an NBA game.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/games/20030221/NJNWAS/recap.html "Jordan Pours in History-Making 43"]. ''NBA.com.'' February 21, 2003. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119023329/http://www.nba.com/games/20030221/NJNWAS/recap.html|date=January 19, 2012}}. Retrieved August 2, 2019.</ref> During his stint with the Wizards, all of Jordan's home games at the [[MCI Center]] were sold out and the Wizards were the second most-watched team in the NBA, averaging 20,172 fans a game at home and 19,311 on the road.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/nba/attendance/_/year/2003 NBA Attendance Report – 2003]. [https://www.espn.com/nba/attendance/_/year/2003]. ESPN. Retrieved October 30, 2023.</ref> Jordan's final two seasons did not result in a playoff appearance for the Wizards, and he was often unsatisfied with the play of those around him.<ref name="Rob">Maaddi, Rob. [https://www.usatoday.com/sports/nba/jordan/2001-11-29-frustration.htm Collins feels Jordan's pain]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023114143/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/nba/jordan/2001-11-29-frustration.htm |date=October 23, 2012 }}, [[Associated Press]], ''USA Today'', November 29, 2001. Retrieved October 30, 2023.</ref><ref name="Chemistry">Associated Press (April 12, 2003). [https://web.archive.org/web/20040322055851/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2003/04/12/jordan_follow_ap/ "Bad chemistry left MJ unable to win in Washington"]. CNN/''Sports Illustrated''. Retrieved May 9, 2017.</ref> At several points, Jordan openly criticized his teammates to the media, citing their lack of focus and intensity, notably that of [[Kwame Brown]], the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks|number-one draft pick]] in the [[2001 NBA draft]].<ref name="Rob" /><ref name="Chemistry" />

==== Final retirement (2003) ====
With the recognition that 2002–03 would be Jordan's final season, tributes were paid to him throughout the NBA. In his final game at the [[United Center]] in Chicago, which was his old home court, Jordan received a four-minute standing ovation.<ref>Johnson, K. C. (January 25, 2003). [https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/01/25/lengthy-ovation-moves-jordan/ "Lengthy ovation moves Jordan"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204032702/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-01-25/sports/0301250189_1_chicago-stadium-ovation-johnny-red-kerr |date=December 4, 2010 }}. ''Chicago Tribune''. Retrieved October 30, 2023.</ref> The [[Miami Heat]] retired the No. 23 jersey on April 11, 2003, even though Jordan never played for the team.<ref>[https://archive.today/20051126221405/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2003/04/11/heat_jordan_ap/ "Heat retires first number"]. CNN/''Sports Illustrated''. April 11, 2003. Retrieved May 9, 2017.</ref> At the 2003 All-Star Game, Jordan was offered a starting spot from [[Tracy McGrady]] and [[Allen Iverson]] but refused both;<ref>Associated Press (February 8, 2003). [https://web.archive.org/web/20030216075102/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/2003/all_star/news/2003/02/08/jordan_decision_ap/ "Thanks, but no thanks: Jordan not interested in ceremonial starting role"]. CNN/''Sports Illustrated''. Retrieved May 9, 2017.</ref> he accepted the spot of [[Vince Carter]].<ref>Zeisberger, Mike (December 18, 2004). [https://web.archive.org/web/20150526174720/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Basketball/NBA/Toronto/2004/12/18/788808-sun.html "Vince's wild ride"]. ''Canoe.com''. Retrieved February 2, 2024.</ref> Jordan played in his final NBA game on April 16, 2003, in [[Philadelphia]]. After scoring 13 points in the game, Jordan went to the bench with 4 minutes and 13 seconds left in the third quarter and his team trailing the [[2002–03 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia 76ers]] 75–56. Just after the start of the fourth quarter, the [[First Union Center]] crowd began chanting "We want Mike!" After much encouragement from coach [[Doug Collins (basketball)|Doug Collins]], Jordan finally rose from the bench and re-entered the game, replacing [[Larry Hughes]] with 2:35 remaining. At 1:45, Jordan was intentionally fouled by the 76ers' [[Eric Snow]], and stepped to the line to make both free throws. After the second foul shot, the 76ers in-bounded the ball to rookie [[John Salmons]], who in turn was intentionally fouled by [[Bobby Simmons]] one second later, stopping time so that Jordan could return to the bench. He received a three-minute standing ovation from his teammates, his opponents, the officials, and the crowd of 21,257 fans.<ref name="final game">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20030416/WASPHI/recap.html |title=Sixers Prevail in Jordan's Final Game |website=NBA.com |date=April 16, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119024455/http://www.nba.com/games/20030416/WASPHI/recap.html |archive-date=January 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=August 2, 2019}}</ref>