Editing Michael Jordan (section)

==== 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>