So, we’re talking about Michael Jordan returning to basketball. Man, that was a time. I remember it like it was yesterday, even though it feels like a lifetime ago. It wasn’t just a news story; for a lot of us, it was an event we actively lived through, and I definitely had my own little routine, my own “practice” if you will, around it.
Hearing the First Whispers
First off, when the rumors started swirling that MJ might come back, the first time, after baseball? I gotta be honest, I mostly dismissed it. Sounded like wishful thinking, you know? Like, “Yeah, right, and I’m gonna fly to the moon.” But then the whispers got louder. I started paying more attention to sports radio, flicking through ESPN more often than usual. It was this weird mix of disbelief and a tiny spark of “what if?”
My daily routine started to shift. I’d make sure to catch the sports segment on the news, something I didn’t always do. I found myself lingering by the newspaper stand, trying to catch headlines. It was like I was a detective, piecing together clues.
The “I’m Back” Era: My Fandom Practice
Then, the famous two words: “I’m back.” That fax. Wow. I wasn’t doing anything super important, probably just pottering around the house, but when I heard it confirmed on TV, I literally stopped everything. It felt huge. Suddenly, basketball was exciting again in a way it hadn’t been since he left.
So, what did my “practice” look like then? Well, it involved a few things:
- I dug out all my old Bulls gear. Had to find that number 23 jersey, even though he came back with 45 at first.
- I called my buddies. We spent hours just talking about it, what it meant, could he still do it? Lots of debating, lots of excitement.
- I cleared my schedule for game nights. Suddenly, those Bulls games became can’t-miss events. My VCR was primed and ready to record everything.
- I read everything. Every article, every sports column. I wanted all the analysis, all the hot takes. I was absorbing it all.
It was a full-time fan commitment, I tell ya. I remember going to the store specifically to buy basketball magazines that had him on the cover. It felt like I was preparing for something big, even though I was just a spectator.
Watching Him Play Again
Then came the actual games. That first game back, against the Pacers. He was rusty, sure. The Bulls didn’t even win. But just seeing him on the court, in an NBA game again… that was something special. There was an electricity to it. I watched every dribble, every shot, analyzing, hoping.
Following that season was an emotional rollercoaster. Some games he looked like the old MJ, some games you could see the time off. But I was invested. I rode those highs and lows with the team. When they lost in the playoffs that year to Orlando, it was a downer, but honestly, just having him back playing felt like a win in itself. It was more about the journey of his return that year.
Reflecting on it All
Looking back, that whole period was intense. My “practice” was really about dedicating a whole lot of my attention and energy to this one guy’s comeback. It wasn’t just about basketball; it was a cultural moment. I learned a lot about hype, about pressure, and about what one person can mean to a sport.
And then, of course, he came back again, with the Wizards. That was a different vibe. I still watched, of course. I still followed the news. But the expectation was different. It felt more like a personal quest for him. My “practice” then was more about appreciating the chance to see a legend play, even if it wasn’t for championships. It was still MJ, still competing. And I still made sure to catch those games, still talked about it, though maybe with a bit less fever pitch than the first time.
So yeah, Michael Jordan returning to basketball? It wasn’t just something I read about. I feel like I actively participated as a fan, adjusting my life to follow it all. It was a wild ride, and my little rituals and routines around it are something I still remember pretty clearly.
