Michael Jordan is the name back on sports fans' lips following the release – and universal success – of hit Netflix series The Last Dance.
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The show details the rise of Jordan and the Chicago Bulls during the early 90s, culminating in an electrifying 'last dance' season as the team approached the end of their glory days together.
Not only was Jordan a success on the court, but he became a global phenomenon off it with surging Air Jordan shoe sales and his iconic Number 23 seared into NBA fans' minds – but why did he wear 23 and why did he switch numbers?
Why did Michael Jordan wear number 23?
Jordan took up the number 23 jersey from an early age dating back to his time at Laney High School. His older brother Larry was already on the team with the number 45, so Jordan simply halved the number to reach 23 – with the help of a little rounding up.
He continued to don the 23 for the University of North Carolina where he made a name for himself and ultimately earned a shot at the NBA in 1984.
He joined the Bulls and kept his shirt number for nine years, though he was forced to wear number 12 for a game after his traditional jersey went missing prior to a game.
Jordan retired from the NBA in October 1993 following the murder of his father several months earlier. He stated that he had lost the desire to play the game and couldn't continue. He went on to play Minor League Baseball for a spell.
The Bulls retired the number 23 shirt in honour of Jordan in 1994, but he pulled another shock move. "I'm back" declared Jordan as he returned for the final stretch of the 1994/95 season. He wore the number 45 during that season, his brother Larry's old number.
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However, following a couple of uncharacteristic errors, a famous Magic Johnson quote: "No. 45 doesn't explode like No. 23 used to" inspired Jordan to return to his old number 23, and silenced the critics with a dazzling end to his career.
45 took over — one he wore during his formative years at Laney High School: “I didn't want to wear 23 because I knew my father wasn't there to watch me, and I felt it was a new beginning and 45 was my first number when I was playing in high school."
45 took over — one he wore during his formative years at Laney High School: “I didn't want to wear 23 because I knew my father wasn't there to watch me, and I felt it was a new beginning and 45 was my first number when I was playing in high school."
The five-time MVP made his first appearance back the NBA on March 19, 1995, in a 103-96 loss to the Indiana Pacers, bringing 45 with him to Chicago. In his autobiography For the Love of the Game, he explained his reasoning was tied to his father's murder in July 1993.
According to Rich Paul, friend and former agent of 'King James', "LeBron's decision was out of respect for Bill Russell". LeBron was among the last players in the NBA to wear the number 6, after the league retired the number 6 in memory of Bill Russell, who died in the summer of 2022 at the age of 88.
The Air Jordan 11 'Concord' was actually worn by MJ in the Playoffs with the number 45 on the heel. Moreover, this Air Jordan 11 'Concord' will feature a Jumpman facing the proper direction — towards the toe! The last version, which released in 2011, did have the proper Jumpman but sported the 23 at the heel.
When Michael Jordan returned to basketball, designers adjusted the "23" on the heel of his Air Jordan 11s to his new number 45. Of course, Jordan decided to switch back to his original number during the Eastern Conference Semifinals and the new feature was already outdated by the time he debuted the shoe.
The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat retired the number 23 in honor of Michael Jordan. Jordan never played for the Miami Heat. Jordan is one of the 14 people to have a number retired by two different teams.
The 52-year-old Nick Anderson would have certainly watched 'The Last Dance' which depicts the infamous segment. He uttered the words after Game 1 and the docuseries put it back into highlight through a dramatic recap. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
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