Retired Jordan Closed Stadium With 52 And A Kiss

CLEVELAND - With the legendary Michael Jordan being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday, tributes and retrospectives of his historic career have been flowing in by the dozens from everywhere.

Here's one more.

It was 15 years ago today that a retired Jordan took to the court to play in former teammate Scottie Pippen's charity game. It was the final game and event ever to be held at Chicago Stadium, the venerable venue that housed countless historic events in its 65-year history. The game was sponsored by Ameritech and served as MJ's first public appearance in a hoops game since Game 6 of the 1993 NBA Finals. By the time this game took place, he'd been retired nearly a year.

With several current and future NBA stars participating, the rusty Jordan would have a tough go at it, at least in theory. He was a member of the White team and sported the white, black and grey Air Jordan X. Pippen was the leader of the Red team, which presented tantalizing possibilities for the two former teammates who had led the Chicago Bulls to three straight NBA championships from 1991 to 1993.

Penny Hardaway, who had just one season of NBA experience under his belt amazed the crowd as expected. Jason Kidd and Grant Hill, who began their rookie seasons a month later, greatly impressed. But it was the bittersweet sight of MJ in a hoops uniform that teased the crowd, all of which were his hometown fans. Since his stunning and sudden retirement the previous October, Jordan had taken to playing minor league baseball, which confounded the sports world.

MJ was electrifying as he netted a myriad of jumpers, layups and dunks. His rust was apparent only in the fact that he missed 22 shots, yet he made 24 en route to a searing 52 points. Of course, this was essentially a late-summer all-star game, so defense was nearly non-existent. Jordan was legitimately awesome, though. Late in the game, the crowd rose to their feet as Jordan and Pippen briefly went one-on-one. Michael scored on a fadeaway and again on a driving layup. Both he and Pippen missed their final shots, then hugged at the final buzzer as MJ's team won.

Final score, 187-150.

Jordan stated in the post game press conference what we already knew. "I can still do this," he said to the media. "I just don't have to do it in front of 18,676 or on anyone else's clock." Without question, the lasting image from that game took place after the buzzer. Jordan knelt down and kissed the Bulls logo at center court. He told the media that he and the arena shared a mutual love and respect. It [the closing arena] had given him a lot and hopefully, he'd given it just as much.

In the following days, Jordan went back to the minor leagues for another run at baseball while the Bulls began playing at the brand new United Center starting in the 1994-95 season. Of course, we all know now that Michael got antsy sometime around mid-season and, aided by the Major League Baseball strike he returned to pro basketball, eventually leading Chicago to another three NBA titles.

Lucky us.

I think it is possible that the "meaningless" little charity game 15 years ago may have been where MJ's original spark to return came from. He was once again on center stage, wowing the crowd, dogging the defense and steering a team to victory; all very familiar territory for the man-turned-icon.

Thank God for charity.