“This is perfect time for me to walk away from the game” – The NBA lockout hardly convinced Michael Jordan to hold off retirement in 1999

Michael Jordan retired several times, but the most sentimental one was the second one in 1999. After leading the Chicago Bulls to another three-peat, MJ stood pat on his decision to call it a career. After winning the 1998 title at the expense of the Utah Jazz, Jordan had already hinted that he was 99.9% sure he would retire. It would be his second retirement, the first one coming in 1993.

Michael had already informed Bulls team owner Jerry Reinsdorf of his plans. However, the Bulls chairman would advise Jordan to think it over. Regardless, the 6-foot-6 guard clarified that he would not have a problem walking away from the game.

A glimmer of hope beckoned at the time. The NBA lockout in 1998-99 was unfortunate, as team owners revisited the league's collective bargaining agreement. The lockout lasted from July 1, 1998, to January 20, 1999.

When things settled down, the break hardly convinced the six-time NBA champion to reconsider. His decision remained, and capping his pro basketball career was what he wanted to do at the time.

" This is perfect time for me to walk away from the game. And I'm at peace with that," Jordan said in an article in the New York Times in 1999.

Jordan's last laugh

Although he said he was 99.9% sure of his decision to retire for a second time, Jordan discussed it with several All-Stars, including Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, and Karl Malone, all of whom have played against MJ and lost.

This hardly changed his mind. However, Jordan did poke some fun at the three NBA superstars. He suggested that all would have wanted him to continue playing to get their chance at defeating him and winning an NBA ring.

"That's the good thing about it. And they won't ever have the chance to say that," Jordan said in jest.

With Jordan diverting his focus on being a family man, the 3rd overall pick of the 1984 NBA Draft admitted that it wasn't easy. His love for the game remained at the time, realizing he had a pretty tough time adjusting to life after basketball.

However, as most know, Jordan did not completely withdraw himself from the pro basketball scene. He became part owner and president of basketball operations of the Washington Wizards . The itch to play remained in the North Carolina product, eventually coming out of retirement once more to play for the Wizards.

Although he showed that he could contribute effectively, his efforts were insufficient to carry the Wizards. His third return would last only two seasons, retiring for good after the Wizards campaign in the 2002-03 season.

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