In 2013, Antawn Jamison was presented with a hypothetical scenario: If the long-retired Michael Jordan, approaching his 50th birthday, would make another comeback, what could 'His Airness' achieve in the current league?
Jamison, then with the Los Angeles Lakers, responded with notable confidence just before facing MJ's then-owned NBA franchise, the Charlotte Bobcats.
"I wouldn't doubt that in the right situation with a LeBron (James) on his team or with a Kobe (Bryant) on this team, he could get you about 10 or 11 points, come in and play 15-20 minutes. I wouldn't doubt that at all," Antawn said , per ESPN.
MJ would need to be fit
Many might question whether Jamison, with all due respect, was out of his mind for suggesting that a 50-year-old could compete with current players from that time, some 20 years younger, who played competitively almost every day.
However, this seemingly outrageous idea makes more sense when you consider that the two-time All-Star was referring to none other than the legendary 'His Airness.' Yes, the basketball icon had gained visible weight since his 2003 retirement and surely lacked the stamina he had during his playing days, but Jamison acknowledged this himself.
The Louisiana native concluded his remarks by saying it would be crucial for MJ to be "in shape" to hold his own.
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Overcoming obstacles
Two other factors likely shaped Antawn's response.
First, Jordan had already made two notable comebacks during his storied career. The first came after his hiatus from basketball to play baseball when he returned to the Chicago Bulls in 1995 and added three more rings to the three he had already won. The second MJ comeback happened in 2001 with the Wizards. Even at his advanced age, in his 14th and 15th NBA seasons, Mike stood out as the best player on the team.
Second, 'His Airness' was famous for one remarkable trait: He was an incredibly competitive workaholic, a rarity both then and now. This characteristic didn't fade with age; during Michael's Hall of Fame induction in 2009, he shared thoughts similar to Antawn's.
"One day, you might look up and see me playing the game at 50," Jordan remarked, and in response to the ensuing laughter, he added, "Oh, don't laugh. Never say never. Because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion."
Jamison, who shares a North Carolina connection with the NBA legend, made one last case for his claim.
"You hear stories still to this day, especially last year, him going to the practice facility and playing 1-on-1 with the guys, and still they can't stop him," he emphasized.
While it's certainly hard to determine if a 50-year-old MJ could have truly competed in a hypothetical comeback, especially given how the game had evolved over the years, one thing is still certain: True greatness always endures.
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