MJ wasn’t very confident when he first entered the league in the 1994-95 season.

Ta học được gì từ Michael Jordan - Một chàng trai trẻ bị chê thấp bé đến
Upon entering the NBA, Michael Jordan was immediately heralded as the face of the league and somebody who would run the show in the years to come. One person who helped him reach those highs is his father, James. He was an invaluable source of support to the 6’6″ shooting guard who had a lot to prove in the association. Their close relationship was paramount to MJ’s success, which made James’ tragic demise all the more devastating.

Leaving him with no one who understood his psyche, MJ found himself at his most vulnerable when he decided to return to the league towards the business end of the ’94-95 season. He even claimed that he felt ‘nervous’ and ‘naked’ without James by his side.

MJ on playing basketball without his father
Following his 18-month stint in minor-league baseball with the Chicago White Sox’s affiliate in Birmingham, Mike decided not to become a replacement player during the ’95 MLBPA strike. The situation rekindled his interest in returning to the NBA, and Jordan rejoined the Chicago Bulls for the final 17 games left in the regular season. However, circumstances and the situation had changed.

While the most obvious difference was him donning No. 45 instead of No. 23 for the five-time MVP, his biggest void was not having his biggest emotional support by his side.

“I was nervous. I hadn’t played competitive in a long time,” Jordan said. “I felt naked because my father just wasn’t there. It seemed so different.”

Even though MJ averaged 22.3 points in his first three games back, his field goal shooting was off, knocking only 23 out of 68 shots. Moreover, he ended the season with his career’s worst shooting percentage at 41.1%.

In the playoffs, though he averaged 32.3 points in the first round against the Charlotte Hornets, he wasn’t his usual dominant self, and fans could see that MJ was lacking something. Ultimately, when he logged 31 points per game against the Orlando Magic in the second round, Shaq and Penny’s team proved too tough to handle.
Mike remembered his father after winning the title

What Happened to Michael Jordan's Dad? | POPSUGAR Celebrity
How much MJ missed his dad really showed when he led the Bulls to another championship in 1996. Leading his team to another title after returning to the league was huge for his legacy, but attaining success without James by his side hit Mike hard. Unsurprisingly, he ended up crying his heart out in the Bulls’ locker room, recognizing that void his father left.

Moments like these have encouraged old-school NBA fans to proclaim Jordan as the GOAT. Apart from reestablishing himself as the most impactful player, he overcame mental and emotional challenges despite not having his biggest support system, which is a great testament to his resilience.