Phase 3: Michael Jordan makes his official Space Jam 2 return
Fans long remember the sport’s greatest player exiting the game of basketball for 20 months in the middle of his prime. What they do forget is his incredible return performance against the Mon-Stars. Scoring 44 points on 22-of-22 from the floor, it showed Jordan on fresh legs defeats all enemies.
Last we heard of Michael Jordan’s hoops skills, he put a beatdown on former top draft pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist back in 2013. Appearing to still be at the top his game at 54 years young.
All U Can Heat
Now, we can’t assume Mike is going to be at the same level of conditioning we served witness to during his time in Chicago. It’s going to look more like “The Flu Game” combined with the Wizards years.
Jordan roles in perfectly as a sixth man, much like James Harden on the 2011-12 Oklahoma City Thunder or as Manu Ginobili from all of his Spurs years. Can he sit the bench for a while? Sure. Can he give you big minutes? Uh, duh.
Factor in MJ’s net worth of $1.3 billion and you’d have to assume he’s willing to take a low-ball contract. However, Jordan is a partial owner of the Charlotte Hornets, so that could become messy … for like two seconds.
As owner, Jordan could force the team to lose on purpose. Jordan, being a big fan of gambling, could also bet the line on the game, winning cash prizes every time the Hornets blow a game to the Bulls.
Don’t forget that Bill Murray, co-star of Space Jam, is a big Chicago sports guy. Jordan’s return would put Murray in the seats of the United Center. Similarly, Murray’s appearances brought a World Series ring to the Cubs and the No. 11 seed Xavier Musketeers to the Elite Eight.
How it works: Michael Jordan signs a veteran’s minimum $980,431 contract and brings three free wins over the Hornets each season.