Brendan Haywood on why it was great playing with Michael Jordan on the Washington Wizards: "I got to see the best of all-time"
Even at the twilight of his career, Michael Jordan embodied the consummate athlete's essence, both on and off the court.
While not marked by the championship glory of his Chicago Bulls era, his two-year stint with the Washington Wizards showcased MJ's enduring competitive spirit and meticulous work ethic.
Embodying the same spirit
In 2001, Michael stunned the basketball world by coming out of retirement—again. This time, it wasn't to return to the Bulls, where he had cemented his legacy with six NBA titles. Instead, he joined the Wizards, a team with a more modest history of success. Jordan, who had been serving as Washington's president of basketball operations, decided to lace up his sneakers once more to reignite the struggling franchise.
Even though some questioned his decision, "His Airness" approached his return with the same relentless drive that had defined his Chicago years. Even at 38 years old, Michael's ability to compete at an elite level was evident.
Jordan averaged 22.9 points per game in the 2001-02 season and produced flashes of brilliance, including a 51-point game against the Charlotte Hornets on Dec. 29, 2001. Former Wizards center Brendan Haywood, who was starting his career at the time, described the impact of the six-time champion's presence.
"Seeing how much work he put in, how calculated he was, and then the competitive nature, I mean, he didn't want to lose anything," Haywood said. "That's two years; you can't pay for that. You get to see the best of all time, and you get to see what makes him that."
A memorable stint
Haywood, a first-round pick in the 2001 NBA Draft, began his career in a unique situation. Drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brendan was traded to the Orlando Magic and then to the Wizards. The timing couldn't have been better; the center found himself on the same roster as the legendary No. 23 during his rookie season.
While Haywood's career would later include a championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, his formative years in Washington were shaped by the lessons he learned from the Hall of Famer.
"It was great playing with Mike because I got to see why he was Mike. A lot of times, people think great players are great because they roll out of bed and they are great. And for him, it was like, nah, the work ethic is crazy. At 40 years old, 39 years old, he's proved everything; he's still in the gym before everybody," Haywood said.
MJ's work ethic wasn't the only thing that left an impression on the fellow North Carolina product. His willingness to mentor younger players, even as he battled injuries, was a testament to his leadership. Jordan's final season saw him average 20 points per game, making him the only 40-year-old in NBA history to do so.
Even though the Wizards didn't reach the playoffs during his tenure, the impact of the Bulls legend extended beyond the court. Jordan elevated the franchise's visibility and inspired a new generation of players with his unyielding dedication before retiring for the third and final time in 2003.
