Michael Jordan Only Has One Regret From His Legendary NBA Career

Michael Jordan had an NBA career that is the stuff of legend. Not only did he win six championships with the Chicago Bulls, but he is also revered as the greatest player ever to step foot on a basketball court. Add into the mix, two Olympic gold medals and Jordan enjoyed a run that is the envy of almost every other athlete to play the game.

His legacy on the court also translated to big money in outside adventures, with his Air Jordan brand generating massive sums long after his retirement from the game. However, despite all of his success, Jordan admits to having one major regret when it comes to his career.

Jordan stunned the sporting world when he retired for the first time in October 1993. Having just come off three-straight NBA championships with the Bulls, Michael sensationally decided to quit the game that had made him famous in favour of chasing his dream of becoming a professional baseball player. Jordan had shown talent as a youngster, but had never pursued the sport, as basketball became his sole focus.

After signing a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox, though, the transition wasn't quite as fruitful as Jordan had hoped. In 127 games with the team, he struck out 114 times, hitting just three home runs. His stint in baseball couldn't have gone any worse, but surprisingly, it is not his biggest regret.

By March 1995, Jordan had rejoined the Bulls, ultimately leading them to another three championships. As ill-fated as his detour into baseball was, it was a childhood dream for the NBA legend, and he doesn't dwell on it today.

Michael Jordan Badly Regrets Choice He Made Late in NBA Career

NBA icon returned for a third stint in the league in 2001

Jordan retired from the Bulls for a second time in 1998, but it wasn't long until he got the itch to be involved in the game again. Two years later, he was back in the NBA as a part-owner with the Washington Wizards. However, the temptation to return to the court was too great. Michael joined the Wizards' roster as a player for the 2001-02 season.

For a man who was just a few years shy of his 40th birthday at the time, Jordan performed admirably. Eventually making history as the only NBA player aged 40 or older to average 20 points in a game, Michael was a big asset to his team. For as good as he was, though, Jordan couldn't live up to the standards he had set in his prime - nor could he get over playing for a team other than the Bulls.

Per two-time Super Bowl MVP winner Ray Lewis, Jordan once confided in him that he bitterly regretted coming out of retirement to represent the Wizards. During an interview with Fox's Speak For Yourself in 2017, Lewis revealed:

Whether Jordan's regret is influenced by the fact that the Wizards failed to make the playoffs during his comeback stint is something that only he himself knows. As far as his legacy goes, he'll forever be synonymous with the Bulls colours in which he had so much success.