By Jonah Sharf
On January 13, 1999, Michael Jordan announced his retirement—the second of his career—just before the lockout-shortened season started. With head coach Phil Jackson’s contract expiring and co-stars Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman likely leaving the Chicago Bulls, he thought it was time to retire. He later became part-owner and president of basketball operations of the Washington Wizards during this retirement. Jordan would come back as a player again to the Wizards in 2001, retiring in 2003 for the third and final time.