This Day In Basketball History
2001 - Michael Jordan announces NBA return with Wizards
Three years removed from his second retirement, Michael Jordan, now an owner of the Wizards, announces that he will return to the court to play for Washington. Jordan donates his player salary for the season to victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Jordan, arguably the greatest player in NBA history, is no longer in his prime, but the 38-year-old still has enough left in the tank to give Washington two All-Star-caliber seasons. His Airness averages 21.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.5 steals and a 19.9 PER over his two years as a Wizard before calling it quits for good.
Unfortunately, the team goes 37-45 in 2001-02 and 2002-03, missing the playoffs by five games in both Jordan-led seasons.
2000 - Vince Carter dunks over Frederic Weis
It doesn't come in an NBA game, but Vince Carter finishes a fast break at the 2000 Sydney Olympics with arguably the greatest in-game dunk of all time, clearing the 7'2" hurdle known as Frederic Weis.
1997 - Shawn Kemp traded from SuperSonics to Cavaliers
In a three-team, five-player deal that also includes the Milwaukee Bucks and All-Stars Vin Baker and Terrell Brandon, the SuperSonics trade Shawn Kemp to the Cleveland Cavaliers after five consecutive All-Star seasons and three straight All-NBA nods in Seattle.
A reported disagreement over Kemp's salary spells the end for The Rain Man in Seattle. Lamentably for Kemp, he moves from a perennial championship contender to a Cavs team in the middle of what becomes a 13-year drought between playoff series victories.
Kemp averages 18.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks, while missing just 10 games total over three seasons with the Cavs, but it's not enough as Cleveland compiles a 101-113 record over Kemp's tenure, making the playoffs only once.
1950 - Chicago Stags fold
One of the original teams in the Basketball Association of America, which launched in 1946 and merged with the National Basketball League in 1949 to form the NBA, the Chicago Stags fold after just four seasons.
The Stags enjoy success in their short stint, compiling a four-year record of 145-92, making the postseason in all four seasons and even playing in the first BAA Finals.
The NBA doesn't return to the Windy City until the Chicago Packers (now the Washington Wizards) begin play in 1961.
Birthdays
1933 - Hubie Brown
1951 - Bob McAdoo
1965 - Scottie Pippen
1976 - Chauncey Billups
1984 - Rashad McCants