A breakfast in '95 played a role in Jordan's return to Bulls

B.J. Armstrong might have played a role in Chicago Bulls getting ir 1996, 1997 and 1998 titles — even though he wasn't on those teams.

Armstrong was person who, at a breakfast chat over pancakes in Chicago, nudged Michael Jordan to stop by Bulls’ practice facility one morning late in 1994-95 season to go see his old teammates. Before long, Jordan ended his retirement; Bulls won three more titles in Jordan’s second stint with franchise.

Jordan’s first retirement in 1993, murder of his far James, his stint in mir league baseball and — after a gentle push by Armstrong, who takes credit for Jordan’s return — his comeback were among mes in latest installments of

“I’ve never thought about it, to be honest with you,” Armstrong, longtime NBA guard and three-time NBA champion with Bulls who is w a California-based sports nt, told Associated Press. “I just wanted to be a good friend and I just saw something in him. When you see someone who really loves something ... he loved it. He didn’t like it. He loved it. That’s who he was. And out of respect to game of basketball, I wanted to be a good friend.”

Sensing time was right, Armstrong suggested Jordan to go to practice with him that day under auspices of just seeing guys. n Jordan went back for ar practice. n ar. Before long, Jordan’s baseball days were done. He was back.

“I just got him, he got me, and we got each or and you did what was needed,” said Armstrong, who helped Bulls win titles in 1991, 1992 and 1993. “I didn’t need to tell anyone or talk about it or anything. That’s just what happened. I was just happy for him because I kw what game of basketball meant to him and meant to his life. He kept basketball in a sacred and it was most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

Jordan retired in October 1993, t long after murder of his far and with

first season of Jordan’s hiatus became Armstrong’s best season, in terms of numbers. He set career-highs in points (14.8) and minutes (33.8) per game, started all 82 regular-season games for first time, plus was a starter in what became his only All-Star appearance. He was a fan favorite, finishing third in All-Star voting that year behind only Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal.

Armstrong didn’t replace Jordan in Bulls’ lineup — he played point guard, while Pete Myers became answer to ‘who took Jordan’s starting shooting guard spot?’ trivia question — but he did assume a much bigger role, and did so with Jordan encouraging him with occasional phone calls.

And when Armstrong was named All-Star starter, Jordan was first person to call him with congratulations.

“He was so happy for me,” Armstrong said. “I wasn’t playing to be an All-Star, but when he called, it meant world to me n and it means world to me w. I kw what it means to have a friend and I always tried to be a good friend.”

Unwittingly, Armstrong may have been a friend again in 1998 playoffs — when he was with Charlotte, playing against Jordan and Bulls in what would become ir last title run. Armstrong hit what became a game-winning shot in Game 2 of that series for Charlotte in Chicago, and Jordan didn’t like seeing his former teammate celebrating. He took it as a slight, and he always turned slights into fuel.

“I felt like B.J. should kw better,”

Bulls didn’t lose again in that series. Armstrong — who got plenty of defensive attention from Jordan over those next three games — has regrets.

“Whenever you start a series, you’ve got to let or person kw you’re re for a fight,” Armstrong said. “Michael knew exactly what was happening. I knew exactly what was happening. I don’t kw if anyone else did ... He didn’t guard point guards. He went re.”