I made nothing up.  My previous post actually took a bit of research to make sure I was remembering correctly.  Ultimately, Jordan didn't retire because he had nothing to prove.  He retired both times because he couldn't be Michael Jordan anymore.  Compare that to Bird who played in pain for years before being dragged off the court, or Lebron at the same age looking for new challenges and ways to expand his game, or Kareem just going to work, making those skyhooks and winning championships same as always, into his 40s.

And, again the Bulls did very well the year Jordan was gone.  It was never just Jordan.  They were a talented, well-coached team that could compete for a championship without him.  Maybe they didn't win when the best player on the planet left right before the season, but they could play ball.

I was refuting your comment that all he needed was a second all-star and the championships start flowing.  The Bulls, both versions, were more than just two players.  You're the one guilty of an exaggeration, not me.

Also you don't seem to have an idea how hard Jordan was on his teammates.  Or coaches for that matter.  Ask Doug Collins how easy Jordan was to coach.

Speaking of coaches.  Jackson got Jordan to change his game and was the only coach other than Dean Smith that Jordan would play for.  He got a moody Pippen to keep his ego in check from Jordan's shadow.  He kept Rodman from being a complete distraction that derails the whole team (seriously, how many coaches accomplish that?).  He implemented the triangle offense which made Jordan's game a team game.  Oh, and he took a talented but chaotic Lakers team that was about to fall on its face to the championship as soon as he walked through the door.

I was refuting your comment that all he needed was a second all-star and the championships start flowing.  The Bulls, both versions, were more than just two players.  You're the one guilty of an exaggeration, not me.

Also you don't seem to have an idea how hard Jordan was on his teammates.  Or coaches for that matter.  Ask Doug Collins how easy Jordan was to coach.

Speaking of coaches.  Jackson got Jordan to change his game and was the only coach other than Dean Smith that Jordan would play for.  He got a moody Pippen to keep his ego in check from Jordan's shadow.  He kept Rodman from being a complete distraction that derails the whole team (seriously, how many coaches accomplish that?).  He implemented the triangle offense which made Jordan's game a team game.  Oh, and he took a talented but chaotic Lakers team that was about to fall on its face to the championship as soon as he walked through the door.

Dude, I would just give up.  Anyone who blows off Phil freaking Jackson - a coach with a W/L of .704, 13 Finals Appearances,  11 championships, and never, ever led a team to a sub-.500 season - as being just another coach who got lucky is beyond help.  

Honestly, whoever picks the Refs for the Finals should be banned from making any mid to high level decisions in any sports organization in any sport anywhere.  In the world.  Cause every year we have at least a few games of this nonsense.

The point was that the Bulls weren't just a two-man team.  I think their performance after Jordan left is sufficient evidence that I'm not just making it up.

Jordan was more than hard on his teammates.  Without a good coach to keep things in balance, that team falls apart from Jordan's antics as well.

The Lakers were imploding before Jackson got there.  The team chemistry was awful and Kobe and Shaq weren't playing together.  Jackson walked through the door and changed that.  Also, Del Harris is a pretty good coach.

Look, it seems more and more obvious that you're not inclined to look at Jordan clearly and realize he had faults and a lot of luck to get him the stat lines you keep repeating.  You've resorted several times to outright namecalling and you've taken over the thread by not simply respecting my comments that I prefer the other players over Jordan.  You've threatened to rage quit several times.  By all means, do so for real.