NBA Legend Michael Jordan didn't hold back about his time with the Wizards

There's no doubt that when people think about the greatest basketball player in history, Michael Jordan's name comes to mind almost immediately.

The NBA legend is an icon and for many reasons. Between his six NBA championships, his famous flu-game and numerous stories about his epic battles on the court, there's no denying he left his mark on the game in more ways than one.

However, when Jordan's name gets brought up, more times than not, his time with the Chicago Bulls is all that is recognized. In fact, there's a solid amount of people, especially in this generation who have no idea about his time with the Washington Wizards.

And while some may not be aware of MJ's time in Washington, it could be fair to wonder if the legend himself would prefer to forget about his time on the Wizards as a whole after a recent interview.

Michael Jordan felt used by the Wizards

In 1993, Jordan officially announced his retirement from the game he had dominated for nine years prior. Two years later, the athletic guard returned to Chicago to lead the Bulls to three more championship runs before retiring yet again in 1999. It was believed that the former Tar Heel's time in the league was over, but he surprised the world just two years later yet again.

Following his retirement, Jordan began his career in the front office by becoming a minority owner and President of Basketball Operations for the Wizards. However, his role in the front office allowed for the North Carolina product to realize his desire to play couldn't be ignored, regardless of his age.

"It's an itch that still needs to be scratched here. and I want to make sure this scratch doesn't bother me for the rest of my life. I'm just going to play the game of basketball that I love. I'm not about the money. I don't care if I get paid a dime. I'm going to play the game because I love it.""

- Michael Jordan

In September of 2001, Jordan announced that he was unretring to suit up for the team he partially owned. The star guard felt that the Wizards were one step away from rising back to the top and he felt that he had what it took to get them back to that level.

Through 142 games with the Wizards, Jordan averaged 21.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists, while shooting 41.6%. from field goal range. Despite the impressive numbers, his time in Washington only lasted for two seasons after Washington struggled to earn a postseason bid during his tenure in D.C.

After his two seasons with the squad, Jordan was handed the pink slip by then-owner Abe Pollin that officially ended his basketball career as a whole. Years after the news of Jordan's stint ending with the Wizards, the legend was asked in a recent interview about his time in Washington and he didn't hold back about his time with the team.

When asked if he saw the firing coming, Jordan had this to say:

"No. If that was the case, then obviously, I wouldn't have went back and played because I felt like I got played injured. And, you know, I went through surgery, and I did-I did the things that a lot of these young kids did not do."

- Michael Jordan

Jordan continued about his time with the Wizards and how he felt like his kindness was used against him at the time.

"I didn't have to do it, you know, but I did it with the benefit of trying to help an organization get back on its feet. And the gratitude that I was being given was, 'Your services are no longer wanted or needed.' So I felt like I was being used in a sense."

- Michael Jordan

While Jordan's tenure with the Wizards may not have ended how either side preferred it to, it's safe to say that the GOAT will always value his time in Chicago far more than his years in Washington.