There is no actual evidence to support this myth, and it's sillier the more you actually look into it. There is no way Stern would tell MJ to walk away from the NBA for 2 years.
Even if you believe MJ got into trouble with the league, less popular big-name stars have done worse and weren't told to leave the game for as long as MJ did.
The "shadow suspended" theory honestly makes no sense when you think about it. Stern was doing everything he could to grow the NBA, and MJ was huge in making the sport global. Why suspend him for something that wasn't out in the open?
MJ's father was murdered, and his dream was for MJ to play pro baseball. MJ, who was burnt out after a three-peat and Olympic run, retired afterward to play his father's favorite sport.
Makes me think of this video a buddy of mine made in a few minutes using some gifs he found on Google.
Thing is, jersey designs were actually good and creative in the 90s.