Is it a slow news day or doesn’t the NBA have enough stars?
Are we really so desperate for greatness?
The Charlotte Bobcats needed an extra player to run a scrimmage in practice on Thursday, so they opted for their Owner to lace-up the old Air Jordan’s. Michael Jordan and his 48-year old knees took the court and schooled some of the Bobcats – but that’s not saying a whole lot. Charlotte is 22-30 and 16 games out of 1st place in the Southeast Division.
From the Charlotte Observer’s Roy Green Jr.:
"He's Mike. He's been kicking our (rear ends)," Bobcats captain Gerald Wallace Thursday after Jordan participated in the team's practice again. "He still has it. He doesn't have his quickness, but he's a scorer, he's a shooter. The last thing to go is your jump shot, and he still has that."
Jordan, who will turn 48 next week, wore an orange jersey during practice and iced both knees when he was finished. Asked if the orange jersey meant Jordan got special treatment on the court, Wallace said no.
"We don't treat him like a quarterback out here. We hit him," Wallace said of the Hall of Famer, who did not speak to reporters. "It just means he's on third string."
Paul Silas, Charlotte’s Head Coach, joined ESPN-1000’s “Silvy & Waddle” today and was asked how many points Jordan could score – if he were to get in shape and play the final 2 months of the season. Unbelievably, Silas started at 15-20 points per game and then pushed the envelope a little further, finishing with a 20+ scoring average prognostication. Really, Paul, really?
So you’re saying Jordan’s knees – which have already logged over 1,000 NBA games – or more than 40,000 minutes on the court – are going to somehow regain their 20-something form? Or even 30-something form? No, kids, it aint gonna happen! Fuggetaboutit! Jordan is retired – and unless he plays in a charity or celebrity game – I wouldn’t bank on his return – again.
Don’t get me wrong – I’ve seen the man put daggers through the hearts of his competition. I was standing on the court when the Bulls took down the Sonics in ’96. I have seen the look of fire in his eyes, but I don’t think it’s there anymore – not for playing anyway. We all want to re-live the “glory days” … but that’s why they’re called glory days, they’re in the past. Leave them there, people.
P.S. – You can keep Kobe and everyone else. For my money, Michael Jeffrey Jordan is the BEST BASKETBALL PLAYER TO EVER LIVE.
For more on Jordan’s practice with the Bobcats - http://yhoo.it/fGK9r4
To take a look at Jordan’s Career Stats - http://bit.ly/gMrBIg
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