Michael Jordan: Is It One Comeback Too Many? by Chua Kee Peow
On September 25, 2001, Michael Jordan resigned from the position of President of Basketball Operations of the Washington Wizards. This resignation was met with much jubilation, especially all the Jordan fans. This move preceded a much unanticipated second return of Michael Jordan onto the basketball court as a player, albeit with a different team this time.
Being a Jordan fan, I relish the opportunity to see his actions on the court once again. However, at the ripe old age of 38, I am a bit skeptical of ability to live up to his title of "His Airness". I believe many Jordan and Chicago Bulls fans will also be a bit unset that the once loyal Jordan has decided to don the jersey of another club at the twilight of his career. We have all gotten too used to seeing him in red and whites and demolishing every team in the league. When his number 23 jersey was retired at the United Center in Chicago in 1998, we thought that was the last we would see of him in action on the court. Apparently not.
There is
always a belief amongst the sporting fraternity that the best time for
a player to retire would be at his peak. In doing so, he would have all
his sporting great moments etched in history and everyone will remember
him for all his superb performances. For Jordan, his greatest moment would
have come when he lifted the NBA trophy for the sixth time in his Chicago
Bulls career in 1998. It would have been the best possible way to retire
and have us, the Chicago Bulls fans, remember him as the all time greatest
player, surpassing the likes of "Magic" Johnson or Larry Bird.
Retire a champion: Perhaps Jordan should've retired after
winning his 6th championship with the Bulls.
Being the wise businessman, Jordan knows that his name has become an international brand and to keep the dough rolling in, it will be to his best interest for him to stay close to the basketball court in order for everyone to talk about him in the media. This, in turn, will earn him more endorsement deals, give his businesses (which he owns quite a few) free and much needed publicity and perhaps satisfy his love for the game.
In fact, I am quite glad to be able to see the great basketball player back in the game again. However, my only regret is that he is no longer playing for the Bulls. Wizards fans will be some of the happiest as they know that Jordan's presence will give their team a great boost and perhaps even bring them far into the playoffs come 2002!
*For more information on Jordan and the NBA, please visit http://www.nba.com and http://jordan.sportsline.com.
Note:
This previously unpublished article was written for the Aspire
website column, The Huddle, between 2001-2002.