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Jordan's rules to make
by Tim O'Sullivan / April 5, 2002

Netting only one lonely jumper, Jordan had the worst scoring game of his career Tuesday night against the Lakers. On Wednesday, the Wizards placed him on the disabled list, effectively ending his season. "I think it is best at this point to rest the knee and let it heal properly," Jordan said. "I tried to get back and play as soon as possible, and early on the knee responded well. But after the swelling (Wednesday) morning, I think it's best to give it rest."

It was a predictable ending to MJ's second comeback. What 39-year-old man, no matter how deified, who has been out of the game for three years, wouldn't wind up injuring himself during the course of a grueling NBA schedule?

Pundits across the nation are screaming "I told you so!" These critics are the same ones who were begging Jordan not to come back and tarnish his legacy. They wanted Jordan's game-winning, championship-winning jump shot over Bryon Russell in the 1998 Finals to stand for eternity as the perfect Gestalt ending to MJ's storybook career. There is certainly some merit to that school of thought.

So few players have left the game when they were firmly planted on the pinnacle, the undisputed King of the Mountain. Only football's Jim Brown immediately comes to mind, and he was an individual rushing champion and not a team champion. Most players want to defy old-age and the inevitable. Of course they never win. Patrick Ewing probably should have retired as a Knick, an Hakeem Olajuwon a Rocket. Willie Mays would have been better served by not subjecting his gimpy legs to some embarrassing moments in Shea Stadium playing for the Mets. And it is painfully clear that The Greatest, Muhammad Ali, left his own sport far too late.

If Jordan had simply walked away in 1998 it would have been a truly unique ending to a truly unique career. The greatest conclusion the sports world has ever known. It would have been perfect. But, as we all know, life isn't
perfect. Despite what many fans think, MJ is human. He tried to ride into the sunset a conquering hero, but the thrill of the conquest was too much for him to abandon. And you know what? He had more than earned the right to return for another taste of glory.

When it comes to basketball, His Airness can do whatever he wants and shouldn't have to answer to anyone. Fans, critics, writers, teammates, opponents, coaches, executives, kings and queens are of course entitled to
their opinion and free to express their hopes for the conclusion of the Jordan saga. But their opinions and hopes should have all ended with the same caveat. Jordan should do whatever Jordan wants to do and whatever that
may be, that is the right thing for Jordan.

So what if his tale is no longer neat and tidy? Reality is rarely neat and tidy. Heroes with flaws are more lovable anyway, and besides, Jordan already had flaws. Gambling, "Space Jam," and the inability to hit a curve ball, as well as shying away from social issues and emphatically embracing the morally corrupt world of American commercialism. So what if Washington didn't make the playoffs and his season ended prematurely? If you want to remember Mike hobbling up and down the court in a Wizards uniform that's your choice. I choose to remember him shoving Russell out of the way (oops, there's another flaw), swishing that jumper in Salt Lake City and clenching his fist like the ultimate warrior.

And whether or not this season with the Wizard's can be considered a flaw or tarnishing is debatable. MJ, a 39-year-old MJ remember, took a team that won 19 games last year and made them playoff contenders. The Wizards were 26-21 in the first half of the season when Jordan missed only one game. Sure they were 8-19 in the second half, but Jordan missed 21 games during that stretch. He breathed life into the Washington franchise and the entire Association. He filled seats at the MCI center and at arenas throughout the country. He was an All-Star. He averaged 23.3 points per game, which was the second-lowest season average of his career, but he had so little talent around him and he was working through three years of rust.

Clearly he wasn't player he used to be. But how could he be? Taking all things into consideration, what Jordan did this year was remarkable. And if he wants to come back next year and see if he and his team can continue to
improve, than all the more power to him. He's earned that right and it would be exciting to see him try.

"I signed a two-year contract to play," Jordan said. "Obviously, my health will always determine my playing status. But at this time, my plan is to play next season."

If that isn't the fairy tale ending you were hoping for, too bad. Jordan is a genius and basketball is his medium. The story he is now writing is simply art imitating life.

Tim O'Sullivan is a staff writer at the Concord (NH) Monitor and a regular contributor to HoopsHype.com

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