nubianx2
09-11-2001, 04:19 AM
Michael Jordan said last night that he is one step closer to returning to play professional basketball for the Washington Wizards this season, putting the possibility of a return at an 8 on a scale of 10. But Jordan left open the possibility he could still continue his three-year retirement and denied reports he had made a final decision.
Jordan, who said last week he was at 7 on his comeback scale, added that if he is not up to 10 in 10 days, then he is unsure what he would do.
When informed last night that two news organizations were reporting that he had all but confirmed his return to the NBA, Jordan said: "I didn't say that. I have not said it."
Jordan said he must still gauge himself in a final week's worth of scrimmages against fellow NBA players before he is convinced, at age 38, he can endure an 82-game schedule. Jordan, part owner and president of basketball operations for the Wizards, said he would make an announcement regarding his future sometime next week.
Jordan was interviewed for 30 minutes outside his restaurant in Chicago yesterday by reporters from the Associated Press, Chicago Sun-Times and CNNSI.com. Last night, the Associated Press and CNNSI.com reported Jordan had all but confirmed a return.
"I can't confirm any date has been set for an announcement but I can confirm a mechanism is in place for a press conference if and when Michael says go," Wizards team spokesman Matt Williams said.
Jordan, who in 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls won six NBA championships and 10 scoring titles while establishing himself as one of the best players ever, said his motivation for attempting a comeback is for the love of the game, not money or ego.
Jordan reiterated that he was speaking of his "months of attempting to get into basketball shape," not his definite return.
Still, the tone of Jordan's focus has changed drastically since he declared in February that he was "99.9" percent certain that he would not play again. When Jordan began working out late last winter, he said he was only trying to lose weight. Jordan said he weighed 240 pounds and wanted to get back down to his playing weight of about 212. Through rigorous training, he was able to get close to his playing weight in a matter of months.
During that period, Jordan's intentions changed from shedding pounds to possibly playing for the team that he has rebuilt over the past 18 months. He has endured back spasms, fractured ribs and tendinitis in his knee during his comeback bid but the injuries have not prompted him to give up. He said last night that the tendinitis is all but gone.
Some people close to Jordan said he wants to play and his only concerns are whether he can physically stand up to not only games but also the practices and travel of a full NBA season.
Part of Jordan's regimen has been playing against NBA competition at a private workout facility in Chicago over the past weeks. One player who took part in the scrimmages with Jordan in Chicago said last week that Jordan was the best player on the court and still did things that no other player there could do. Some close to Jordan said he seems mentally focused on making a return.
Jordan already has had his financial advisor, Curtis Polk, and the Wizards' lead minority owner, Ted Leonsis, meet with NBA officials regarding Jordan selling back his ownership shares to Leonsis. The NBA does not allow for dual player-ownership. Jordan said that process has not been finalized and that the meeting was only to give the league a blueprint of the proposed sale. If Jordan plays, he must divest his ownership shares -- believed to be between 5 percent and 10 percent. He would sell his shares back to Leonsis, the Washington Capitals owner who brought Jordan on board with the Wizards Jan. 19, 2000.
Whether Jordan can remain as president of basketball operations remains in question. Earlier this summer the NBA said he could, but that he could not receive a salary since it would circumvent salary cap rules. Last week, the NBA declined to elaborate on the possibility, saying Jordan's return is only speculation and that no ruling would be made until he officially decided what he would do.
Jordan's pending announcement has put several of the team's plans in limbo. The Wizards have not finalized their media guide and have a cover and four pages of biographical information about Jordan ready to print should he return. Jordan did not pose for any pictures in a Wizards' uniform.
Sponsorships and marketing deals also are on hold, a team source said. There has been a boon in season ticket sales, with the team already receiving payments on more than 12,000 seats, surpassing last season's total of 10,000. A team official said yesterday that there has not been a second wave of ticket requests but the team is prepared should Jordan announce that he would play
Jordan, who said last week he was at 7 on his comeback scale, added that if he is not up to 10 in 10 days, then he is unsure what he would do.
When informed last night that two news organizations were reporting that he had all but confirmed his return to the NBA, Jordan said: "I didn't say that. I have not said it."
Jordan said he must still gauge himself in a final week's worth of scrimmages against fellow NBA players before he is convinced, at age 38, he can endure an 82-game schedule. Jordan, part owner and president of basketball operations for the Wizards, said he would make an announcement regarding his future sometime next week.
Jordan was interviewed for 30 minutes outside his restaurant in Chicago yesterday by reporters from the Associated Press, Chicago Sun-Times and CNNSI.com. Last night, the Associated Press and CNNSI.com reported Jordan had all but confirmed a return.
"I can't confirm any date has been set for an announcement but I can confirm a mechanism is in place for a press conference if and when Michael says go," Wizards team spokesman Matt Williams said.
Jordan, who in 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls won six NBA championships and 10 scoring titles while establishing himself as one of the best players ever, said his motivation for attempting a comeback is for the love of the game, not money or ego.
Jordan reiterated that he was speaking of his "months of attempting to get into basketball shape," not his definite return.
Still, the tone of Jordan's focus has changed drastically since he declared in February that he was "99.9" percent certain that he would not play again. When Jordan began working out late last winter, he said he was only trying to lose weight. Jordan said he weighed 240 pounds and wanted to get back down to his playing weight of about 212. Through rigorous training, he was able to get close to his playing weight in a matter of months.
During that period, Jordan's intentions changed from shedding pounds to possibly playing for the team that he has rebuilt over the past 18 months. He has endured back spasms, fractured ribs and tendinitis in his knee during his comeback bid but the injuries have not prompted him to give up. He said last night that the tendinitis is all but gone.
Some people close to Jordan said he wants to play and his only concerns are whether he can physically stand up to not only games but also the practices and travel of a full NBA season.
Part of Jordan's regimen has been playing against NBA competition at a private workout facility in Chicago over the past weeks. One player who took part in the scrimmages with Jordan in Chicago said last week that Jordan was the best player on the court and still did things that no other player there could do. Some close to Jordan said he seems mentally focused on making a return.
Jordan already has had his financial advisor, Curtis Polk, and the Wizards' lead minority owner, Ted Leonsis, meet with NBA officials regarding Jordan selling back his ownership shares to Leonsis. The NBA does not allow for dual player-ownership. Jordan said that process has not been finalized and that the meeting was only to give the league a blueprint of the proposed sale. If Jordan plays, he must divest his ownership shares -- believed to be between 5 percent and 10 percent. He would sell his shares back to Leonsis, the Washington Capitals owner who brought Jordan on board with the Wizards Jan. 19, 2000.
Whether Jordan can remain as president of basketball operations remains in question. Earlier this summer the NBA said he could, but that he could not receive a salary since it would circumvent salary cap rules. Last week, the NBA declined to elaborate on the possibility, saying Jordan's return is only speculation and that no ruling would be made until he officially decided what he would do.
Jordan's pending announcement has put several of the team's plans in limbo. The Wizards have not finalized their media guide and have a cover and four pages of biographical information about Jordan ready to print should he return. Jordan did not pose for any pictures in a Wizards' uniform.
Sponsorships and marketing deals also are on hold, a team source said. There has been a boon in season ticket sales, with the team already receiving payments on more than 12,000 seats, surpassing last season's total of 10,000. A team official said yesterday that there has not been a second wave of ticket requests but the team is prepared should Jordan announce that he would play