1/8/02: Jordan elevates over athletic Clippers

[Gamebreaker]

Something In The Air
March 14, 2001

Is Michael Jordan planning another return to the NBA?

Sports Illustrated's Rick Reilly is reporting in his column this week that Jordan and friend Charles Barkley have been working out six hours a day in preparation to resume their playing careers. A source only identified as being "very close to Jordan" says that the icon is "90 percent committed" to making a comeback next season with the Washington Wizards.

Jordan, 38, told the Washington Post that a comeback "has not crossed my mind, but I will never say never."

"I think that there is less than one-tenth of 1 percent of a chance that Michael will play again in the NBA," said David Falk, Jordan's agent, to The Boston Globe. "When you hit the last shot in the last second of his last game for a three-peat, how do you top that?"


Season begins Oct. 30th.


From ESPN:
Peter May: Say It Ain't So....
Dr. Jack Ramsay: Jordan comeback doubtful

[Mavs4Life]

There's a 2001-2002 season mod? PS3?

[rise]

Jordan should come back for the Bobcats. He'd make a better regular starter than Gerald Henderson.Okay, maybe not.

[Gamebreaker]

There's a 2001-2002 season mod? PS3?

Heh, not exactly. This is going to be a tad more old school. I'm working on my own roster now, trying to work out the kinks.

Jordan should come back for the Bobcats. He'd make a better regular starter than Gerald Henderson.Okay, maybe not.

I'd love to see that, despite him in all likelihood having a more diminished role and limited effectiveness. No one's played at 50, it's about time someone tried. He did things no 40 year old's done, who knows what he could do now.

Hell, have him defend the PG. Most of them can blow by whoever's guarding them these days anyway.

[Gamebreaker]

Barkley -- Linked by SI to MJ's plans -- Says He's Considering Comeback


Charles Barkley's eating problem has gotten even worse since he retired.

FULL STORY

David Aldridge: Hoping, wishing, guessing... Enough already

[Gamebreaker]

In honor of the 10th anniversary........



Jordan's Final Comeback -- Rewritten

Team : Washington Wizards (while controlling all CPU teams as well)
Season Length : 82 Games
Difficulty : Superstar
Played Quarter Length : 12 Minutes
Sim Quarter Length : 12 Minutes
Playoff Length : 5-7-7-7
Game: NBA Live 2000 (PC)


My goals are a little different than most dynasties here. I'm trying to recreate a very realistic simulation of the 2001-02 season, in as much detail as possible.

I've made a DBF of the league schedule for that year.

I'm going to try to recreate all the injuries to players, to a point. I've got a list of all the teams' 01-02 transactions. I'll be moving players on and off the injured list before the corresponding games that those moves were made in real life. I'm also making a list of all the starting lineups that each team used that season, and will be adjusting those every game as well.


My aim isn't to have Jordan average over 30 points a game and shoot over 50 percent from the field again - although if he does that the way I'll be playing, I probably won't mind too much. I'm hoping to have stats a little better than the ones he had for his last go-round. If they're about the same, I'll be fine with that too. What I'd really like to improve is the team's overall performance.

Hopefully at least a couple of people are fans of this era. Strange as it sounds, I'm fascinated with the final chapters of his playing career the most. I love an underdog, especially an older one who has to rely on his smarts because he doesn't have the athleticism of his competition.

As a player, he didn't do too badly at all. And I've always felt the overall result could've been much, much better.

[Andrew]

Love the concept of a retro Dynasty, nice idea.

[Mavs4Life]

Good luck. So you';re using 99-00 roster?00-01?or 01-02?

[Sideshow Bob]

Mavs4Life Jordan was retired the 99-00 season.I think its the 00-01 roster..

[Andrew]

He's beginning in 2001/2002, Jordan's first season with the Wizards.

[Gamebreaker]

Good luck. So you';re using 99-00 roster?00-01?or 01-02?

Mavs4Life Jordan was retired the 99-00 season.I think its the 00-01 roster..

He's beginning in 2001/2002, Jordan's first season with the Wizards.

Yeah, it'll be an 01-02 roster. 2000 is just the Live edition I'm using. Kickin it old school!

Love the concept of a retro Dynasty, nice idea.

Even if I'm not rewriting him onto the Bulls? Hehe.

Thanks.

[Andrew]

If I can come to grips with it in real life, I can deal with it in a Dynasty story.

[Sideshow Bob]

Would you guys care to check out my Dynasty some time and leave some feedback?

[Murat]

Good luck with this one, are you goin to trade R. Hamilton for Stackhouse?
PS: Is it ur favorite team?

[Gamebreaker]

Would you guys care to check out my Dynasty some time and leave some feedback?

I'm not into college hoops at all, but your presentation looks fabulous.

Good luck with this one, are you goin to trade R. Hamilton for Stackhouse?

Probably, eventually. Hamilton's a tad overrated, and each team had a different set of needs. The reasoning to trade for Stackhouse was sound, even if I do prefer Hamilton myself.

PS: Is it ur favorite team?

Yeah, the 01-02 team. Don't get me wrong, I would never argue to the death that they could win a championship or anything. It was just a group of hard nosed guys with a lot of character. I loved rooting for them.

[Gamebreaker]

Jordan Comeback II Coverage: April

4/5/2001: Jordan practices with the Wizards, but denies he's planning a comeback

4/9/2001: Wizards co-owner Abe Pollin has a "gut feeling" Michael will be back

4/10/2001: Jordan says he's "99.9 percent sure" that he is retired for good


Mark Kreidler: A real "gut" feeling about MJ

Frank Hughes: MJ should get the band back together!

[Gamebreaker]

WIZARDS HIRE DOUG COLLINS

Doug Collins is reuniting with Michael Jordan, this time as the Washington Wizards' coach.
FULL STORY


Slate.com: Doug Collins... Brilliant Coach, Or Emotional Basket Case?

Peter May: Jordan Gets His Man, But Has Collins Changed?


Other Stories

4/21/2001: Jordan admits he's considering comeback, but still won't commit

4/24/2001: Barkley says he'll only come back if Michael does

[Gamebreaker]

Jordan Comeback II Coverage: April (3)

ESPN The Mag: Jordan in the Crosshairs: Ten experts weigh in

Rick Bucher: The fire still burns

Tom Friend: We're off to see the Wizards

Gene Wojciechowski: MJ can't lose!

Jay Mariotti's Dinner With Michael: Turns out the spirit is willing

[Gamebreaker]

Jordan Comeback II Coverage: May

5/10/2001: Charles Barkley says he'll be joining His Airness in Chicago

5/20/2001: Wizards win draft lottery; could No. 1 pick + MJ = contender?

5/21/2001: Jordan says back spasms have put thoughts of a comeback on hold



David Halberstam: Say it ain't so, Mike

Jim Caple: Michael and Charles, the newest Odd Couple

Ralph Wiley: Comparing Michael and Kobe at age 22

[Gamebreaker]

Jordan Comeback II Coverage: June

6/3/2001: Report says MJ will play for the Wizards in Boston-area summer league

6/6/2001: Stern says Jordan would be more than welcome to come back

6/14/2001: Jordan breaks ribs in pickup game

6/23/2001: Collins can see MJ at small forward

6/27:2001: Jordan, Barkley joke about comebacks on national TV

6/27/2001: Wizards make history by taking Brown no.1


Dick Vitale: Kwame Looking Like Good Pick For The Wizards

[Solaris Phase Two]

They need to stop joking already and make a comback! lol

off topic: when your done with that roster id like to play with 2002 its my favorite year. somehow do association with it too. Psn: dmastawwe

[Gamebreaker]

They need to stop joking already and make a comback! lol

Heh, I love digging up all these stories. Didn't recall that they were THAT front and center in the public eye with their plans.

I'm really surprised Barkley was strongly considering coming back. He's like what, 6'4 really? All he had at power forward was his leaping ability. He would've been murdered if he returned. Not only because he was 37, but because of the blown out knee that caused him to retire in the first place.

off topic: when your done with that roster id like to play with 2002 its my favorite year. somehow do association with it too. Psn: dmastawwe

I'm playing on Live 2000, if you didn't catch that tidbit. If you have it, hey.

[Solaris Phase Two]

Oh i remember that , i didnt even know charles considered a comeback, but for comedy purposes and to see a old man dominate even at his age id welcome it. are you going to drafts an all that?

[Gamebreaker]

Oh i remember that , i didnt even know charles considered a comeback, but for comedy purposes and to see a old man dominate even at his age id welcome it.

Yeah, ha. It'd be very Sir Charles to come back and be completely awful. He'd milk it for all the laughs he could.

are you going to drafts an all that?

I was a little tempted to pick Gasol instead. Even more to do that alleged deal for Elton Brand. I like the team too much as is to alter it that significantly. Besides, Krause got THREE picks for Brand from the Clippers, so he was probably asking for quite a bit besides the #1.

Jordan wasn't the only guy who wanted Kwame. Like the Vitale article shows, lots of people thought he had potential. If he was handled a little differentlly... well, I don't think he had it in him to be a star, but I bet he could've been a quality contributor.

[Gamebreaker]

Jordan Comeback II Coverage: July

7/08/2001: Barkley doubts own comeback, hopes Jordan follows suit

7/13/2001: Jordan returns to practice floor for closer look at Kwame

7/14/2001: Jordan on practice floor for second consecutive day

7/15/2001:Jordan steps up workouts, says he'll avoid Wizards summer league

7/18/2001: Jordan to decide on comeback by mid-September

7/26/2001: Wizards to open season against Knicks in Madison Square Garden


Steve Wulf: Jordan skeptics should just bag it