Make no "Air" about it, Jordan rumors continue

by Jonathan Kane
For The Post

The name: Michael Jordan.

The recent excitement: a possible comeback.

If there are two words in the English language that sound better next to each other in a sentence than "Jordan" and "comeback," I'd love to hear them. But there aren't.

Jordan comeback rumors have been swirling around the NBA continually since the beginning of March. But every time it looks or sounds like it could happen, Jordan steps in and lets the air out ... almost.

Reports of Jordan practicing with the Washington Wizards were the initial dose of gasoline on the fire of comeback rumors. Charles Barkley's recent claim that he would like to play with Jordan in Washington next season does not make matters any clearer.

It is clear that although Jordan has consistently downplayed the notion of a comeback, he has not dismissed the idea completely — at least not 100 percent.

Jordan, at 38 years old and 25 pounds heavier than his playing weight of 215, can still dominate the game, despite what critics say. He retired in 1998 after leading the Chicago Bulls to three more NBA titles and was still untouchable on the court.

Now, three years later, people say he can't make a comeback because he's too old and out of shape. Hogwash. If anybody can make a comeback at 38, it is Michael Jordan.

NBA rules state Jordan would have to divest his ownership interest in the Wizards in order to return to the court. This is a major obstacle because he owns a small portion of the team, and his stake in it will increase. Simple solution: find a caretaker to buy out his holdings who will in turn sell it back to him when he hangs up his sneakers for good.

Even the NHL's Mario Lemieux, who stunned everyone with his return to the ice this year, said he spoke with Jordan and expects him to make a comeback. Others who have predicted a Jordan return include Wizards majority owner Abe Pollin and Jordan's former coach, Phil Jackson.

These statements fall sweet on the ear for all supporters of a comeback, but for every promising statement, there is an equally less-promising statement looming around the hype.

Michael Jordan will not come back unless he feels he can perform at the high standard he has set for himself. We can only cross our fingers and our laces.

- Kane believes Bryon Russell of the Utah Jazz must be wetting himself with all these rumors circulating around the League. Send him an e-mail at jk876799.