Michael Jordan - a very depressing end of an era

[John Galt]

I hated Jordan through most of his career. I grew up in the DC area and although the local team sucked, I just routed against Jordan. I was also a big Charles fan, so I had to hope M.J. would choke against Phoenix in the finals. Now, however, Jordan is a Wizard and I've routed for him hard to turn the woeful franchise around. As a GM, he did a pretty good job (unloading bad contracts and making fairly smart moves - with the exception of the Laettner contract). As a player, though . . .

Over the last two years, I have watched several Wizards games live when I was in DC and every one has been disappointing from a Jordan perspective. The team tries to force the ball to him and he just doesn't have "it" anymore. Sure, he is 40 and put up 40 points the other day, but the more games I watch on TV, the more I think he just looks so sad on the court. I wish he would have retired with the Bulls - the Wizards experiment has been a failure. The team has a lot of talent, but won't make the playoffs because it relies on an aging player who can't deliver. It's just sad.

[HornedFrog Purple]

I dunno John, Michael's "it" was the greatest "it" pro basketball may have ever seen with the lone possible exception of Wilt Chamberlain.

I would still take Jordan over anyone but a handful of players in the league now even at 40 years old. He still has "it" but just with not as much frequency. Sometimes he plays like he is 40 and every once in a while he plays like he is 20 again.

I would just be grateful you have gotten to see him as many times as you have, some of us were not that lucky.

[samifan24]

Ok, I only saw Jordan play once live, and it just happened to be last week when he scored the 43 pts. in 43 minutes against the Nets. I am not an NBA expert and am not even that avid of a fan, but I just wanted to say that he definately was vintage Michael during the game I saw.
Now I know one game doesn't make a difference and I'm not trying to say that he still has all the moves, but in that game, he put on a clinic. I went there to see Jordan before he <gasp> retires, not because I'm a big Jordan fan or anything, but just to see a great player before he goes out.
It was a three hour bus ride from my school, but it was worth it. Again, I'm not trying to say you're wrong, but Jordan definately showed flashes of vintage MJ during the Nets game. He still had it that night. Just my .02 though.

[illinifan999]

I just wish he would've retired the second time. (It is the second time right?) What a way to end a career, make the game winning shot to win the Finals. Almost couldn't go out in a better way.

[Senator]

In the blink of an eye, greatness slips away and is gone forever. Enjoy him, we won't see his like again in our lifetimes. If he played until he was 60, and only had 1 point a game, I would still smile when I watch him.

[digamma]

The guy scored 43 the other night and was magical. He's having fun. He is still better than 75% of the league.

Let him play.

People like Jay Marioti (sp?) who try to be the keepers of the Jordan legend irk me.

[illinifan999]

I thought LeBron James is supposed to be the next Jordand? ;)

[John Galt]

I do feel lucky to have seen Jordan in DC, but I think he presents a constant problem for Collins. How do you give the ball to someone other than the greatest ever during crunch time? It seems like every close game turns into the Wizards trying to create a "Jordan Moment." Unfortunately, he can't do it as often and the team's winning percentage shows that. I wonder, as hard as it is to believe, if the team will be better next year without him. A starting lineup of Hughes, Stackhouse, Jeffries, Brown, and Haywood would be pretty good to grow with and the Wizards should be able to add a decent free agent to the mix.

[digamma]

You raise a good point. Collins will be second guessed no matter which way he plays it. He's either pandering to an aging superstar or not respecting the greatest player in the history of the game.

[John Galt]

Originally posted by digamma
You raise a good point. Collins will be second guessed no matter which way he plays it. He's either pandering to an aging superstar or not respecting the greatest player in the history of the game.

It is like when Magic kept coming back - only Jordan's comeback has lasted 2 years.

[Fritz]

It is hard to keep pushing undies when you are Mr. Yesterday.

[Alf]

In his game vs the Nets, he was really playing unstopable basket-ball ! Great shots !

I also watched Tracy McGrady vs the same Nets and he had the same kind of game than Jordan. he was unstopable...

I would vot for T-Mac for MVP !