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Saturday, June 23, 2001
If MJ does play, it'll probably be at small forward
ESPN.com news services
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Washington Wizards coach Doug Collins said Michael Jordan has told his staff to approach Wednesday's NBA draft as if he was not going to play again.
In a conference call Friday, Collins said Jordan told him to "make sure (reporters) know we're building this team with the idea that I'm not going to play."
Washington has the No. 1 overall pick.
Jordan, the Wizards' top basketball executive, fractured two ribs last week in a pickup game with NBA players in Chicago when he was grabbed from behind, reportedly by Bulls swingman Ron Artest, while twisting his torso.
Collins said Jordan still will try to get in shape to see if he can play after a three-year retirement. But the 38-year-old Jordan won't be able to begin training again for at least three more weeks and it would be longer before he can participate in contact drills, Collins added.
If Jordan does play again, it probably would be at small forward, Collins said. That would be a new position for the man who starred at shooting guard in his 13 stellar seasons with the Chicago Bulls.
"I could see him playing a lot of small forward," Collins said. "He's going to do a lot of
posting up.
"I don't see him necessarily playing the same style as before.
He's so physically strong now. ... Who better to reinvent
themselves than him?"
Collins said he based his opinion on Jordan's workouts, but the
move would also solve a big Wizards dilemma: The only position
where the team doesn't need help is shooting guard, Jordan's old
spot.
In any case, the comeback attempt is on hold until after Jordan
recovers from his rib injury.
That complicates matters somewhat as the Wizards prepare for
Wednesday's draft. Washington has the No. 1 overall pick for
the first time since the franchise's first season in 1961.
The Wizards have been working out the top prospects, and some
got court time with Jordan himself. Collins listed five who have
stood out from the rest: Eddy Curry, Eddie Griffin, Tyson Chandler,
Kwane Brown and Shane Battier.
Curry, Chandler and Brown entered the draft straight from high
school, and Collins admitted he's dealing with an "inexact
science" of background checks and character judgement to decide
which of the teenagers might pan out down the road.
"I didn't expect these high school players to be as good as
they are," Collins said. "That's a pleasant surprise for us."
Collins said he's received many calls concerning possible trades
for the No. 1 pick. The Wizards have been working out lower-rated
players in case they trade down on draft day.
Collins said he will not trade Richard Hamilton, and he
indicated Courtney Alexander was also not available. Both are
shooting guards, but Collins said he will give Hamilton some work
at point guard from the first day of training camp.
Collins also tried to put to rest the notion that the Wizards
would add every aging big name from Charles Barkely to Patrick
Ewing to play alongside Jordan if Jordan does return.
"People have said Michael was going to put together a '92 Dream
Team revisited," Collins said. "That's not going to happen."
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