CHICAGO -- Michael Jordan is prepared to forgo a return to
the NBA if his comeback preparations don't progress as quickly as
he'd like.
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Paving the way?
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Three sources told the New York Post on Tuesday that NBA commissioner David Stern, Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and one of Jordan's closest representatives, Curtis Polk, met last week in New York to discuss a complex scenario that would pave the way for Jordan to play for the Wizards if he should decide to return.
The plan calls for Jordan to sell his minority share of ownership in the Washington Wizards to Abe Pollin. Jordan would then purchase a larger ownership share in the Capitals than he had in the Wizards. He also might buy a piece of the MCI Center. NBA bylaws prohibit anyone who has an ownership in a franchise to play for the team.
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"I don't want to make a fool of myself," Jordan was quoted as
saying in Tuesday's Chicago Sun-Times. "If I don't think it can be
done, I'll have no problem saying it. I'm not going to be pushed
into this."
Jordan's comments came after the first day of his
invitation-only basketball camp. However, the former Chicago Bulls
star still has not ruled out a return to the court.
"I can honestly say I haven't decided anything," Jordan said.
Jordan, president of basketball operations for the Washington
Wizards, has been struggling with tendinitis in his knee. He
cracked two ribs during a June workout and has fought back spasms
recently.
Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti asked Jordan to rate
himself on a scale of one to 10, one representing minor league
Continental Basketball Association quality and 10 meaning NBA
Most Valuable Player status.
"Six," estimated Jordan, who was a five-time MVP.
He has said he will announce a decision in mid-September,
giving him three or four more weeks.
"I'd like to get to nine," Jordan said, still using the
columnist's rating system. "No one's a 10 going into training
camp."
Tim Grover, Jordan's personal trainer the past 12 years, has
said he thinks missing a month of conditioning because of the rib
injury makes it unlikely his 38-year-old client will be fit enough
to make a comeback.
"I have no problem with what Tim said," Jordan said. "That's
what he believes. It's his opinion, and I respect it.
"I'm still confident. I'm gauging my strength, my legs, my
conditioning, the things I'll need to determine if I can play at
the level I want to be at. Right now, I'm not there. I'm going to
keep trying to get there. We'll see."
NBA players Jerry Stackhouse, Juwan Howard, Ron Artest and Jamal Crawford were on hand for Jordan's comeback camp.
Tim Hardaway and Penny Hardaway were expected to arrive later
this week, and Jordan said he hoped Ray Allen and Glenn Robinson
would show up.
Jordan invited many of the league's top players -- including Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson and Vince Carter, but they were not expected
to attend.
Information from Reuters was used in this report.
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