WASHINGTON – The owner of the Washington Wizards said he
has a "gut feeling" that Michael Jordan will return to the NBA
next season.
In a story running on the front page of Tuesday's Washington
Post, Wizards majority owner Abe Pollin said he believes the odds
are that Jordan will play for the Wizards next season. Pollin
stressed that he did not know if Jordan has made up his mind yet.
|  | | Is Michael Jordan planning to give up the business suit for a jersey? |
"The odds are that he's going to come back," Pollin said. "I
think he's going to decide whether he's going to be able to play at
the level that is satisfying to him."
Jordan, a part-owner and president of basketball operations for
Washington, has consistently said that he's 99.9 percent sure he'll
never play again.
He was unavailable for comment Monday night.
Pollin stressed to the Post that he was simply stating his
opinion. "What I said was my gut feeling," Pollin said. "It's
his decision. I didn't think he'd come back when I first heard the
talk. But when Mario Lemieux came back to the Penguins, it stirred
something in Michael."
Lemieux, one of the owners of the Pittsburgh Penguins, returned
to the ice in December after retiring at the end of the 1997 season
and led the Penguins into the playoffs.
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“ |
What I said was my gut feeling. It's
his decision. I didn't think he'd come back when I
first heard the talk. But when Mario Lemieux
came back to the Penguins, it stirred something in Michael. ” |
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— Abe Pollin, the Wizards owner on the possible return of Michael
Jordan |
Pollin said he thinks Jordan, who won six NBA titles with the
Chicago Bulls, is going through a self-examination of sorts. Jordan
has been working out recently, including practicing with the
Wizards.
"He's certainly working at seeing if he feels like he can"
return, Pollin said. "He's told me when he has something to say
about it, he'll tell me.
"We'd welcome him with open arms," said Pollin, whose team's
18-59 record is third worst in the NBA. "It's his decision. It
would have to be in his interest to come back and he would not do
it unless he could perform at the standard he set for himself.
"But it would be very exciting for everyone."
In order for Jordan to play again under NBA rules, he would have
to divest his ownership interest in the Wizards – although he could
find a caretaker to purchase his stake sell it back to him when he
stops playing.
"I am working out because I got up to 240 pounds and I'm trying
to lose weight," Jordan said last month. "People are taking this
stuff way too far, but I can't control what people write or think
so I'm not going to address this any more."
Some of the speculation about Jordan's return has been fueled by
Jordan's close friend, Charles Barkley, who has said he would like
to play with Jordan in Washington next season.
Jordan retired in 1993 after winning three NBA titles and tried
to make a career in professional baseball. But he returned for the
NBA playoffs in 1995 and played through 1998, winning three more
titles.
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AUDIO VIDEO
 ESPN's David Aldridge says it's highly unlikely that Michael Jordan will come out of retirement.
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Cable Modem
 Majority owner Abe Pollin doesn't know for certain, but believes Jordan will play for the Wizards (Courtesy: Comcast Sportsnet).
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Wizards co-owner Ted Leonsis explains the contract matters that would stand in the way of a comeback.
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Phil Jackson anticipates another Michael Jordan comeback (Courtesy: WBBM).
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Mario Lemieux feels his success has given Michael Jordan added confidence.
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Leonard Hamilton asks why Michael Jordan would wait until this late in the season.
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Dan Patrick Show: What is Michael Jordan's current talent level? MJ is still MJ.
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Dan Patrick Show: Rick Reilly reveals where speculation of a possible Jordan return began.
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