Welcome Back...For Now

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

October 2001

Now that His Airness (Michael Jordan for the uninformed) has returned to action (preseason games, so far), I want to extend a heartfelt "welcome back". Not to MJ; but, to all of the non - NBA fans who are simply fans of Jordan. Once Mike made official his return, ticket sales for the Washington Wizards have soared through the roof. The Houston Rockets sold out their home game versus the Wizards in 3 MINUTES! Similar mad rushes have been made by Jordan fans throughout all of the 29 NBA cities. Hooray! Hooray! Television executives have either scrambled their original (Turner Broadcasting) NBA schedule or simply added the Wizards to the NBA tv package (NBC Broadcasting) in order to capitalize on MJ's popularity. Oh boy! Unfortunately, it seems the masses just can't get enough of seeing Mr. Jordan. Give me a break.

I haven't (yet) had a chance to interview MJ; but, that should change when the Wizards come to town. I'm looking forward to it; but, I'm not going goofy over it. As great a player as Mike is / was, he's still a basketball player who I (and the rest of the local sports media) will interview and get his responses regarding the Wizards; his game; the Rockets, etc. It's as simple as that.

I'm fairly indifferent to Mike's return. However, he wouldn't have returned if he weren't in basketball shape. His ego and fiery competitive nature won't allow him to make a mockery of the game nor would he risk embarrassment. As a result, MJ should produce very solid, if not spectacular, numbers this season and next. However, though the huge fan interest can't be controlled by Jordan, I wish he would have stayed retired.

MJ has accomplished everything a pro basketball player can accomplish: he's won 2 Olympic gold medals; 6 NBA Titles; 6 NBA Finals' MVP Awards; scoring titles; All - NBA First team; All - Defense First team; on and on his incredible feats go. However, today's NBA is for Kobe Bryant, Shaq, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen and the rest of the young NBA stars. Mike's presence removes them from the spotlight and places them on the outer limits of the radar screen.

MJ said he returned because of his love for the game. He also added he wants to teach his younger teammates the correct way to play the game. I respect that. In fact, with MJ playing, the Wizards should be much improved from last season's 19 - 63 record. (I seriously doubt the team will challenge for a playoff spot this season; but, we shall see.) However, I believe MJ's presence on the floor is going to slow down the development of Washington's young, talented nucleus of Richard Hamilton, Courtney Alexander, and Kwame Brown. Wizards' coach Doug Collins disagrees with that viewpoint because the young guys will be learning from the "best player to ever play". Fine; does that mean Mike won't take the money shots in the fourth quarter? Who's going to make the key defensive stop? Who's going to step up and lead the team when Mike is sitting on the bench?

Doug Collins is great at coaching young players and molding them into winners; however, he's always been too emotional and he's never been considered a great communicator with star players. Therefore, how will the youngsters respond to Doug's maniacal mannerisms plus MJ's extreme competitiveness? When Jordan retires again, will the Wizards be able to move forward without him or will the rebuilding process have to take a step back and start again?

Mike's return has provided a boost to sagging ticket sales leaguewide and his return should also boost tv ratings. Those two factors are beneficial; but, they're also probably short term fixes just as any improvement in the Wizards record, too. As long as the average fan hangs on every Jordan word and sighting, the NBA will never recapture its glory and flourish with its current crop of superstars. That realization is not Mike's fault, it's just a statement of fact. If the Wizards start to stink A.J. (After Jordan), I'm not sure who will take the blame; but, I do know the blame (game) won't be televised.