First Jordan, now Barkley? What is this?

[Marc]

Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley teaming up on the Wizards? That's a way to increase attendance, all right.

Here's the story via CBS Sportsline (http://cbs.sportsline.com/u/ce/multi/0,1329,3653009_54,00.html). Barkley apparently says if he loses 30 pounds and his knees feel strong again, he will come back. Good grief, these guys are great legends, but some of them don't know when to hang it up!

[Wedge231]

If you retire, stay retired. I am getting sick of every athlete who retires coming back again after several years.

[NickHammy]

I'll bet this is all a big joke...

[Wedge231]

Knowing Barkley, it is possible.

[Marc]

Ah, come on. I know some of you who have voted and even those who haven't must have an opinion on this! Don't be shy. :)

[ripit0]

I dont think we need to worry about Sir Charles, he will never lose 30 pounds! As for Jordon, he could do it but it would mean less golf time, and the man likes his golf!

[Dre2g]

The Barkley return rumor is legit. I live in Phoenix, and he has been working out and playing in the gym a lot more lately, then he ever has. MJ was here a few weeks ago with him, working out. They said MJ looked like he was 25 again.

[SC-Jared]

It'll definitly HELP both the NBA and the Wizards- even for a few years, they'd be great for attendance, and fan interest. Who cares if they retire again, it's good for the game.

Although, Jordan did exit the NBA perfectly with the whole last shot/NBA title thing.

[Rick Dogg]

I am so sick of hearing people tell these atheletes they cant play anymore. If they want to play, they can. I dont think they care about how people will remember them, or what the storybooks say. How would you feel if someone walked up to you and told you to retire, if you knew you could still do your job. Hey Marc, you are past your prime, you need to go out on top, you better give your site to me.

[Marc]

Originally posted by Rick Reighard
if you knew you could still do your job.
The fact of the matter is they CAN'T do their job well anymore, which is to play basketball... Jordan can still, but Barkley is a mess.

[Rick Dogg]

Fist of all, you dont know that. Second of all, they can play if someone will take them.

[iFroggy]

Yeah, you definitely don't know that.

I believe Barkley, with a bit of training, could still be in the upper third of the league, he still has talent, just may be a bit out of shape. Not that he was really in shape when he played either. My opinion.

[Marc]

Originally posted by iFroggy
Yeah, you definitely don't know that.

I believe Barkley, with a bit of training, could still be in the upper third of the league, he still has talent, just may be a bit out of shape. Not that he was really in shape when he played either. My opinion.
Fine then. I'll believe it when I see it.

[Peck]

Well Seeing is Bealiving...........


I think that it would be great too see two legends come back but if they can't play or are like sooooo weak ..... i think they should stay retired......y now relax:D?!

[theGOATlegend]

I think that the league needs Jordan back, to make the east stronger, but I also think Jordan would have a tough time getting back into the way he used to be, having trouble playing like the Greatest he was. I think he made more of a legend by retiring for good.

[Marc]

I can see it on his face. Michael Jordan is preparing to make a comeback, there is no doubt anymore, in my mind.
Jordan Should Come Out of Retirement

By HARVEY ARATON

Are golfers athletes? I ask this rhetorically, knowing what the swelling legion of Tigermaniacs would surely scream. But if golfers are about athleticism as much as they are about skill, why are the faded greatness standards so different than they are for others? Why haven't Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer been told to stop embarrassing themselves at the Masters, compared to Tiger and contemporaries?

Michael Jordan apparently chose the wrong sport in which to become a global icon. Had he made basketball his avocation and golf his occupation, he could continue feeding his unquenchable competition addiction long after his prime. His gallery of fans would follow him until his caddie had to hand him a cane. No one would ever tell him to stop imposing his ego on someone else's era.

Seniors and graying baby boomers who have extended their athletic endowment in a white-collar sport with a conveniently adjustable set of values and explications would never suggest that Jordan stay home, and not ruin the storybook ending we wrote to his career.

Before moving on to the playoffs and Year 28 of the Knicks' championship drought, I would like to address that 15 percent chance (which he increased yesterday from his originally stated one-tenth-of-one-percent chance) that Jordan will suit up again next season.



Dear Michael:

The six championships cannot be stricken from the record book. The statue will not be taken down outside the United Center in Chicago. The magnificent finish to your Bullish life stands.

Ignore those hopeless romantics, inside the sport and out. Contrary to popular opinion, the recent rule changes work in your favor. You were a jump shooter by age 35, and jump shooters riddle zones. On defense, you will be able to save energy by playing off your man, by roaming passing lanes. If you think you'll have fun doing this at 39, well, the opportunity will not be there when you're 49.

For many, too many, the thought of Jordan being less than the picture of follow-through perfection in Salt Lake City, 1998, is practically un- American, the equivalent of flag- burning, or demystifying James Gandolfini. These folks need to be reminded that Jordan for several years couldn't even get into the playoffs or past the first round.

In other words, before he became the world's foremost sports tycoon, a virtual Hollywood cartoon, Jordan was fallible, human. By himself, he isn't returning to save any team, much less the sport. The best thing Jordan could be for David Stern in a third coming is John Starks, a good player who is not nearly good enough. Then perhaps Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson and the others on Charles Oakley's love list could get out of the prison Jordan's air space has become.

It's possible that Jordan could contrive a comeback not with the Washington Wizards but with the contender of his choice. Maybe the 15 percent of him can only imagine playing for a title. Maybe that's what he meant Thursday when he said, "Three months from now, I can't tell where I'm going to be." But if he winds up looking for a run because he just needs his competition fix, he may ultimately leave with his legacy enhanced, not diminished.

He may someday be able to say: "Before my skills eroded, I was the best ever but I came back because I realized what a privilege basketball is. So I send this message to every kid caught up in our sports-crazed country: Just play, because you love the game and because it's fun."

Granted, he's not thinking that now. He has a champion's pride, a superstar's ego, like Mario Lemieux's. I would guess that the deeper one gets inside Jordan's circle, as with NBC's Ahmad Rashad, the more his 99.9 percent not-playing declaration shrinks. But I don't believe he's contemplating a return because he wants attention. Michael Jordan has always been about two things, competition and getting paid.

Once, when the original Dream Team was playing a pre-Olympics exhibition in Monte Carlo before the 1992 Barcelona Games, the crowd began to chant for Magic Johnson — "Ma-jheek, Ma-jheek." Johnson did everything but go into the stands and kiss every fan's cheek. Minutes later, it was "Mike-el, Mike-el." Jordan, on the bench, draped a towel over his dome.

He never attached himself to a social cause or even a Magic-like entrepreneurial endeavor that might have stimulated him in his post-playing years. He runs a terrible team and is clearly bored by the machinations of the salary cap. He's a poker player who suspects he still has a mighty good hand and can't stand not finding out how good.

And please, no more about Willie Mays. I didn't see Mays falling down in one end-of-the-century retrospective, did you? I didn't see Joe Namath limping around as a Los Angeles Ram. I didn't even see Muhammad Ali getting beat up by Larry Holmes. History ultimately has a selective memory, a tolerance for human indulgence. In that respect, history is more like golf.

[NickHammy]

If he comes back it gonna be only a one year thing. It will definetly increase ticket sales and hopefully for them they can have a decent team. I wonder if MJ will have his game back by then. It will be very interesting to see.

[iFroggy]

Thats what I've been saying the whole time.

These people that say all this garbage about his last shot... like I said, its garbage!

I believe that he can be the best, he has the will to do it and he is smart. He knows what he can and can not do.

He'll be the greatest whether he succeeds or fails.

[jjk_16_21]

I hear that Jordan will be coming back with Barkley and that Malone's is going to be a free agent next year, so they will bring him there and also i hear that pippen's contract is up and so now they well bring him back to play with MJ, and Hakeem Oluahgiwan. I truely think that that could do good if they do end up getting that team together. BUT hey i guess we will have to wait and see, to even see if Jordan comes back. (HE IS THE KEY MAN FOR ALL THIS TO HAPPEN)

[NickHammy]

That would be sweet too see all those guys playing on one team.

[iFroggy]

Welcome jjk. :)

That would be cool to see!

[Wedge231]

I'm not too sure any of that will really happen.... :goof:

[TheRocketGuy]

Before you start dreaming of MJ, Barkley, Malone, and Olajuwon winning a title for the hapless Washington Wizards, consider a few things.

1. Hakeem was never friends with MJ and only tolerated Barkley. Clyde Drexler, Hakeem's best friend, retired just to get away from Sir Slob. Don't expect to see Hakeem playing anywhere but Houston. He has never played anywhere else on any level and he won't.

2. The only reason MJ has agreed to a comeback is that he wants to help Barkley lose weight. Barkley's weight has gotten so out of control that it threatens his life. Mj wanted to help him get motivated to work out, and this was the only way he could do it. He has also allowed Bark to move in so that MJ can more closely monitor what Charles eats. Mj only said he would come back as a motivation for Barkley to lose weight, and 50 pounds have to disappear from Bark's midsection before MJ will agree to return.

I don't think Barkley can lose the wieght, but if he does he will only make a fool of himself in Washington. He was done before he ever left Phoenix, and that was before his career-ending knee surgery. MJ can probably still play some, but Barkley's best years were behind him before he ever ruined the Rockets.

The Rocket Guy
http://www.TheRocketGuy.com

[NickHammy]

Originally posted by TheRocketGuy
MJ can probably still play some, but Barkley's best years were behind him before he ever ruined the Rockets.


And how exactly did he riun the Rockets...?
Sound like you really hate Barkley..:eek:

[TheRocketGuy]

It's not that I hate Barkley, it's just that he's a lazy, loudmouthed meathead at times. He never worked out, he was always saying things to the media that hurt the team, and we gave up Sam Cassell and Robert Horry (both of whom were big parts of our 2 championships) to get him. To top that off, he caused Drexler to retire prematurely.

Don't get me wrong. Barkley was god in his day. When he came to Houston, though, all he did was take up space in the paint, where Hakeem should have (and would have) been, and mouth off a lot.

I wish he would have retired before the Rockets gave up 2 good players to get his lazy butt.

The Rocket Guy
http://www.TheRocketGuy.com

[Wedge231]

Hmmm, I remember the first year the Rockets won vs the Knicks. Cassel and Horry were both great in that series. I remember Cassel's three and Vernon Maxwell's block of John Starks to end the series.

[NickHammy]

Is that 3 pointer you're refering to the one at the halftime buzzer from halfcourt? That was a sweet shot!:cool:

[Wedge231]

I was referring to his three pointers in general. I don't recall any specific one.

[Marc]

Jeese, Bill, sounds like you don't like Barkley. :rolleyes:

Personally, I don't think Jordan is returning because of that motive. I think it's several things: he still has the competitive desire to play and most of all, he wants to prove everyone wrong again and show everyone he can play. Whether he can or not is another story, but we are talking about basketball's God as far as I am concerned, so I won't put it out of the question that he will dominate again. Stranger things have happened.

[TheRocketGuy]

Actually it was Hakeem that blocked Starks' three and Maxwell that hit the big three that iced it. He was on his back with his arms and legs in the air after he hit it and NY called time. I've watched that game many times!!!

Marc - I saw an interview with MJ in which he said that was his reason for returning. It may be an excuse, but that's what he said. Persoanlly I think the guy just can't stand to be out of the lime light.

The Rocket Guy
http://www.TheRocketGuy.com

[Wedge231]

Oh. Sorry for my false information once again :uhoh:

[TheRocketGuy]

That's OK - that's what I'm here for! ;)

The Rocket Guy
http://www.TheRocketGuy.com

[iFroggy]

Well, first of all I like Barkley and Jordan.

I do not think MJ would come back for Barkley's weightloss. That is the most absurb thing I have heard about this whole Jordan comeback. If he said that, you can be assured it was jokingly.

I don't really think a Hakeem comeback with Jordan and Barkley will happen, but all I said was that it would be cool to see. :)

[TheRocketGuy]

Actually, Bark and MJ have been very good friends for ages. I believe he would do it to get Bark to lose weight. Barkley was over 320 the last time I heard. MJ would be concerned for Bark's health and want to help him. It's all about motivation and maybe this is the only way to get Barkley to take care of himself.

The Rocket Guy
http://www.TheRocketGuy.com

[Marc]

There's only so many comebacks that can be made before these guys become senior citizens. :rolleyes: Thus, Jordan can't "bail" Barkley out every time he has a health problem. The fact of the matter is that if Barkley is going to rely on MJ to get him healthy again, he has problems and better learn to deal with them.

[iFroggy]

Have I said there is no way thats the reason? :D

[TheRocketGuy]

Barkley just has no self control - and yes, you've said that's not the reason, but MJ said it was, so . . . :goof:

The Rocket guy
http://www.TheRocketGuy.com

[iFroggy]

Believe that MJ has other things on his mind and thats not the driving reason. :)

[NickHammy]

I heard that Barkley is trying to lose weight so that he can make a comeback into the NBA. He's not coming back to lose weight.

[TheRocketGuy]

No doubt there are other reason - I would not say his ONLY reason is Barkley. Probably the main reason is the huge ego that drives #23. He can't stand not being in the spotlight.

As for Charles - no, he's not coming back to lose wiehgt. MJ told him he'd only come back IF he lost 50 pounds. He's losing weight to come back, not the other way around. in his present state, he would do well to run up and down the floor twice, much less play NBA level basketball.

The Rocket Guy
http://www.TheRocketGuy.com

[jgarcia]

In my opinion, if they both return it would be fun to watch for about a month. then after that the novelty would wear off. I think in the long run, this move would hurt the league since they're going to retire again anyway within a year or two. The league should start building up future talent and not hanging on to the past.

Don't get me wrong. I like both of them as players. They are two of the best ever, but for the future, I don't see any good coming out of this whole thing.

[TheRocketGuy]

You touched on a key point: "for about a month." It is only a novelty, and a team like Washington can afford to put their entire team's development for a circus stunt like this. A team like Houston, for instence, would laugh at them because they have some business to do in building a championship dynasty. Washington is going nowhere, so why not run a legends camp for a year? Besides, Barkley won't last a month, so then it will be MJ alone and he won't take the losing for long before he goes back to counting his royalties.

The Rocket Guy
http://www.TheRocketGuy.com

[iFroggy]

I don't think MJ will lose. :)

[TheRocketGuy]

But is his ego writing checks his body (and his sorry Wizards team) can no longer cash?

The Rocket Guy
http://www.TheRocketGuy.com

[Marc]

Originally posted by TheRocketGuy
But is his ego writing checks his body (and his sorry Wizards team) can no longer cash?

The Rocket Guy
http://www.TheRocketGuy.com
I don't think Jordan has an excessively large ego. I mean, heck, he should have some sort of arrogance as he is undoubtedly the best player in the history of the game.

Did we all predict he would win championships after he retired the first time? I bet most of us wrote him off then, too.

[iFroggy]

I agree with you, Marc.

I don't write MJ off. I believe if he comes back, at the very worst, they will finish in a Conference final... the worst. Ron Harper said something to the extent of, whatever team he comes back to, that's who I'm gonna try to go to.

[Safe]

No way...young stars are finally achieving greatness (Iverson et al.)...MJ and Barkley should stay out.

[TheRocketGuy]

I certainly would not say that the threat of Ron Harper scares many people. So what? Kenny Smith said he might come back, too, to play with MJ. Gee - the only thing that made him good was Hakeem's presence in the paint. I love Kenny for bringing us 2 titles, but come on. You know why they stopped playing the legends game? It was awful to watch all those has-beens trying to play ball and hurting themselves. Calvin Murphy was the only one who ever even looked half way decent.

Lead the dead rest in peace.

The Rocket Guy
http://www.TheRocketGuy.com