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It was a perfect game-winning jump shot at the buzzer for the
sixth NBA title of his career. When he left the game, it
couldn’t have been scripted any better. And as time expired,
so should have Michael Jordan’s basketball career.
What is up with all these amazing-but-aging athletes who
won’t get off the stage after their curtain call?
Jerry Rice followed Joe Montana’s example and jumped teams
to become a Raider. Orel Herschiser, a Cy Young Award winner who
led the Dodgers to the World Series, couldn’t find the strike
zone last season and was forced into a shameful retirement at the
middle of the season. And now the greatest basketball player ever
to set foot on the court is laying that precious honor on the line
for a third chance at glory.
Maybe he’ll blow us away ““ he already did it once
before.
Maybe he’ll put the Wizards on the map and win another
championship.
Maybe he’ll just savor the feel of a basketball in his
hand.
But for many die-hard fans, the alternative outcomes are more
than they can bear.
Few things in the sports world could compare with the tarnishing
of the Jordan legend. It’s catastrophic. The end of the image
of basketball’s ultimate go-to guy.
Think of small children on school blacktops shooting hoops in
red “23” jerseys. What do we tell them when Michael
Jordan can’t run down the court with Rick Fox?
Why can’t Jordan leave us with our happy memories and
follow the example of other greats like Magic Johnson?
Magic just bought a chain of Fatburgers in addition to his TGI
Friday’s and movie theaters. He’s developing
communities. He works with charities. He shows up for Summer Pro
League games to help brush up the skills of wide-eyed rookies.
Jordan had some good gigs going there. Boxers, sports drinks and
shoes. Why can’t he pass the scepter to Kobe and cheer in the
stands with Jack Nicholson and Lara Flynn Boyle?
We obviously can’t stop him. He has his mind set on
completing a trilogy.
So for all of us who saw “Scream 3″ and are starting
to get nervous about the 2002 season, all we can say is he’d
better be good. Otherwise, there are too many people who will be
let down.