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Change of heart Jordan will play preseason games after all
Updated: Thursday October 11, 2001 1:12 PM
WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) -- Ready or not, Michael Jordan will make his Washington Wizards debut Thursday night against the Detroit Pistons. A few hours after he said he would not play in the first two exhibition games, Jordan changed his mind because he did not want to disappoint thousands of fans who had already bought tickets in Detroit and Miami. "After I made my first announcement earlier today, I realized that many fans purchased tickets to these games to see me in my return," Jordan said in a statement released Wednesday by the Wizards. "I didn't want the fans to be disappointed, therefore I am altering my original plan and will play in Detroit and Miami," he said. Jordan is expected to start both games, but his minutes will be limited, said Wizards spokesman Nick Brown. Jordan initially decided not to play after speaking with Wizards coach Doug Collins prior to an open scrimmage Tuesday night. "I opted not to play the first two games because physically I'm still working on trying to get my wind back, my legs underneath me and I think I can gain more from that than playing in exhibition games," Jordan had said as the Wizards broke training camp. "I have to be very patient because this is a very important time for me not to try to overdo it and try to go out and prove too much." Jordan retired for a second time more than three years ago, but started working toward a return this summer by playing pickup games with NBA players. His comeback was put in doubt when he broke two ribs during one of those games in June, and he said the injury remained a big reason why he is behind schedule. "That set me way back," Jordan said. "Physically, I was running, jumping and everything was on key. I was out eight weeks, then I came back trying to rush back without going through my fitness, strength and conditioning, and that kind of put me behind the 8-ball. "Now, I just have to be patient and make sure I'm going through the necessary steps." Despite saying he would only practice once a day during training camp, Jordan went hard in both practices for the first two days of camp last week and was worn out by the third night. At Collins' behest, Jordan spent the final six days of camp working on conditioning in the morning and practicing with the team in the evening.
A Pistons official said the team sold more 19,000 tickets in
anticipation of Jordan's first preseason game Thursday, and Miami
officials said only about 1,000 tickets were left for Saturday's
game.
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