'Correct decision'

Players, coaches sorry to see injury end Jordan's comeback

Michael Jordan would rather not end his career on such a sour note. AP

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Washington Wizards were saddened but not surprised Wednesday when Michael Jordan's comeback season ended ingloriously on the injured list.

"It's a miracle that he played this year as much as he did, coming off two or three years that he took off, combined with the fact that he's almost 40 years old," forward Christian Laettner said before the Wizards' game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jordan awoke Wednesday, a day after his worst scoring game ever, and decided his swollen right knee needed rest and rehab and not more pounding on the basketball courts.

"I didn't even want him to play last night," coach Doug Collins said. "And you know Michael being the competitor that he is, said, 'I want to give it a whirl,' and I said OK."

But Jordan scored just two points in a career-low 12 minutes during a 113-93 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

"Last night he was a shadow of himself, and obviously the decision is probably the correct decision to make," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "You could see it coming by the way he played yesterday, that it was a struggle.

"At this point it's trying to beat a dead horse, the situation of trying to get into the playoffs takes the best effort Michael can give at this time, and it doesn't look like he's got that."

Jackson and Jordan, who won six championships together in Chicago, spoke after the game.

"He just said it was a struggle," Jackson said.

Collins said he knew something was seriously wrong when he told Jordan at halftime that he wouldn't put him back in the game unless it got close -- and Jordan didn't disagree.

"And when Michael doesn't fight you, you know that he's hurting," Collins said. "And now I got the call this afternoon that he recognizes the fact that the only way that knee is going to get better is to rest."

And hope to return next year.

"I think he's been very clear that he signed a two-year deal and that he would like to be able to honor his contract and the only way he can do that is to be healthy," Collins said.

Collins disagrees with critics who suggest Jordan tarnished his reputation by putting away his business suit this year and lacing up his basketball shoes again. He noted that the Wizards were 19-63 last season.

"With Michael we had 34 wins," Collins said.

Kobe Bryant said Jordan only enhanced his legacy by coming out of retirement.

"With all the expectations everyone had and the expectations he put on himself, to be able to turn that team around -- they have competitive games night in and night out -- and him playing as well as he has, I think it's unbelievable," Bryant said.

But Collins acknowledged that Jordan had no business being on the court at times this season.

"Almost to the point where I had to say. 'Michael, please, I don't want you to play tonight. This leg is not right.' But he a week ago got 34 points on one leg and that's who Michael is and I think he always felt like there was one of those games in him every time he walked out onto the floor," Collins said.

Jordan's presence went beyond the box scores and the standings.

"He had a great impact on me as far as growing as a player and just learning from the best that ever played the game," guard Tyronn Lue said. "His work ethic, the way he approached every game, that means a lot to me, it means a lot to all the players."

But across the country, players, coaches and fans wondered Wednesday whether they would see Jordan in uniform again.

"It's a shame he finished the season this way," said New Jersey Nets coach Byron Scott. "Knowing Michael a little the way I know him, it's going to make him more determined to come back next year."

Lue was idealistic.

"He doesn't want to go out like this," Lue said.

 

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