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The new Jordan Elder statesman learns to appreciate the momentPosted: Tuesday February 11, 2003 2:18 AMUpdated: Tuesday February 11, 2003 12:27 PM
Michael Jordan fell into a chair, toweled off the sweat on his glistening head and grabbed a bottle of Gatorade. It was a timeout with one second left in the first overtime of Sunday’s All-Star Game, and His Airness needed to catch his breath. Kobe Bryant had just sunk two free throws to tie the score -- negating Jordan’s own earlier dramatic shot -- and now Jordan once again would have to try to work up some magic. As Eastern coach Isiah Thomas and his staff huddled a few feet away, Jordan sat quietly, alone in his thoughts. Music blared around him and dancers cavorted all over the Philips Arena court, but he didn’t seem to notice. He just kept pounding his gum, swigging his drink and staring off into the distance, as if to say, "I can’t believe I have to do this again." Maybe this is why Jordan has decided to retire for good. It’s one thing to have to deliver game-winning shots at age 39. It’s another to have to do it twice because a 24-year-old teammate commits a dumb foul. But this is what Jordan signed up for when he decided to unretire again. He might have looked around at the young pups populating the NBA and thought he could master them with his wits, if not his athleticism. He probably didn’t realize, however, that the Kwame Browns and Jermaine O’Neals would make him work overtime. "The itch is finally scratched," Jordan said earlier in the All-Star Weekend. "I can walk away. We can win a championship and it wouldn’t change my thinking." Whatever the reasons for Jordan’s deciding to hang it up for good, Sunday’s All-Star Game sent him off in style. From Vince Carter handing over his starting spot to the Mariah Carey halftime tribute, he seemed genuinely touched. As for his performance on the court, let’s just say it wasn’t what he would have liked. Clearly straining at the start, he missed his first seven shots. At one point, he botched an easy layup and a putback on the same possession. Then he clanked a dunk. "Why are you pulling me out?" Jordan joked to Thomas as he came off the floor for a breather after finally making a jumper. "I was just getting warmed up." At least Jordan still had his sense of humor. Had he not delivered that one fabulous rainbow baseline jumper over Shawn Marion at the end of the first overtime, the prideful Jordan might have felt slightly embarrassed by his play Sunday. Though he finished with 20 points, he hoisted 27 field-goal attempts, tying Rick Barry’s 36-year-old record for most in an All-Star Game. Not since Tom Chambers in the 1987 contest has a player jacked up so many shots so readily. Still, this is a seemingly new Jordan. No longer does he have to win every game, every head-to-head battle. He clearly is comfortable with his role as one of the game’s elder statesmen. Though determined to lead his Wizards to the playoffs, Jordan seems equally intent on enjoying himself. It certainly was the case Sunday night. From goofing with Shaq on the court to jawing with Charles Oakley behind the East bench, he looked like a guy having fun. When Carter offered his starting spot, Jordan accepted with a smile. When Jason Kidd buried a 3-pointer in front of the East bench, Jordan raised his arms. When Oakley, seated a few rows back, cheered loudly after MJ scored over Gary Payton in the post ("He used to be the Glove!" Oak hollered), Jordan laughed. As Jordan said later, "I really enjoyed [myself] tonight. As much as I wanted to play well, I felt good being out there." In that sense, at least, Jordan’s last All-Star Game was a smashing success. He doesn’t have to make the last shot or carry the NBA anymore. He only has to appreciate the moment. As Jordan sat in the final timeout Sunday night, waiting for his chance to write another storybook finish, that’s all he should have been thinking about. Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment. |
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