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Jordan's place in history is secure Posted: Tuesday April 15, 2003 2:34 PM
He couldn’t lead the Wizards to the playoffs, but Michael Jordan’s second comeback has to be considered at least a moderate success. During his two seasons, he averaged over 20 points per game, made two All-Star appearances and generally performed as well as any 40-year-old could hope. This wasn’t Willie Mays butchering fly balls for the Mets. In terms of history, Jordan’s place is secure. By playing at a high level, and helping Washington become at least a .500 team, he managed to avoid tainting his legacy as the greatest player ever. The only casualty is that he gave up that perfect ending. When MJ hit that last shot in Utah to win the 1998 NBA title, it was like something out of a movie. Now it’s just one more great moment in his career. It won’t change his legacy, but it sure would have burnished his legend to have kept that as his final snapshot. Now onto the 'bag:
Do you think USA Basketball will ask LeBron James to play on the next U.S. Olympic team? It’s too early to say. USA Basketball officials have indicated in the past that they would be open to giving James a tryout, and he has said he would be interested. In terms of marketing, it’s a no-brainer. But USA Basketball wants to be careful that it selects the right mix of players this time. They might decide to wait until next season, after they’ve seen James play in the NBA, and then (if he's any good) add him before the 2004 Games.
I was just reviewing your preview for 2002-03. Hindsight being what it is, I am sure you realize what we in Philadelphia saw last year, that Dikembe Mutombo is no longer the force that the rest of the country still thought he was. The Nets would be better served to play Jason Collins in the playoffs and let Deke sit out the bench. What do you think? Ouch, Ken. Why don’t you just bring up that embarrassing Pistons prediction while you’re at it? Seriously, you’re right, Mutombo hasn’t done anything to live up to those lofty preseason expectations. But in fairness to him, he missed most of the season with a wrist injury and is just now trying to work his way back. He still could be a factor before it’s all over. Bottom line: The Nets have to give Deke a chance. Collins isn’t exactly dominating in the middle, either.
Any chance my good old Cleveland Cavaliers will make a coaching change in the offseason? Would Jeff Van Gundy be interested in taking over a team with some of the most talented youngsters in the league and the East's best center? There’s almost zero chance Van Gundy would take over the Cavs. First, he's under contract to the Knicks until July 31. Cleveland probably would want a coach in place by then. Second, Van Gundy is going to ask for something along the lines of $5 million per year. There’s no way Cavs owner Gordon Gund would shell out that kind of cake for a coach.
Detroit is one of the few teams with cap room in a year that is filled with free agents. I don't expect Tim Duncan or Jason Kidd to end up in D-Town, but what about a second-tier guy, such as Elton Brand? Putting him alongside Ben Wallace, two of the toughest undersized big men, would be a dream. What are the chances of this happening? Sorry, Eric, but the Pistons won’t have the cap room this summer. They gave it up by re-signing Cliff Robinson and agreeing to re-sign Richard Hamilton. You’re right about Brand being a good fit in Motown, though. He would give them a much-needed offensive presence in the low post. But there was no guarantee Brand would come, and Detroit decided it was better off keeping Rip and Uncle Cliffy in the fold.
In a recent Power Rankings, you said the Mavs finished the season a perfect 20-0 against L.A. (Clippers), Memphis, Denver, Chicago, Cleveland and Toronto. By my count, the Western Conference Mavs played four games each against the Clips, the Grizz and the Nuggets. That's 12 games. Add two each against the Eastern's Bulls, Cavs and Raptors, and you've got another six (12 + 6 = 18). So the best they could be would be 18-0. Or am I missing something? Right on, Rich. We forgot to include Miami on the list. That makes Dallas 20-0 against the NBA’s weaker sisters. You’ve got to hand it to Dallas coach Don Nelson and his players. The Mavs clearly didn’t take off many nights during the long regular season.
With all the talk of LeBron James being the consensus choice for the No. 1 NBA Draft pick, why has no one mentioned Syracuse's Carmelo Anthony in all this? Sure, James is the best high school basketball player in the nation, but Anthony is apparently the best college player, having destroyed the competition in the NCAA tournament. Anthony has seen his stock skyrocket since leading Syracuse to the NCAA title. Some scouts say they wouldn’t be surprised if Anthony went No. 2, ahead of Yugoslavian center Darko Milicic. Obviously, it will depend in part on which team has the top picks and which direction they want to go. But you can almost put it in the bank that James will go No. 1. With all the hype he’s received, I don’t think any GM would have the guts to pass on him, even if they liked another player more.
You made a comment that Grant Hill, based on his stats, could be a Hall of Famer. I totally disagree. No way should he be considered for the Hall of Fame if he doesn't play again. Along with what you said, having not played for a contender or a championship, he had only six solid seasons in Detroit. His three seasons in Orlando have been injury-plagued and he has played in a total of 47 games for the Magic. Hall of Famers are not only selected because of their team's success and their individual stats, but also because of their longevity of greatness. Hill has not had that. Fair enough, Tony. Judging from the number of similar letters in this week’s 'bag, a lot of people agree with you. But, as I wrote last week, hopefully Hill will make it back and get a chance to build on his case.
A minor quibble regarding your April 1 column that stated that a player is allowed to be drafted only one time. I had this same dispute last summer with someone who claimed that Ousmane Cisse could be redrafted in the 2002 draft after being drafted in 2001. I was certain that this person was wrong. However, he cited a section in the CBA that shows that a player can in fact be in two drafts. Yes, but the point was that the player does not have the choice. He cannot decide on his own to re-enter the draft. Only if his team chooses to cut him free (as was nearly the case with Cisse in Denver), can he get another chance. But you’re correct that there is a loophole that technically would allow it to occur. Thanks for clearing it up. By the way, have you thought about becoming a player agent?
What do you think the chances are of Mitch Richmond having his No. 2 jersey retired in Sacramento? Will he ever be considered for inclusion in the Hall of Fame? Richmond, who retired last season after finally getting an NBA championship ring with the Lakers, probably will see his jersey retired by the Kings. Sacramento owner Joe Maloof has indicated his support for the idea, and Richmond remains a fan favorite (despite his brief L.A. stint). As for the Hall, that’s a tougher call. He averaged 21.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists over his 14-year career, earning six All-Star berths (he was MVP of the 1995 game). But he was never first-team all-NBA. I couldn’t find many guys on my list of Hall members about which that could be said.
Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.
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