- Apr 2, 2000
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Jordan: I can play 30-35 minutes
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ESPN.com news services
One week before the opening of NBA training camps, part-owner Michael Jordan gave another hint about his possible on-court return to the Wizards.
According to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times, Jordan is not paying attention to the public circus that continues to speculate whether or not he'll return or retire. He's expected to issue a statement later this week confirming he will play a 15th NBA season.
"I can't be concerned with what's being said or written. I'm not paying attention to anyone's opinions but my own," Jordan told the newspaper. "I'm going to do what I want to do. If people express opinions that I shouldn't be playing basketball, I'm not listening to those opinions. Everything's going positively. I feel great."
Jordan, who turns 40 in February, would return after a knee injury forced the six-time NBA champion to miss 12 games late in the regular season, 22 in all.
Jordan decided not to have surgery on his left knee after having his comeback season cut short by surgery on his right knee in February. He played 60 games before going on the injured list in early April.
The operation repaired torn cartilage and cleaned up some of the wear and tear the joint had accumulated over 14 NBA seasons. Jordan said at the time that he was considering having offseason surgery on his left knee as a precaution, so a similar problem wouldn't flare up should he decide to play this season. The uncertainty presents a risk, but maybe not to Jordan.
"I'll play as long as I love the game of basketball," Jordan told the Sun-Times. "I don't believe it myself sometimes that I'm still playing. I never thought I'd play again. But I still love the game."
Jordan also mentioned that he might not agree to Wizards coach Doug Collins' idea of giving Jordan a new sixth-man role, which will put his average playing time around 20 minutes a game. Jordan thinks he is healthy enough to play 30 to 35 minutes.
The Wizards open training camp Tuesday in Wilmington, N.C., where Jordan grew up.
"We'll see where it goes," Jordan, who is Collins' boss, told the newspaper. "I have to talk to Doug about everything this week."
Oh yeah baby!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPN.com news services
One week before the opening of NBA training camps, part-owner Michael Jordan gave another hint about his possible on-court return to the Wizards.
According to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times, Jordan is not paying attention to the public circus that continues to speculate whether or not he'll return or retire. He's expected to issue a statement later this week confirming he will play a 15th NBA season.
"I can't be concerned with what's being said or written. I'm not paying attention to anyone's opinions but my own," Jordan told the newspaper. "I'm going to do what I want to do. If people express opinions that I shouldn't be playing basketball, I'm not listening to those opinions. Everything's going positively. I feel great."
Jordan, who turns 40 in February, would return after a knee injury forced the six-time NBA champion to miss 12 games late in the regular season, 22 in all.
Jordan decided not to have surgery on his left knee after having his comeback season cut short by surgery on his right knee in February. He played 60 games before going on the injured list in early April.
The operation repaired torn cartilage and cleaned up some of the wear and tear the joint had accumulated over 14 NBA seasons. Jordan said at the time that he was considering having offseason surgery on his left knee as a precaution, so a similar problem wouldn't flare up should he decide to play this season. The uncertainty presents a risk, but maybe not to Jordan.
"I'll play as long as I love the game of basketball," Jordan told the Sun-Times. "I don't believe it myself sometimes that I'm still playing. I never thought I'd play again. But I still love the game."
Jordan also mentioned that he might not agree to Wizards coach Doug Collins' idea of giving Jordan a new sixth-man role, which will put his average playing time around 20 minutes a game. Jordan thinks he is healthy enough to play 30 to 35 minutes.
The Wizards open training camp Tuesday in Wilmington, N.C., where Jordan grew up.
"We'll see where it goes," Jordan, who is Collins' boss, told the newspaper. "I have to talk to Doug about everything this week."
Oh yeah baby!!
