HAS MJ ALREADY CALLED IT A DAY? BARKLEY SEEMS TO THINK SO

          Charles Barkley talked about Michael Jordan's future
     during a media session before Saturday's charity game in
     Atlantic City, according to Lacy Banks of the CHICAGO SUN-
     TIMES.  Barkley: "Michael ain't coming back -- he's retired. 
     Remember you heard it here first.  He's just waiting for the
     lockout to end before he announces it.  That's why he's not
     here this weekend.  He's retired, and he doesn't want to
     even come here and sit around for everybody to ask him about
     it" (SUN-TIMES, 12/20).  Barkley: "Let the man enjoy the
     rest of his life.  I'm more concerned about the 399 other
     guys" (AP, 12/20).  Jordan, on Barkley's comments: "Charles
     doesn't speak for Michael Jordan, you know that.  When
     Michael Jordan has something to say, he will say it.  People
     are going to say what they want to say.  I was never against
     people speaking their opinion or their feelings and that
     (retirement) is Charles' feeling" (CNN/SI.com, 12/20).