Since speculation of Michael Jordan joining the Wizards
surfaced last week, many in the media have questioned
Jordan's re-entry into the league. In Chicago, Lacy Banks
writes, "I can't believe Michael Jordan would be crazy
enough to come out of retirement ... just to become the
basketball operations chief and part owner of the hapless
[Wizards] ... I thought he was smarter than that" (CHICAGO
SUN-TIMES, 1/17). Also in Chicago, Sam Smith: "Why ruin the
reputation as a winner by associating with the Washington
Wizards?" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/16). The CHICAGO TRIBUNE's
Skip Bayless noted Jordan's past failures in baseball and
golf and wrote that Jordan will "suffer further frustration
and humiliation if he actually believes he can move to
Washington and turn around the Wizards as a hands-on GM"
(CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/15). On "The Sports Reporters," ESPN's
Mitch Albom said "the sagging NBA so desperately wants
Michael back they'd hang his dirty socks in their lobby and
call it a flag. But playing great basketball and front
office-ing great basketball are two different things. ...
People say Jordan knows talent when he sees it. Sure, and I
know a great VCR when I see one. Doesn't mean I can make it
work" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 1/16). Bulls G Hersey
Hawkins: "You'll have players lining up for the opportunity
to go there and play under him" (DAILY SOUTHTOWN, 1/15).
