WHERE THERE'S JORDAN, THERE'S REAX ... FROM COAST TO COAST

          The following is national reaction to Michael Jordan:
          GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. PREZ: In N.Y., William Rhoden:
     "This was a good business opportunity: the Wizards have a
     new arena, Washington is a rabid sports town" (N.Y. TIMES,
     1/20).  In DC, Michael Wilbon writes, "The reason we all
     want Jordan here is we hope he'll start to fix this mess
     that has been the Washington basketball franchise."  More
     Wilbon: "Jordan hasn't come here to fit in, he's come to do
     what he always does: win" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/20).  USA
     TODAY's Mike Lopresti, on Jordan: "He will sell tickets just
     by showing up, and the Wizards could certainly use the
     business" (USA TODAY, 1/20).  In DC, Tony Kornheiser: "Look
     at the excitement Michael Jordan brings to the city, the
     promise, the hope.  You feel the energy.  It hasn't felt
     this way in years" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/20).
          LEADERSHIP QUALITIES: Wizards Owner Abe Pollin: "Jordan
     means class in every sense of the word, and he's going to
     electrify this team and this city" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 1/20). 
     76ers President Pat Croce said of Jordan, "He has the
     attributes of a great leader.  Whether it's on the court or
     off the court, those attributes transfer.  He knows how to
     lead people, to motivate them" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS,
     1/19).  In Chicago, Lacy Banks: "Chicago's loss is the rest
     of the league's gain" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/20).
          SMART MOVE? MSNBC.com's Bill Walton wrote of Jordan,
     "It's my strong opinion that despite his Herculean efforts -
     - and nobody would try harder to win than Jordan -- this is
     a mountain that even he cannot scale" (MSNBC.com, 1/19). 
     Sports Illustrated's Phil Taylor: "I really have my doubts
     as to how much of an impact he can have.  ... There really
     isn't much that Jordan or anyone else can do to change
     players on the team, to improve their talent" (CNNSI.com,
     1/19).  In Hartford, Alan Greenberg: "This isn't the
     restaurant, sneaker or cologne business, where Jordan can
     make the product a success merely by lending his name"
     (HARTFORD COURANT, 1/20).  FSN's Keith Olbermann, on Jordan:
     "I've never been afraid to step out on a limb. ... I think
     it's going to be a disaster of biblical proportions"
     ("Primetime," FSN, 1/19).  In Chicago, Sam Smith: "So
     Michael Jordan is getting back into the NBA in Washington,
     D.C.  Why?" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/20).