Why, Michael, why?

Do you get sick and tired of professional athletes retiring, and then coming back two or three years later? Why do they feel the need to return to the sport that made them millionaires?

Such rhetorical questions have arisen after listening to all the media hoopla over the resurrection of Michael Jordan's basketball career. I am one writer that has grown weary of all the idle chatter, speculation, and interest that this meaningless event has drawn.

First of all, I used to be a fan of the National Basketball Association. Living in central Wisconsin, I was a huge Milwaukee Bucks fan in the days of Lew Alcindor (Kareem Jabbar), Oscar Robertson, and Jon McGlocklin, et al.

Then I was watching the Philadelphia 76ers play one day, and saw Julius Erving on a breakaway. Great, I thought, here comes another Doctor J jam. What I saw was Erving picking up his dribble from 20 feet away, taking THREE steps and slamming the ball through the hoop.

Well, the last I knew, anything over one step was traveling. Not this time, though.

Believe it or not, I have probably only watched a dozen games since then, which was over twenty years ago.

Let's get back to the present and the situation with Jordan. First of all, the media is fawning over him like the sycophants that some of them are. What is the big deal? Some 38 year-old man -- who used to be the best in the biz -- has felt the urgent need to return to the game that made him famous and rich beyond his wildest dreams. Heck, he even owns an NBA team! So why does he feel this burning need to come back to play pro hoops?

He says he loves the game, which I won't deny. So why not sit up in the owner's box and watch the game instead of participating in it? Jordan's game has gone away and he is no longer one of the best players of his day. Does he ever think how he will feel when Kobe and AI make a fool out of him on the hardwood?

Apparently not.

If he really wants to teach his players, why not do it during practice? He is going to be so tied up and tired out when showtime arrives that he will forget all about the instructor role.

Does he think that he can be a dominant player like he used to be? He has slowed a step or three, no longer has the hops of someone not of this world, and has the energy level of a weekend warrior. Remember all the times he embarrassed his opponents?

Michael will have the red face now.

He has six championship rings; does he really think he can add another while laboring for the Wizards?

No way.

Remember years ago, when Jordan played minor league baseball in the Chicago White Sox organization? He didn't come CLOSE to making it in the bigs. Every baseball executive from Seattle to Miami would have laughed at any average person who thought they had the talent to make it in the major leagues.

But, Jordan being Jordan, he got the opportunity and promptly cashed in with a batting average somewhere around the Mendoza Line. So much for being able to make it.

That brings us to the money factor. Why does a multi-millionaire feel the need to earn more cash flow? Maybe he won't pay himself. So, if it's not money, what is the reason?

Jordan says he wants to play for the "love of the game."

MJ, take some advice from another MJ: quit before you get hurt and embarrassed. Your right index finger won't be all that ends up getting hurt, and your healthy ego will take a great blow.

Kick back, watch your team, and never forget the days of yore, because they will not return for you again.