NBA: Will Michael Jordan come back?

Michael Jordan IS coming back says Sports Illustrated’s Rick Reilly. Jordan is NOT coming back says ESPN’s David Aldridge. Jordan IS coming back says Phil Jackson, Jordan is NOT coming back says Wizards’ co-owner Ted Leonsis, Jordan IS coming back says Wizards’ majority-owner Abe Pollin. Jordan is NOT coming back says Michael Jordan himself. What is to give?

Well, a lot is to give. All of the above are opinions from various reporters and people close to Jordan. Everybody has an opinion, but who’s will turn out to be the right one? After all, Jordan himself says he’s 99.9% sure his basketball career is over. That should be the end of that, right? Not quite. We soon hear Jordan has practiced with the Wizards’ team for the second time in a few months. Then the majority-owner of the team says he believes Jordan will in fact make his comeback, and be ready for next season. If the majority owner of the team thinks he’s coming back, so he has to be, right? After all, he has the inside scoop on everything concerning the team.

Then, ESPN’s NBA analyst David Aldridge says Jordan will not be making a comeback, and anybody who says otherwise is just "making stuff up." Aldridge says Jordan won’t make a comeback because with all-do respect, he has the type of ego that is too proud to play for the Wizards. Furthermore, Wizards co-owner Leonsis says that contract matters would get in the way of a comeback. Although this may be true, if Mario Lemieux can do it, then why can’t Jordan play for himself?

The whole Lemieux comeback brought Jordan to see the possibility that he could still play in the NBA, play well, and ENJOY it much like Lemieux is currently. Seeing Mario make a triumphant return may have struck a nerve in Jordan, a nerve itching him to play again. Whether Jordan will admit it or not, everybody knows seeing Mario return did something to him.

So, what will all come out of this mess? Everybody besides Jordan himself can only take a guess. The truth is Jordan IS practicing with the Wizards, whether that’s to begin the comeback, or to get back in shape, like Jordan claims. A Jordan comeback will no doubt improve a young Wizards team, not to mention the fact that Charles Barkley is interested in making a return, and would play for Jordan "for free." It’s certainly intriguing to imagine a His Airness/Sir Charles duo for the Wizards, but for how long? Neither would last more than three seasons, and then the Wizards would be back to square one, right?

Not necessarily. A temporary Jordan/Barkley tandem would attract numerous free agents to the Nation’s capital for the opportunity to play with two of the NBA’s greatest. So, even after a couple seasons, when Jordan and Barkley are gone again, the Wizards could be left with a talented team. Not to mention that Chris Webber is a free agent this summer, and would look at the chance to play with Jordan and Barkley. Furthermore, Jordan would be the perfect mentor to up-and-coming Wizard Richard Hamilton, a player who could be very special in a few years.

So, we will all see eventually. Will Jordan comeback, or won’t he? Will Steve Nash shave that god-forsaken mullet? Only time will tell, my friends, only time will tell.