Suffocated by his Airness

By George Gouvas Sports Central Columnist

Through his humble beginning to his storybook ending, the career of Michael Jordan was one highlight reel after another. From his battles with Dominique in the slam dunk contests to his final jumper against the Jazz, I never once got tired of seeing or hearing from the greatest basketball player to have ever lived. And as he rode off into the sunset with his sixth NBA championship in hand, we thought we had seen the last of Michael Jordan, player. But out of left field several months ago, rumors swirled of a possible comeback. As we prepare for what seems to be his very likely return to the NBA, I never thought I would be uttering the following words, "I'm sick of hearing about Michael."

From his pickup games to his broken ribs, from the mouths of Peter Vecsey and Doug Collins. It's almost nauseating to watch SportsCenter, glance the sports pages of the New York Post, log onto the Internet, or turn on local and national sports talk-radio and be suffocated with the -- is he or is he not -- coming back headlines. It's gotten so out of hand that our friends over at ESPN.com have even started something called "Jordan's Return-O-Meter." Using some cheap graphics, they have logged every news article, every editorial piece, everything Jordan related for the past five months.

Let me not fail to mention that shortly after the Jordan rumors began, Sir Charles Barkley rose from the TNT dinner buffet, to announce his possible return to the NBA, with Jordan's Wizards. As great as Jordan and Barkley were, I can't picture watching a 38-year-old Michael or a near 300-pound Charles, attempt to run the floor with Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, or Vince Carter. There is also talk that free agent fossil Patrick Ewing will be Michael's man in the middle.

As the Washington Wizards look to get younger, with there selection of high school standout Kwame Brown as the number one overall pick in this year's draft, the team could soon have some grandfather figures for the 18-year-old to look up and help across the street.

Eventually, every sport must move on. Joe Montana passed the torched to Steve Young. Cal Ripken passed it to A-Rod, and Gordie Howe to "The Great One," Wayne Gretzky. As much as we all might be intrigued by what Michael could do as a 38-year-old, after spending the last two seasons on the sidelines, the NBA has moved on. Its fans have moved on. It's time for Michael Jordan to move on.

No career has ever had an ending with such grace, style, and perfection as Michael's did in Salt Lake City, Utah. Shaking Bryon Russell out of his sneaks, swishing the final shot, to capture his sixth and final NBA championship. No matter what he decides, Michael Jordan will always be the greatest player to ever live, but the legacy will be somewhat tainted. Nothing in sports has ever been so perfect, as was the way his Airness left the game of basketball.

Please, Michael, don't mess with perfection.