MJ, Don't Come Back

What is this I hear? Jordan has been working out 6 hours a day to get back into playing shape. What else? Charles Barkley wants to come out of retirement? Doesn't he weigh like 400 lb now? Are you kidding me? He'll be lucky if he fits into his warmup suit.

As miserably as Michael is failing at his endeavor into NBA management, MJ has nothing to gain by coming back except the disrespect and ire of some his most beloved fans. MJ could not have scripted his ending better if it were a movie - the game winning shot to secure his 6th NBA championship, MVP of the NBA Finals, beloved and respected above any other NBA player who has played or who is playing. MJ, until now, has done no wrong in the eyes of basketball fans. That is, unless he comes back.

We've seen Mario Lemiuex come back from retirement, only to injure himself, be criticized and consider retirement again. We've seen many a boxer (Holyfield, Holmes, Foreman) do it and put up pitiful displays of what should be called boxing matches. MJ will be no different. He did it once and proved us wrong. He came back and won three more championships, but coming out of a second retirement can not bode well if we use history as our guide. Once great, he was - but approaching forty years old, he has very little if anything left.

As a retired basketball player (ok, HS basketball scrub), I can sympathize. Here Jordan is, overseeing his coveted investment in a very bad team (sorry Wizards fans - you guys are putrid.) He wants to make them better, but he doesn't know how. His magnificent failures as a GM have him seeking redemption through speculation of a comeback. His self-serving and conceited attitude has him thinking that he can be the savior once again. Oh wait… yeah… yeah… why don't I just play for them? I'm only 38, and I'm the best player of all time. I can play with Kobe, Iverson, Garnett; bring them on!

The sad thing is that the Wizards need a lot more than just MJ, and Jordan can't play with the Kobes, Iversons and Garnetts anymore. He's 38, he's out of shape, and he has nothing to play for or to prove. He has six rings, numerous scoring and MVP titles. He'll still hang with half the players out there now - but he can't play with the elite anymore.

The NBA has moved on without Michael Jordan and Michael must move on without the NBA. So MJ, do your commercials, make your money, run your steakhouse, heck… even destroy an NBA team with your arrogant management style, but please please don't come back and play. The last thing I want to see is for you to get stuffed by Shawn Bradley, ripped by David Wesley, or dunked on by Kendall Gill.

Jordan knew when it was time to leave before, when he was King. It would be a sad day to have him come back be dethroned.

P.S. As for you Sir Charles, when you can see your toes - then maybe you'll deserve an article about how you should definitely NOT come back.