Jordan gets lackluster send-off at final NBA home game
Michael Jordan
By Stephane Ghazarian
WASHINGTON (AFP) Only after Michael Jordan went to the bench for the final time in a home game did fans in the American capital give the National Basketball Association legend a worthy farewell tribute.
The 82nd consecutive sell-out crowd of 20,178 rose and applauded when Jordan was removed and continued their standing ovation through the final two minutes and two seconds of last Monday's game here against the New York Knicks.
The Knicks beat Jordan's Washington Wizards 93-79 but the outcome, like the final two minutes, was mostly ignored as fans, who gave only a normal pre-game ovation, waited until Jordan was gone before paying homage to him.
"They really didn't have to do it," Jordan said. "The fans have been very respectful. They have shown me respect by being at every game, 82 sell-outs. There's no need for what they did but they did it and I'm very appreciative."
Jordan, 40, led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles, three before retiring in 1993 to play baseball and three more after his return in 1995. He retired again in 1999 but was lured back again by Washington last season.
There were signs such as "MJ we will all miss you" and "Michael Jordan for President" and a video replay of highlights from Jordan's 15-year career and youthful gravity-defying dunks.
But Jordan's jersey number 23 was not retired for the Wizards and he did not speak to the crowd after the game.
The event in general lacked the electricity
and emotion expected Wednesday in Philadelphia, when Jordan plays
the host 76ers in his final NBA game, again.
Jordan is expected to return to his prior job as the Wizards'
director of player personnel, although he must first send his
retirement paperwork to the league, a move he plans to make Thursday
or Friday.
"I want to move back upstairs," Jordan said. "I'm still a player. I have got to talk to management."
Jordan scored 21 points in 37 minutes to lead the club for the 36th time this season. Jordan, who also pulled down eight rebounds, is the only Washington player to have played in all 81 games this season.
The Wizards fell to 37-44 and must beat Allen Iverson and the 76ers to improve upon last year's win total. But a greater priority for Wizards coach Doug Collins is one final look at some players who might or might not be back.
"We have to go play the game," Collins said. "I tried to play some young guys. I wanted to play certain guys to look at them and evaluate them. I wanted to get certain guys minutes and they will do the same thing against Philly."