If Michael Jordan returns for his 15th NBA season, and there's only a 50 percent chance of that, a source close to Jordan told the Daily Southtown, it might be as the sixth man for the Washington Wizards.
That, at least, is what the source told the suburban Chicago newspaper.
"Michael is prepared to have his role reduced to 28 to 30 minutes off the bench," said the source, who said he spoke with Jordan at length recently. "In an ideal world, that's not how Michael wants it. But at this stage of his career, he knows that's how it has to be."
The source also told the Southtown Daily that Jordan wouldn't announce any decision about his playing future until September, therefore giving his left knee more time to possibly return to full strength.
"Michael doesn't have a timetable," said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "He won't make an announcement until he's absolutely certain about his future, and he doesn't expect that to happen until September."
Jordan had surgery last season to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, but he still finished the season on the injured list.
"There's no question that Michael wants to play one more season, but his body doesn't react to what his mind thinks the way it once did," the source said. "The last thing Michael wants is a repeat of last season. He doesn't want to hear people say how the comeback tarnished his legacy and all that. He wants to be healthy enough to prove those people wrong, or else he won't play at all."
That, at least, is what the source told the suburban Chicago newspaper.
"Michael is prepared to have his role reduced to 28 to 30 minutes off the bench," said the source, who said he spoke with Jordan at length recently. "In an ideal world, that's not how Michael wants it. But at this stage of his career, he knows that's how it has to be."
The source also told the Southtown Daily that Jordan wouldn't announce any decision about his playing future until September, therefore giving his left knee more time to possibly return to full strength.
"Michael doesn't have a timetable," said the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "He won't make an announcement until he's absolutely certain about his future, and he doesn't expect that to happen until September."
Jordan had surgery last season to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, but he still finished the season on the injured list.
"There's no question that Michael wants to play one more season, but his body doesn't react to what his mind thinks the way it once did," the source said. "The last thing Michael wants is a repeat of last season. He doesn't want to hear people say how the comeback tarnished his legacy and all that. He wants to be healthy enough to prove those people wrong, or else he won't play at all."
