NEW YORK (AP) -- If Michael Jordan returns to the NBA, he'll almost certainly have Charles Barkley with him. Working as a broadcaster on the NBA playoffs for Turner Sports, Barkley sounded excited Tuesday by the prospect of a joint comeback with Jordan. Barkley said he would return to the court if he could get back in shape -- and had some company. "I wouldn't come back if Michael didn't come back. I would only come back for him," he said on a conference call. The 38-year-old Barkley retired last season after rupturing a knee tendon. He said he has talked with Jordan, now president of the Washington Wizards, about a possible comeback. When he retired three years ago, Jordan said he was "99.9 percent sure," he would not play again, but that percentage has apparently gone down. Jordan, who is working out, talked last weekend in broad terms about the challenge of a comeback. "It's definitely the challenge," the 38-year-old Jordan said Saturday on NBC. "I'm not coming back for money. I'm not coming back for the glory. I think I left the game with that, but the challenge is what I truly love." Barkley, like Jordan, picked as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history, is coming along for the ride. "He thinks we can still be good," Barkley said. "I'm very confident. If I can get my weight down, I like my chances. I don't think we can play at the level we once did. But I think we can still play well. "If something this magnificent is happening, I've got to think of it seriously. It's the only thing that would get me out of retirement." Barkley began working out earlier this year and lost 30 pounds quickly, getting down to 300. Then he went on what he called his "Celebrity Tour" -- trips to be inducted in the Alabama Hall of Fame and have his uniform number retired by Auburn University and the Philadelphia 76ers. "I went three weeks with no workouts and gained 10 pounds back," he said. "I got lazy. Now I'm back on schedule and feeling pretty good about my weight loss." ------------------ I voted YES!
The funny thing is the AP released this today as if it was breaking news. I mean how many times can this story be headline news? Every damn time someone says one thing (pro or con) on Jordan returning, it's top billing on every major sports outlet. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
"I wouldn't come back if Michael didn't come back. I would only come back for him" Are we absolutely certain Barkley's knee injury wasn't a result of another act involving Mr. Jordan? ------------------ "I'll be gettin real drunk and making fun of everybody"
Jeez, if I'd known this was coming, I would have been applauding Barkley with my middle finger at his "last game" a year ago. I think MJ could come back and play pretty well-- 25 a game, holding his own. If Chuck comes back, he's going to get embarassed.
BK- I don't really think he will embarras himself. Last couple of years Charles wasn't a very good leaper. He was effective because of his rebounding (which for him was his wide body and his experience and effort not that he could jump over anyone) and his post up game, which again he didn't jump over many people. He knew how to use his knowledge & wide body to be effective. Now between his injury and his weight he obviously will not be a jumper. He will have to use his other skills to be succesful. I don't think he will be great, but I think he will be far from an embarrasement.
If Jordan bends over, would Barkley kiss his butt? Jordan once said that Barkley lacked the dedication needed to win a championship. What makes Barkley think now that he has gain all that weight that Jordan has changed his opinion? I don't know what is worst. Cuttino's "Me and Steve" sentences or Barkley's "I'll follow Mike" fawning. ------------------ Respect Hakeem's legacy. A championship in the hand is worth two in the bush!! [This message has been edited by 3Rings (edited April 25, 2001).]
Wow you guys are vicious! Seriously, I don't think Barkley would get embarrassed. He'll mainly be a solid rebounder and low post scorer, and he'll just outsmart all the PFs like he always does. It doesn't take a genius to outsmart Rasheed Wallace. As for Michael Jordan, he's actually going to have a TOUGHER time coming back because the guards are far more athletic then the big men in the league so far. Jordan and Barkley, with a great supporting cast, could make a decent run in the playoffs. They both still have something left. ------------------ See the three, be the three. [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited April 25, 2001).]
