I would include MJ in the top 10 for the following reason. 1. He's playing the 3 spot for the Bullets (er Wizards) 2. As a result, he would KILL Glen Rice and the remaining 3's in the Eastern Conference besides, Spree, Big Dog, and McGrady 3. He will get every call from the Refs 4. He's average over 50% shooting for his career (AMAZING) - He will shoot no less than 45% 5. He will guard the weakest 1, 2, or 3 on the other team, leaving plenty of energy for offense 6. He will shoot a majority of the Wizard shots and will have role players setting screens for him 7. Richard Hamilton will take more pressure off him than crybaby pippen.
Most players say he'll be one of the best. I don't know about top 10---because of the youth and talent and agility in the league these days. But MJ has an unbelievable physique and and unbelievable will to win. I think he may be pushing back the Wiz's longterm rebuilding efforts though.
This would have been a great question to ask between the end of exhibition games and the start of the regular season. Most of the footage anyone has seen is from earlier this summer. As long as he stays healthy, I can see him eventually working his way back to that top 10 category. I don't think he'll stay healthy.
Top 10 my ass. do you think he will be better then the following players: Shaq Kobe Duncan Francis Rasheed Webber Payton McGrady Vince Iverson Ray Allen And I can name many many more. His big ass ego should have stayed retired. he is in for a butt whopping he cant even imagine.
If he plays like this, he might have a good individual season in stats... but if he's hogging the shots, playing defense against the weakest 1, 2, or 3... that sure won't help the team... If he's not really helping the team (read: stepping up to defend against the best 1, 2, or 3), I'd have a really hard time putting him in the top 10. I personally think that he'll take on the challenge of guarding the Ray Allen, McGrady, Carter, etc.-- and they will make him look bad at times. He'll still have his big games and he'll still score a bunch, but the Wizards won't win consistently enough to make a big difference...
Let me begin by saying - WRONG FORUM. That being said, Jordan could use, abuse, and floss with Gary Payton. I would question a number of other entries on your list as well. Every player on that list is a truly elite baller, but Jordan represented the ELITE OF THE ELITE. His age will drop him down a notch (or two), but make no mistake, he will still ball your arse off. IMO, injuries and a terrible supporting staff will make this a regrettable comeback, NOT Jordan's ability to play the game.
dude, hes wilt Chamberlain, He might as well..be...uh.... ..it doesnt matter what your name is.. you get old you get old..
My thoughts exactly! I have no doubts that MJ will come in and be very successful this season. MJ wakes up with 27 pts, 5 rebs, and 5 assists, that's part of his greatness. But at the most he's looking at a 2 year window. Now by that time, Brown should be ready to explode, Hamilton might be one of the better swingmen in the league, as well as Alexander. But that might be ALL the Wiz have going for themselves.
The only way to learn how to win is to do it. Michael will be giving them more growth potential than they could experience without him. Finishing last doesn't guarantee you anything. Winning, however, breeds on itself. I don't think he's holding them back at all. If anything Hamilton and Brown will grow by leaps and bounds if they are paying attention.
Not top 10 material - you need basketball smarts plus physical dominance to be in the top 10. Michael was slowing down and falling down in the last finals he played in - watch the tapes if you don't believe me. He will dominate at times, and in spurts - but not consistently. I agree with the analysis of some internet writer who said that he should take the point on the Wizards. He should be able to use his smarts more there, plus this will allow the other talent on the team (Alexander, Brown, etc) to blossom. However, I believe Michael is coming back for three reasons -> he misses the game and he wants/needs to attract more talent to the team. If he plays it right, he will leave the team in better shape when he retires for good than it is in now. Thirdly, even an old MJ is a great bargain for 1.5 mill / season.
He is the owner of the team. What he is doing is making sure that the team is profitable while they are rebuilding. If you haven't noticed, that team has been having a firesale. Their longterm rebuilding will be just fine.
There's something to be said for basketball smarts. Michael may not be physically the same as he was before, but he still knows how to play. Anyone think he's in worse physical condition than someone like Stockton? As much as I can't stand him (i.e., Stockton), he's been successful with basketball smarts (and cheating) for a long time. I have no idea whether or not Michael is top 10, but he's someone coaches are going to think about when the Wizards come up on the scedule. He alone will add a few wins for the Wizards.
Rebuilding plan will be even better with the return of MJ. I'm sure that Micheal will try to lure in a big FA next summer and try to win the whole thing but offcourse the chances of that are slim to none. However if it is MJ, ANYTHING is possible.
I think MJ's competitive spirit eclispes many of the top players, like Webber, Allen, and Carter (his mom is still running his life). Jordan would be in the top 10 for his ability to mentally dominate a game. I think McGrady, Kobe, Iverson, and our own Franchise are not overwhelmed by MJ as some the older players. We all know that MJ does not take basketball lightly as many of today's players do. He will push his teammates to excel as he does, which alone makes him great. He has made Scottie Pippen, Scott Williams, Steve Kerr, John Paxon, Horace Grant, John Salley, and others multi-millionaires for playing with him. That's TOP 10 material. Bottom-line, don't sleep on the master's skill!!
