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Don’t start polishing that seventh championship ring; Michael Jordan will not be joining Shaquille O’Neal in Miami.
Responding to a rejuvenated storm of speculation with origins as far back as July, M.J. has reportedly denied any return to the NBA at age 41, telling ESPN’s Michael Wilbon, "I don't know how this started. I haven't talked with Shaq. There's no comeback.”
Rumors linking Jordan to the Heat first surfaced early this summer, then gained momentum several weeks ago when the Chicago Tribune spotted the five-time MVP working out in pick-up games with current NBA stars Michael Finley and Antoine Walker.
Jordan finally spoke out after a story in Thursday’s Miami Herald, citing unnamed sources close to O’Neal, contended that Shaq has been ducking phone calls from the retired superstar and has told teammates he isn’t interested in having Jordan aboard.
History has also fueled the chatter. Jordan has already come out of retirement twice, first rejoining the Bulls in 1995 and going on to win three NBA titles in addition to his previous three, then signing with the Wizards in 2002 after more than three years out of the game. He played two seasons in Washington, averaging 21.2 points.
Jordan isn’t the only former player attracting attention for a possible comeback. Clyde Drexler, inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this month at age 42, told the Denver Post he would consider a return to the league if it meant a shot at the NBA Finals.
"If someone with a chance to win a championship would call, I'd consider it," Drexler said. "I know I could do it."
And 43-year-old Dennis Rodman, a teammate of Jordan's in Chicago and seven-time rebounding champion, practiced with the Nuggets this week, though the session was cut short due to an ingrown toenail.
"He wanted to come in and see where he was," general manager Kiki Vandeweghe told the Post. "He's thinking about playing again."
Source: AP
Responding to a rejuvenated storm of speculation with origins as far back as July, M.J. has reportedly denied any return to the NBA at age 41, telling ESPN’s Michael Wilbon, "I don't know how this started. I haven't talked with Shaq. There's no comeback.”
Rumors linking Jordan to the Heat first surfaced early this summer, then gained momentum several weeks ago when the Chicago Tribune spotted the five-time MVP working out in pick-up games with current NBA stars Michael Finley and Antoine Walker.
Jordan finally spoke out after a story in Thursday’s Miami Herald, citing unnamed sources close to O’Neal, contended that Shaq has been ducking phone calls from the retired superstar and has told teammates he isn’t interested in having Jordan aboard.
History has also fueled the chatter. Jordan has already come out of retirement twice, first rejoining the Bulls in 1995 and going on to win three NBA titles in addition to his previous three, then signing with the Wizards in 2002 after more than three years out of the game. He played two seasons in Washington, averaging 21.2 points.
Jordan isn’t the only former player attracting attention for a possible comeback. Clyde Drexler, inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this month at age 42, told the Denver Post he would consider a return to the league if it meant a shot at the NBA Finals.
"If someone with a chance to win a championship would call, I'd consider it," Drexler said. "I know I could do it."
And 43-year-old Dennis Rodman, a teammate of Jordan's in Chicago and seven-time rebounding champion, practiced with the Nuggets this week, though the session was cut short due to an ingrown toenail.
"He wanted to come in and see where he was," general manager Kiki Vandeweghe told the Post. "He's thinking about playing again."
Source: AP