http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/9735577.htm
Sources: O'Neal does not want Jordan to play with the Heat
Michael Jordan, 41, has renewed his workouts, which fueled rumors he might unretire to join Miami.
[size=-1]BY BARRY JACKSON AND ISRAEL GUTIERREZ[/size]
[size=-1]bjackson@herald.com[/size]
Apparently, one of the NBA's all-time greatest players is enough for the Miami Heat.
Shaquille O'Neal has told Heat teammates that NBA legend Michael Jordan wants to play for Miami this season, and went so far as to ask a few Heat players whether it would be a good idea, two sources with knowledge of the situation said.
O'Neal told teammates that Jordan has left him several messages, and O'Neal was convinced Jordan wants to play for the Heat this year. O'Neal told teammates he was not interested in having Jordan join the Heat, and others agreed, the sources said. O'Neal even asked whether one of the players should go to management and express the desire not to add Jordan, one of the sources said.
Regardless, it appears unlikely that the five-time MVP will come out of retirement to join Miami at age 41. When the Jordan-to-Miami rumors originally surfaced in July, Heat president Pat Riley dismissed them, uninterested in adding a player Jordan's age.
Rumors of a Jordan comeback have resurfaced in recent weeks because he has been working out vigorously with other NBA players in Chicago, and a Denver Post story Wednesday said Nuggets General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe has acknowledged the rumor. The story, however, was about a possible Dennis Rodman comeback, with only a brief mention of Jordan. Jordan has not played since averaging 20 points and 6.1 rebounds for the Washington Wizards in the 2002-03 season and has since been adamant that his playing days are finished.
Last week, Heat general manager Randy Pfund said he spoke with Jordan's trainer, Tim Grover, and Grover gave no indication Jordan was mulling a comeback. During a trip to Asia in May, Jordan repeatedly said there was no chance he would make another comeback. He also has denied comeback rumors recently.
Jordan was spotted on South Beach in July, before the O'Neal trade, which led to rumors of a comeback.
The Heat does need help at small forward, with Rasual Butler, Wesley Person and Eddie Jones being the leading candidates to start at that position when the season begins. Jordan spent much of his time with the Wizards playing small forward, but the Heat doesn't seem prepared to turn to Jordan for help.
Jordan wants to be a part-owner of a team and has frequently been linked to the Heat.
Sources: O'Neal does not want Jordan to play with the Heat
Michael Jordan, 41, has renewed his workouts, which fueled rumors he might unretire to join Miami.
[size=-1]BY BARRY JACKSON AND ISRAEL GUTIERREZ[/size]
[size=-1]bjackson@herald.com[/size]
Apparently, one of the NBA's all-time greatest players is enough for the Miami Heat.
Shaquille O'Neal has told Heat teammates that NBA legend Michael Jordan wants to play for Miami this season, and went so far as to ask a few Heat players whether it would be a good idea, two sources with knowledge of the situation said.
O'Neal told teammates that Jordan has left him several messages, and O'Neal was convinced Jordan wants to play for the Heat this year. O'Neal told teammates he was not interested in having Jordan join the Heat, and others agreed, the sources said. O'Neal even asked whether one of the players should go to management and express the desire not to add Jordan, one of the sources said.
Regardless, it appears unlikely that the five-time MVP will come out of retirement to join Miami at age 41. When the Jordan-to-Miami rumors originally surfaced in July, Heat president Pat Riley dismissed them, uninterested in adding a player Jordan's age.
Rumors of a Jordan comeback have resurfaced in recent weeks because he has been working out vigorously with other NBA players in Chicago, and a Denver Post story Wednesday said Nuggets General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe has acknowledged the rumor. The story, however, was about a possible Dennis Rodman comeback, with only a brief mention of Jordan. Jordan has not played since averaging 20 points and 6.1 rebounds for the Washington Wizards in the 2002-03 season and has since been adamant that his playing days are finished.
Last week, Heat general manager Randy Pfund said he spoke with Jordan's trainer, Tim Grover, and Grover gave no indication Jordan was mulling a comeback. During a trip to Asia in May, Jordan repeatedly said there was no chance he would make another comeback. He also has denied comeback rumors recently.
Jordan was spotted on South Beach in July, before the O'Neal trade, which led to rumors of a comeback.
The Heat does need help at small forward, with Rasual Butler, Wesley Person and Eddie Jones being the leading candidates to start at that position when the season begins. Jordan spent much of his time with the Wizards playing small forward, but the Heat doesn't seem prepared to turn to Jordan for help.
Jordan wants to be a part-owner of a team and has frequently been linked to the Heat.
Last edited:
