Section B·Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, November 12, 1998
Commentary
Jordan will play in league again
Short NBA season to bring comeback of Bulls superstar
By Jim Litke The Associated Press
He is coming back
Michael Jordan didn't spend all that time hanging in midair without learning something useful beyond basketball. He knows there is very little to be gained tipting your intentions too early.
Right now, Jordan would just as soon be caught wearing Dennis Rodman's bridal gown as admit that he's coming back for another go-round. So don't just look at what he says. Look at what he is doing.
All of a sudden, Jordan has more in common with legendary union leader Joe Hill than fellow NBA superstar Grant Hill. He has spent the better part of 13 years in the league, and in all but one of them, Jordan had as much use for the players union as the aforementioned gown.
them home go on.
The exception was prior to the 1995 season. Then, as now, he got involved to protect every player's right to make upward of $30 million per season. Maybe it was just coincidence that Jordan turned out to be the only
player who had a prayer of getting that much.
Either way, now he is at it again — rallying the troops in Las Vegas, going head-to-head at the bargaining table with commissioner David Stern until 1 a.m., swapping barbs with Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin, doing whatever it takes to guarantee liberty and justice for his struggling brethren.
"I don't have to be in the forefront," Jordan said. "The union asked me to be more in the forefront."
Union chief Billy Hunter confirmed as much. He called Jordan's input "invaluable" and pointed out that as the economic engine for the league's gravy train, Jordan "has the clue to talk back to the owners, and even commissioner Stern, because he commands respect."
Jordan also could command a contract that would pay him the equivalent of $40 million for an entire season, prorated according to how many games are played when—and if—the lockout-shortened season commences.
He keeps warning us not to read anything into his involvement in the negotiating process, and the truth is the money has less to do with his return than the length of the season.
twenty short run-up to the playoffs more and more of the people in his inner circle are sharing Jordan's confidences in public.
But as more and more of the things on his wish list begin to fall into place — big bucks, a resful, lengthy offseason, a depressed market for running mate Scotte Pippen's services, a rela-
His last coach, Phil Jackson, said he thought the number of regular-season games has to get down to between 50 and 60. "Other than that," Jackson told the Chicago Sun-Times, "I can't see him putting his mind and body through the grind again."
Jordan's older brother, Larry, concurred on the magic number. "Since the season will be shortened by about 20 games, I think that would give him the perfect opportunity to get it out of his system," he said. "I think he's leaning
Jordain: Hus't had too much use for NBA players' union.
toward coming back."
in August, before the lockout disrupted anything more important than vacation plans, close friend Buzz Peterson met Jordan in Hawaii for some golf and said a shortened season was the only tie that might get Michael back. Now that it is actually being dangled in front of Jordan, Peterson, a college teammate who
went on to become head coach at Appalachian State, repeated. "He still believes physically he's got another year or two in him. Mentally, that's where he's to give您."
The guess here is that Jordan already has. And that he has already decided to come back.
In late June and early July, while the glow of winning a sixth championship still warmed him, Jordan told almost every one of his golfing buddies in Chicago not to renew their expensive courtside seats. "They won't be worth much next season," he might say, striding down the fairway with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
Back then, he probably imagined himself without responsibilities, awakened by an alarm clock only to remember he had millions stashed in a bank, then rolling over to go back to sleep. He expected to have enough commitments, not to mention pickup basketball and golf — and yes, gambling if he chose — to occupy his waking hours.
But as he surveys the possibilities around him — another title, a few more paydays, a shorter work week — you can practically sense the competitive juices flowing.
Litke is a sports columnist for The Associated Press. You can write to him at litke@apmail.org.
He is coming back
No.23 could play in Vega's exhibition
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Michael Jordan's next basketball game could occur the first weekend of December in an exhibition that would be held in Las Vegas, players' union director Billy Hunter said yesterday.
"Whether or not (Jordan) will play won't be known until the last moment. If he doesn't play,
he'll coach. But he'll be physically present." Hunter said after the union's negotiating committee and several team player representatives met for about 5 1/2 hours to discuss the lockout.
"He has indicated that he does have
another proposal. When he puts it out there remains to be seen." Hunter said. "I think what he wants to is sweat our players a little more and see whether there's any inclination on our part to want to submit."
partly because.
In response, the NBA denied it was holding back a new proposal.
"We have no idea what he's
There have been no discussions since talks broke off Friday, and the season cannot start until mid-December at the earliest.
talking about," deputy commissioner Russ Granik said.
If another three weeks go by without an agreement, the season probably won't start until 1999.
"Fans may be somewhat disheartened at this moment, but I don't think the fans are turned off to the point that we can't regain their support," Hunter said. "It's sort of crunch time. Sooner or later the (owners) will have to decide that it's time to get a deal.
In the meantime, agents David Falk, Arn Tellem and Eric Fleisher are trying to organize an exhibition game in Las Vegas for the first weekend of September
Hunter said the game might be a matchup between two of the three Dream Teams that competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics and the 1994 World Championships.
Competition.
"Our players are interested in keeping themselves busy, and we think that one day to do it is have some sort of an exhibition competition," Hunter said. "The proceeds would go to the (union)."
The Etc. Shop
You'll find it in the Classifieds!
Kansan
Red Lyon Tavern
Red Lyon Tavern A touch of Irish in downtown Lawrence 944 Mass. 832-8228
928 Mass Downtown
Emergencies happen when you least expect it
Parking in the rear
All eyes on you
EMERGENCY
We understand your concerns and fears. Our staff is specially trained in emergency medicine. Plus, we're the only 24-hour, full-service emergency department in town, located just minutes from the University of Kansas. And that means we're here for you when you need us.
A medical emergency can be scary. Regardless of the emergency, regardless of the time, Lawrence Memorial Hospital has the right people and facilities to handle it.
325 Maine Street Lawrence, Kansas 66044
24-Hour Emergency Dept.
749-6162
Community Care-Community Pride
THANKSGIVING WINE PICKS
WINE AND SPIRITS • GOURMET
1997 Guenoc Langtry ...$14.99
Made in the French tradition of blending glues to achieve added complexity, this wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Green apple and melton flavors are balanced nicely with toasty oak and vanilla notes. A superb Thanksgiving wine!
1998 Georges Duboule Nouveau (Available Nov. 19th) ...$8.99
The most famous of all Thanksgiving Day Wines! Experts claim this is the best Nouveau in years! Soft and enjoy with loads of strawberry and cherry flavors this is an ideal match with traditional Thanksgiving fare.
1997 Luna Pinot Grigio ...$19.99
This is a seriously good drink! Peers, melons, nuts and nuts blend together beautifully in a wine that tastes seemless. Where one flavor ends the next pick up and follows through. Rich and creamy with a finish that lasts for minutes, this is the wine that will grace my table this Thanksgiving.
1997 Wild Horse Merlot ...$16.99
Just picked by "Wine & Spirits" as "Best Merlot of the Year" this wine is a doozy! A plush wine with generous blum and cherry flavors framed by gentoak oil and soft spice accents. Let this wine breathe one hour before serving and enjoy.
1997 Echelmon Pinot Noir ...$13.99
From the Chardonnay Group responsible for such great winners as Erdala Fennel, Chalons, and Caramene comes a Pinot with nice body and plenty of substance. Bing cherries, oak, spice, and cinnamon unfold in a seductive wine. Remarkably good for the price.
1995 King Estate Pinot Noir ...$17.99
Fult-blown Pinot! Powerful fruit of dark cherries and plums are held in check by Generous oak and supplain tannins. Layers of completely keep you coming back for more. For those looking for restrained power this holiday!
1996 Cuvaison Chardonnay ...$17.99
Cuvaison selectively picks the fruit from the highly regarded Caramón District to make this wine. 100% barrel fermentation and 100% masticate fermentation procuces as intense a Chardonnay as you'll find. Pearls, green apple, spice, and vanilla notes fan out on the finish adding butterchutney and nutmeg nanances. Wonderfully complex and delicious to drink.
1996 Bouchaine Gewurztraminer ...$12.99
You can smell the bouquet a mile away! Rose petals, honeycupule, tangerine, peach, and apricots are just a few representations in this glass. The bouquet would have you guessing sweet, but the wine is actually fairly dry. The wine still has crisp, fruity taste and the sweet and cloving.
3 Locations: 2001 W. 23rd...
Super Store 331/4242
BEER SPECIALS
Bass (12 pk. btls.)...$11.99
Rolling Rock (12 pk. btls.)...$7.87
Moosehead (12 pk. btls.)...$9.99
Fosters (12 pk. btls.)...$8.99
Keystone and
Keystone Light (30 pks.)...$11.29
Guinness (6 pk. btls.)...$6.99
Two Dogs Lemon and Orange Brew...$4.99
Miller Lite, G.D.",
and G.d. Light (12 pk. btls.)...$5.99
Busch & Busch Light (30 pks.)...$11.99
LIQUOR SPECIALS
Bacardi and
Bacardi Amber (1.75 liter)...$15.99
Southern Comfort (750 ml)...$9.99
McCormick Vodka (1.75 liter)...$9.99
Peter Dawson (liter)...$8.99
Tequila Rose (750 ml)...$14.99
Early Times (750 ml)...$4.99
Tanqueray (liter)...$19.99
Schnapps (All Flavors) (750 ml) ...$6.99
Remy Martin
Louis XIII Cognac (750 ml) ...$1199.99
...3514 Clinton Pkwy...15th & Kasold
(Next to Hy-Vee) 841-8778 (Orchards Corners) 749-0558