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Wednesday, June 27
Jordan, Barkley joke about injuries, and future
Reuters
NEW YORK -- Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley,
retired superstars for the time being, used the occasion of the
NBA draft Wednesday to say they hope to return as Washington
Wizards teammates next season.
Jordan, part owner and president of the Wizards, broke two
ribs during the intense workouts he has been having to see if he
can compete in the game he dominated until retiring after the
1997-98 season.
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I'm working out. I'm
working toward playing. I want to play. Michael wants to play. ” |
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— Charles Barkley on possible comebacks by himself and Michael
Jordan |
"My ribs are feeling a lot better," he told Barkley, a
commentator on the TNT cable network, after the Wizards made high
schooler Kwame Brown the top pick in the draft.
"I'm just glad his little ribs are all right," said Barkley.
"He's been whining about it for two, three weeks now."
As the fans at Madison Square Garden roared with laughter at
the exchange shown on a big video screen, Jordan jokingly warned
Barkley: "I'm still the boss, I have a bunch of players coming to
Washington, D.C., and I may not need another."
Said Barkley: "I'm not sure I would even consider coming
unless you up the ante."
"Yeah I think maybe staying with TNT is your best bet," said
Jordan.
Commissioner David Stern, who later told the demonstrative
fans this was the "most intense" draft he had ever presided over,
then said from the dais: "I'd like to interrupt the Michael and
Charles show to announce the next pick."
Jordan and Barkley, close friends, have played cat and mouse
with the media for months over their possible returns.
But later, Barkley, while signing autographs for fans, told
Reuters in a more serious manner: "I'm working out. I'm working
toward playing. I want to play. Michael wants to play."
And on the subject of those tender Jordan ribs, Barkley said:
"I think they'll be OK. He wants to play."
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Michael Jordan's Return-O-Meter
High school star goes first in NBA draft
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