More from RealGM
 Chicago Bulls WiretapBulls LinksNews ArchiveNBA News
Van Exel, LaFrentz to returnEddir Sefko of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Dallas Mavericks won’t have to play short handed any longer. Even though they have sprinted to a 14-0 record before finally losing to the Pacers, they have only been playing with an 8-man rotation. With the return of Raef LaFrentz and Nick Van Exel from the injured list, the Mavs will have more options off the bench. Both players will be in uniform on Saturday against Chicago. "We're playing at a real high level right now, and I expect that to continue," coach Don Nelson said. "But we need some help. It'll be good to have those guys back. We need them." Nelson will probably start both players on the bench and work them gradually into their regular roles. Their return means that Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley and Steve Nash can finally have their playing time reduced a bit. Nowitzki has played 42 minutes or more in three of the past four games. Finley has averaged 41.4 minutes in the past six games, and Nash also has put in more than 35 minutes in four of the past five. "It certainly should help those guys get a little more rest," Nelson said. "But they're always going to play quite a bit." Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets The Last HurrahThe last hurrah? According to Steve Wyche of the Washington Post this will be Michael Jordan's last year in the NBA, and there will be no encore. Michael Jordan announced yesterday that this season will be his last. "Right now I'm fulfilling my contract," said Jordan, in the last of his two year deal with the struggling Wizards. "At the end of this season I'm not looking to enter another contract. Right now I want to finish this year out and hopefully fulfill my obligations and let this team take its own course." Jordan said he plans to resume his role as the Wizards' president of basketball operations after the season. However, he did not say whether he would rejoin the Lincoln Holdings minority ownership group, led by America Online executive and Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis. Sources close to Jordan have said that when Jordan stops playing, he plans to repurchase a stake in the team. Jordan, almost 40, came out of his second retirement before last season after working as the Wizards' top basketball official since Jan. 19, 2000. He signed a two-year, $2.1 million contract upon his return to the court. Months before his comeback, Jordan said he was "99.9 percent" certain he would not play again, only to restart a career that had been spent exclusively with the Bulls. "It won't be no points, zero," Jordan said. "It would be 100 percent, I'm sure." Sure Michael. Until your ego once again irritates that infamous itch you seem to get when you have a point to prove. Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Jordan:Steve Wyche of the Washington Post reports: After this season, Michael Jordan will end his storied 14-year career and call it quits once and for all. Michael Jordan said yesterday that this season will be his last. "Right now I'm fulfilling my contract," said Jordan, who is in the final season of a two-year, $2.1 million deal. "At the end of this season I'm not looking to enter another contract. Right now I want to finish this year out and hopefully fulfill my obligations and let this team take its own course." Jordan said he plans to resume his role as the Wizards' president of basketball operations after the season. However, he did not say whether he would rejoin the Lincoln Holdings minority ownership group, led by America Online executive and Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis. Sources close to Jordan have said that when Jordan stops playing, he plans to repurchase a stake in the team. Jordan, 39, came out of his second retirement before last season after working as the Wizards' top basketball official since Jan. 19, 2000. He signed a two-year, $2.1 million contract upon his return to the court. Months before his comeback, Jordan said he was "99.9 percent" certain he would not play again, only to restart a career that had been spent exclusively with the Bulls. "It won't be no points, zero," Jordan said. "It would be 100 percent, I'm sure." Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Bulls Nov 2002 Archive
|
