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T-Mac offers Jordan starting role

Jan 30, 2003 8:27 PM EST

Who says that NBA players are greedy? Realising that this is Michael Jordan's final All-Star game Orlando superstar Tracy McGrady has offered to forfeit his starting position on the Eastern Conference squad to make way for Jordan, ESPN.com is reporting.

"I have thought about this for a while. I'll do it, absolutely," McGrady told the newspaper. "For what Michael Jordan has done for this league and this game, I'll do anything.

"It's his last All-Star Game. I don't have any problem with that. I'll get in the game. I'd love to see it. I have to call the league office to see if I can do it."

"We'd consider it,'' league spokesman Michael Broeker said. A Wizards spokeswoman said Thursday that Jordan had no immediate comment.

"T-Mac wanting to do that doesn't surprise me," Magic coach Doc Rivers said in the Sentinel. "As aloof as he looks, he has a real sense for the history of the game. And he doesn't look at it like he's kissing Michael's butt. He wants to beat Michael's butt any other time."

"That's a terrific gesture from Tracy," said the official who requested anonymity. "We'll have to see. We've made exceptions before."

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Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards

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Carter won't step aside for Jordan

Jan 30, 2003 8:56 AM EST

Vince Carter will start the NBA All-Star Game and enjoy the experience. Speculation that he may bow out of the starting lineup to allow Michael Jordan one last hurrah is just that… speculation. Jennifer Quinn of the Toronto Star reports that Carter was puzzled by the notion.

"Next question" was his response to the initial inquiry. When prodded, Carter explained, "It's not like I planned on getting injured, but, you know, it happened. I'm thankful for the opportunity to play regardless of the amount of games I've played, and that's why I've taken the initiative to get back and get healthy and then play in some games so when I go in the All-Star Game I can go out there and have a lot of fun."

A recent Washington Post story said that there is a "chance one of the starters" could give up that honour for Jordan; the Washington Times says only "there has been some speculation that Carter, who has appeared in just 11 games this season due to injury, will allow Jordan to start."

It has happened in the past. Doug Collins allowed John Havlicek to take his starting spot in 1978. Tim Hardaway let Magic Johnson start in 1982. Carter said he intends to take his place alongside the other Eastern Conference all-star starters: Tracy McGrady, Ben Wallace, Allen Iverson and Jermaine O'Neal. As a reserve, Jordan will be appearing for the 14th time.

"It is what it is. The fans vote on who it is they want to see, and who are we to change that?" former all-star Antonio Davis said yesterday.

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Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards

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Jordan talks up a lesson to Nuggets rookie

Jan 26, 2003 8:14 AM EST

In a recent game between the Wizards and Nuggets last week, Nuggets rookie Vincent Yarbrough decided to go after Michael Jordan after scoring six straight points. Amazingly Yarbrough's talking stopped when Jordan responded "You watched me, I didn't watch you." After this point Yarbrough scored two points through the rest of the game.

The source of Jordan's ammunition? Yarbrough's bio in the Nuggets' media guide lists Jordan as his favorite player growing up.

"It happens in the streets, it happens on the playground," Jordan said. "Today turned into a vocal game. For me I take great competition in talking trash, especially against someone that doesn't have any business talking trash."

"They initiated everything. Juwan (Howard) got things going and the young kids chimed in after that. The thing about talking trash if you've got to back it up. You can talk all day but if you're not putting forth the effort and backing up what you say it becomes an added burden on you."

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Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards

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Wizards Jan 2003 Archive

  • Jordan Gives Thanks

    | Jan 25, 2003

    Michael Jordan said goodbye to Chicago last night, and the fans let him know how much he is appreciated.

  • One last time

    | Jan 24, 2003

  • What swan song? Jordan to Charlotte?

    | Jan 24, 2003

    Michael Jordan has never been one to hold firm on a decision.

  • Game bitter-sweet for Jordan in milestone night

    | Jan 23, 2003

    Last night was a night that Michael Jordan will remember for the rest of his life.

  • Stackhouse set to return

    | Jan 22, 2003

    The Washington Wizards are hoping to get shooting guard Jerry Stackhouse back onto the court in time for the team's match against the New Orleans Hornets tonight, Steve Wyche of the Washington Post is reporting.

  • Jordan gets last word vs. Nuggets

    The Daily Camera | Jan 21, 2003

    Milton Kent of the Baltimore Sun reports on last nights Wizards vs.

  • Jordan maintains no desire for All-Star selection

    | Jan 21, 2003

    There have been some whispers around the NBA that the league may run with a 13-a-team All-Star game this year if Wizards guard Michael Jordan and Spurs center David Robinson are not selected by fans or coaches, with both players having already announced their intentions to retire after this season.

  • Grant Hill might get long rest

    | Jan 17, 2003

    Grant Hill continues to struggle with his injury.

  • Stackhouse could be out longer than expected

    washington post | Jan 17, 2003

    Steve Wyche of the Washington Post reports: Jerry Stackhouse's pulled left groin could keep him out longer than just the team's next two-to-three games.

  • All-Star not a priority during last hurrah

    | Jan 14, 2003

    What would the NBA All-Star game be like without its master? If Michael Jordan gets his own way we may just find out, the NBA's greatest ever player stating that he would not mind being left out of next month's All-Star Game in Atlanta so younger players could compete.

  • Groin sidelines Stackhouse

    | Jan 14, 2003

    Jerry Stackhouse is set to miss tonight's game against the Toronto Raptors and possibly the next two or three, according to Steve Wyche of the Washington Post.

  • Brown bothered by trade talks

    washington post | Jan 14, 2003

    How do trade rumors affect a player both on and off the court? Do feelings of beign unwanted go through their heads? Can they look their coach and teammates in their eye? Does their performance on the court suffer as their mind wanders through the insecurity? Kwame Brown of the Washington Wizards is learning first hand how it feels.

  • Magic weigh possible moves

    | Jan 12, 2003

    The Magic are desperate to rise above the "good" team they’ve been these last few seasons.

  • Quote of the Day

    | Jan 9, 2003

    In Chicago last week, Oakley said Tim Floyd would land a good middle school job.

  • Whoa! Krause praises Jordan

    | Jan 8, 2003

    And you thought that Jerry Krause hated Jordan.

  • Cartwright: No bowing for Jordan

    | Jan 8, 2003

    According to K.

  • Howard destined to lose?

    | Jan 6, 2003

    Juwan Howard, considered one of the nicest guys in the NBA, thought his luck had finally changed when he was traded from the Washington Wizards to the winning Dallas Mavericks.

  • High School Exchange?

    | Jan 6, 2003

    Honorary GM Sam Smith is back with his weekly Chicago Tribune article on how to improve the Bulls, and this time he thinks the answer may just lie in the nation's captial.

  • Grizzard Says Team Owes Him $349,000

    | Jan 3, 2003

    Steve Wyche reports that Ex-Wizard Rod Grizzard is filing a grievance against his former team.

  • Jordan in Chicago; Just another player?

    | Jan 2, 2003

    Michael Jordan returns to the United Center for the second last time in his NBA career tonight, and it will mark only the second time that he has played in the United Center in a visitors uniform.