Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 10, 1995 TAG: 9503140034
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DEERFIELD, ILL. LENGTH: Short
Jordan practiced again with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, the third straight day he appeared at team headquarters, fueling speculation he'll trade in his baseball spikes for a new pair of Air Jordans.
``We just have to hang tight here and wait to see what goes on,'' Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson said. ``He and I spoke about this possibility happening last September and October. It's a reality ... but it's still not a reality. So we're not pinning any hopes and we're not trying to throw up a balloon or a kite that's not ready to fly.''
ESPN reported Thursday night that Jordan is indeed returning. The cable network, citing a ``reliable'' source, said he will come back, but not for a couple of weeks. ESPN said Jordan is intent on being in good shape and wants to discuss the future of the Bulls with team management.
After the Bulls' two-hour practice, Jordan drove off without comment. And spokesmen for the Bulls, the Chicago White Sox and Jordan's agent said no announcement was forthcoming.
Jordan, 32, led the Bulls to NBA titles in 1991, 1992 and 1993. He then shocked the sports world on Oct. 6, 1993, retiring with a 32.3-point scoring average, the best in league history. Jordan said he had ``reached the pinnacle,'' had nothing left to prove and just wanted to ``watch the grass grow.''
Rather than kicking back, however, Jordan provided another surprise a few months later when he announced he'd try to play baseball with the White Sox, who are owned by Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
by CNB