Michael Jordan may be turning 50 next week, but current NBA player Antawn Jamison thinks the legend could still be a solid contributor in the league.
Jordan hasn’t played in the NBA since retiring following the 2003 season when he was 40. Jordan retired from the game two previous times — once to attempt a professional baseball career, and the other time after winning his sixth NBA championship following the 1998 season.
During his 2009 Hall of Fame induction speech, Jordan threw out the possibility of making a comeback at 50.
“One day you might look up and see me playing the game at 50. Oh, don’t laugh. Never say never. Because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.”
Jamison, who played college ball at North Carolina like Jordan and is now with the Los Angeles Lakers, believes MJ could still play in the NBA.
“I wouldn’t doubt that in the right situation with a LeBron (James) on his team or with a Kobe (Bryant) on this team, he could get you about 10 or 11 points, come in and play 15-20 minutes,” Jamison told ESPN LA’s Dave McMenamin Friday. “I wouldn’t doubt that at all, especially if he was in shape and injuries were prevented and things of that nature.”
Jamison also says Jordan wasn’t joking about possibly returning to the NBA at 50.
“He wasn’t joking,” said Jamison of Jordan’s Hall of Fame speech. “You hear stories still to this day, especially last year, him going to the practice facility and playing 1-on-1 with the guys and still they can’t stop him.”
Jamison’s words shouldn’t come as a surprise. In December, Jordan, who is a majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, worked out with his players. Both Gerald Henderson and Bismack Biyombo said Jordan could still play in the league.
Jordan would have to get in much better shape to think about a comeback, but it would be worthwhile just so we could see this moment recreated in real life.
