<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Apparently, one of the NBA's all-time greatest players is enough for the Miami Heat. Shaquille O'Neal has told Heat teammates that NBA legend Michael Jordan wants to play for Miami this season, and went so far as to ask a few Heat players whether it would be a good idea, two sources with knowledge of the situation said. O'Neal told teammates that Jordan has left him several messages, and O'Neal was convinced Jordan wants to play for the Heat this year. O'Neal told teammates he was not interested in having Jordan join the Heat, and others agreed, the sources said. O'Neal even asked whether one of the players should go to management and express the desire not to add Jordan, one of the sources said. Regardless, it appears unlikely that the five-time MVP will come out of retirement to join Miami at age 41. When the Jordan-to-Miami rumors originally surfaced in July, Heat president Pat Riley dismissed them, uninterested in adding a player Jordan's age. Rumors of a Jordan comeback have resurfaced in recent weeks because he has been working out vigorously with other NBA players in Chicago, and a Denver Post story Wednesday said Nuggets General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe has acknowledged the rumor. The story, however, was about a possible Dennis Rodman comeback, with only a brief mention of Jordan. Jordan has not played since averaging 20 points and 6.1 rebounds for the Washington Wizards in the 2002-03 season and has since been adamant that his playing days are finished. Last week, Heat general manager Randy Pfund said he spoke with Jordan's trainer, Tim Grover, and Grover gave no indication Jordan was mulling a comeback. During a trip to Asia in May, Jordan repeatedly said there was no chance he would make another comeback. He also has denied comeback rumors recently. Jordan was spotted on South Beach in July, before the O'Neal trade, which led to rumors of a comeback. The Heat does need help at small forward, with Rasual Butler, Wesley Person and Eddie Jones being the leading candidates to start at that position when the season begins. Jordan spent much of his time with the Wizards playing small forward, but the Heat doesn't seem prepared to turn to Jordan for help. Jordan wants to be a part-owner of a team and has frequently been linked to the Heat.</div><div align="center">Miami Herald -reg req</div> I think it'd be sweet to have two of the game's greatest players on the same team but MJ makes this team older and his minutes on the court would slow down the rest of the younger Heat's progress that I'd like to see develope.
Hmm...if he DOES play for the HEAT, i think i would lose all my respect for him. Anybody remember how MJ dissed Zo and the HEAT in the playoffs years ago? He suddenly wants to play for the HEAT cuz we acquired the best center. He should just stay home with his kids and remain the best player ever to play in this league.
I can see it now...if the Heat win a championship with Shaq, Jordan and Wade, the headlines will read: With Jordan's Assistance, Heat Win Championship Then you'll have a huge catastrophy in Miami. Shaq will say, "Michael is the best in the league. He's the centerpiece for this Miami team." Then, after the championship is brought home and Jordan eats up the media attention, Shaq says, "Michael is worn, old, and overrated. Wilt was the greatest." Then a new rap single will come out. "If I Could Be Like Mike" by Shaq "Big Daddy Diesel" O'Neal If I could have, the reputation of Mike's, I wouldn't need that ish, I'm all Miami likes. That buggy head of MJ's, go to your kids' recital, 'Cuz this year was all mine, I brought the Heat a title. A Laker mistake, I took advantage though, I'm losing all my weight, I got a healthy toe. I'm old enough to quit, I'll play till 40...sike. The Heat would love me then...if I could be like Mike.
Last time I remember the Heat are title contenders w/o Jordan and Jordan believes so much in O'Neal's capabilities that he wants to make a return to play along side him...why doesn't Kobe get that same kinda respect?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting heatfan83:</div><div class="quote_post">Last time I remember the Heat are title contenders w/o Jordan and Jordan believes so much in O'Neal's capabilities that he wants to make a return to play along side him...why doesn't Kobe get that same kinda respect?</div> Probably because Jordan isn't really coming back. If he does, he's going to be wearing a nice suit, watching his team from the box...as part owner, or something...just not a player. Plus, maybe it does constitute somewhat for respect...as in not playing alongside Kobe. I really think Jordan realizes that Kobe wants to be Kobe, not him...and he wants to be responsible for winning a championship in Los Angeles. If Jordan came to play alongside Kobe, it wouldn't really do much for Kobe's dreams of accomplishing what Jordan did in the 90's. Yes, Jordan did have Pippen, but he also made a name for himself as the greatest, regardless of Pippen being on his team...and that's what Kobe wants to do.
I dont really understand that,I really think most of these reports are fake.If they arent fake the questin is not why should Mike be on this team,the question is...why not!I would never have any objections playing alongside the G.O.A.T.Maybe Shaq is just being a little selfish,its not like MJ would come to the Heat and not pass him the ball. If MJ was seriously planning a comback then I would like him to go to the Lakers,that would make Heat vs Lakers games huge,and just imagine Kobe and MJ playing togethr.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Probably because Jordan isn't really coming back. If he does, he's going to be wearing a nice suit, watching his team from the box...as part owner, or something...just not a player.</div> I'm sick of hearing all this talk about MJ's return to the game. IF he decides to come back, he'll be wearing a suit and tie watching a team that he probably poured loads of cash into. Even if MJ came back, I don't think there would be as much hype as there was with the Wizards. People know he's just not the same. Of course you'll have have the fans that just want to see him, but there won't be as many as a couple years back.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">Probably because Jordan isn't really coming back. If he does, he's going to be wearing a nice suit, watching his team from the box...as part owner, or something...just not a player. Plus, maybe it does constitute somewhat for respect...as in not playing alongside Kobe. I really think Jordan realizes that Kobe wants to be Kobe, not him...and he wants to be responsible for winning a championship in Los Angeles. If Jordan came to play alongside Kobe, it wouldn't really do much for Kobe's dreams of accomplishing what Jordan did in the 90's. Yes, Jordan did have Pippen, but he also made a name for himself as the greatest, regardless of Pippen being on his team...and that's what Kobe wants to do.</div>I think Shaq is on more of a mission than Kobe... and... if MJ respects a man on a mission then he would leave Shaq to his team and probably go after another team. But instead there's been rumors for quite a while and now, the Miami Herald which somewhat doesn't cover the topic or make a big deal about it, is printing that sources say MJ has getting in condition, playing amongst NBA players more than usual, and been leaving Shaq messages. This leads Shaq to believe he is attempting a comeback, because everything is probably gonna be ran through the big fella's approval so MJ knows who he has to convice. And it also says that the Heat do not want MJ so his chances of making a comeback, to your argument and Ice's, is <font color="Blue">correct</font> If MJ is leaving Shaq messages for no reason and getting in condition, that shows how much he wants to return to a team(or player) he thinks has the best chance of winning and that's respect right there. If not then you'd here more "MJ to Spurs", "MJ to Wolves", etc. talk.
The heat needs a few solid role player to surround Shaq and Wade. The last thing they need is a 41 year old has been hogging the spotlight. This is why Shaq and the rest of the team aren't interested in Jordan joining the team. Don't get me wrong, Jordan is the best to ever play the game, but his time as come and gone.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting heatfan83:</div><div class="quote_post">Last time I remember the Heat are title contenders w/o Jordan and Jordan believes so much in O'Neal's capabilities that he wants to make a return to play along side him...why doesn't Kobe get that same kinda respect?</div> I don't think it's about Jordan respecting O'Neal's "capabilities", It's just the type of offense that Miami will be running this year. It will be obviously slower than last years so an old guy like MJ would be alot more comfortable in a half court set than trying to run up & down the floor with the kids. Could you see MJ trying to run the floor with the team the lakers have now? But nevermind this comeback thing is just journalist garbage.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dr. H.H. Holmes:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think it's about Jordan respecting O'Neal's "capabilities", It's just the type of offense that Miami will be running this year. It will be obviously slower than last years so an old guy like MJ would be alot more comfortable in a half court set than trying to run up & down the floor with the kids. Could you see MJ trying to run the floor with the team the lakers have now?</div>So is malone or vlade divac gonna be any part of the new Laker offense? Last time I checked mj is faster than any of those two.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dr. H.H. Holmes:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think it's about Jordan respecting O'Neal's "capabilities", It's just the type of offense that Miami will be running this year. It will be obviously slower than last years so an old guy like MJ would be alot more comfortable in a half court set than trying to run up & down the floor with the kids. Could you see MJ trying to run the floor with the team the lakers have now?</div>So is malone or vlade divac gonna be any part of the new Laker offense? Last time I checked mj is faster than any of those two and that slow offense has won titles
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting heatfan83:</div><div class="quote_post">So is malone or vlade divac gonna be any part of the new Laker offense? Last time I checked mj is faster than any of those two and that slow offense has won titles </div> Yeah actually Vlade will, in the limited minutes he will play, be a great piece to their offense. He's not going to be running breaks but he'll pass well because of his height, like he did with Sacto. Malone we'll have to wait & see on because we don't know how that injury will affect him now. Regardless, neither of them were wearing ice like MJ was or getting their knees drained before games... and that was 2 years ago. Plus MJ is a guard, he should be faster.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting bdubb:</div><div class="quote_post">The heat needs a few solid role player to surround Shaq and Wade. The last thing they need is a 41 year old has been hogging the spotlight. This is why Shaq and the rest of the team aren't interested in Jordan joining the team. Don't get me wrong, Jordan is the best to ever play the game, but his time as come and gone.</div> You don't think Jordan would be willing to be a role player on the team? His second year with the Wizards, he started the first two months coming off the bench. And that was a pretty crappy team to begin with. It was only after they were losing lots of games that he decided to start. Jordan isn't an idiot. He knows Shaq is going to lead this team. He's not interested in being the man anymore. In Washington, even at his advanced age he was the best player on the team, easily. In Miami, that wouldn't be the case and he knows it. If I was Shaq, and I knew Jordan was interested in being a solid role player on the team -- that guy who could give you some offense off the bench for instance -- I'd welcome him in a second. MJ isn't Kobe -- he's already established himself as the greatest of his era and Shaq doesn't need to be concerned with MJ trying to take over the team. If Miami's chief aim this season is to win a championship, then the smart thing for them to do is try to sign Jordan. Of course, I have no idea how legit these rumors really are.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MJ isn't Kobe -- he's already established himself as the greatest of his era and Shaq doesn't need to be concerned with MJ trying to take over the team. </div> Jordan has already established himself, so what is the point of him coming back? There has to be a reason Shaq and the other Heat players don't want him there. Maybe they know he wants to be more than a role player.
RealDeal... your're so annoying.. you always trash Shaq... doing the same things to Jordan that he would do to Kobe eh... make a rap song about him and thinking MJ will eat up the media attention... last time i heard Shaq got the last 3 finals mvps and Kobe didn't... Am I seeing different? Honestly you should just stop and never come back to this forum since you'll always continue to hate Shaq and diss him... although he's better than Kobe. Kobe isn't even close to what MJ was... he's not better than Scottie Pippen, the most underrated player ever... if you disagree I pity you for your blind faith. Alrighty... I really don't think MJ will be returning to the NBA. Honestly he's through with his career, his great timeless classic career... I mean coming back for the Wizards was stupid, coming back for the Heat would be even worse. Honestly, is he trying to ruin his rep?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Wade:</div><div class="quote_post">RealDeal... your're so annoying.. you always trash Shaq... doing the same things to Jordan that he would do to Kobe eh... make a rap song about him and thinking MJ will eat up the media attention... last time i heard Shaq got the last 3 finals mvps and Kobe didn't... Am I seeing different? Honestly you should just stop and never come back to this forum since you'll always continue to hate Shaq and diss him... although he's better than Kobe. Kobe isn't even close to what MJ was... he's not better than Scottie Pippen, the most underrated player ever... if you disagree I pity you for your blind faith. </div> Funny that you are the only Heat fan that would come in here and whine about me making harmless jokes about your newly-found hero. Did you respond to my "Shaq Bol" post I made with a picture of what he looks like now? Probably so, huh? Run me out of the forum? The only time you ever post anymore is after I do, and you attack every post I make. Nice job. :thumbsup: By the way, check the bold. It looks like you are doing what you're accusing me of doing...criticizing players. I don't have to like Shaq, and I have reasons for it. Lakers, Magic, Heat...I really don't care where he goes. If I have something to say about it, I'll say it without your assistance. There's a reason why these boards are made...for posting, and expressing your opinion. If you don't like it, I'm sorry I have that big of an effect on your life. To those who post in this forum, I'm sorry...but I suppose I'll go back to "my own Laker forum" and never post in here again. Good luck this season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting bdubb:</div><div class="quote_post">Jordan has already established himself, so what is the point of him coming back? There has to be a reason Shaq and the other Heat players don't want him there. Maybe they know he wants to be more than a role player.</div> How about he likes playing in the NBA, and he misses the competition. Why would he have started his last season coming off the bench if all he's interested in is being the star player? Assuming all these rumors are true, I'd guess that Shaq doesn't want him there because he's just rid himself of Kobe and he doesn't want to have to deal with MJ hogging the ball too. I'm just saying that if that's what he's afraid of, I think its unfounded.
