Sports Notes - April 2003

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

Monday April 21, 2003

Michael Jordan Retires At 40 - FIFA Denies Roberto Carlos - Bull GM Quits - Williams Sister Rule WTA - Oman Smashes Cambodia In Olympic Qualifiers

MICHAEL JORDAN RETIRES... AGAIN

April 16th 2003 may (?) go down in NBA history when Michael Jordan played his last NBA game.

"Now I guess it hits me that I'm not going to be in a uniform anymore -- and that's not a terrible feeling," SI.Com reported Jordan as saying after scoring 15 points in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

"It's something that I've come to grips with, and it's time. This is the final retirement," he added. This is Jordan's third NBA retirement…is it really his last.

Jordan accomplishments include being an NBA champion in six of his last eight full NBA seasons. His last two with the Washington Wizards were the exception.

Though Jordan raised the Wizards level of play they finished out of the playoffs both seasons finishing with identical 37-45 records.

True or not that this was Jordan's last NBA game, at the age of 40 he can look back on the thrills he gave to NBA fans around the world.

Jordan scored 32,292 points in his 15 year NBA career giving him the third-highest total in league history, trailing only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone. He averaged 30.12 points per game during his career setting an NBA record edging out Wilt Chamberlain's 30.07.

Jordan won 10 scoring titles, six NBA championships and five MVP Awards. He also was selected to the NBA All-star squad 14 times.

Jordan did it all. After his first retirement he played professional baseball. Following his second retirement he became the Wizards part owner and president. He also had part ownership of the NHL Washington Capitals.

After this retirement what can Jordan do next?

Coming: What Michael Jordan Didn't Do

NO BULL… CHICAGO GM KRAUSE RESIGNS

With five games remaining in the regular season Chicago Bulls general manager Jerry Krause resigned April 7th, citing stress and other health problems.

Krause, 64, held the position since 1985. Chicago finished with a losing record for the fifth straight season of over 50 defeats since Michael Jordan left the squad.

Krause was responsible for surrounding Jordan with talent enough to win six NBA championships. Acquiring Scottie Pippen from the Seattle Supersonics, promoting Phil Jackson to head coach and signing Dennis Rodman were some of his greatest achievements.

MING, STOUDEMIRE TOP NBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR POWER RANKINGS

Amare Stoudemire and Yao Ming are the favorites to win the NBA Rookie Of The Year Award.

Stoudemire entered the league out of Cypress Creek (Florida) High School. Ming entered the league after four years of International competition as a member of the Chinese national team.

Stoudemire's performance is a surprise to some. One NBA scout said his overall game was "clueless." Obviously the scout made a poor judgment as the Phoenix Suns picked him in the first round (ninth overall).

Regardless of the scouts opinion the twenty year old's first year stats paid dividends for the Suns. The 6-10 power forward averaged 13.5 points per game, 8.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists.

Much was expected of the 7-5, 22-year-old Ming. His size, talent and International experience gave him a high profile. He was selected the overall number one draft pick by the Houston Rockets. In his first season Ming averaged 13.5 points per game, 8.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

By receiving more all-star votes than Shaquille O'Neal he became the first rookie to start in the All-Star Game since Grant Hill in 1995. Ming was the 16th rookie in NBA history to start in the All-Star game, and the sixth center -- joining O'Neal in 1993, Elvin Hayes in 1969, Walt Bellamy in 1962, Wilt Chamberlain in 1960 and Ray Felix in 1954.

So who will win the award the seasoned pro (in China) or the ex high school star? One glaring point that could factor heavily in the decision is Stoudemire helped his team to make the playoffs edging out Ming's Houston Rockets for the for the final eighth playoff spot in the Western Division.

The NBA Rookie Power Rankings rank Yao first and Stoudemire second. Ming get the nod due to much of the Rockets game is run through him and his superior passing skills. Stoudemire gains respect for playing hard and his athleticism. He led all rookies in rebounding.

Ming was the preseason favorite to win the award…now what? Who's the best???? It's up to you.

WILLIAMS SISTERS WTA'S BEST

Though Serena Williams failed in her bid to go undefeated this year they proved they are the best on the WTA tour.

As we predicted five years ago the sisters rose to rank first and second in the WTA rankings. The press now has something else to talk about other than the beads the girls wore in their hair. Their critique continues on how their father Richard manages his daughters. More...

FIFA REJECTS ROBERTO CARLOS' APPEAL

FIFA rejected Roberto Carlos' appeal regarding suspending him from all competition with the Brazilian national team.

Carlos was sent off for intentionally pushing a referee in a friendly against Portugal March 29th. FIFA'S decision was based on the referees report and video recording of the match.

A final decision on this matter will be made May 9th at the next meeting of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee in Zurich, Switzerland.

OMAN SMASHES CAMBODIA IN OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS:

Cambodia lost two Olympic Qualifying matches to Oman 9-0 and 8-0. Both matches were played in Oman to save traveling expenses. Oman will play Qatar in the second round.

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