Another year…another game…more talk. Could Michael Jordan, the world’s most celebrated athlete, be making a return to do what he loves the most? Depending on who you ask, it’s very possible as rumors have been surfacing now for several weeks, and Jordan has been seen practicing with the Wizards. Also, it would seem to make a little bit of sense especially since the Wizards are in dire need of help. Just before the NBA trading deadline approached, Jordan freed up a lot of cap room by unloading underachieving, yet greedy forward Juwan Howard and a few other players. And with the development of guard Richard “RIP” Hamilton, a player whom Jordan says will be great one day, why not put the greatest player ever to play the game beside him to help him mature? Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly reported that Jordan is about 90 percent committed to making a comeback in a Wizards uniform next season. He’s been working with the Wizards not only in practice but also privately in a gym up to six hours a day to get back into playing shape. Former Bulls and current Lakers head coach Phil Jackson was quoted as saying this about the rumor: “Michael was a great player and a great psychologist. He knows how to get into your mind, and he’s probably using these rumors to motivate his team. He’s a competitor and if he does happen to come back, then so be it. More power to him, and he should also know that I have a slot on my roster for him as well.”A return to the NBA by Jordan would probably increase the ratings drastically but would probably hurt his status as a player. When asked about a possible comeback, Jordan said, “I’ll never say never ’cause anything is possible.” For most of our lives, Jordan spoiled us because of his greatness. There is definitely no one near his status, and there may never be one. When Jordan was on the court, we expected the unexpected, accepted the unacceptable and predicted the unpredictable. If he makes a return to the NBA now, all of us, including him, will realize just how much he meant to the league. Sure he has lost a step or two, but as one would say, never underestimate the heart of a champion. But why would Michael Jordan want to return? When Jordan retired in 1998, he left at the absolute top. No one could even write a movie with an ending as great as that. First, he hits a tough soaring lay up down the lane to pull the Bulls within one at 86-85 with 25 seconds remaining in the 1998 NBA Finals. Then, comes down court and steals the ball from Karl Malone with 17 seconds remaining to set up the storybook ending.Instead of calling time out, the Bulls clear out for Jordan. With the clock ticking down, Jordan crossed up Byron Russell and sank the title-clinching shot with 5.2 seconds left in one of the most memorable moments in NBA history. So why return now after five league MVP titles, six NBA titles, and six NBA Finals MVP’s? Maybe it’s just Jordan’s competitive nature. It would be to his delight to one day compete again but if he does, there will be one of two things. He’ll either be good or mediocre. There’s no bad in Jordan’s game …old man or not. He’s still the most feared player in the game and he’s retired! But in all reality, this is the Wizards and not the Bulls. Scottie, Dennis and Phil have moved on to newer places and Mike really needs “winners” around him. Not “just players.”