After taking an appropriate back seat to the news of events from last week, the question of Michael Jordan's return still hovers. It seems that most people are against his return -- Michael was never *real* to them. He was an icon. A mythic sports and media figure. But I'd like to argue that Michael's return, handled properly, can serve to show that someone doesn't have to WIN like Mike in order to BE like Mike. Let's face it, nobody reading these words will win like Mike. Not the way he did. There may be big winners down the road, don't get me wrong. But they won't win like Mike. And the reasons, to me, have a lot to do with why his comeback with the Washington Wizards has the potential to be an inspiring lesson that transcends the mere iconic greatness of Michael Jordan.

Having watched all of Jordan's heroics in Chicago, and seeing him win here with players like Luc Longley, Bill Wennington, and Steve Kerr (no offense to Kerr, one of my favorites) playing significant minutes, I think it's clear that Jordan's competitive fire and his now almost mythic aura of greatness inspire teammates of average talent to overachieve.

Washington has been an underachieving team. An underachieving, poorly coached team. I think they will improve dramatically this year, not just because of Jordan's play on the court, but because of the impact he'll have on players off the court. No one's going to want to be the dog on Mike's team, esp. with the MJ media spotlight glaring down on them. Balls will be hustled for. Defenders WILL rotate, and fast. Doug Collins will utilize his talent, as his track record shows. 

Barring catastrophic injuries to about a dozen of the top players this year, there's no fathomable scenario under which the Wizards can win it all. But I believe they can make the playoffs, maybe even get into the second round, depending on the matchups. 

And I'm one of those people who thinks Michael return, even at a diminished level, will not tarnish his legacy. All those years when MJ was dominating everyone around the league, we were impressed by his almost unnatural grace, by his poise, and by his professionalism. But are those qualities less noteworthy if someone doesn't have the will (and let's face it, some luck along the way) to have the opportunity to hit the winning shot and win it all like every pick-up player in the world has ever dreamed of? 

If Michael shows grace and a sense of humility as he approaches his challenge with the Wizards, it will be a lasting lesson that will resound and grow larger over time. It will only add to his greatness, because to my mind, the only thing that anyone's ever criticized Jordan for that seemed believable to me is arrogance. How could a guy of his stature not succumb to that on occasion? What he has before him is a chance to glorify the game and the principles he's espoused, and to show anyone who loves the game that they don't have to SUCCEED like Mike in order to BE like Mike. They just have to try.