Is there hope for MJ?

Washington hasn’t advanced to the National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs in 13 of the last 14 seasons and the Wizards’ dubious record of futility will likely be preserved this year unless a miracle blesses Michael Jordan and his motley crew of heartless teammates.

In the last 14 years, the Wizards made it to the playoffs only once when they–then known as the Bullets–were swept in three straight games by the Chicago Bulls led by a certain Jordan.

That same Jordan is now 40 and playing for Washington in his final NBA season or so he claims. His farewell wish is to lead the Wizards back to the playoffs. Not that the team is expected to go far even if it qualifies. In the first round, the No. 8 Eastern Conference qualifier will face either Detroit or New Jersey. So if the Wizards somehow manage to squeeze into the playoffs, it doesn’t look like they’ll create a stir. The Pistons or Nets will make sure of that.

Only six games remain in Washington’s regular season schedule. The Wizards are running ninth in the East, two games behind No. 8 Milwaukee. Washington’s record is 35-41 and Milwaukee’s is 38-40. What’s keeping coach Doug Collins awake at nights is the trend that favors Milwaukee over Washington in the race for the last Eastern playoff ticket.

The Bucks have won four of their last five while the Wizards have lost four of their last five.

Jordan has been overextending himself in trying to keep the Wizards afloat. He’s led Washington in scoring in eight of its last nine games. Last Sunday, Jordan hit 25 points to lift the Wizards to a 99-98 overtime decision over Boston on the road. The win kept the Wizards’ playoff hopes alive and was a big confidence booster, considering Washington’s road record is a lowly 12-26.

Milwaukee’s last game was a 117-115 overtime loss to Chicago but the decision was far from conclusive as veterans Toni Kukoc, Anthony Mason, and Jason Caffey didn’t play. Bucks guards Gary Payton and Sam Cassell have taken turns leading the team in scoring in 10 of their last 13 outings. It appears that coach George Karl relies on his backcourt stars as much as Collins depends on Jordan.

Milwaukee has four games remaining in its calendar. The Bucks take on the Los Angeles Clippers tomorrow, Toronto on the road Friday, Indiana on Sunday, and Orlando on Wednesday. It’s a lightweight schedule because three of the four games will be at Milwaukee and none of the games is on consecutive nights. The Bucks are 22-16 at home so they’re hoping to pick up at least three more wins before closing out the campaign.

In contrast, the Wizards play three home and three away contests. Four of the games are back-to-back so there will be little time for rest. Washington’s lack of depth will be a major handicap as Larry Hughes, Bryon Russell and Charles Oakley haven’t played lately.

The Wizards battle Cleveland tonight, Boston tomorrow, Miami on Friday, Atlanta on Saturday, New York on Monday and Philadelphia on Wednesday. The games against Cleveland, Miami, and Philadelphia are on the road.

Take away Jordan from the Washington lineup and you’ve got a team that looks more like a National Basketball Development League (NBDL) doormat. Jerry Stackhouse is not a leader in the Jordan mold. He was traded out of Philadelphia and Detroit, raising doubts on his reliability as an anchor player.

Jordan rescued Stackhouse from a shaky career situation by recruiting him for Washington because they’re both North Carolina products. As everyone knows, MJ has a soft heart for his alma mater and former Tar Heels. There’s no other reason why Jordan signed up a stiff like Brendan Haywood.

Jordan is surrounded by players who’ll find it difficult to start for any other team in the NBA. Tyronn Lue was booted out of the Los Angeles Lakers and landed in Washington. Kwame Brown has as much potential to become a star as Haywood. Jahidi White is a lumbering 6-9, 290-pounder who’s a poor excuse for a starting center.

Jordan fans are praying the Wizards make it to the playoffs, for his sake. But let’s face it. Washington doesn’t deserve to advance. Jordan must share the blame with general manager Wes Unseld for the kind of roster that Washington has. He had a hand in bringing in Brown (he was the first high schooler ever to be picked first overall in the draft), Juan Dixon, and Bobby Simmons–all of whom are far from being respectable.

When Jordan finally retires, Washington will be left with a team that’s destined to remain a cellar dweller for years. That’s why it’s rumored that Jordan is seriously considering to leave Washington and start a new life at Charlotte, the NBA’s latest expansion team. And if Jordan returns to North Carolina, will he unretire once more to take on a new challenge in his career?