Michael Jordan returns to practice
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Michael Jordan's comeback bid is back on track.
Minutes after signing his name on top pick Kwame Brown's contract, the Washington Wizards president morphed into a Wizards prospect, making a surprise appearance at practice for the first time since breaking two ribs.
"Michael was Michael; he looked good,'' guard Chris Whitney said. "He didn't even have to try, the way he moved, used screens and those type of things. He looked good. He went as hard as he could go.''
Jordan even survived some rough contact, getting knocked to the floor the first time the practice went full court. No. 1 overall pick Brown, who signed a three-year, $11.9 million deal, said Jordan showed no effect from the two broken ribs suffered in a pickup game a month ago.
"He got up and played harder. He's Mike,'' Brown said. "You can't keep up with Mike. He's a step ahead of everybody. With two, three broken ribs, it doesn't matter.''
Jordan's injury was supposed to keep him from full-fledged practices or games for six weeks. His return Friday, the first day of a Wizards three-day minicamp, was two weeks ahead of schedule.
"He's feeling much better, and I think he's itching to start getting back into the swing of things,'' coach Doug Collins said. "But I know his spirit and heart is to start pushing it and to get himself into condition. With him, I just sort of sit back and watch. With him being president of the team, I think we'll keep two spots open for him.''
Jordan tried to keep his workout a secret, leaving by a side door while reporters were kept waiting in a hallway outside the Wizards practice court. He was not available for comment. Collins didn't even mention that Jordan had practiced, leaving the players to spill the beans.
Brown said he could tell Jordan was in such a hurry to get to practice when they were upstairs signing the contract.
"He was ready to go down. He just signed his name and left,'' Brown said. "He was ready to play.''
As for Brown, the first high school player to be drafted No. 1 overall, he ended his first practice by making his first two clutch NBA shots. Alone at the line, he sank two free throws that kept the team from running six wind sprints.
Brown was immediately surrounded and congratulated with hand-slaps and high-fives.
"Nobody likes to run,'' Brown said.
Brown said the first thing that needs work is his conditioning.
"I'm not ready to compete at an NBA level,'' Brown said. "I didn't know the game was this fast. On TV, it looked real slow. I thought college was faster.''
Brown is a 6-foot-11, 240-pound center from Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Ga. At 19, he is the youngest player taken with the first overall pick. His first real game action comes next week in a summer league tournament at Boston.
Meanwhile, Collins confirmed the team has reached an agreement to sign free-agent point guard Tyronn Lue. The deal can't be officially announced until Wednesday, the first day free agents can sign with other teams.
Lue played strong defense on Allen Iverson in the NBA Finals. He averaged 3.4 points and 1.2 assists in 38 games for the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
Lue would share point guard duties with Whitney, who said he had recovered from the ankle injuries that bothered him last season.
