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CNN Live At Daybreak

Can Jordan Keep Up The Pace

Aired September 11, 2001 - 08:26   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
VINCE CELLINI, CNN ANCHOR: The Michael Jordan story -- we continue to follow this: Michael's comeback. His iron will is not an issue, but some wonder whether Michael Jordan, at 38 years old, can get in shape for the rigors of the National Basketball Association and a comeback with the Washington Wizards.

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Now, the betting is that he can do this, and he, of course, will.

Details from John Giannone of CNN's "Sports Illustrated" in Chicago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN GIANNONE, "SPORTS ILLUSTRATED" (voice-over): For most of his 1,109 regular season playoff games, Michael Jordan defied the laws of physics and physicality, a once in a lifetime specimen who turned the NBA into a night at the Improv.

So it is with some irony that Jordan now courts questions and criticisms about his physical prowess.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The injuries that we worry about are muscular tendons injuries, tearing your Achilles tendon, injuring your rotator cuff -- depending on the sport, of course -- pulling a hamstring, tearing your gastroc muscle tendon, rupturing your quadriceps or patella tendon.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, it's a battle for anybody. It's a battle for you or for anybody else to stay in shape, let alone NBA shape.

CHARLES BARKLEY, BASKETBALL PLAYER: As you get older, you lose something, you do get smarter. But I'd rather be really good and dumb than really old and wise.

GIANNONE: The debate rages as to which category Jordan belongs. By the time the season begins in November, his 39th birthday will beckon in three months. His tenure away from the game will have eclipsed 1,200 days, a relative lifetime of inactivity.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You've got to understand the training and the mentality of Michael Jordan. Michael would never be coming back to this game if he wasn't feeling that he could be effective at the highest level that he is right now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you really want to be in good shape, you have to sacrifice your body on the court and also off the court. You can't do the things that the guys are doing on Friday nights and Saturday nights, and you really have to sacrifice the time (ph) to put it in on the court (ph).

GIANNONE (on camera): In addition to redefining his sport, Jordan also revolutionized conditioning off the court. Long before personal trainers were all the rage, Jordan had one. He also brought upper body strength into the NBA consciousness. And while he might have weaned himself off the weights in recent years, Jordan never strayed too far from the court or his considerable talent.

ISAIAH THOMAS, BASKETBALL PLAYER: It won't be that big of an adjustment for him, because skill wise, he knows how to play, knows how to move, knows how get open. And those things are like riding a bike. You never forget how to do those things.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's probably one of the only athletes in the world that can quit a sport, particularly at this age in his career, in his life, and come back successfully. I'll bet on him.

GIANNONE (voice-over): Most are betting on Jordan, because of his trademarks (ph) feel he will. Those who know him say his determination is no different than his open-court magic. That's something that Jordan will never really lose.

JOHN ELWAY, FOOTBALL PLAYER: Once an athlete, you're always an athlete. And whether you're, you know, 60 years old or 39 or 25, you still got that mentality, and you still want to be able to play.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, the thing that always separated Michael was his will and his determination. And so, you know, as I said, if he wants to get in shape, he'll get into NBA game shape.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One thing that Michael has always had more than anyone else I've ever seen is the mental discipline for a pain threshold. He can play with a lot more pain than anyone else can.

GIANNONE: The question now is whether Jordan can still inflict the kind of pain that made him other wordly.

In Chicago, I am John Giannone.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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