Source: Jordan To Return Third Straight Practice With Bulls Fuels Speculation; Jordan Won’t Say

Michael Jordan, estranged from the sport he adopted, is returning to the game he once ruled, a source told The Associated Press on Thursday night.

“He’s done with baseball,” said the source, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “He’s going to play basketball. It won’t be tonight, tomorrow or the next day, but it will be soon. … He’s going to take a couple of weeks to tune up.”

Thursday marked the third straight day Jordan practiced with the Chicago Bulls.

“As far as Michael and all the speculation in basketball, we just have to hang tight here and wait to see what goes on,” Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson said.

“He and I spoke about this possibility happening last September and October,” Jackson said. “It’s a reality … but it’s still not a reality. So we’re not pinning any hopes and we’re not trying to throw up a balloon or a kite that’s not ready to fly.”

After the Bulls’ 2-hour practice, the 32-year-old Jordan drove off in his Range Rover without comment. And spokesmen for the Bulls, the Chicago White Sox and Jordan’s agent said no announcement was forthcoming.

Jordan led the Bulls to NBA titles in 1991, 1992 and 1993. He then shocked the sports world on Oct. 6, 1993, retiring with a 32.3-point scoring average, best in NBA history. Jordan said he had “reached the pinnacle” and had nothing left to prove.

Rather than kicking back, however, Jordan provided another surprise a few months later when he announced he’d try to play baseball with the White Sox, who are owned by Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

Jordan, who hadn’t played baseball since high school, batted .202 at DoubleA Birmingham last season. He went to spring training hoping to move up to Triple-A Nashville this season, but the major league strike left him in limbo.

He missed one deadline for reporting to minor league camp in Sarasota, Fla. General manager Ron Schueler said Thursday that if Jordan didn’t report by Saturday, “I’d guess that he’d be retired.”

Jordan, who practiced with the Bulls a few times before spring training without drawing much attention, showed up Tuesday and watched films with Jackson and the other coaches.

Jordan then worked out with the team Wednesday and Thursday.

“The reason we’ve always encouraged him to come back to practice is because he’s got a knack for elevating the play on the court,” Jackson said. “That leadership is evident, regardless of whether his shooting touch - which is not there - is on or not.”

Jordan, whose number 23 has been retired and who has been honored by a statue outside the new United Center, was the first player on the court Thursday morning. He shot baskets with Toni Kukoc before the rest of the Bulls joined in. Jordan was wearing a white sleeveless Bulls T-shirt, a pair of red shorts and white Nikes.

The screen that prevents the media from watching practice was then completely lowered, meaning reporters had to depend upon other players for information about the workout.

“He’s practicing with the second unit. It’s not like he’s coming in and we’re running plays for him,” B.J. Armstrong said. “When someone gets tired on the floor, he just steps in. I don’t think it’s anything he hasn’t done before. I just think now it sounds better because baseball is striking.”

As for Jordan’s intentions, Armstrong said: “I wouldn’t be surprised with anything Michael does. He’s full of surprises. I won’t dare ask him personally. That’s none of my business.”

Scottie Pippen, who has been unhappy both with his contract situation and with the dismantling of the championship team, said: “I’d be happy to have any of my past teammates back.”

Even ex-adversaries would like to see Jordan return to the NBA.

Danny Ainge, whose Phoenix Suns lost to Chicago in the 1993 Finals, said Jordan’s return would turn the Bulls, now 30-30, into “a contender, automatically.”

“I think he’s great for the game, and he’s the best player of all time, and I’d love to see him come back,” Ainge said.

Reinsdorf offered few clues on Jordan’s actions.

“I haven’t talked to Michael. I like him with the White Sox or the Bulls. Whatever makes him happy, I’m for,” he said Thursday from the owners’ baseball meetings in Palm Beach, Fla.

Earlier, when asked if he thought Jordan was coming back to basketball, Reinsdorf replied, “Who knows? It could be.”

Jordan’s agent, David Falk, was out of his Washington office and was not returning telephone calls.

Bulls GM Jerry Krause said Wednesday Jordan’s workouts with the team were insignificant because “the door is always open for him.”

NBA spokesman John Maroon said there would be no league obstacles to Jordan rejoining the Bulls.

“The only thing the league is concerned about is that there is a spot on the roster,” Maroon said.

It was unclear how Jordan would fit under the Bulls’ salary cap. He has two years remaining on a contract reportedly paying him $4 million a year.