Washington - Orlando @ 8th Spot

I thought this would be the year Grant Hill finally made an impact in Orlando, especially after he played well early. When he sat out a couple of games and played sparingly in others, I figured there would be a few blips along the way. Now the talk is of moving on, hints at retirement or a contract buyout.

If Hill does retire, it would be a shame, because he would most likely be labelled as someone who never lived up to his potential - someone who couldn't fulfil the expectations fans had of him due to nagging injuries. Like Anfernee Hardaway, he will unfortunately be added to the list of players who were meant to be stars for years to come, but never quite firmly established that status due to injuries or other reasons.

if they buy him off, they'll have cap space for pretty much anybody next year ..... interesting.......... but if he can come back, i would love to see what he and tmac can do given the time to create real chemistry. I'm fantasizing the next mj-pippen i really like hill too!! he was such a good guy. oh well. if he comes back i'd like to see him run the point, tmac at sg/sf and giricek the other sg/sf with gooden running the post, and if orlando can get tryone hill or by some stroke of gods hand ratliff (though i doubt they could fit his salary) or some other tough rebounding defense guy that team would be impressive.

I think they could still surpise in the playoffs if tmac turns it SUPER on lol.... i mean like 45 10 and 10 a game !!! i wish... though i remember a time mj averaged like 40 (or more?) a game in a series

if they buy him off, they'll have cap space for pretty much anybody next year

I'm pretty sure that he'll be forced to retire and they'll need to apply for an injury exception type thing. However, this does not guarantee them cap space.

Hill could agree to a buyout which would take the contract somewhat off the cap...which he has talked about doing...

Isn't Hill adamant about giving it one last try though? If that's the case, the Magic won't be able to do anything until the 2004 offseason.

This is not a good sign for the Wiz:

March 4, 2003
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Michael Jordan hurt his back during the second quarter of the Washington Wizards' game against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.

Jordan left the game with lower back spasms. The Wizards initially said it was questionable whether he would return. After halftime, they later announced he would not be back.

Jordan appeared to hurt himself when he twisted his body while making a pass near the free-throw line. He left the game shortly afterward with 4:34 remaining in the first half. He put his hand on his lower back as he walked into the tunnel toward the locker room.

Jordan, who turned 40 on Feb. 17, has not missed a game this season. He's is averaging 19.7 points in what he has said will be his last season.

Definitely not good. Resulted in an 89-86 victory for the Raptors as well, sending the Wizards back to 29-31 and the 9th place in the East. Orlando meanwhile are back over .500 and hold a 1 game advantage over the Bucks for the 7th seed.

The Raptors have shown to be quite a good team now that they're healthy. Would've been playoffs for sure if they'd been healthy all year. Oh.. Carter is so washed up, he sucks.. he'll never return from injury and if he does he'll only be worse...

The Wizards need a miracle. It would suck if MJ can't make it to the playoffs on his last year

The Wizards need a miracle. It would suck if MJ can't make it to the playoffs on his last year

Maybe he shouldn't have retired the other two times then. He had a perfect ending the last time he retired. He had to come back though...so he has to deal witht he consequences of doing so.

The Wizards need a miracle. It would suck if MJ can't make it to the playoffs on his last year

WTF? Stop posting useless comments.

Come on, let's not start another argument in this thread.

What, even you think there are too many arguments and flame wars around? I thought it was just me.

Yes, I do, though as I said because of various factors (especially the timezone difference) I can't always get to them in time. I'd like to appoint some more mods actually, but it's a matter of selecting someone who is willing and able.

You can try me out, I basically come here everyday to read if not post (it just becomes a routine), but if you don't like it, you can fire me anytime.

Come on Bucks I hope you choke big time. I think it's safe to say that Orlando will be in the playoffs that trade really paid off. All we can hope for now is that the Bucks choke and lose a few games, and the Wiz get their act together and win some of those close ones. I have a feeling they will fall off the pace towards the end of the season, Jordan might miss a few games from fatigue or injury, and I just don't think they can beat good teams without him. However, if they do pull it off and make the playoffs I say watch out cause we all know why they call him Mr. June.

Well I'd like to split the forum up between a few moderators so the duties are fairly even, and the moderators are put in charge of the board(s) they frequent the most. If you're interested, I'll add your name to the shortlist. I'm not ready to appoint anyone just yet but I'll be extending moderator invitations fairly soon, so ig you're interested, stay tuned.

I think the Wizards have a tough schedule in March...

Andrew: choose wisely, you know how everyone hates to flame mods

I think the Wizards have a tough schedule in March...

As to the T-wolves, well at least their next few games, coming up is games against the Lakers (twice) Phoenix, and the other ones are (i think) portand San An, and Utah or something. Back to those two though, I give Washington the edge if MJ gets better quick. If not...So much for JordanGate or w/e it is at nbalive.org

What?! You don't believe in JordanGate?! Blasphemy!!!

Heh anyways.. Yeah I think the Wizards will sneak in, but I'm more worried/excited about the Knicks taking their spot.

Do you think the Knicks could actually sneak past the Wizards? They're four games behind them as it stands today - this is a rough estimate and most likely quite inaccurate, but they'd probably have to win greater than 60% of their final 21 games, while the Wiz would have to win less than 50% of their final 21 games.

That isn't too far fetched for them to do it. It all depends on MJ's health. If he stays healthy, the Wizards will be there. But if he goes down, the Knicks will overtake them. I'm happy to see this though, becuase the Wizards will have pressure on them for the rest of the season and will be ready for the playoffs assuming they make it. Man.. if Mike gets there, watch out. I got a feeling he won't go out without a fight. He may have a 'suprise' for the rest of the league... and ask Dennis Johnson what it means when MJ has a suprise.. heh it has something to do with dropping 63 points when everyone is focused on somthing else.

There's another factor that we haven't considered yet. The Wizards currently lose the tiebreaker to the Bucks for the 8th spot, and the Magic seem to be on their way to securing 7th place or higher. If the Bucks pull ahead, both the Wizards and the Knicks might simply be battling for the 9th place.

I doubt the Bucks will make it... as I said before I'm more concerned with the Knicks getting to the 8th spot than the Bucks. But it should be interesting to see how it all works out