His Airness Makes IT TO THE HALL

Its no surprise Michael Jordan is in the Hall of Fame ... What took so long ? He is the number one reason a player shouldn't have to be retired to make the Hall of Fame .

In 1998 , everyone thought Michael Jordan's famous shot over Byron Russell was his last. Who knew Michael Jordan would end his career sporting a # 23 Wizards Jersey in Philly? MJ came back when the game of basketball was in search of someone to be as dominant and desire-filled as he has showcased time and time again. Jordan's last comeback was questioned because some thought he would fail or tarnish his basketball legacy ... He came back because he still had something left ... There were little critics because he made the NBA worth watching again.

Michael Jordan came back in 1993 , as he was trying to find himself in basketball again. He scored 55 points in his fourth game back against the Atlanta Hawks. He torched the Knicks in the Semi-Finals of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Though everything for Jordan was piecing together , he had to make the transformation from helping build the house to becoming the head of the company all over again. Everyone knew that Orlando would get their way with Jordan when he came back , but Jordan does not make the same mistake twice. He took his place atop the NBA leading the Incredi-Bulls to a 72-10 record the next season. He was in his prime and knew he had to take his body through the ultimate grind inorder to endure a long season which he knew would end with conquering Larry O'Brian trophy for another time.

He led the second three-peat this time with Scottie Pippen , Dennis Rodman , and Ron Harper. It was a stretch for a supporting cast that contained Bill Cartwright , Horace Grant , and John Paxson. Michael Jordan took a backseat in the 1997 , as he told Steve Kerr to take the game winner that knocked off Utah . In 1993 , Jordan realized he had to share the ball with a sharp-shooter named John Paxson. He did and the Phoenix Suns ended up losing their sense of pride ... did they really think Jordan was going to lose ?

" Whoever who doesn't think we're going to win ...get off the damn plane," Jordan said as a cigar hung from his mouth and he held a can of beer in his hand. " I only packed clothes for one game."

Jordan made defense and passing as much apart of his game , he wasn't all about scoring every point... he wanted to win and knew how to win. He was a player of head games , an intimidator to teammates and opposing players alike , and he was a jaw-dropping showstopper from day one.
He had the amazing dunks , the eye-opening shots , and made decsions that kept the Bulls such a great basketball power. He opened the doors for Bryant , James , Wade , Anthony , and the new generation of the NBA.

His tounge wagging through the air as he dunked over oafy centers ... His ownership of outspoken guards like Byron Russell and John Starks ... You really thought you could actually hang with Michael Jordan ? His shrug after he switched hands on a lay-up against then-Portland TrailBlazer Clifford Robinson ... MJ made that one look easy!! He was a coach on the floor , as the first three peat feared him ... the next three peat fed off his aggressiveness to dominate the dominant . Jordan never took a game off and wanted the ball in his hands ... he was the catalyst of Bulls even without the basketball.

Michael Jordan played role of Superman against the Eastern conference. Alanzo Mourning and Patrick Ewing ... and even SHAQ disrespected the legendary floor general by thinking and even letting out that they would send the Bulls packing before the finals. Jordan just took over all aspects of the games making sure all three big men had a taste of defeat in their mouths for years to come.

Why did the Wizards comeback go wrong ? Only Jordan wanted to win . All know that Kwame Brown was a bust and in all accounts ... he still is . Kwame was intimidated by the presence of Jordan because he did not know the concept of winning ... Jordan was eager to win in the capitol city right away ... Kwame would have rather filled the stat sheet with a below .500 record.

Jordan finally knew he had lost his teammates , as they did not listen to the coach and could never finish what they started. Even with Jerry Stackhouse , Larry Hughes , and Charles Oakley ... the Wizards had no desire of clinching the 8th and final playoff spot . It was just a sad ending for a man that saved basketball ... Michael Jordan made basketball worth watching even when he missed a game winner on opening night and scored only two points ... He did hit a few game winners and even scored 40 points to make himself the greatest player ever to sport a Wizards uniform.

Michael Jordan will forever be the greatest player to play the game of basketball . There will only be one Michael Jordan , and the players that are carrying the torch once held by Jordan ... their good , but they will never be considered great like Michael Jordan .

A Runner's Christmas

Its not just a open road race . Its a day of history because its when the past , present , and future runners gather for a morning of runnig and resurecting the distance runner.

I have come to find content in no longer getting up on Saturdays mornings to run for the red and gray of Bristol High. Joining the Warriors coaching staff has become a very profilling part of my life. I have watched as boys have become productive and respectable young men. The greatest part of my coaching career thus far is having my legs , body , and mind to teach running.

Athletes yen to put on a football jersey , a basketball uniform , a baseball jersey , or any other major sports' uniform one last time ... some do and some don't. Every second Saturday in September a runner can take a run down memory lane. Thanks to Coach John Mundy of Holy Ghost ... runners can train long and hard over the Summer to entertain the locals for another time.

The preperation for this one day means alot to me . I am able to understand and appreciate the fact I still have my health and the strength to run 6-12 miles during the Spring and Summer months. I love losing myself in a long distance run on a Saturday afternoon or after church on Sunday . Losing the feeling in my legs unleashes the determination that comes from within. A distance runner always looks to finish what is started. A pain from the previous day is used as adrenaline for the next run.

The Mill Street run has been a very eye opening ride. I started as a freshmen coming in 60th place ... In my sophmore year I finished 55th . As I started to understand the art of running , my preperation and determination led to a 5th place finish in my Junior year... this did lead to a mediocre finish in the district meet , but it only became a building block to finish my Warrior career. My final Mill Street run in a Warriors uniform came with a 14th place finish. I was looking forward to winning the race , and upsetting Holy Ghost . I didn't win the race , but I made it a priority to improve and make an impact in every race I ran in. I came back after graduating from Bristol High , but little training and no desire only led to a 52nd finish. I was lost and found myself losing my touch as a runner. I did not want to quit by any means , so the next Summer I trained long and hard to get back what I wanted ... I challenged myself and worked on coming back to full form. I finished 17th overall and found myself enjoying running again.

This year is a very important year for me because I feel last year's Mill Street run has an * next to it . Running in October instead of September is like a lockout in any major sport. There is half the determination and desire to participate. My body endured the run , but there was little desire to win the race . I came in 17th place and that will never change , but I do wish to win one Mill Street run before I hang up the cross-trainers for good. The rain has abbreviated my workout leading to the big run , but I continue to keep my mind and body focused on the task at hand . What ever happens ... I can keep my head held high because I run the races with dignaty and respect for this sport.

There is no better feeling then getting up for my Warriors during their running seasons. I have grown into a more positve individual , as I can now pass my knowledge of running upon a runner willing to put it all on the line for our brand. I appreciate the privledge Coach Jones and Coach Mcginn have cast upon me ... an oppurtunity to coach and share the triumph of a rich a rich running tradition. And for that I am most appriecative.

The Mill Street run is why I run Saturday afternoons after work in the off-season. I take it all in on a Sunday morning after church ... thanking God that I still have feeling in my legs and my mind ... the spirit to cope through life. Running will always be apart of my life because there is no feeling of rejuvinating the body as it feels tired and strained. Everything becomes understandable and positive once I take all my feeling out through the pounding of the pavement , as I pump my arms and legs to finish every run. Running has made me apprciate my life and those I share it with.

The Mill Street Run is a holiday for runners because each and every year runners gather to share , learn , and teach one another the art of running . Its a celebration of what once happened , what can happen . and what is to come with the discovery of desire.