The League (III): Dr. J ruins Michael Jordan's sweetest goodbye

 

Julius Erving shoots over a 39 year old Michael Jordan in Philly's win against Washington

1998 was his last dance, or so they say. Maybe he was still hungry, maybe he still conserved all of his magic. Maybe it was just a matter of competitiveness, and he wanted to show the world that he wasn't finished yet.

The story is appealing, isn't it? We got used to the idea that Jordan drove the Bulls to the top. But the Washington Wizards? A team with no stars (highest overall player is a 84-rated Michael Jordan, with Jerry Stackhouse as the back up star), an underdog... that almost blew everyone's mind up.

The Wizards, at the 30 game mark, were at the top of their group. They dominated Kobe & Shaq, Kevin Garnett's Timberwolves, Billups' Pistons... It was completely sick.

But as for every sickness, then it came the Doctor.

The loss to 77' Philadelphia brought the Wizards back to a harsh reality, where a may-be-too-old best basketball player isn't enough to avoid a 2-14 run, to avoid falling from the 1st spot to the 7th, as the rest of teams claimed their spot among the best in NBA history. 

Group V standings

MJ now will have to struggle to get to the elimination rounds. And -who would say- he'll have to face his former teammate, Steve Kerr, as part of a 02-03 San Antonio roster featuring a dominant Duncan, and the young Ginobili and Parker; which comes roaring from the 9th position. Still a lot of games to go, still possibilities for MJ for claiming a Really Last Dance.

On the other side, there is a ringless team that is making a big point: a point about not being forgotten. A point about redemption from the curse of 2002 Western Conference Finals: the Sacramento Kings. Maybe this time they can get the Lakers. Maybe we've forgotten too quickly that Chris Webber, Peja Stojakoic, Vlade Divac, and Mike Bibby got a 1st seed in the Western Conference. Right now, they are claiming their throne.

Group VI standings

And they are doing so over the same Lakers that put a spell on them. How long this will last, is probably up to them. There is some soucy atmosphere in this group. One that may recall those Conference Finals in a best-of-3 3rd Round. Or maybe a star-less underdog 2002 Charlotte Hornets is able to upset them -may it be by a young Larry Bird-. The stakes are high, but their price might be immortality. 

So now that we have known groups V and VI, what's up with our favorite teams? As always, let's get to the updates:

• 00-01 Raptors: they are still at the 7th place, with a 21-20 record, 1 game away from the 9th team.
• 85-86 Celtics: Larry has finally claimed his position with a 9-1 run. They got to the 1st spot of the group, one that they will have to fight with 98 Ewing's Knicks.
• 89-90 Pistons: the Bad Boys are still struggling, and it may not be a surprise at all that they'll have to fight till the end for a playoff spot. After a 4 losses streak, they are 7th, and have 1 game of advantage over a 89 Bulls that are willing a place among the biggest.
• 96-97 76ers: the ship keeps sinking. They hold a 17-28 record as Iverson seems to perform better in Denver. They're last in Group X.
• 94-95 Magic: they got Hardaway back... but they haven't yet gone back to winning. With a disheartening 5-5 run, they are doing enough to hold to the 7h spot - and they are lucky enought to have Alonzo Mourning injured, so he does not help the 97 Heat hunting the Magic-. Still half of the season to go, they'll have opportunities to get court advantage, and they seem able to. But they are now performing under their potential, so the real question is: will they be able of leaving this dynamic?

And this is it for today! Next day, I'll post the 12 group standings as we reach the All Star break. Thank you for reading :)