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Jordan still a hot topic

By SHARON GINN

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 25, 2001

The NBA Finals will be starting any day now, and still the hottest topic among those paid to watch the games is a guy who may or may not come off the sideline.

Was TNT studio analyst Charles Barkley, for instance, goading his friend Michael Jordan or just giving his honest opinion when he told the Lakers' Kobe Bryant this week that Bryant is better now than Jordan was at 22? With Barkley, who may or may not join Jordan on the comeback trail, one can never be sure.

As new stars, personalities and teams emerge -- particularly as they have during these playoffs -- the league may not need Jordan (even if the Wizards do). But his return would be a fascinating story anyway, NBC announcer Marv Albert said.

"I think the way things have developed in the playoffs ... it (would be) just another great highlight," Albert said.

Added CNN/SI's Kevin Loughery, "I think Jordan is definitely coming back. And I think it's great for the NBA; it adds a mystique to the game."

NBC analyst Doug Collins, who was hired by part-owner Jordan to become the Wizards' coach after the playoffs, claimed to know no more about his boss' intentions than anyone else.

"I know Michael well enough to know that what he's doing right now is he's finding out in his heart and mind (whether) he wants to compete," Collins said. "If Michael does come back, it's not going to detract in any way from what has gone on (in the NBA). ... What a story it could be if this guy says maybe I'll risk it. ... "

Collins just as smoothy deflected the next question: Is Bryant really better at 22 than Jordan, whom he coached as a young pro?

"I don't ever compare greatness," he said.

RACE FOR RATINGS: The Indianapolis 500 has bigger name recognition -- and a celebrity color analyst in actor Jason Priestly -- but Fox should grab the higher ratings with the Coca-Cola 600 this weekend. For the first time Sunday, both will be on network television. Ratings for Fox's NASCAR coverage are up more than 20 percent from last season's NASCAR races on ABC and CBS. (Last year's Coca-Cola 600 was on TBS.)

ABC's Indy coverage begins at 11 a.m.; the race begins at noon. Fox's coverage begins at 5 p.m., with the race at 5:45. CLASSIC MOMENTS: Sunshine will begin Lightning Summer Flashbacks, a 10-game series replaying the team's most memorable games, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday with the first game in franchise history. On Oct. 7, 1992, the Lightning defeated Chicago 7-3 at Tampa's Expo Hall. Visit sunshine-network.com or tampabaylightning.com to find a schedule and help choose the rest.

SHE'LL BE BACK: The extended absence of WQYK-AM 1010's Sports Arena Tina Langley has nothing to do with the on-air changes the station is making, said operations manager Jeff Ryan. The SportChix co-host has been taking vacation for about a month for personal reasons, Ryan said, and should be back in early June. Meanwhile, Ronnie Lane has temporarily replaced the fired Tom Korun as Scot Brantley's afternoon co-host. Ryan said he still is evaluating whether to make the pairing permanent.

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