He scores 42 points in a mere 30 minutes, preventing Washington from losing their sixth in a row.

Memphis rookie Pau Gasol powers in a dunk for two of his 19 points.

by Fred Schiebel, Head Writer


MEMPHIS -- At some point hopefully this micro-managing of playing time stuff gets thrown out the window.

Michael Jordan scored 42 points in only 30 minutes of work Tuesday night, as the Wizards defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 103-90, a victory that swerved the Wizards off a course that would've saw them equal the six game losing streak they opened up the season with.

"We needed to stop the bleeding," Jordan said. "I was going to find a way to get the win tonight even if I had to die trying."

It was the first time Jordan had crossed the 40+ point barrier this season, although he did manage 39 against Seattle earlier, and 41 in the preseason against New Jersey.

"We needed the win, and he delivered it almost all by himself," coach Doug Collins said. "He never ceases to amaze me."

Pulling out the calculator and adjusting his production to if he had played 40 minutes... he would have had 56 points.

Could he possibly still score 50+ in a game, nearing forty years of age?

"I think so, it's definitely possible," Jordan said. "Maybe not now, but once my knee completely heals, I'd say that's something that's still within the realm of possibility."

The game began in a frenzy of fouls, with Grizzlies Pau Gasol and Rodney Buford both having to go to the pine early in the first quarter. Memphis sub Stromile Swift returned the favor to Washington however, as his constant drives to the hoop ended up sending Christian Laettner and Popeye Jones to the bench as well. Swift had five points in the period, all on free throws. Jordan had 10 points in the first twelve minutes, hitting three of six field goal attempts, guiding Washington to a 28-26 advantage. Tyrone Nesby, replacing the injured Courtney Alexander (left fibula contusion and ankle sprain) as the first man off the bench, scored a quck six points when Jordan headed to the bench for some of that early rest.

In the second quarter Jordan took only three shots, but made two of them. He had 16 points at the break, looking unfazed at this being the last stop on a seven day road trip.

"You got to remember, I sat out the first game [against San Antonio]," Jordan said. "I didn't practice at all either, so I'm a little more fresh than I would have been otherwise. It was one of those nights where I got into a rhythm, and when the ball left my hand it was feeling really good."

He came back well rested after halftime and did even more damage, piling in 18 points in the third quarter alone, hitting baskets every which way to the delight of the sellout Memphis crowd, who were getting their first glimpse ever of the legend. Washington took a 76-69 advantage, and perhaps more importantly, Jordan played the entire period.

"He was hot, and we decided to try to extend the lead to double digits going into the fourth, which didn't pan out," Collins said. "And oh yeah, he probably would've killed me if I had told him to sit down."

The Grizzlies cut the deficit to three early on, 80-77, but Hubert Davis hit three jumpers in a row to up it nine, extending Jordan's breather. He returned with 6:41 left in regulation, after a flying dunk from Swift cut the lead to five, immediately sneaking into the lane for an easy layup. Laettner soon fouled out, but not before his aggressive, goaltended shot gave the Wizards a 90-85 cushion. Jones took over, making an aggressive move of his own to get to the line. He sank both free throws, increasing the advantage to seven with a little under four minutes to go.

Jordan then took over again, delivering in the next three possessions, scoring on a jumper and hitting three of four free throws to boost the lead to twelve with 2:12 to go. Collins took him out, to the standing applause of the Grizzly fans.

"Welcome to the league," Collins said of the city, which the Grizzly organization relocated to from Vancover before this season began. "You didn't get a raw deal not being able to see Michael in his prime. Trust me, it looked a lot like it did tonight."

Jordan's effiency appeared to be something the other players tried to emulate. Davis scored 17 points in only 14 minutes of work, and Gasol still scored 19 points (close to his average) despite being limited by foul trouble. Rookie Shane Battier led the Grizzlies with 25 points, and point guard Jason Williams had 16 points and 12 assists. Another Grizzly 2001 pick, Swift, finished nine points.

Meanwhile the Wizards No. 1 selection, Kwame Brown, finished the night with two points and one rebound.

"It's apples and oranges," Collins said of the comparison. "Pau had been playing professionally before he came over here. Shane came out after four years in college. We know it's going to take some time with Kwame, and we aren't expecting him to match those guys' totals just yet."

If he could somehow manage 25 percent of them, that would probably provide quite the boost.