By Brian A. Lester

There are so many memories and so little time to recall them all.

Michael Jordan played his final game in the Windy City Friday night, and while it was again difficult to see Jordan on the court wearing the uniform of the enemy, one thing is for certain: His Airness will always belong to Chicago.

Fans roared at jet-engine volume during pre-game introductions, and though he scored only 11 points in the Wizards' loss, he can be forgiven for providing his fans with a human performance on an emotional night.

Jordan, after all, still has a tough time playing like his spectacular self at his old stomping grounds, but the special moments he has given us over the years should be savored nevertheless.

Over the course of his storied career, Jordan has dazzled crowds with gravity-defying dunks and sensational shots that seem damn near impossible for mortals to make. He has given the Bulls six NBA championships and a countless number of other special moments that not even the passing of time can steal.

And even at age 40, at a time in his life when many critics believed he should be off playing golf every day rather than the game he loves with unmatched passion, he still has his magical touch.

It's a magical touch that has allowed him to catapult a once-woeful Wizards franchise right into contention for the playoffs.

Its a magical touch that has allowed him to conjure up a 30-point performance every once in a while, and a magical touch that allows him to make opponents look bad on any given night.

Age has certainly not touched Jordan the way it touches so many other athletes who attempt to squeeze every last drop of fame out of their careers when retirement would be a much wiser option.

Yet, at the same time, Jordan's final appearance in Chicago was a reminder that a phenomenal athlete is reaching the end of his life as a basketball player.

Certainly, it would be a thrill to see Jordan guide Washington deep into the postseason and perhaps, if the stars are lined up right, march the Wizards right into the NBA Finals in June.

The possibility exists, and with Jordan, we have all learned that anything is possible.

Many believe once Jordan is gone, it won't matter because the hopeful heir to his throne is a mere five months away from being the No. 1 pick of the draft.

Jordan is simply too special of a player to replace, and all of us should keep that in mind long after the final chapter No. 23's career has been written.


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