Air Jordan Left for Good

The regular season of NBA ended yesterday, along with the much beloved career of Michael Jordan (Washington Wizards).

Jordan, who has promised to retire by this season, finished up his career yesterday in an away against Philadelphia 76ers. Jordan finished with 15 points, four rebounds and four assists in 28 minutes -- drawing several adoring ovations from the last sellout crowd that will ever watch him play. But his team lost 87-107 to 76ers. "I was very true to the game, and the game was very true to me. Now I guess it hits me that I`m not going to be in a uniform anymore--and that`s not a terrible feeling,¡° Jordan said afterward. "It`s something that I`ve come to grips with, and it`s time. This is the final retirement. That makes me sad.¡°

Jordan has left for good, but the playoff will start from Sunday, pitting 8 leading teams in the East and the West Conference against each other. First, LA Lakers will take on Minnesota Timberwolves. To advance, either has to make four wins out of the total seven games. The "fight" between MVP candidate Kevin Garnet (Timberwolves) and Koby Bryant (Lakers) will entertain the basketball fans. For the first time, Dallas Mavericks won 60 games and will take on Portland Trail Blazers.

In the meanwhile, in the East Conference, Detroit Pistons in top seed is to vie with Orlando Magic, while New Jersey Nets should have a bout with Milwaukee Bucks.

In the meanwhile, individual races are dominated by players in the East Conference. Tracy McGrady (Orlando) led the NBA with his 30-point average for the first time, and Wallace of Detroit Pistons topped the league with most rebounds twice in a row. Other races in assists, block shoot and blocking are championed led by East Conference players

Jong-Seok Kim kjs0123@donga.com