Jordan’s Return Has Makings of TV Series

The new NBC drama Monday nights, about a female medical examiner in Boston, is called “Crossing Jordan.”

Morning Briefing thought it was about Michael, of course, a male basketball player in Washington.

It could have been a fast-paced series on ESPN, with brave newspaper columnists actually daring to criticize the hoop legend.

And in the brand new world of Planet Jordan, Part III, there could be plenty of episodes, enough for a full season.

Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle leads off with a provocative opinion:

“How come everything Michael Jordan says in those prepared statements sounds like it’s been filtered through three layers of PR pomposity?

“Hey, Bill, can you take this latest statement we wrote for Jordan, punch it up and make it sound just a little more stilted and pretentious?”

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Add Jordan: Ostler also raised another pertinent issue:

“To prep for his comeback, Jordan put together high-caliber pickup games and hired NBA refs to work ‘em.

“If you think the zebs were charitable to Mike before, how will it be now that they’ve been on his payroll?”

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More Jordan: Johnette Howard of Newsday had some advice for the 38-year-old:

“Years from now, I don’t want to hear Jordan admit he belatedly realized instead of playing again, he should’ve done what other guys do when they have a midlife crisis.

“Buy a Corvette and get a toupee.”

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Trivia time: How many times has Mark Messier scored 50 goals or more in one season?

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King of pain: The Bear Bryant record chase is getting tougher to watch with each passing week, the two coaches involved trying to move forward on a wince and a prayer.

Michael Mayo of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel believes the late Alabama coach is pulling some strings:

“Penn State’s Joe Paterno and Florida State’s Bobby Bowden have to be wondering if Bryant, from on high, has mounted some kind of Star Wars defense around his major college victory record.

“Because the closer Paterno and Bowden come to Bryant’s magic number 323, the harder it seems to crack.

“Even from the great beyond, Bryant is proving to be one tough SOB of an opponent.”

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Gentleman Jeff: Joe Posnanski of the Kansas City Star on Jeff Gordon:

“Nobody said it was easy being the nice guy in the sport of rebels.

“So many race fans are drawn to the guys wearing black, the daredevils who would just as soon ram you into a wall as look at you.

“At times, Gordon must feel like Richie Cunningham at a Harley rally.”

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Action auction: The first couple of tennis-related items on the Auction for America raised close to $9,000.

Andre Agassi’s racket, used during his 2001 Australian Open victory, had 28 bids and closed at $4,850.

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Trivia answer: Once.

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And finally: Martin Fennelly of the Tampa Tribune, on the Buccaneers’ inability to close:

“Want to scare the Bucs’ offense on Halloween?

“Dress up as an end zone.”