By Mike Kahn
SportsLine Executive Editor
Jan. 12, 1999

As the basketball world bemoans the impending retirement of Michael Jordan Wednesday, let's turn the clock back to 1987 when Julius Erving retired from the NBA.

Related Links Jordan's official website Kahn: Jordan goes out on top Jordan farewell chat on Wednesday More Jordan coverage: Jordan calling it quits Reality sets in for fans Knowing when it's over A career of endless highlights Jordan's career gems Are rest of Bulls' stars next? Audio reactions: Luc Longley Alonzo Mourning David Stern Get in the game with a Jordan reversible jersey! Forum: Can anyone take Jordan's place?

The powers-that-be in the league front office were in a panic over the loss of the man who saved the NBA from dying a decade earlier. He was the tireless ambassador for the game when problems constantly arose surrounding cocaine abuse throughout the NBA. A particular airport hotel close to the Oakland Coliseum caused the city where the Warriors play to be referred to as Cokeland.

On strode Dr. J., tirelessly answering every question and maintaining a sane face and head for the sports community. 'Irreplaceable' was the word most often used to describe him as his retirement drew near.

But once he was gone, the fears immediately evaporated. Not only had Jordan officially earned superstar status, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird took the reins from Dr. J. as NBA emissaries. Charles Barkley took over the mantel from Erving in Philadelphia as the superstar, only to transform the role-model persona into a standup comic routine. All across the league, the best players renewed their vows of responsibility. David Robinson was a great player and role model. By 1992, there was an entire Dream Team for the Olympics and memories of Erving were only perpetuated by the latest and greatest slam-dunker.

Now league-wide accountability is even more pronounced.

IT ISN'T SO MUCH THAT JORDAN is so clearly the best player we've ever seen. He is. Erving was never the overall player that Jordan has been -- nor did Dr. J have six championships to show for it. The players are already on red alert since the lockout eliminated the first three months of the season, and they must be accessible and fan-friendly like never before.

So who are the players?

Grant Hill

Is it up to Kobe Bryant to save the NBA this time? (AP)

is an obvious one. The Detroit Pistons star carries himself in the same classy manner as Erving, with an education from Duke and all the requisite skills to be a fan favorite. The other players aren't exactly thrilled with him because he was more vocal in his support of the union during the lockout. That should pass. He's the real thing on and off the court.

Tim Duncan is another one of the most dominant rookies of last year, and the San Antonio Spurs forward/center is also a very bright guy. On the other hand, unlike Hill, he hasn't been the least bit engaging and lacks charisma. So far, he's been a pill. Bird made a big transition after Erving retired. Now it's Duncan's turn.

Shaquille O'Neal has continuously been one of the great drawing cards for the sport and is fun to be around. He has blown hot and cold with the media . . . too often cold. The theory of everybody hates Goliath comes into play here a little bit. Then again, Shaq has a wonderful personality when he's so inclined and can be as much fun to be around as anybody in the sport except perhaps for Barkley.

Kobe Bryant suffered the misfortune of being named the second comingof Jordan at the 1998 NBA All-Star Game in New York as a mere 19-year-old. The consequences were disastrous. He infuriated nearly all of the veterans on the West All- Star team for hogging the ball, was benched by coach George Karl, and struggled the rest of the season with the Lakers in the emotional aftermath. He also was one of a handful of players who voted against the collective bargaining agreement because it cost him tens of millions of dollars he'll never recoup. Nonetheless, he is the most exciting young player to watch and is bright enough to overcome a sophomore lapse of perspective.

WITH JORDAN HEADING FOR RETIREMENT, Gary Payton now is considered the best guard in the game, and he has the personality to be a big-timer in the marketing department. But Payton has been prone to incredible moodiness which has turned off the media and fans from time to time -- that must be overcome. It's time for him to show at the age of 30, and now married, he has matured enough to be a star off the court.

Penny Hardaway was on the fast track to marketing stardom until the last couple of injury-prone seasons pinned a huge question mark on his desire and integrity toward the game. Shaq blamed his problems on living in Orlando and bolted to LA. Penny is claiming the market is the problem too, and may attempt to go elsewhere. Still, it's time Big Penny stopped acting like Little Penny.

Then there's Kevin Garnett, who really started this whole restructuring of contracts with a $126 million deal last year. He's a 7-footer with a $126 million smile and the agility of a shooting guard. Despite all the belly-aching about his contract, he might just be the most capable talent of all (including personality) to help the league win fans back.

There are others who could grow into exciting leaders and players. It's just hard to tell how these guys will grow as people, let alone players. Toronto's teen-ager, Tracy McGrady, has the goods to be one of the most exciting players of this generation. He has been compared to Hardaway and Scottie Pippen in skill. Will he grow up, or not? Same goes for Vancouver's Shareef Abdur-Rahim and New Jersey's Keith Van Horn. Damon Stoudamire has been called the second-coming of Mighty Mouse by some. Is he serious enough to become a personality factor in this whole package of NBA lore?

Left to direct the stage for a few more curtain calls are Barkley, Robinson, Karl Malone and Reggie Miller. Pippen has blown it when it comes to ingratiating himself with the media and fans. He is recognizable, just not lovable, and never acting in the best interest of anybody but himself.

Is this a generation devoid of this sense? Certainly Hill fits every category. Duncan could. The others may.

Most important, everybody must give up this search for the new Michael Jordan. There is no heir to Air. Don't forget his greatest feats because you'll never see another fill his shoes.