THE LATEST LINE: AIR JORDAN FANS MUST NOW PLAY WAITING GAME

None of us know whether Michael Jordan painted his final hoops masterpiece last Sunday.

But as sports fans, we should all be grateful for what basketball's best-ever artist has given us over the past decade.

He's given us enough highlights to last a lifetime -- and he's been such a class act along the way -- which is all any fan can really hope for.

What Jordan did against the Utah Jazz to give the Chicago Bulls their sixth NBA championship only served to further stamp himself as not only the greatest basketball player ever but also the greatest clutch performer in the history of the sport -- and maybe even in the history of any sport.

Now, this is not only my opinion, although I firmly believe it. Even some of the best players from other eras -- some of the best players ever -- have said that Jordan heads up the all-time list, no question about it.

Even Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, after being stung by Jordan's heroics in the final moments of last Sunday's game six, said that the way Michael will be remembered is simple: as the greatest player ever.

Which brings us to two hot -- make that sizzling -- topics of discussion, topics that began well before the NBA Finals and will continue to draw all kinds of interest until they are resolved.

1) Will Jordan be back for another season?

2) Will the Bulls as we know them be back for another championship run?

As for No. 1, the question of should Jordan retire, that's really a tough call.

Jordan is such a proud person, he definitely wants to go out on top, to leave the sport when he's still playing at an extremely high level.

And what better way to go out -- and to be remembered -- than the final shot he hit to beat the Jazz, when he almost broke Bryon Russell's ankles with a killer crossover dribble and then buried the 17-foot jumper with five seconds left.

But on the other hand, I'm sure he also doesn't want to get out too soon, to leave while his talents and competitive spirit are still so extraordinary. And, even at 35, they most certainly are.

As for the Bulls staying together, to me that's a no-brainer. I said it during the regular season, when all the talk about breaking up the team had already started, and I'll say it again. You keep the champions together until they final relinquish their title. Then you can start making wholesale changes.

The Bulls might not have been as dominating in the playoffs this year as they were in seasons past. Maybe those aging and aching bodies didn't react or hold up as well as they have in years past.

But they still prevailed. And as long as No. 23 remains on the Bulls' side, I'd say they have a pretty fair chance of winning yet another championship next year.

So don't break up the Bulls.

And Michael, why don't you play another year or two. Us basketball fans are certainly not tired of seeing you paint those brilliant works of art.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian