Columnist Steve Carp: Is tonight the end of a special era?

Steve Carp

Friday, June 12, 1998 | 8:36 a.m.

IT'S TIME TO warm up those VCRs again. The best show on television is possibly making its final appearance.

Take that cassette of the final episode of "Seinfeld" and plan to tape over it to chronicle tonight's fifth game of the NBA Finals. For unlike Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine, you're not going to be able to catch Michael Jordan in syndication. Ditto Scottie, Dennis and Phil.

It may or may not have sunk in, but tonight could be the last time we see the Chicago Bulls as we've come to know and love -- or in some cases, loathe -- them. A win over the Utah Jazz not only means the end of the 1998 basketball season, it may very well mean the end of an era.

At 3-1, the Bulls hold the upper hand. No team has ever come back from that deficit in the finals. Of course, no team has won three straight on its home court since the NBA went to the 2-3-2 format in the 1980s.

Then again, not every team has Michael Jordan. And that's why tonight is must-see TV. Because it's possible this is Air's swan song.

Only Jordan knows whether or not he's through playing. He postured at this time a year ago he might be through, then came back for $37 million and the guarantee owner Jerry Reinsdorf would keep the ol' gang together to defend what was rightfully theirs.

But what if he's not bluffing now? What if Jackson doesn't return? What if Pippen goes to Phoenix or somewhere as a megabucks free agent? What if Rodman decides to take up permanent residence at the Hard Rock Hotel?

What if this, is indeed, the end?

Think about it. No more gravity-defying, tongue-wagging, scintillating moves to the basket. No more piercing glances at the enemy, the beaded sweat on his shaved pate, that wry smile when he did yet another opponent in.

No more Mike.

Are you prepared to deal with that? Are you ready to accept Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson as the NBA's future?

I didn't think so.

So as he prepares to take to the floor for what very well could be the final time, think for a moment what Michael Jordan has meant, not just to basketball, but to America's sporting society, and for that matter, the world's stage.

The most dominating player in this history of his sport, he has earned his rightful place among the 20th Century's athletic icons. He is worthy of sharing a cigar with Babe Ruth, a laugh with Muhammad Ali, a swing of the golf club with Ben Hogan or Jack Nicklaus. His smile could shine as brightly as Pele's. His humility can be measured inch for inch with Wayne Gretzky's.

Each of us has our special Michael Moments. And when our youngsters and teenagers grow up they'll be able to tell their grandkids what it was like to watch him play. His legacy, like the Babe's, will live on long after he has left us.

So whether you love him or hate him, tune in tonight. It might be the last time you get to see the greatest basketball player of all-time do his thing. Even if he hasn't made up his mind, why risk missing him? The show won't go on forever.