TURNS OUT Michael Jordan had at least one more surprise in him. Coming back to a business that seemed to have finally emerged from his shadow last spring, it's not so much what Jordan has looked like on the basketball floor these past few months that has been so striking.

That's because, in truth, there hasn't been much eye candy to munch on. He can't run a whole lot any more, his ballhandling is suspect and his knees are day-to-day. Jordan will be 39 in February - early days for tycoons and ordinary mortals, but wintertime for professional athletes - and truth is, he looks it, even if he wears it well. This is a Jordan model with flaws and dents and rattles, but what's under the hood is precious and rare and that's probably what makes this story so appealing. He's playing the game with efficiency and economy - and, above all, intelligence. In an NBA full of underachieving babies, he remains the ultimate antidote.