Orem » The Utah Flash open their NBA Development League home season Monday night at the McKay Events Center against Dakota.
Bryon Russell will be in the house.
But will Michael Jordan?
Flash owner Brandt Andersen has offered Russell and Jordan the chance to play a $100,000 game of one-on-one at halftime. The winner would donate the money to the charity of his choice.
"I have a check ready," Andersen said.
Russell has committed to play and will fly to Utah on Monday morning.
Jordan's participation is less certain.
Asked about the likelihood of Jordan's appearance tonight, Andersen wrote in an e-mail Sunday: "Apparently we will know for certain [today] at 1 p.m. Air Jordan time."
Andersen adds a disclaimer, however.
"Even if I had it in writing," he said, "I'd say it might not happen by virtue of who we're dealing with. If it doesn't, we've still got something played that will be almost as amusing."
As the basketball world knows, the last battle between Russell and Jordan came during Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals.
With the Bulls trailing by one in the final seconds, Jordan drove on Russell, appeared to push him aside and buried a jump shot that gave the Bulls another world championship.
Jordan mocked Russell during his Hall of Fame induction speech last September, setting the wheels in motion for Andersen's attempt to get them together for a game of one-on-one.
Last week, Russell told ESPN, "I know all of Los Angeles wants to see this. All of Utah wants to see this. And I'm pretty sure all of Chicago and everybody else wants to see this. This could be bigger than the O.J. trial."
Beyond the Russell-Jordan hype, the Flash sit atop the NBA D-League's Western Conference with a 4-1 record.
Guard Dontell Jefferson has been outstanding so far, averaging 18 points a game. Defensively, coach Brad Jones' team allows opponents to shoot only 40.3 percent.
Dakota, which is 2-2 so far, has a Rocky Mountain flavor to its roster.
Former UNLV forward Romel Beck is the Wizards' top scorer. He averages 21 points a game.
Dakota's backcourt features former ex-Montana star David Bell (15.3 ppg) and Wyoming product Jason Straight (10.5 ppg).
