MJ in Charlotte?

Posted on Sat, Jan. 25, 2003

COMMENTARY

What could be finer than MJ in Carolina?
Jordan's return home could help Charlotte
SAM SMITH
Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO - Michael Jordan played in Chicago for the last time Friday as an NBA player.

For the Washington Wizards.

That's right; this might not be over. Keep those video tributes handy.

The talk around the NBA is that Jordan will join the ownership of the expansion Charlotte team starting in the 2004-05 season. After a year off, why couldn't a 41-year-old Jordan come back and shoot jump shots when it could mean millions of dollars for his next investment? The guy is pretty good now, and John Stockton is playing pretty well at 41.

This speculation has been generally downplayed. Jordan says he's going back to the executive suite with the Wizards, which he is, and Charlotte owner Robert Johnson says he has his management team in place. Ed Tapscott, a longtime Johnson associate, has been named the team's basketball director. He's a competent NBA man who worked for the New York Knicks and the Milwaukee Bucks. But he's a basketball nuts-and-bolts guy.

What makes more sense than Jordan being both the lead figure in a new franchise in the state where he was raised and is revered and the dominant public figure in the first primarily African American-owned franchise in pro sports? It's a natural fit. And does anyone really expect Jordan to spend the rest of his life in Washington, where he still lives in an apartment building?

It's time for Jordan to go home, and he should in a little more than a year.

That also happens to be when Jordan's commitment to the Wizards ends. He agreed to spend five years with the Wizards to resuscitate the franchise. And he will have after next season, though he had to play to accomplish it.

Because of Jordan, Wizards games have become a hot ticket in Washington for the first time in decades. The Wizards have added some good young players and will have salary-cap room to go after free agents. Jordan will have done his job, even if he couldn't attract the elite free agents.

Jordan's deal was said to be worth $50 million in equity in various properties for his commitment, and some say he received an additional $20 million to play the past two seasons. But who sees Jordan signing on for the long haul in Washington? There's no doubt Jordan wants to stay in basketball, and there's little doubt he's not about to become an executive with his former team, the Bulls.

So what makes sense? Charlotte, of course.

That could be one troubled franchise. Sure, it's getting a new arena, but it's going to be the home of miserable players. Check your NBA rosters. In an expansion draft Charlotte will get to pick after each team protects its top eight players. A roster consisting of ninth- through 12th-best players might win 15 games.

It's one thing for a community to support a new team out of civic pride, though there's no guarantee the second time around. Charlotte fans all but boycotted the Hornets their last two seasons there because of the owners. Committed basketball fans? Hardly. And when they see the talent on the court, with the new team not even eligible for the top draft pick in its first season, it's hard to see the enthusiasm growing.

That is, unless it becomes a glamor franchise with Jordan fronting it. Charlotte isn't Chicago. It's more accepting. Many Chicagoans became angry at Jordan for leaving, no matter the circumstances. They understand in North Carolina. Jordan was a collegiate hero, and that's the basketball they prize most in North Carolina.

What better position would there be for Jordan? He says he wants to teach young players how to win. Charlotte will have the lure of starting from scratch. No one will expect too much, and there won't be someone else's mistakes to rectify.

New owner Johnson would have to see the possibilities in linking Jordan's name and reputation to his franchise. Acquiring him would be more important than any single player. And how about getting the franchise going by having Jordan play?

No, it doesn't have to be about making the playoffs. Jordan has shown that doesn't matter to him anymore, that it won't affect his reputation or legacy. Obviously, he still likes to play. And he still plays competitively. There's no shame in that.

So Jordan takes another year off and finishes his business in Washington. Surely the Wizards have taken all they can from his name and involvement. It appears a perfect time to move on.

Jordan then gives instant credibility to the new Charlotte franchise and gets back on the court for one more round of memories. There would not be an empty seat in the new arena. Jordan gets the time to build without the instant analysis. And he's finally back home, where he was raised, attended school and did as much for flight as the Wright Brothers.

No, don't say goodbye just yet.

 

WoW REALLY beating a dead horse

http://www.thisboardrocks.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22341

 

Didn't see your post. Funny this is coming out of Chicago.

 

not really... they don't want to let go of MJ themselves... if he's still playing he'll still return to play against them

 

You should read the ESPN article on their website where one of the writers was saying Jordan might as well go ahead and play another year.