Bag it, Michael (with apologies to SI)
I understand what Bob Johnson is trying to do. However, I don't agree with it.
Earlier this week the Charlotte Bobcats' owner named Michael Jordan as an ownership partner with the team. Johnson also put His Airness in charge of basketball operations for the team.
Certainly Johnson is trying to build interest in the team by naming the greatest NBA player, not to mention the greatest Tar Heel, of all time to a high-ranking position with the Bobcats. Johnson also tried to pull in Tar Heel fans last season by drafting Sean May and Raymond Felton. Good public relations move, all of them, but bad basketball moves.
Does Johnson not remember the great Leonard Hamilton and Kwame Brown experiments? Or how about getting rid of Richard Hamilton in return for Jerry Stackhouse.
All of those moves came when Jordan was in Washington trying to turn the Wizards around. It didn't happen. Not even close. In fact, the only success - if you can call it that - during M.J.'s stay in Washington was when he returned as a player. It wasn't success on the floor, but it was in the seats as attendance figured soared.
Since Jordan's playing days are way in the past - at least we all hope that's the case - I'm not sure how this move will benefit the Bobcats. It's possible that Jordan has learned something since leaving the Wizards and will turn out to be a shrewd evaluator of basketball talent. Doubtful, but possible.
My thought - M.J. should stick with running his high-school all-star games and fine turning his golf game. Leave the front office decisions to those who know what they are doing.
- Patrick Hite