As frustrated as Michael Jordan has been over the Charlotte Bobcats lack of success, its just not in his competitive DNA to tank games. Forget that the NBA would likely hand down a hefty fine and fans would probably boycott if a team admitted to doing that. Jordan said Friday that purposely losing games in hopes of getting a top pick in the next draft is no way to fix a rebuilding franchise. The Bobcats owner scoffed at the idea, telling The Associated Press, I dont know if some teams have thought of that. Thats not something that we would do. I dont believe in that. He laughed heartily and said, If that was my intention, I never would have paid [free agent] Al Jefferson $13 million a year. Jordan, 50, hasnt been able to translate his on-court success to winning as an NBA owner and executive. He won six NBA titles as a player, but Charlotte is 62-168 in his three full seasons as majority owner. The Bobcats were 21-61 last season. Still, he doesnt believe there are shortcuts to winning. While the 2014 draft offers hopes to fledgling teams with talented players like Andrew Wiggins at Kansas and Dukes Jabari Parker, Jordan made it clear he isnt thinking about losing. Its not guaranteed [the player] you are going to get is going to be that star anyway, Jordan said. I did read that certain teams are thinking about doing it, but Im not one of them. So lets alleviate that conversation. Jordan, who was in a relaxed mood at the Bobcats headquarters hours before his teams home opener, has been widely criticized for his failures with the Bobcats and for his struggles in the front office with the Washington Wizards. He said some of that comes with the territory. Its somewhat unfair, but you come to expect it, said Jordan, who became the majority owner of the Bobcats in 2010. You set certain standards as a player that transcend whatever you do. It goes where you go. You will be wearing that around your neck so that when people see the name they expect the results. Its somewhat unfair, but it is what it is. I dont let it define me. Jordan said he remains committed to the Bobcats and said hes tried to be transparent with the fans about the direction of the team. This past offseason, he used the amnesty clause on forward Tyrus Thomas, a move that took his hefty contract off the books. The Bobcats still have to pay Thomas $18 million, but the move freed up that money under the salary cap as part of a one-time policy under the new collective bargaining agreement. Charlotte used that money to sign Jefferson to a three-year, $41 million contact and to re-sign guard Gerald Henderson for $18 million over three seasons. I mean, that was a statement, Jordan said of his commitment to the Bobcats. I still have to pay more than $17 million, but it was a move that we needed to make to build and go get a guy like Big Al. Jordan believes that the teams young core of players -- along with Jeffersons experience -- will help the Bobcats become more competitive. He also feels like he finally has the right man in charge in new coach Steve Clifford, a longtime NBA assistant who took over for Mike Dunlap, who was fired after one season. Were focused on what were trying to do, Jordan said. I think the direction were moving is positive. ... It is baby steps. Every now and again, you have a hiccup. But I must admit that were headed in the right direction, and Im very happy with that. The Bobcats, however, along with other small-market teams, are at disadvantage in free agency. The stars want to go where the lights are, Jordan said. He said last year he didnt think the new CBA did enough to help level the playing field for small-market teams in terms of helping them land -- or keep -- high-profile difference-makers in free agency. A year later, after seeing the system at work, he has eased up on that stance. Its better, Jordan said. We are still going through and seeing the full effects of it. From a business standpoint, if you operate your team in the right way, it gives you a chance to break even or be profitable. And it makes it more difficult for your talent to get up and go somewhere else. You can provide more advantages than other teams to keep your player. Its a fair assessment that if you get your star, you can get parity within the league. I think parity is starting to happen within the league. Jordan doesnt feel players orchestrating deals that land a trio of stars in big markets to form a big three is necessarily good for the game. Im not a big advocate for it, Jordan said. I came from an era where it didnt happen. If that happened to evolve from the draft, then you seemed pretty smart. - Budha
Posted on: Fri, 01 Nov 2013 20:39:53 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015