what do you mean that "you strip Hamilton from the picture it is a whole new team." What are you missing? One won 49 games the year before and was also develop a rookie scale Cato, with this frontline Wallace Sabonis (10rpg) Brian Grant Gary Trent Kelvin Cato Jermaine O'Neil The other team is a lottery team with only 3 frontline players in the league longer: Charles Oakley Jahidi White Christian Laettner So, what am I missing? If we are going to measure them in a few years, that measurement first starts with whether Kwama Brown bolts for being treated so poorly in the media by Jordan. There was absolutely no call for that. That was pure SOB behavior and completely cold blooded and surely is a big reason why they fired his ass. And make no mistake. dude was kicked out the door.
btw: I find this title funny, and completely protecting the Jordan legacy. <a href="http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/1901101">Jordan <b>leaves</b> Wizards, eyes Charlotte</a> What's up with titling an article that Jordan "leaves" to "eye" something else...when the only "eye"ing in that article is from the Charlotte owner, and the "leaving" is explained by Jordan this way. <i>"I am shocked by this decision, and by the callous refusal to offer me any justification for it," Jordan said. </i>
The thing that kills me is that MJ started out doing a great job. He dropped those big contracts, and had that team primed to start from scratch. Bad team, yes, but primed to have a load of cap room and great draft picks. He looked like he was going to build the Wiz slowly but surely. And then he decides that he wants to see if he's good enough to take a bad team to the playoffs. (Forget the "teaching them how to win" crap. If that was the case, why did he start? Why sit out practices, the primary time to teach? Why be Option 1 in the offense?) And then he decides to turn his young team into a veteran team. Now, 2 years later, no playoffs, the future of the franchise (Brown) is a basket-case, the roster's a mess, and for the 2nd straight year the Wiz are in so-so draft position. That's 2 years of potentially placing himself out of the Yao Ming & LeBron James sweepstake. I just hope he learned his lesson and does a better job in Charlotte.
Does anyone believe the info posted below (taken from media source)? As usual, Jordan is careful with his public image, making someone else be the bad guy, when you know he would much rather be running a franchise in Charlotte with all-black ownership/management (which is to say, goes home to Charlotte, is part of opening doors regarding league franchises, puts his stamp on a team from scratch...) ----------------------- Jordan Washington Wizards: Michael Jordan may be gone from the Washington Wizard front office, but not the frontpage. "It was well understood that when I finished playing, I would return as president of basketball operations and this was definitely my desire and intention," Jordan said in a statement carried in the NY Times. "However, today, without any prior discussion with me, ownership informed me that it had unilaterally decided to change our mutual long-term understanding. I am shocked by this decision, and by the callous refusal to offer me any justification for it." The franchise is said to have made $30M since Jordan became involved with the team after losing $40M the season before he came.
He met with Abe for 5 whole minutes. That was either cutthroat or planned out. I would not put it past Jordan to have made a deal upfront. But his comments almost suggest otherwise. Using the word callous was pretty strong. So I think the Wizards were just cutthroat on this. And that was that.
I wouldn't say he left Washington in TOTAL shambles. They're better than they were when he arrived. Stackhouse and Hughes can score, Lue is a decent point guard, Laettner is OK, and Haywood is a decent defender. If they let Kwame run loose and let him develop on the floor without Jordan's criticism, I see the Wizards winning 30-35 games.
I can guarantee you he won't play on the Charlotte team, if that's what you mean by learning his lesson.
Ditto...We could have used you in the most respected senior poster poll too...We had a lot of Yao only, Van gundy only, Anti Rudy, Anti Cat, Anti Steve, Anti Eddie, etc candidates..We could have used another.. Rockets Only candidate like yourself.......
Can't be happier to see this happening to Jordan. While he was a fabulous player that I respected, I have always contended he was a media hog, and a player who got away with anything he did on the floor, like the "magical" shot on Russell. I could shove someone down and get that open too, ya know. Phi, How are the Wizards better off other than gate sales. In terms of tickets and merchandise I can buy it, but no way in the team sense. If you think those players learned anything from Jordan, then you must say the younger raptors learned something from Dream this year. It can't work both ways. And this whole thing was so great because I hate Jordan so much. Respect him, yes, but like him, NO. The people in this thread are right, Jordan was doing fine as an executive when he dumped Howard's contract to dallas, but guess what "Mr Jordan" proves what he really craves: the media, the attention, the spotlight. Those are the reasons he came back, besides the one he couldn't be patient which describes most NBA players. So you know what, I feel bad for Kwame Brown and the younger wizards, but in no way do I feel sorry for Jordan. The man finally got put in his place like he truly deserves. And memo to new Charlotte owner Robert Johnson: If you want to win, stay away from Jordan in the front office. You'll thank me later.
I dont agree with that. Kwame looked lost the majority of the time. He has had ample oppurtunity to show everyone why he was such a high draft pick but he appears to lack heart IMO. I cannot belive that anyone thinks he hasnt developed because Jordan was riding his butt to become a better player. If you cant play with the big dogs, get off the porch {I couldnt resist }
