Just say no to Jordan

Charlotte owner should not turn franchise over to MJ

Last week Sports Illustrated named Robert L. Johnson, the owner of the NBA's Charlotte expansion franchise (Bob, pleeeese pick a name so we can all stop writing that phrase!), as the most influential minority in the sports industry. Many readers interpreted the acknowledgement as a recognition of Johnson's "power" as the first African-American member of the most exclusive club in sports -- majority franchise owners. Power is often interpreted as the ability to get things done, to exert one's own will and desires on a situation. But in my view, power often is best demonstrated when one resists the temptation to do what one can do and instead does what one should do.

Johnson has the opportunity to show some real muscle by not doing something he seems increasingly inclined and eager to do: He should not hire Michael Jordan.

From the moment Jordan was unceremoniously fired by Washington Wizards owners Abe Pollin and Ted Leonsis on Tuesday after a rocky tenure as the team's president of basketball operations/pile-driving teammate, Johnson sounded absolutely giddy over the prospect of aligning his new franchise with basketball's greatest player ever. He said that Jordan, a longtime friend, could have the same title he held in Washington with Charlotte, if Jordan wanted it. Johnson even said he'd entertain the notion of Jordan buying a stake in the team. Anything less, Johnson said, would be "like having the greatest chef in the world and telling him he's not allowed in the kitchen."

Not exactly. Jordan was dumped, it appears, precisely for failing to find the right ingredients, and for creating a dish that, well, wouldn't exactly stir the judges on Iron Chef.

Jordan's personnel moves, through the draft and free agency, were, at best, mediocre. And then he apparently alienated Wizards players with intimidating tactics and demonstrated an immense intolerance for anything less than perfection.

On the flip side, Jordan straight up bailed Pollin out financially. According to league sources, the Wizards lost about $40 million in the year prior to Jordan's return to the court. Once in uniform, Jordan prompted a string of sellouts and enhanced the sale of luxury suites. As a player, he meant about $30 million annually to the Wizards -- meaning Pollin lost only $10 million during Jordan's first season on the court and earned a profit of about $20 million this season.

Moreover, Jordan played for a measly $1 million last season (which he donated to charity) and $1.5 million this season, which he kept. The league's average player salary exceeds $4 million.

For all of that, Jordan was booted. Treated like, well, an employee.

As he drove away from the MCI Center in Washington on Tuesday following his dismissal, with the top down on his shiny Mercedes convertible, you had the feeling that Jordan was headed due south. Only figuratively, of course. Because he wouldn't have to drive far to meet with Johnson, whose offices are also in D.C.

As of Friday, Johnson says he has not scheduled a meeting with Jordan. But when it happens (and it will), the media mogul should pull out a cigar, hand it to Michael and say, "Let's stay friends, and not work together."

Why?

Simple: Michael's not ready. Some of the very attributes that made him a great player -- boundless confidence, an intolerance for imperfection and an absolute distaste for losing -- hamper him as an executive. "In his mind, Michael is God," offered a longtime NBA observer who knows Jordan well. "He does not acknowledge mistakes. Hopefully [getting fired] will help him realize that he is human."

This observer also said Jordan lacks an attribute critical to any successful manager: compassion. "He's a terrific individual but his compassion is at the bottom of the scale," he said. "In his whole basketball life he will compare players to himself. He can't handle losing. When he loses, everyone around him will suffer."

Think about it: What do expansion franchises do more than anything? Lose. A lot. If Jordan does not find a way to seek the positives from defeat, then the experience will defeat him once again.

One great player who successfully made the transition from the court to the front office notes that the greatest challenge indeed is "change."

"You cannot expect everyone to play at the level you played," says Jerry West, president of the Memphis Grizzlies and architect of the Lakers dynasty. "There can be a frustration when you get young kids and want them to play like veterans. I've had more patience with younger players than older, particularly as an executive. I try to be more encouraging and give them a reason to go to practice every day. If young kids start to feel beaten down, maybe they don't play for a while."

Maybe Jordan has learned this. My feeling is that he hasn't. Not yet. And I'm not sure if even Robert Johnson, a billionaire, can afford to have Jordan learn on his dime.

Roy S. Johnson is an assistant managing editor for Sports Illustrated. His "Pass the Word" column appears on SI.com every Friday. Catch Johnson on CNN Headline news every Thursday at 3:40 p.m. ET.

 

Related information

Stories

Charlotte owner extends open invite to Jordan Jack McCallum: Pollin should have handled Jordan firing with more care Marty Burns: MJ won't soon forget D.C. daze Jordan won't return to Wizards front office Scorecard: Transition Game Roy S. Johnson's Pass the Word Archive

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video