Jordan questions Lebron’s move
MICHAEL JORDAN QUESTIONS LEBRON’S MOVE TO MIAMI HEAT, by Wayne Hodges
LAS VEGAS – Count Michael Jordan among the many to publicly voice his displeasure with All-Star Lebron James’ controversial exodus to the Miami Heat. Jordan, an Olympic Gold-Medalist and 6-time NBA champion, stated in so many words he couldn’t fathom putting together an All-Pro caliber unit like the one formed in Miami this Summer. Following a charity golf event in Nevada, Jordan questioned King James’ highly publicized decision to lock arms with former rival players Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh after playing 7 years in his native Cleveland.
“There’s no way, with hindsight, I would’ve ever called up Larry, called up Magic and said, ‘Hey, look, let’s get together and play on one team,” said Jordan. “But that’s … things are different. I can’t say that’s a bad thing. It’s an opportunity these kids have today. In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys.” Jordan certainly knows a thing or two about winning championships. He won six titles (a pair of three-peats) with the Chicago Bulls from 1991 to 1998. After his second retirement in 1999, MJ returned to play for the Washington Wizards before taking over their front office a couple years later.
Jordan recently purchased the Charlotte Bobcats; making him the only black majority owner in professional sports. Pretty embarrassing. I do, however, respect the fact King James hired a posse of African-Americans to serve in key positions of financial management. To obtain franchise ownership in the near future, it’s imperative more blacks get acclimated with the managerial side of business. 82% of the players in the NBA are African-American. One majority owner, in my humble opinion, is completely unacceptable.
Like MJ, fellow All-Star and “Dream Team” participant Charles Barkley expressed his disappointment with King James’ choice. During an interview with the Arizona Republic earlier in the week, Sir Charles broke his silence in a manner only he knows how. “Mike and I are in 100 percent agreement on this. If you’re the two-time defending NBA MVP, you don’t leave anywhere. They come to you,” said an irritated Barkley.
“That’s ridiculous. I like LeBron. He’s a great player. But I don’t think in the history of sports you can find a two-time defending MVP leaving to go play with other people.” It should be noted; Barkley’s babble could be construed as “the pot calling the kettle black.” After all, Sir Charles switched teams two or three times and still couldn’t win that elusive championship ring. That said, I do believe great players stay put, stick it out, and deliver championships to their respective franchises.
Remember, Jordan suffered a couple painful playoff exits at the hands of the Detroit Pistons before finally breaking through with a title in 1991. The Boston Celtics did pretty much the same to Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers in the early 1980s. James, on the other hand, has chosen to take a different path to NBA supremacy. And it’s only fair we respect his decision. Let’s just hope for Lebron’s sake it was the correct call.
Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the Editor-in-Chief of “Mass Appeal News.” He is also a candidate for Kansas Senate District #7, an adjunct professor, and MPA at the University of Kansas. Wayne welcomes your comments at whodges@massappealnews.com
July 19th, 2010 at 11:24 am
jordan and fat barkely have a point. great players usually make the cast around them better. the cavs won 60 somethin games last year… james shouldve stuck it out and forced management to get him some better supporting players.
July 19th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Jordan is 100% RIGHT but we are living in INSTANT GRATIFICATION times. Young people dont want to work hard for anything anymore. They want success right now. Hodges you make a good point about Jordan’s struggles against the Pistons. Jordan got kicked around by the Celtics too. Young people must learn that it takes hard work to achieve great things. Lebron may have made a BIG MISTAKE by leaving Cleveland.
July 19th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
mark it down — Heat will beat Lakers in 6 games for 2011 NBA TITLE
July 19th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
everybody hatin on my boy king james… who in the hell wants to finish up they career in cleveland??? lebron did what he had to do
the man wants to win a title — that cheap azz owner in cleveland didnt want to give him no help and james saw that and was smart enough to get his azz out of dodge. james, wade & bosh — is there a better triple threat in the league???
come on jordan — if you wuz in lebrons shoes you would do the same thang
July 20th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
miami got the BIG 3 but they aint got no bench or supportin cast. the celtics and lakers got a bench. wade bosh and james got crazy skillz but i dont think 3 men can beat 12. miami better get a bench