Michael Jordan leaves Wizards

[Guest oldschoolwrestling]

Team owner Abe Pollin made the decision after meeting with Jordan on Wednesday. The move ends Jordan's 3½ years with the Wizards, the past two as a player.

 

"I firmly believe that Michael's time with us as a player will have a lasting impact on every player on our roster, and there is no question that our fans were treated to a very unique two seasons as the greatest player in the world completed his career here in Washington," Pollin said in a statement.

 

No statement was issued by Jordan, who earlier this week had said he planned to resume his front-office job with the Wizards now that his playing days are over.

 

However, a source told the Associated Press earlier this week that Jordan had talked to Robert Johnson, new owner of the Charlotte NBA franchise, about a possible role with that team.

 

A team source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press that Pollin's decision was based on three reasons: player dissension, a franchise faltering after 3½ years of Jordan in charge, and deteriorating relationships throughout the organization.

 

The source said no decision has yet been made regarding the front office people Jordan has hired, or whether Jordan's hand-picked coach, Doug Collins, will remain for the final two years of his contract.

 

 

Michael Jordan has talked about a role with the new Charlotte franchise, according to sources. (Getty Images)

Jordan put the Wizards on the map when he was hired in January 2000, but his front-office moves failed to turn the moribund franchise around. The team is 110-179 since he became the top decision-maker, a role he kept even after he returned as a player.

 

The past few months have been particularly embarrassing for Pollin's team.

 

Jordan and his teammates were sniping at each other as the Wizards finished a disappointing 37-45 for the second consecutive year. Players publicly criticized Collins, and Collins accused them of being disrespectful. Recent reports in the New York Times and Washington Post talked of a rift within the franchise between Pollin's people and Jordan's people.

 

Wednesday's much-anticipated meeting included Jordan, Pollin, Wizards minority owner Ted Leonsis, Pollin's attorney David Osnos and Jordan's attorney Curtis Polk. It was Leonsis who brought Jordan to Washington three years ago by making him part owner of both the Wizards and the Washington Capitals.

 

But Jordan stumbled from the start. He botched the firing of coach Gar Heard and later hired Leonard Hamilton, who in one season produced a 19-63 record. Jordan tried to run the team from his home in Chicago -- the only commuter front-office head in the league -- leaving a rudderless team to falter on its own.

 

Jordan did manage to clear most of the Wizards' salary cap mess before he made his biggest personnel move -- coming back as a player for two seasons.

 

This past season, he loaded the roster with Jerry Stackhouse, Bryon Russell, Larry Hughes and Charles Oakley in an effort to get to the playoffs one last time, but the chemistry was bad from the start. Playing alongside the person who is also in charge proved too awkward for many of the players.

 

Before Jordan arrived, the Wizards were a nondescript perennial loser with no national profile. They haven't been to the playoffs since 1997, haven't won a playoff game since 1988 and haven't won a playoff series since 1982.

 

Pollin, a 79-year-old owner looking for one more title, must now start from scratch again. General manager Wes Unseld -- who held the title in name only while Jordan was around -- is taking a leave of absence next month due to health reasons, so this summer will likely see a full front-office overhaul.

 

 

AP NEWS

The Associated Press News Service

 

Copyright 2003, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

[Guest Human Fly]

Jordan wasn't as good as Jerry West when it comes to being a GM, but I don't think he was as bad as everyone makes him out to be. He did get rid of huge contracts for over-the-hill players like Rod Strickland and Mitch Richmond as well as big contract busts like Juwan Howard. Everyone also criticizes the draft of Kwame Brown saying he hasn't panned out. When (besides Amare Stoudamire) has a High Schooler been very much of a force in his first year or two? Chandler and Curry are on there way , but I don't think Kwame is too far behind.

 

The biggest mistake was trading Rip for Stackhouse.

[Guest Lethargic]

The biggest mistake was his comeback. Once he came back, the team gave up on the young players and put a bunch of crappy veterans on the team to try to give Jordan just one little playoff run. That was stupid. They had a young team that looked to be getting better but then they threw it all away to just try to get the chance to get swept out of the first round of the playoffs. Hopefully he won't do the same thing in Charlotte and will build the team the right way.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

They should have kept the team young instead of Jordan getting greedy. It's hard to admit when you're over the hill, but sometimes you have to do it. Jordan could probably put up 30 points right now, but anyone who thought he was going to win a championship with Washington is naive. They didn't need to sign old ass role playrs, you won't get any pleasant surproses out of them. If anything, you're lucky if you even get to give them minutes.

[Guest PencilJobber]

His biggest mistake was coming back.You can't be the boss and also a Team-mate every player knew he had more control than the Coach and could pretty much do what he wanted and then when they didin't show his passion he publicly ripped into them.

 

Thats where it went Wrong in my view he should never have come back to play.

[Guest Slapnuts00]

Im a Wizards fan and severely pissed. I dont care what you think of Michael Jordan, he made our team relevant, gave them national attention and sold out every game for 2 years helping not only Abe Pollin's pocketbook but businesses all around DC. He was commited to helping the future of this team and had always said that after his comeback he wanted to go back to running the team. He only was in charge for 1 season, and granted might have made some questionable moves. But you don't give up on Michael Jordan. He should have been given an oppurtunity to learn from his mistakes. Certainly with his new expirience he knows not to draft a Kwame Brown or trade for a Jerry Stackhouse. By playing with these guys he knows exactly their capapbilities. The Washington franchise has a history of losing and making horrible decisions. Giving up on the likes of Chris Webber, Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace before giving them a chance. Now, they've kicked out the greatest player of all time, without so much as giving him a chance to take what he's learned and commited himself to and turning this franchise into a winner. 2 years would be all it takes. Give him 2 years, see what he can do. It shows blatant disrespect and poor judgment from Polin by IMMEDIATELY dismissing an obviously shocked Jordan at the beginning of the meeting without even so much hearing Jordan's case. So the players resented him? So what. Jordan was the only player who actually played his ass off this year and was the only thing even keeping us in contention. So the chemistry didn't work. Next year they would have played without Jordan and Collins probably too. Jordan has every right to feel hurt by this. Polin has done a rotten job running this team and finally when someone new comes in and wants to change things, he feels his power threatened and cans him. So the Wizards didnt reach the playoffs? Big deal, we improved by 18 games! Rome is not built in a day! We just lost the greatest thing that ever happened to us here as DC basketball fans. He'll make some other team a winner. It's a shame that many will feel Michael was being selfish and used the Wizards. No way. His intention from the beginning was to go back to running the team and by coming back helped our revenue and interest. It was the opposite, Polin used Jordan. Now we're nothing again. Thanks Mr. Polin...

[Guest Slapnuts00]

http://espn.go.com/nba/columns/aldridge_da...id/1550704.html

 

Tremendous article that sums up my thoughts...

[Guest DrTom]

Good article. I don't think Jordan brought a lot of success to the Wizards, and he certainly made some questionable moves, but the team was definitely headed in the right direction. I don't doubt that Pollin and Jordan could have worked out their differences if the chance had been presented. At first, I agreed with Pollin, but the more I think about it... how dumb is it to give up on Michael Jordan and send him packing?

[Guest Steve J. Rogers]

He only was in charge for 1 season, and granted might have made some questionable moves.

 

No, he was in charge for his entire time. He put his puppets in charge while he was playing. There was no move that didn't have Jordan's handprints in his time in Washington

 

He was commited to helping the future of this team and had always said that after his comeback he wanted to go back to running the team. 

 

Not when you don't live in DC and don't make the 24/7 commitment that you need to be a competent GM in today's NBA

 

. 2 years would be all it takes. Give him 2 years, see what he can do

 

He allready HAD 3 years

 

It shows blatant disrespect and poor judgment from Polin by IMMEDIATELY dismissing an obviously shocked Jordan at the beginning of the meeting without even so much hearing Jordan's case

 

Oh please. If his name wasn't Michael Jordan this thread wouldn't exist on this board. If it was any other GM in basketball you'd say it was the right move

 

Jordan has every right to feel hurt by this

 

Welcome to reality MJ!

 

It's a shame that many will feel Michael was being selfish and used the Wizards. No way. His intention from the beginning was to go back to running the team and by coming back helped our revenue and interest.

 

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! Oh my GAWD!

 

1. Gatorade and Nike were given preferential treatment over the Wizards in terms of Jordan's time

 

2. Jordan wouldn't give Polin the time of day about his activities and spent more time dealing with his corporate partners than the Wizards

 

3. Jordan used the Wizards. Case closed. He used them just because he still hasn't got over the fact that he isn't young anymore, he needs things to do. He brings in his cronies in to be lapdogs and completely destroy the organization.

 

Geez, and people wonder why I call Michael Jordan the Hulk Hogan of the NBA!

 

Steve

[Guest Slapnuts00]

He only was in charge for 1 season, and granted might have made some questionable moves.

 

 

 

He was commited to helping the future of this team and had always said that after his comeback he wanted to go back to running the team. 

 

 

 

. 2 years would be all it takes. Give him 2 years, see what he can do

 

He allready HAD 3 years

 

It shows blatant disrespect and poor judgment from Polin by IMMEDIATELY dismissing an obviously shocked Jordan at the beginning of the meeting without even so much hearing Jordan's case

 

Oh please. If his name wasn't Michael Jordan this thread wouldn't exist on this board. If it was any other GM in basketball you'd say it was the right move

 

Jordan has every right to feel hurt by this

 

Welcome to reality MJ!

 

It's a shame that many will feel Michael was being selfish and used the Wizards. No way. His intention from the beginning was to go back to running the team and by coming back helped our revenue and interest.

 

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! Oh my GAWD!

 

1. Gatorade and Nike were given preferential treatment over the Wizards in terms of Jordan's time

 

2. Jordan wouldn't give Polin the time of day about his activities and spent more time dealing with his corporate partners than the Wizards

 

3. Jordan used the Wizards. Case closed. He used them just because he still hasn't got over the fact that he isn't young anymore, he needs things to do. He brings in his cronies in to be lapdogs and completely destroy the organization.

 

Geez, and people wonder why I call Michael Jordan the Hulk Hogan of the NBA!

 

Steve

No, he was in charge for his entire time.  He put his puppets in charge while he was playing.  There was no move that didn't have Jordan's handprints in his time in Washington

Ok, I'll give you this one. I meant officially he was in charge for 1 year.

 

Not when you don't live in DC and don't make the 24/7 commitment that you need to be a competent GM in today's NBA

If this was truly an issue, Pollin could have made some reasonable demands like move to DC. Instead he came into the meeting by immediately firing him without any explanation or conditions to re-employment.

 

He allready HAD 3 years

And in those 3 years dumped many of our overpriced veterans, and cleared cap room. Aquired promising young players like Kwame Brown (who given a couple more years is gonna be a star), Jarred Jeffries and Brendan Haywood that at least have potential. We improved by 18 games and were actually in a relevant playoff chase for the first time in almost a decade. That means we were going in the right direction.

Also, being that MJ was brand new to management, he should have been given 2 more years to learn from his mistakes. He made some questionable moves, but now he knows what NOT to do. You have to fail first to suceed...

 

Oh please.  If his name wasn't Michael Jordan this thread wouldn't exist on this board.  If it was any other GM in basketball you'd say it was the right move

Ignoring any moves he made as a GM, the man by coming back to play, made Abe Pollin's team relevant for the first time in almost 30 years. He sold out every single home game making the team an enormous profit. He brought them unparalleled national TV exposure and gave a team known forever as one of the most incopetent loser teams in all of Sports some dignity and respect. Just for that alone, Pollin owes MJ, but instead Polin used MJ for all his revenue and then dumps him. What that senile fool doesnt realize is now, season ticket sales are going to drop, the franchise has lost its respect (and even more will be shunned by many because of what they did) and by cutting MJ's work in progress off makes indeed the last few years useless...

 

Jordan used the Wizards.  Case closed.  He used them just because he still hasn't got over the fact that he isn't young anymore, he needs things to do.  He brings in his cronies in to be lapdogs and completely destroy the organization.

First of all, he did help DC businesses tremendously. Restaurants in the area especially did record business on days of Wizards games and now business owners are fearing a huge drop off. Jordan did not use the Wizards. I already outlined everything he did for the organization. You can't ruin the Wizards, they were already ruined. Until you spend years actually following this team like I have you can't appreciate how pathetic and woebegotten it is. MJ energized it and made it cool to be a Wizards fan. MJ and his "cronies" as you call them were actually making some serious changes and commited to building a winner. Not anymore.

 

What really annoys me is all the pro MJ and anti Mj camps that come out. This guy like many, HATES Michael Jordan. They'll give you a billion reasons why. Some worship him. I and many others in this area are WIZARDS fans. We were BULLETS fans before that and trust me, MJ was a god send to our franchise. The fans of DC feel horrible about this whole situation...

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

If you take a team from the lottery to a playoff chase, I think it's safe to say you turned them in the right direction.

[Guest Steve J. Rogers]

I swear, there are very few NBA smarks. No wonder Hulk Jordan runs rampant without much fan backlash

 

Not when you don't live in DC and don't make the 24/7 commitment that you need to be a competent GM in today's NBA

If this was truly an issue, Pollin could have made some reasonable demands like move to DC. Instead he came into the meeting by immediately firing him without any explanation or conditions to re-employment.

 

Hey, you do realize that Jordan has been making overtures to leave organizations for a few months now. I guarantee that before you know it the NBA and David McMahon...I mean Stern will grant North Carolina a new franchise to Robert Johnson of BET fame, and the announcement that MJ is a member of the organization.

 

Or Chicago may come calling now that an MJ cronie in Paxson is in charge and Krauss is out.

 

 

What Polin did was a Premtive Strike in case Jordan left on his own. I mean there IS a reason no one is buying his "retirement" from playing ever again.

 

And in those 3 years dumped many of our overpriced veterans, and cleared cap room. Aquired promising young players like Kwame Brown (who given a couple more years is gonna be a star), Jarred Jeffries and Brendan Haywood that at least have potential. We improved by 18 games and were actually in a relevant playoff chase for the first time in almost a decade. That means we were going in the right direction.

Also, being that MJ was brand new to management, he should have been given 2 more years to learn from his mistakes. He made some questionable moves, but now he knows what NOT to do. You have to fail first to suceed...

 

Can you realistically do that in today's NBA? I mean a complete turn around in 3 years is impossible. But explain to me how berrating the players you brought in was going to help? I mean thats another thing I forgot to mention, the players were almost revolting.

 

Thats the problem with having a "superstar" as a coach/GM they forget that the players they are coaching aren't them.

 

Oh please.  If his name wasn't Michael Jordan this thread wouldn't exist on this board.  If it was any other GM in basketball you'd say it was the right move

Ignoring any moves he made as a GM, the man by coming back to play, made Abe Pollin's team relevant for the first time in almost 30 years. He sold out every single home game making the team an enormous profit. He brought them unparalleled national TV exposure and gave a team known forever as one of the most incopetent loser teams in all of Sports some dignity and respect. Just for that alone, Pollin owes MJ, but instead Polin used MJ for all his revenue and then dumps him. What that senile fool doesnt realize is now, season ticket sales are going to drop, the franchise has lost its respect (and even more will be shunned by many because of what they did) and by cutting MJ's work in progress off makes indeed the last few years useless...

 

Then again, this was a situatation where the Wizards brought a Chicago legend in.

 

And why should the franchise lose respect? They dumped Jordan before he could dump them. Again rumors have been running rampant about his next stop even BEFORE he announced his "retirement" from playing. If as you said the foundation was laid, who is to say that the next GM/coach will be able to take them to the next level?

 

First of all, he did help DC businesses tremendously. Restaurants in the area especially did record business on days of Wizards games and now business owners are fearing a huge drop off. Jordan did not use the Wizards. I already outlined everything he did for the organization. You can't ruin the Wizards, they were already ruined. Until you spend years actually following this team like I have you can't appreciate how pathetic and woebegotten it is. MJ energized it and made it cool to be a Wizards fan. MJ and his "cronies" as you call them were actually making some serious changes and commited to building a winner. Not anymore.

 

Can you at least SEE what they do through the draft and trades/FAs before you say they are the Clippers of the East again? If they are on the cusp losing the Hulk Hogan of the NBA isn't neccessarilly going to hurt you

 

 

This guy like many, HATES Michael Jordan. They'll give you a billion reasons why. Some worship him. I and many others in this area are WIZARDS fans. We were BULLETS fans before that and trust me, MJ was a god send to our franchise. The fans of DC feel horrible about this whole situation...

 

The fans of DC should fee horrible that pretty soon MJ is going to be in tight with the NC franchise, or back in Chicago, or LA with Jax and Shaq or in NYC or wherever else Michael Hogan wants to spend his "family" time.

 

Someday I'll list all the reasons why I consider him the Hogan of the NBA but suffice to say he was NOT staying long term with the Wizards. Thats the bottom line. He is a selfish self promoter that only cares about himself and his corporate sponsors (Nike, Gatorade, Haines, ect)

 

 

The guy is a cancer and its a very good thing for the Wizards that they cut their ties with him.

[Guest ant_7000]

Damn, I just read an article in cnnsi, that said MJ referred to teammate Kwame Brown as a "Flaming Faggot" and reduce him into tears on ocasion during practice. Damn, I would kick his ass or do a Artest on him for some shit like that.

[Agent_Bond34 0]

Damn, I just read an article in cnnsi, that said MJ referred to teammate Kwame Brown as a "Flaming Faggot" and reduce him into tears on ocasion during practice. Damn, I would kick his ass or do a Artest on him for some shit like that.

lol - That Artest bit was kinda funny...

 

However, with the Wizards starting over again, this just means that I no longer have to watch the Wizards every so often on TNT, ABC, ESPN, etc, during the regular season.