MJ Exclusive Interview

[Proudiddy]

Man, if we could've gotten Harden it may have changed our franchise... Sucks... Oh well, some interesting points.

http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_th...long-haul.html

Michael Jordan says he’s “in it for the long haul’’ as owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, telling the Observer Thursday morning he sees the team as his family business going forward.

Some highlights from Jordan’s 23-minute interview:

--He said the franchise is open to a nickname switch should New Orleans Hornets owner Tom Benson follow through on changing that team’s name. Some fans want the Hornets name and logo back in Charlotte.

--He said he told the players to stop griping about new coach Mike Dunlap’s long practices, that they need the fundamental drills he’s employed: “You can’t say we don’t need that stuff. If so, we wouldn’t be going 7-59 as a team.’’

--Jordan also said he’s advised the players, “Either you’re in or you’re not going to be here.’’

--Jordan described rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as a “connector,’’ comparing him to former Chicago Bulls teammate Scottie Pippen: “He’s a very versatile guy. He’s motivated. He loves to play and play hard.’’

--He said the Bobcats “made a couple of calls’’ about shooting guard James Harden’s availability before the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Harden to the Houston Rockets this week.

--He said co-captain Gerald Henderson “gets it. He shows signs of being a leader. These are the things we’re expecting from Gerald,’’ adding he’s “pretty sure’’ Henderson will be asking for a big raise to stay here in his next contract.

--Jordan said he still believes the Bobcats could be an attractive destination for major free agents down the road, but “I also understand we’ve got to get our house in order, to make that attractive to people.’’

[superb1]

interesting to see who complained about long practices

And shows that Cho maybe playing it out to see if Hendo does deserve a big contract

[JGib23]

Wow! MJ threw some nuggets out.

My favorite being the 1st... I'm certain now that if/when Benson follows through and changes the name, that the team will once again be the Charlotte Hornets.

I think we all suspected that we were involved in the Harden talks after the rumor before the draft and Cho's past in OKC. Sucks we couldn't pull it off because he is exactly what we need.

LOL'ing at some of the players complaining about how hard the practices & drills are. I would love to know which losers were complaining.

I'm sure Gerald wants a big raise, I just don't think he's worth it...4/24M is about right in my mind...

I can't wait until tomorrow night.

[DCAWFAN]

Hmm...If we magically get Chris Paul.....have a nice Paul-Biyombo/Mkg and rename the team the Charlotte Lobcats! Also. Bet Tyrus was one of the front runners in "complaining players".

[ncstamey]

yea... it seems like our only chance to get Harden though was trading the #2 pick and there was no guarantee he'd sign with us long term.

[Felton for Prez]

interesting to see who complained about long practices

This concerns me greatly. They had the worst team in history last yr and people are complaining about too much practice. I hope it was Haywood or Diop...someone who has been around awhile or someone that won't play anyway.

[ncstamey]

full transcript of interview here:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/201...el-jordan.html

[Chef]

This concerns me greatly. They had the worst team in history last yr and people are complaining about too much practice. I hope it was Haywood or Diop...someone who has been around awhile or someone that won't play anyway.

repeated 4 hour marathon practices are little much. more is not always better.

[ncstamey]

repeated 4 hour marathon practices are little much. more is not always better.

They have only had a FEW 3 hour practices and only one of those flirted w 4 hours.

And like MJ said.. With that record it's clearly needed.

[superb1]

I don't think the whole practice consist of the actual physical stuff. I believe there is some teaching and film room instructions in there also. If it is then wow, the majority or people put in 8 hr days and 40 hr weeks for 5 figure incomes. I don't lose sleep because some highly paid and most are overpaid babies crying about 3 to 4 hrs. In my day, I would put about 2 hrs in the weight room and I'm not as athletic as they are. The pampered life can wait another hour or two. Get on the court and give me 100% and a better team than last year.

sent from the pseudo GM offices of the Charlotte Bobcats.