Michael Jordan discusses his feelings about the Bulls, the Wizards and the NBA in an interview with Jay Mariotti of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. Jordan, on the Bulls' decision not to offer him a piece of the team and an exec role after his retirement: "I'm puzzled. I'm not mad, but I'm puzzled that Chicago never even once called me about any type of arrangement. These deals of ownership started coming to me, starting with Charlotte, and the most puzzling thing is that for the next year, people were bringing me deals -- Vancouver and the St. Louis interest that was involved awhile, and Milwaukee right up the street -- and still Chicago never called. Not that I would have taken it, but it was never on the table. I would have at least liked to consider it." Jordan, on the state of the NBA: "I think it's an identity crisis. A lot of fans don't know these kids who are coming out of high school and leaving college early. Back in the day, people knew us because we stayed in college longer. Now, people won't pay to see these kids they don't know." Despite being frustrated over the lack of success of the Wizards, Jordan said he will fulfill his five-year deal: "I'll stick it out" (SUN-TIMES, 12/15).
