Come Fly With Me: Jordan Talks About His Role With Bobcats

By Rick Ellington, Staff Writer

Jordan Discusses Role With Bobcats In Press Conference

Bobcats Managing Member of Basketball Operations Michael Jordan met with members of the Charlotte media yesterday for the first time in nine months, and said his role has been misunderstood since he joined the club last June. Jordan: “I’m operating manager for the investors basically. I oversee the basketball operations, understand the decisions that are being made.” While Jordan has come under scrutiny for rarely traveling from his home in Chicago to Charlotte, he said his role is “a little bit different” than that of a traditional front-office exec. Jordan: “I’m not the [GM]. That’s not asked of me, to be here every day. Yes, I’m periodically here; yes, I’m looking to have a residence here. ... I am here more than you know.”

IT’S NOT ABOUT ME: Jordan also reiterated that he wants the focus to remain on the players and not him. Jordan: “I don’t want to build [the franchise] upon going out there and selling myself to the fans. I want to sell this program.” While there is still a bad taste among fans from the Hornets’ acrimonious departure for New Orleans in ’02, Jordan said his “biggest motivation” is being able to “win back the fans from a basketball sense, not from a Michael Jordan involvement sense. That’s one of the reasons why I chose not to be a dog-and-pony show.” Jordan said of the letter he sent last month to season-ticket holders, corporate partners and potential business prospects that outlined his plans for the team, “The reason I wanted to send out that letter is to make sure the shareholders understand where we are. I feel very confident that we can turn the corner and head in the right direction.”

BICKERSTAFF OUT AS COACH: Jordan confirmed head coach & GM Bernie Bickerstaff would not return as coach for the ’07-08 season, but said he does want Bickerstaff to remain an “integral part” of the club. Jordan: “I want him involved. We just haven’t decided if that’s as [GM] or Director of Basketball Operations. I see him staying with the organization.”