Blame Jordan? I think not.

notakiddfan1 · April 8th, 2003, 02:59 PM

This is from an article on azcentral by Gambo:

Some want to point the finger at Kwame Brown. Others want to blame the head coach, Doug Collins. But if you look deep enough into the Washington Wizards' pathetic situation, you will find one person that deserves the majority of the blame for the team's lack of success but is never willing to accept it. Michael Jordan.

Yes, the comeback of the once greatest basketball player on the planet has been a complete flop. It hasn't worked. And now that the Wizards are completing a second disappointing non-playoff season with Jordan as their leader, it is time to hope that MJ decides once and for all to step away from the game.

When Jordan announced he was coming back for the 2001-02 season it was because of several reasons. First and foremost he loved the game of basketball and couldn't get it out of his blood. But there were other reasons that Jordan told us were equally as important to him. He wanted to help his team learn how to be professionals. He wanted to influence the younger players on how to prepare, how to practice and how to play the game the right way. He wanted to end the losing tradition that is Washington Wizards basketball and teach the players how to compete. And outside of playing, because he loves the game, Jordan has failed in every aspect.

The Wizards are still a losing organization and Jordan has made ZERO impact on the young players on the Wizards' roster. How else can you explain that top overall pick, Kwame Brown, continues to sit on the bench and rot? He is not playing, therefore not developing, and Jordan should know that in order for the kid to improve he needs to play not sit behind 39-year old Charles Oakley. Same goes for 7-footer Brendan Haywood from North Carolina, who was a first-round draft pick and expected to be a major piece of the rebuilding in Washington but finds himself playing behind Christian Laettner and Jahidi White.

But when Jordan got to the Wizards all the rebuilding talk went out the door. Because Jordan didn't want to necessarily make the future brighter for the Wizards, he wanted to win and to prove that he could take this team to the playoffs. To improve on his already incredible legacy, even if it meant that he had to carry the team on his shoulders. Only problem for Jordan was that he was no longer capable of doing that and, so after going 37-45 last year, the Wizards are on pace to finish with the exact same record this season. And will likely finish out of the playoffs again. And Jordan is to blame.

Why? Because Jordan has not made one player in Washington better. Not one. In fact, every player there is worse because of Jordan. Fact is that Jerry Stackhouse was better in Detroit than he was is in Washington. Richard Hamilton is having a better year in Detroit than he was when he was with Washington. The organization has no faith in Brown. Bryon Russell was better in Utah, Larry Hughes is about the same as he was in Golden State and Laettner is having his worst year ever.

The fact is that Jordan's personality dominates. He yells and screams at the players and he berates them in public time and time again. No one is comfortable playing, only fearful. And, truth be told, he is not liked by his teammates. Plus, he's not that good anymore. His numbers are OK and you might be able to make a case with his statistics, even though they are some of the worst of his career that he is contributing. But his impact is just not there. There have been some highlights through the course of the season where Jordan is winning a game with a big shot. But those highlights are few and far between, and for the most part Jordan is getting those last-second shots when the first option should be Stackhouse. His shooting percentages the last two years (.416 and .444) are the worst of his career in a full season. His assists average of 3.8 this season is his worst in a full season. And his point-per-game average is below 20 for the first time in his career. And he's definitely not the defender he once was. In fact, Jordan is a liability on the defensive end as teams now go at him and take advantage of him. At 40 years old he can't play hard all the time, so he paces himself and most of that pacing comes on defense. It used to be where his reputation alone made sure that opponents stayed away from him. That is no longer the case.

The Wizards had a plan to rebuild and develop its young players and Jordan scrapped that when he got there. He came in and wanted to win now and in turn he will leave Washington worse off then when he came. He sacrificed the development of young talent to go with Oakley, Laettner and White so he could attempt to win. And he failed. In his two seasons in Washington the Wizards are 14 games under .500. The question Jordan has to ask himself is, was it worth it? Was it worth it to attempt to win at all costs if the cost is the organization's future? Because clearly Jordan's all-out attempt to win did not work. The Wizards are still a bad basketball team, and although Jordan did not tarnish his legacy, he definitely did not add anything to it. And fans will remember that when Jordan came back he didn't have what it took to put a bad Washington team over the hump.

Without Jordan the Wizards would have taken their lumps and failed to make the playoffs. But younger players like Brown, Haywood, Juan Dixon and Jared Jeffries would be much better off. And Washington's future would be much brighter.

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I think that's utter horsesh*t! I mean, the Wizards probably will not make the playoffs this year, and they didn't last year, but it wasn't because of Michael Jordan. You do blame the other guys for not giving every game the same effort MJ put out. It seems to me that Gambo is just trying to write something controversial and unlike what most writers write about. Because everybody says Jordan has been very good, Gambo says the opposite, that he failed. Horsesh*t.

Billythekid · April 8th, 2003, 03:20 PM

I don't agree with this guy but I see many valid points. I love MJ (as most everyone does) He is the man, but really, Washington haven't really taken steps to improve. Kwame Brown should be playing plenty. The Stackhouse trade was terrible IMO. RIP was a young player who fit into their scheme. Stack seems to be just a temp.

It will be interesting to see how they play next season. I think they'll do better because so much of the pressure will be off. I've watched plenty of Wizard games this season and MJ is always getting into his players. Barking at them. MJ is the man, but damn, you see the player reactions sometimes as he's telling them what to do and if was anyone else but Jordan they wouldn't hear anything of it.

I think the RIP deal soured the Washington thing.

notakiddfan1 · April 8th, 2003, 06:17 PM

Well, tonight Mike had 26 points (10/26 shooting) and pulled down 10 boards, while getting 3 steals and 3 assists. Not only that, but his double teams got players open all night.

Joe Mama · April 8th, 2003, 06:26 PM

As much as it pains me to say this I think I agree with Gambo. I think Michael Jordan's return has set the Washington Wizards back some.

Joe Mama

notakiddfan1 · April 8th, 2003, 06:45 PM

But how? I don't even understand how people say, "Kwame Brown would be getting a lot of time if MJ wasn't playing."

How does one effect the other? Michael Jordan is a 6'7 guard, Kwame is a 6'11 power forward. Jordan takes 0 minutes from Kwame Brown. Moreover, the Wizards drafted Kwame before MJ came back from retirement. So, now that Mike came back, Kwame doesn't get time, but if he didn't come back, Kwame still wouldn't get time, and he would still suck.

The Stackhouse trade was a terrible one. I personally thought it'd be good, but Stackhouse just doesn't fit in. However, when MJ leaves, it might look better than it does now. Jerry can be a player who can lead a team in scoring, but like Stephon Marbury, he needs the ball. Hamilton fit in better because he doesn't need to dribble around a lot to score. He fits well in a team system because his shot is virtually automatic. If a guy like MJ draws a double team and gives Rip the ball, he's either going to go right up and score with it, or slash against a recovering defense. Stackhouse isn't like that, but next year, that'll be moot.

The point is though, Jordan coming back didn't stunt the growth of the team. They have Jerry Stackhouse, Kwame Brown, Jared Jeffries, Juan Dixon, Brendon Haywood and Tyron Lue, all talented young players. When Jordan leaves, the Wizards won't be good, but they wouldn't be good if he didn't come back either.

green machine · April 8th, 2003, 06:46 PM

Has Jordan made the Wizards better? Yes. Has he made them a Playoff team? No. Has the teams progress and growth been hindured the past two years while Jordan has been there? That should be known next year when all the young guys get playing time.

adam
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MARY JANE

Joe Mama · April 8th, 2003, 06:55 PM

Michael Jordan may not have taken playing time directly from Brown, but because the wizards primary goal is making the playoffs Brown isn't getting the time to make mistakes and grow as an NBA player. Same goes for Haywood whose time has gone now to White.

Joe Mama

thegrahamcrackr · April 8th, 2003, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joe Mama
Michael Jordan may not have taken playing time directly from Brown, but because the wizards primary goal is making the playoffs Brown isn't getting the time to make mistakes and grow as an NBA player. Same goes for Haywood whose time has gone now to White.

Joe Mama

I was just thinking the same thing. Had jordan been an executive these past two years, the motiv probably would not have been win now or else. (If drafting on potential isnt enough proof, then how about him trading everyone who could play (even if only a little bit) to clear cap room?)

Jordan the player realizes that his time is now, not in 2 more years. He wants the playoffs while he is on the floor. Collins is going to do whatever Jordan tells him to, therefor Jordan is taking minutes away from Kwame and Haywood.

notakiddfan1 · April 8th, 2003, 07:19 PM

What is Kwame, 20 years old? He'll have 15 years to suck and make mistakes (i guess that's a good thing..?) Michael Jordan coming back at least has made Washington competitive. The time Kwame does play, he gets actual game-time experience against quality opponents where playing well actually matters.

The knock on Kwame Brown has been that he doesn't work hard enough. If the guy doesn't have a proper work ethic, then he shouldn't be on the floor regardless.

Michael Jordan has put some juice back into a laughable franchise. He's filled the seats with two years of excitement. The notarity, fanfare, etc. has given the young guys a little taste of what it means to be in the NBA. The big wins they've had have given them another taste. And the last taste, the work ethic, was given, but the important thing is, was it accepted? If it was, then Jordan did his job. If it wasn't, then how could you put the blame anywhere but squarely on those who did not embrace what makes an NBA great?

thegrahamcrackr · April 8th, 2003, 07:28 PM

Well, I mean everything you said is true, but it also doesnt really argue the main point here......because of Jordan, the young kids do not play.

Sure because of jordan they get sellout crowds but dont you think that they know it has absolutely nothing to do with them?? I mean in a way that could even reinforce the idea in their minds that no one cares about them, only about MJ.

Ill say it again. To get better you need to play. Since Jordan wants to win now, they dont play. Therefor they do not get better. Therefor they have not progressed at all, and definitely not as much as they could have in these 2 years.

Billythekid · April 8th, 2003, 07:36 PM

I wonder if Kwame might opt out? If he was in Denver he'd be starting. Or someone other hack team. It's clear he plays better with confidence. He was very impressive at the start of the season.

Jordan wanted to win with a bunch of pieces slapped together. What they needed was long term development instead they went for the short term attempt at the playoffs.

thegrahamcrackr · April 8th, 2003, 07:37 PM

kwame cant opt out. He has one more year on his rookie contract, then the team has an option for the 4th year. He is there for 2 more years unless the wizards trade him

Billythekid · April 8th, 2003, 07:42 PM

I meant leave after his current contract.

thegrahamcrackr · April 8th, 2003, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Billythekid
I meant leave after his current contract.

I doubt it. These next to years he should play a lot more. I would be surprised if Collins is back as a coach. Anyways, if there was any indication that he would leave (for example, refuse to sign an extension) he would be traded. Dont forget that even after his 4th year, he is a restricted FA so the wiz could match any offer.

That means Kwame won't have a choice of where to play without having to consider anything but himself for 3 more summers.

green machine · April 8th, 2003, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by notakiddfan1
What is Kwame, 20 years old? He'll have 15 years to suck and make mistakes (i guess that's a good thing..?) Michael Jordan coming back at least has made Washington competitive. The time Kwame does play, he gets actual game-time experience against quality opponents where playing well actually matters.

The knock on Kwame Brown has been that he doesn't work hard enough. If the guy doesn't have a proper work ethic, then he shouldn't be on the floor regardless.

Michael Jordan has put some juice back into a laughable franchise. He's filled the seats with two years of excitement. The notarity, fanfare, etc. has given the young guys a little taste of what it means to be in the NBA. The big wins they've had have given them another taste. And the last taste, the work ethic, was given, but the important thing is, was it accepted? If it was, then Jordan did his job. If it wasn't, then how could you put the blame anywhere but squarely on those who did not embrace what makes an NBA great?

Jordan coming back made them competitive. But it hasn't made them good enough. Remember the Kidd-led Suns? Always won 50-first round exit. That was not good enough. The team didn't suck, but it was nowhere near being a contender. Make a trade, have a bad year, get a good draft pick, and soon the Suns might be ready to contend.

Jordan has not helped them get closer to being a champion. When he is gone they'll be worse off then when he came. He could have been a good player to have a supporting role--but he had to be the man.

adam
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Bondage Hogtied