« Should Bobcats explore Kobe Bryant deal? | Main | Bobcats invited 'good corporate citizens' scrutiny »
June 06, 2007
Being a 'Friend of Mike' might get you a job with Bobcats
Coastal Carolina coach Buzz Peterson returned my call this morning to say nothing is new on whether he’ll join the Bobcats’ basketball operation. Managing partner Michael Jordan – Peterson’s roommate at North Carolina – invited him to join the organization. Peterson was in suburban Orlando last week for the NBA pre-draft camp, and I’m told by a source that Peterson would likely be a scout if he joins the Bobcats. Peterson said he hasn’t had detailed discussions with Jordan about what he would do, and is waiting for Jordan to get back to him. I’ve always found Peterson a guy of candor and integrity, so I’ll take him at his word. To me, the wider issue here is just how many of Jordan’s buddies fill jobs in this franchise. Jordan isn’t the first NBA executive to practice cronyism – Bernie Bickerstaff and Paul Silas both hired their sons as assistant coaches – but hiring Rod Higgins as general manager and offering Peterson a job were such predictable moves, they were almost clichés. I hope being a Friend of Mike isn’t the single biggest qualification to work for this team.
Posted by rbonnell on June 6, 2007 at 11:30 AM | Permalink
Comments
Hey Rick, I appreciate your articles about the Bobcats, you do a good job covering the team, but why is Jordan being singled out for hiring his friends? Virtually every pro sports owner does this. Robert Sarver the owner of the Suns just hired his "friend" Steve Kerr as GM in Phoenix. The Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has his sons & several "close friends" working for him. Baseball owners have been hiring their "friends" for GM/front office positions since MLB's inception. But Jordan is being accused of cronyism? I just think its a non-issue. Keep up the good work Rick.
Posted by: Bobcatfan4ever | Jun 6, 2007 12:32:12 PM
Jordan can do whatever he wants when it comes to basketball. Anyone who posts on this blog otherwise is unworthy of even considering themselves a fan.---new blog..
Posted by: Jonathan | Jun 6, 2007 2:54:16 PM
Good point. I think Buzz is probably among the most qualified of the hires made by Jordan. The Bobcats are falling all over themselves to screw this thing up. Fred Whitfield is supremely unqualified to direct the business ops. His only jobs have been working for Mike. Total lackey.
Posted by: bfi | Jun 6, 2007 2:56:16 PM
Jordon hired his friends in Washington and we saw how that turned out. I smell more failure.
Posted by: Larry | Jun 6, 2007 2:57:26 PM
Nicely put Larry. Whitfield was the Director of Player Personel in Washington. How did that work out?
Posted by: bfi | Jun 6, 2007 3:08:32 PM
the management can only do so much..ultimately it is the players in Washington who sucked it up. They all lacked experience, and neeeded a leader. That is why Jordan himself tried to play.
Posted by: Jonathan | Jun 6, 2007 3:25:12 PM
"Jordon hired his friends in Washington and we saw how that turned out. I smell more failure."
Yeah, cleared cap space, a sold out arena every night for 2 years, increased jersey sales, and more revenue generated. I smell jealousy & insecurity from you.
Posted by: bobcatfan4ever | Jun 6, 2007 3:33:49 PM
Whose jersey? Oh, I guess we will sell some MJ 23 Bobcats Jerseys. All Jordan did in in Washington was run off Rip Hamilton (NBA champ). Washington has fared a heck of a lot better without his ego. Maybe he'll make a comeback with the "Jordancats" and sell some jerseys.
Posted by: bfi | Jun 6, 2007 4:38:28 PM
All I know is that if I was running a team I'd hire Rick Bonnell and every sports writer on the Observer's staff. We'd win it all then!!!!!
Posted by: Bonnell<>Reporting Genius | Jun 6, 2007 4:41:51 PM
Sometimes in life you find yourself in the extreme position to hire someone, and it just so happens you know someone personnally that is qaualified to take on that position. Now the people that disagree probably has never been in the position to hire someone before because I would hire a person I knew and that was qualified in a minute. Jordan has learned over his years of being in the executive offices and hopefully it has panned out for this new organization. Plus I think there is no dispute about his knowlegde of the game itself, just get better with that player personnel thing (meaning letting Alan Anderson show what he can really do), and after this great 3rd season all looks bright.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVBS9SaPksY
But things look good for he bobcats because of the change of the game in the NBA and with a young coach and young execs that know eachother personnally, I think thats good business.
Holla!
Posted by: T-Dub | Jun 6, 2007 6:08:19 PM
To the person who made the comment about Fred Whitfield being "supremely unqualified to direct the business ops. His only jobs have been working for Mike. Total lackey."
You might want to do some research on his background & work buddy. Your statement is completely wrong and I don't say that as an opinion.
Posted by: GJ | Jun 6, 2007 8:23:48 PM
RICK,
I've seen film of Steve Hawes, and unless something quirky happens before 8 or we package and trade up, I think he's the best pick for us at 8. He's got serious skills and can become an excellent center in the NBA. Two or three years down the road, I believe he may end up being the 3rd best player in the draft, and we need a 7'0 center to replace Brezec at some point. Your take please?
Posted by: Charlotte Fan | Jun 6, 2007 9:16:32 PM
Remember GJ, this is a blog. Just a bunch of opinions. No research required. You tell us. What has Whitfield done that doesn't have Jordan written all over it.
Posted by: Magic | Jun 6, 2007 11:48:00 PM
CF, I'll assume you're talking about Spencer Hawes, and here is one report on how he looked this past week at the Predraft camp in Orlando. The 16 is a reference to the fact that his workout ranked 16th out of the 18 prospects who only worked out in Atlanta. He will be a quality backup for years, but the 3rd best player in the draft? Hardly.
16. Spencer Hawes 7-0 244 C Wash. Fr.
What he did well: Hawes measured a hair away from 7’1’’ and 244 lbs. That’ about it.
What he struggled with: You know you hurt your stock when the assistant coaches running the combine have a higher vertical than you do. Hawes’ 29’’ vertical did not compare to the big men he was competing against. So even though he can’t jump, he’s really strong, right? Not quite. Hawes performed a disappointing 9 bench reps and compounded it by running the slowest sprint time (3.51) and one of the most pedestrian lane drills (11.88).
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jun 7, 2007 12:47:25 AM
Bonnell!!!! Bonnell!!! Keep plugging away Big Rickey!! Your blog's blogging baby!!
Posted by: James Cameron | Jun 7, 2007 8:44:26 AM
Facts on Jordans Time at Washington:
2001/2002 37-45 No play-offs
2002/2003 37-45 No play-offs
Pollin dismissed Jordan noting that Jordan had detrimental effects on the team, such as benching Larry Hughes for Tyronn Lue when Lue passed the ball to Jordan more, making poor trades, and squandering the teams' 2001 1st round draft pick on high schooler Kwame Brown who never panned out.
Wizards replaced Jordan's managerial role with Coach Eddie Jordan and General Manager Ernie Grunfeld. The team's current roster only has two holdovers from the Michael Jordan era
The Grunfeld tenure has been widely lauded as being tremendously successful. In particular, the trade of underachieving first round bust Kwame Brown for All-Star Caron Butler is considered to be one of the all time uneven trades in NBA history.
Posted by: Larry | Jun 7, 2007 11:08:39 AM
Amen
Posted by: magic | Jun 7, 2007 11:17:48 AM
mike is doing what his white counterparts do!HIRING people he knows and feels comfortable with he didn't invent this practice just look at mlb and damn every franchise in pro sports.
Posted by: peedee | Jun 7, 2007 11:19:50 AM
Mike is the greatest basketball players of all time. Bball is his life. Naturally, the people he will become friends with with are basketball people, so the fact that they are his friends doesn't mean it will be bad. The situation in DC was different. That team had salary cap issues and some bad contracts (J. Howard). Let's give Mike a chance - I think he will do well. Right now, he gets us on Sportscenter and can sell FA to play here.
Posted by: Hal | Jun 7, 2007 12:19:29 PM
Rick, anough about MJ, let's get some rumors going on here. Can you find out what the latest on G Wallace is? Are we going to make him a strong offer? Do we have the cap to get him Okafor, and Lewis?
Posted by: Hal | Jun 7, 2007 12:24:39 PM
Rashard Lewis will not be worth anywhere NEAR the money he'll get paid. He's a soft player who only scores. Poor rebounding, defense, and heart. That's NOT what we need.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jun 7, 2007 1:59:43 PM
And I guess we now add Phil Ford and Lee Rose to the list...can Dean Smith be next?
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jun 7, 2007 3:17:23 PM
Cronyism is an obvious part of professional parts and Michael Jordan's latest moves are nothing new. However, fans of the Bobcats should have reason for concern considering the last time Jordan filled positions with his buddies in Washington for the Wizards...well we all know how that worked out.
Posted by: Nic | Jun 7, 2007 8:13:46 PM
I have faith in MJ. He knows basketball, he knows the people in basketball. I dont mind if he hires people that are close to him, as those are the people he trust, and trust is a big part in business. Despite his poor decision in drafting Kwame Brown, Jordan helped establish that team and open up the caproom that allowed Wahington to make the moves for Antawn Jamison and Gilbert Arenas. And at the time, drafing Brown was risky, but not stupid as he looked to be the one of the best long term bigman in the draft. He just didnt pan out. The only reason the new GM in washington looks so good is because Mitch Kupchak of the Lakers is such a moron. So i say have faith in MJ and let him hire his friends....I just hope that MJ does not befriend Joakim Noah. Please MJ, lets not have kwame #2 in Charlotte. Say no to Noah!
Posted by: Cats4Life | Jun 8, 2007 12:36:01 PM
I really like the fact that ownership, management and coaches are not mostly white like most teams in the league (Lee Rose as the 'token' white guy-- poetic justice). I think this could lend some much needed credibility to the Cats organization in the eyes of some of the best players in the league and certainly is a nice corrective in the rich and white dominated sports world. I'll wait on judging the moves in a basketball sense until we see what happens on the floor next season.
I agree that AA needs to get more of a run, especially considering his superior defensive skills.
Spencer Hawes would be the worst lottery pick in Charlotte since JR Reid.
I don't want Joakim Noah either.
I think the most likely, best pick for the Cats at #8 would be Al Thornton. Did anybody else out there in Carolina country see any FSU games this year? At the combine a few days ago he lead everyone with a " 41.5’’ vertical leap and displayed a freakish 7’1’’ wingspan while standing just 6’7’’. Thornton also weighed in at 221 lbs, showing he had gained weight since the end of the season. The added weight certainly didn’t slow him down, as Thornton ran a blistering 3.16 second sprint. "(NBADraft.net)
Any combination of G-force and Thornton at the two and three would be defensively and offensively dominant (in that order) He may need to work on his handling skills but he shot 44% from three last year (53% overall). The point is to get the best skills out there on the court. We know G-force and Okafor can be moved around and still be extremely effective (Wallace at 2-3-4, Okafor at the 4 and 5), Thronton is another one of those freak athletes (with better offensive skills at this point than either Wallace or Okafor had) who I think will develop the type of versatility to play the 2-3-4.
And as a closing thought, why not send Brevin to Portland (where he could counsel their young guards and feed their young forwards) and try to get Joel Pryzbilla in return. Pryzbilla is the perfect fit. for his career, in just 19 min/game he averages almost six rebounds and 1.7 blocks. And you don't ever have to run a play for him. He would be a vast improvement over Brezec (maybe a good platoon situation) and the Blazers are very soon going to have Magloire, Aldridge, Randolph and Oden, meaning Pryzbilla is extremely expendable (and pretty cheap too). Make some calls Ricky B.
Posted by: BustaCat | Jun 8, 2007 2:01:41 PM
Mike has always gotten his way remember all of those walking no calls. All he had to do was twist her head sideways and get the wild "who me" look on his face. BET (Black Every Time) owner Boob Johnson is the person who started us down the dark road. Now Jordan is bringing in the freeloaders.
I was really hoping that the city would get mixed up on which Charlotte Coliseum to blow up last Sunday. I say blow up the Boobcats and bring back the only team that Charlotte every did or will support, THE CHARLOTTE HORNETS (ALIVE AT THE HIVE).
Why is everyone ashamed to have their name on the Boobcat Arena. Maybe SOUL TRAIN would like to sponsor it?
Posted by: Kevin | Jun 8, 2007 3:05:50 PM
The most successful sports organizations are all run by professional management folks, NOT former players, who have a history of screwing things up eventually. The first ones to come to mind are Isiah Thomas with the Knicks, Larry Bird with the Pacers, Kevin McHal with the Wolves, of course MJ, and that lunatic who is running the Detroit Lions. It's a very long list of ex-players who are too subjectively involved in the organization.
Posted by: Dr. Hackenbush | Jun 8, 2007 7:29:18 PM
Don't forget Joe Dumars with the Pistons. Is he too involved? What about Jerry West with the old Lakers?
Posted by: BustaCat | Jun 8, 2007 10:48:16 PM
To the guy talking about BET, that is a very successful business on the television market. And besides if there was no BET, Justin Timberlake wouldn't have a job. And Mike Jackson might have stayed black (LOL)!
Then the guy who illustrated the record of washington while Micheal Jordan was there, you idiot that is still 4 games more then we ever won and this year would have been enough to make the playoffs. So what is all the complaint about until the next season starts. Because as of now they as an organization have progressed and isnt that what NEW franchises are about?
On calling Rick racist, I have to be honest I am a black person and when I see young people I clutch my pockets too. Kids are not being taught to care about others anymore and I have a little fear that one will do something or say something stupid to me. So I take precausions, and that goes for no matter the race. The overgrown, smart mouth young person comes in all shapes and sizes so be careful out there all of you.
Holla!
Posted by: T-Dub | Jun 11, 2007 6:19:41 PM
Justin Timberlake would be just fine without BET, I can promise you that.
...and as for Jordan's record, 4 games better as an established team with high-dollar talent and a #1 pick in the draft than an expansion team that has just reached the ability to spend to the salary cap is hardly something to write home about. I can understand your optimism in his second go at it, but I don't really know how you can defend Jordan's time as an executive with the Wiz.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Jun 11, 2007 7:21:46 PM
Homeys lay off my man Bob and Mj they be loading up the team with bros and mo BET is da bomb dog MJ goin to get it down MAN! Procton shut up dog. I rule the transit center across the street from the arena and my boys love the cats to the champtionship!!! Yo My Man Phil Ford. Get down man! GO YO CATS IS IT! ALL THE WAY MAN.
Posted by: Adolphus Shaft | Jun 11, 2007 11:46:09 PM
What is this, the minstrel blog? Anybody who thinks the Cats are too black, please keep your thinly veiled racism to yourself.
Posted by: BustaCat | Jun 12, 2007 7:26:51 AM
BustaCat,
Catch BET lately? Check out Shop Boyz "Party Like a Rock Star" video on BET. I want all the Bobcat games to be like this. Watch an hour of BET and then talk to me about "minstrel-speak"
Out.
Posted by: BET Fan | Jun 12, 2007 11:40:58 AM
BET Fan,
I was referring to the post that seemed to be making fun of the Bobcats link to BET. There's certainly a difference between vernacular and minstrel (the intent of what's said and who is saying it). I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to say. I don't watch BET (or any other type of music TV). My favorites don't get much run time in the mainstream. This is more my style...
Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2CfBwXroQU&eurl=
Posted by: BustaCat | Jun 12, 2007 4:44:52 PM
I think Boob Johnson's eye sight is getting bad. Someone in the hood just told him that he hired a white man (Buzz). Boob is very upset about the hire. He thought that Buzz was actually a light skin afro man. No one in his high level organization had informed him that Buzz is actually from the beach that explains the tan. The joke is on you Blackcat, BET (BlackEveryTime) Boob Johnson.
Posted by: kevin | Jun 15, 2007 12:37:43 PM
Bob Johnson please take your black A and all of your organization including white MJ and all of your dope dealing coaches and your has been general manager and go in any direction until you hit water.
The city should then turn BlackCats arena (funny how no one wants their name tied to this failure) into condos, this would help pay back the tax payers who bended over for Bob Johnson.
Posted by: jay | Jun 15, 2007 11:37:40 PM
I agree that taxpayer money going towards an arena is absolutely unjust. Kevin and Jay, your racist drivel gives away your small-minded, cowardly existence. I'm so happy that your team is the blackest in the league (and on the rise). DEAL WITH IT!
Posted by: BustaCat | Jun 18, 2007 1:14:48 PM
Busta my nba team now plays in new orleans all of their games are available on directv nba. Unlike the bobcats which you can't even watch in charlotte.........A BUNCH OF LOSERS.....HA HA HA HA HA........My other team begins play in August, the only professional team in Charlotte, The Panthers....now that is a class organization from top to bottom.......
Posted by: jay | Jun 18, 2007 10:57:27 PM
Has anyone told Boob that Buzz is white yet?
Posted by: BustaCat | Jun 18, 2007 11:05:13 PM
bustacat you seem to know a lot about little narrow things........ha ha ha......bunch of loser bobbiecats
Posted by: haha | Jun 19, 2007 12:08:25 PM
The last comment "Has anyone told Boob that Buzz is white yet?" is not mine. Please feel free to post your garbage, there good fodder for bloggers with a brain, but keep them under your own name.
Posted by: BustaCat | Jun 19, 2007 7:13:39 PM
Racists usually have small, sick minds. They also often show their envy by trashing those whose lot they so admire. The Bobcats will make the playoffs this season. They probably would have made it last season had it not been for injuries. Go Spurs!!!!!
Posted by: murrell | Jun 21, 2007 7:29:15 PM
hey murrell, that is a good observation about they coulda, shoulds, woulda made the playoffs............if they had won 20 more games they may have made the playoffs to i bet. the only racist in charlotte, or that's right he never comes to charlotte, is Bob Johnson former owner of BET (Black Every Time)
Posted by: george | Jun 22, 2007 11:56:32 PM
Post a comment
Advertisements
