Charlotte general manager Rod Higgins met with the media late Friday morning.
Owner Michael Jordan did not. The best known owner in sports did not talk to the media after he fired Larry Brown, after he hired Paul Silas or after he gave Silas an extension. On Thursday, Jordan traded Gerald Wallace. He didn't talk to us Friday, either. I had requested an interview earlier this week. I didn't get it.
Give Jordan this: He was consistent as a player and he's consistent as an owner.
"Flexibility is the word we put before us," Higgins says Friday at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Trading Wallace for two first-round draft picks and two expiring contracts creates options in reconfiguring the roster through free-agent signings and trades. Since the Bobcats owed Wallace $10.5 million next season and $10.5 million the following season, the trade also creates financial flexibility.
But the trade works only if Jordan is willing to spend money.
Is he, I ask.
"Of course Michael is willing to spend the money," says Higgins.
It could be today, says Higgins. It could be in a few years. It could be a "marquee free agent" in 2011, or '12, or '13.
"Mr. Jordan is willing to spend the money," Higgins said a second time.
Later, Higgins will add: "Michael is in this business to compete at a high level. He's also going to be wise with his spending."
The deal makes sense only if the Bobcats are wise with their draft picks and wise with their trades and willing to invest wisely.
Because of the trade, there's more of a buzz about the Bobcats than there has been all season. We all like new. We all like to take sides. We're all talking.
But buzz doesn't last. There was buzz when the Bobcats selected Adam Morrison with the third pick in the 2006 draft. I believe it has expired.
The only buzz regarding Morrison after the draft was when he finally cut off all of his hair. Don't trust the Bobcats to draft. Morrison, May, DJ over Lopez, Ajinca? Enough said.
Posted by: Stan | February 25, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Enough about previous drafts...what do you want Jordan to do? Go back into time and change the picks? Talk about something else, like who may or may not be available with our extra picks the next two years or through Free Agency...otherwise STFU
Posted by: Your Mom | February 25, 2011 at 02:25 PM
MJ does not have time to talk to a DB like you Tom, your so edgy with your negative Bobcats and Panthers articles..LOL You are the epitome of a DB...
Posted by: Your Mom | February 25, 2011 at 02:29 PM
Yeah marquee free agents are waiting in line to get to Charlotte.......
Another team comes to mind when I think about this. The New Jersey Nets. The team had money from here to Mexico and the best they got was Jordan Farmar and Travis Outlaw in the offseason. It took a last second trade to get D. Williams but before that, they were in major trouble. What makes MJ think the same thing won't happen to us? Tons of money, with nobody to pay it to.........
Posted by: Smitty | February 25, 2011 at 02:51 PM
Tom I am yet to hear a positive thing about the Bobcats from you. Sorry they aren't the hornets christ
Posted by: Space Cowboy | February 25, 2011 at 03:46 PM
Tom,
What makes you think "anyone" in the Bobcats organization will grant you an interview if you don't even follow this team. You write 1 negative article evry other year. Do you really think they care about what you need to say. You are a joke, is funny how you get paid for that.
Posted by: RobC | February 25, 2011 at 04:01 PM
What's up with Charlotte and this legacy of stingy, tight-fisted, only interested in their bottom line at the expense of the fans pro team owners who aren't willing to pay to keep good talent? First George Shinn and Bob Johnson and now Jerry Richardson and Michael Jordan. As a small market city, Charlotte will never keep top talent without ponying up the cash that players can command.
Posted by: AlexC | February 25, 2011 at 07:15 PM
Tom you're so true. That's right, what about that Playoff prediction? I guess they meant in 3 more years...maybe. The east is now incredibly scary. Stoudamire, Melo, D. Williams, and of course the big 3 in Miami.
Posted by: bigt | February 25, 2011 at 07:27 PM
Tom. You ar an idiot. How many times has Jerry Richardson spoken in the last ten years? Was Paul Allen at the podium in Portland? MJ talking to you would be a complete waste of time. It was a good trade for e Bobcats.. Don't let your hurt feelings over not getting an interview with MJ cloud your judgement. The interview only helps you not him. Of course he will spend money. You think he sits court side every game to watch his team lose? By the way, until they made moves like this he could not spend money. Ever heard of the salary cap? Go back to whatever it is you do and stop talking about the Bobcats. Tom Sorenson. Off beat and biting. No one takes you seriously.
Posted by: Gary | February 26, 2011 at 12:12 AM
We are going to be okay Tom, and we will in it all in OUR life time. PS, I'm even older than you! Go ---Cats, and I hope some day soon we'll be known as the "Carolina Cougars". The guys did a great job against Sacramento under difficult circumstances. MJ will have his day.
Posted by: trulytimely | February 26, 2011 at 06:05 AM