Jordan: "Knee Deep into Negotiatins"

[cdandi1]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/11/08/2757162/why-jordan-has-become-a-hard-liner.html

Jordan has stepped knee-deep into these negotiations. Numerous media reports named Jordan as the de facto leader of a small-market faction pushing for the toughest negotiating stance.

Sources with knowledge of Jordan's thinking say the Bobcats' success rests on closing the gap between what big-market teams can pay for players vs. what the Charlottes, Sacramentos and Milwaukees can afford.

Some tweets by players when the found out Jordan's stance:

Jordan in the role of hard-line owner surprised and disappointed some NBA players, based on their recent tweets.

Golden State Warriors rookie Klay Thompson: "You think the 1996 MJ would pull this? Straight hypocrite, bro."

The Indiana Pacers' Paul George: "He should have been the first one behind us."

Wizards player Nick Young: "i'm not wearin jordans no more. can't believe what I just seen and heard from MJ. Elvis done left the building."

It's hard to tell, in this Twitter age of instant rage, whether that reaction is either wide-spread or long-lasting among the players. Jordan repeatedly has said he'll aggressively pursue free agents going forward. Bobcats management has portrayed Jordan's iconic history - he won six NBA titles - as a platform to recruit top talent.

Would Jordan's tough stance become a hindrance to future player recruitment? A former player agent, who would be quoted only anonymously because of on-going business dealings with the NBA, said that's a legitimate concern.

"Players and agents sometimes hold grudges. These people have a lot of pride," the agent said.

A source close to Jordan said that's a calculated risk the owner was willing to take because changing the system is so essential to the Bobcats' future. There are three distinct elements to remaking NBA economics: The division of revenue between players and owners, the system that controls free agency and the revenue sharing among the 30 franchises.

[cdandi1]

Negotiations....

[The Saltman]

racist.

thats not how jordan says that.

[Dpantherman]

I mean, as a fan I'm glad. The Bobcats have ZERO shot of doing anything in the NBA. Whether they will after all this is over is a completely different question. But in general, you either have to be REALLY good. or REALLY bad.

.500 teams (or anywhere close) are fugED.

[Kurb]

He is doing what he has to to help the Bobcats.

In the current structure there is NO shot for the Bobcats to win a title.

Teams simply can outspend.

NBA needs a hardcap structure similar to the NFL.

Shame they did all this BS on the heels of the best finals they have had in years.

[mav1234]

if the NBA ever wants to even pretend to have parity across the league, they need to really revamp quite a bit about the financial structure of the league.

[Zaximus]

Sigh, the reason why NCAA basketball is currently more popular than the NBA. This definitely doesn't help them if they don't help out small market teams.

[King Taharqa]

Gonna be even tougher to lure free agents now. MJ pulling a JR in negotiations.

[Panthers128]

I don't think most players think about the well being of the business. They just think about making more money

Surely people like Nick Young realize all the empty seats in the arena though. Also when MJ was playing, the NBA was seemingly more successful. The Hornets seemed to fall apart right after MJ retired now that I think about it.

[Dpantherman]

Gonna be even tougher to lure free agents now. MJ pulling a JR in negotiations.

Why just MJ though, aren't all the owners on the same page? (idk, just asking)

[mav1234]

Gonna be even tougher to lure free agents now. MJ pulling a JR in negotiations.

yeah you're right, man, JR really ruined it for us with the CBA negotiations. ;)

[Chaos]

Okay, to the stupid moron Klay Thompson of Golden State. Hey Rookie, I realize you were in diapers when MJ was winning rings, but the 1996 MJ was a player. The 2011 MJ is the owner of a small market NBA team in a piss-poor league economic structure. It's called survival.

[rico6]

Agree with Jordan's motivation for this. He's only trying to help the little man.

[Dpantherman]

I mean Id really like to hear from the fans of the team that are against MJ on this one. Because seriously, this team will get no where with the current system. Waste of time, money, and space.