Jordan: Bickerstaff will not return as coach

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Michael Jordan now gets a chance to hire a coach for his basketball team.


Jordan, part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, said Tuesday that Bernie Bickerstaff will not return as coach next season, although he will complete this one. He will be invited to stay with the team and remains an "integral part" of the franchise.


The third-year expansion team is 23-41 and last in the Southeast Division. Bickerstaff, also the general manager, has been credited with assembling a core of skilled players.

"I want him involved," Jordan said. "We just haven't decided if that's as general manager or president of basketball operations. I see him staying with the organization."

Bickerstaff, 67-161 in three seasons, said when he was first hired that he wanted to coach for only two or three years before becoming the full-time general manager. But when Jordan was brought in as a minority owner last spring and given the final say on basketball decisions, Bickerstaff's future was in doubt.

Jordan said it's too early to talk about the next coach.
"We haven't got to that point," he said. "Bernie is still going to finish out the season. When the season is over, he and I will sit down and have those type of conversations — who best suits the structure of players we have on this team."

Owner Bob Johnson indicated Jordan will have sole authority to hire the new coach.

"I have absolute confidence in Michael to make the decision," Johnson said.

Jordan, dressed in jeans and a red jacket, was confident the Bobcats, with a coach he hand-picks, will become a winner.

"What's the time frame on that? I'd be guessing to say five to six to seven years. We would hope sooner, but you never know," Jordan said. "It all depends on who that leader will be. If it was Michael Jordan, then it would be easy to answer."

Bickerstaff, who was not at Jordan's news conference and not immediately available for comment, was one of Johnson's first hires when he was awarded the team. The 62-year-old Bickerstaff has been the coach at Seattle, Denver and Washington, serving the dual role of coach and GM with the SuperSonics and Nuggets.

Bickerstaff was credited with the selection of leading scorer Gerald Wallace in the expansion draft, and picking leading rebounder Emeka Okafor and point guard Raymond Felton in the college draft. Charlotte, with Jordan making the final call in last June's draft, chose Adam Morrison with the No. 3 overall pick.

"When we got the team, Bernie was present at the creation," Johnson said. "He molded the team and the culture of the team, which was to play hard and be a credit to yourself and your community. It's a tribute to Bernie."

"The decision was made by Bernie, Michael and myself, and I hope that he'll continue in the organization in a capacity that we can agree on," he added.

Jordan has yet to prove he can effectively run a basketball team. After winning six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, he was hired as president of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards in 2000. Jordan was fired three years later, receiving the most criticism for selecting underachieving Kwame Brown with the No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft.

"A lot of people don't understand what we did for that organization. They were in a tough bind from a business standpoint," Jordan said. "I know I'm capable of operating a basketball franchise to a very successful situation. The unfortunate thing in Washington, I didn't get to finish what I started."
Jordan also was assailed for running the Wizards while living in suburban Chicago. Jordan said Tuesday he plans to buy a home in Charlotte, but expects to continue his role behind the scenes.

"I'm operating manager for the investors. I oversee the basketball operations," Jordan said. "Does that put me in the office for a 9-to-5 situation? No."

Jordan said the team plans to re-sign Wallace, if he becomes a free agent this summer, and Okafor, who is eligible for an extension at the end of the season.

"We've got a lot of things to do to secure the nucleus," Jordan said. "We're close and we want to sustain this long term. I think we have to make that commitment financially."

The Bobcats, in their third season, have struggled to win over fans still upset over the Charlotte Hornets' move to New Orleans in 2002 and the city's decision to build a $265 million arena despite a failed referendum. The Bobcats sold only about 8,000 season tickets this year.

Charlotte ended an eight-game losing streak with a victory over Orlando on Monday. Attendance was 13,762 in the 19,078-seat arena, which is without a lucrative naming rights deal.
"They have a bad taste in their mouths," Jordan said, referring to the fans. "They want to make sure the product on the basketball court is worthy of them supporting it."

 

If he could fire Bob Johnson he'd be doing the fans and the franchise more good.

 

there are 3 other threads on this in basketball forum...jus sayin