| Washington Wizards:
Jordan's Future
With Steve Wyche
Washington Post Sports Writer
Tuesday, April 15 2003; 10 a.m. ET Will Michael Jordan leave the Washington Wizards for a management position with the Chicago Bulls? Will Jordan return as president of basketball operations for the team? How would you characterize his tenure with the Wizards? Washington Post sports reporter Steve Wyche was online to discuss the Washington Wizards and Jordan's retirement. The transcript follows. Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Bethesda, Md.: Mark it down: Michael Jordan will never work for the Wizards again. In the 3-4 years or so he was here he never looked more happy than the first day he was on the job. His visible disappointment and resentment toward this team, the management and this city was never more evident than last night. The fans couldn't get off their butts for long enough to give the man a meaningful ovation? The last two minutes was too little too late. Abe Pollin's token 15 computers to D.C. schools? Wow, way to break the bank, Abe. Even Buckhantz and Chenier looked shocked. Miami retired his number and the Wiz did squat. Once that completely lame (why did they even bother making it a secret?) ceremony was over he couldn't run off the floor fast enough. The Bullets got blindsided and were obviously unprepared. Just another example of Les Boulez, a second class franchise acting like it. After that, how can he come back? I guess no one is ever bigger than this town. Steve Wyche: Hey, sorry I'm a few minutes late getting on but I'm ready to roll.
Michael Jordan did not let his feelings be known about how he felt about the ceremony. Several of his teammates and fans said they thought the donation of the computers was nice but they expected more to be done for Jordan, who was the main reason the MCI Center sold out the past two seasons.
In terms of that having an effect on Jordan coming back, I think that will have little if no impact. Michael Jordan is a tough businessman who won't even think about that when he's negotiating a deal for his return.
Silver Spring, Md.: I wasn't at the game last night, but I heard the tribute to Jordan at the end of the game was weak, to say the least. What are your thoughts on that. Steve Wyche:
Sorry for coming off vanilla, but I wasn't the one being honored so...I will say this, the ceremonies in Denver and Miami had more fanfare but I also have no problem with each D.C. High School getting 15 computers to help some kids.
Chantilly, Va.: Steve:
Assuming MJ comes back to the front office, what will be the major shake-up with the roster? Who's going? Who may they try to acquire? Steve Wyche:
Great question. The main thing determining how the roster will look will be whether Jerry Stackhouse opts out of his contract. If he does, the Wizards will have more than $10 million in salary cap room to try to pursue some free agents. I don't think they would try to land one big-time guy but I do think they would try to sign a few blue-collar types.
If Stack doesn't opt out, there will be some trades. It all depends on who they get back. Based on some conversations I've had, everyone is pretty much available. I don't think they would move Jared Jeffries or Juan Dixon, though. They love those players' potential and work ethic.
Silver Spring, Md.: I think Collins 'spoiling' Jordans farewell, as Wilbon put it, with his tirade, is a load of you know what. The team has played without effort all season and couldn't even score 80 points at Jordans last home game. Collins didn't spoil a thing. His players did. A big farewell? Why? Other than being under the salary cap, the team still isn't in better shape that it was before. So the team now has a good scouting staff, I don't think that is a reason to be retiring a dudes number, I don't care who it is. He only played two seasons. The fact that he is the #1 scorer on the team says more about the quality of the other players than anything else. Steve Wyche:
Good point. Typically, retiring someone's number is the highest honor and, in terms of what Jordan did with the Wizards, it would not be worthy of retiring his jersey based on most criteria.
In terms of not playing with effort, you hit that on the head too. That is why Jordan and Collins are so frustrated. Some of these players have not realized they get paid to play basketball for a living and they should cherish that they make millions, in essence, to work for three hours a day.
Washintong, D.C.: I personally think it was pretty classless of MJ to not even address the crowd at the MCI Center last night. He gave a nice farewell speech this year in Chicago, but he can't say anything to us? I think it shows just how much he doesn't care about DC and how much he loves Chicago. I don't blame him, but I say if he loves Chi-town so much, let him go. Steve Wyche:
I found it odd that Jordan and Mr. Pollin did not address the crowd. I don't know if there was a problem with the portable microphones or whatever, but the only one doing the talking was the P.A. announcer. Abe and Irene Pollin did not have a mic to address the crowd or to hand to Jordan.
I honestly can't tell you if this was set up to happen like it did or not. All I know is that no mic was brought on to the court and after Mr. Pollin's donation was announced, Jordan was steered to shake hands with the representatives from the 18 District high schools that will receive computer labs.
I will say this, Jordan loves Chicago, but he also likes being in D.C. a lot more than you may think.
Forestville, Md.: I wonder if the players and the game have changed too much for either Michael Jordan or Doug Collins to hang around too much longer. In Jordon's first and second careers, a player who cursed at his coach would be pulling 10 other feet out of his behind. Today, only the old man says anything about it. Collins expressed his disappointment with the attitude of the team publicly for perhaps the last time last night. Can Jordan be far behind in deciding that this team is worthless? Steve Wyche:
As cliché as it sounds, the reason players can get away with things like cursing out their coaches are guaranteed contracts. Players are going to get paid no matter what, which is why you have seen more widespread disrespect for the game, players not playing through mild discomfort, etc...Jordan won't bail on trying to get things right in Washington unless he bails on basketball completely. Players dissing their coaches is not a Wizards' thing, it's a league-wide thing. Collins just decided to let the Wizards' dirty laundry be known.
Riverdale, Md.: What's the deal with Coach Collins being disrespected by the young players of the Wizards? How do you think they're rectify that problem? Steve Wyche:
It's hard to rectify that problem, although winning changes everything. I guarantee you, on any sports team at any level, the majority of players have some beef with their coach. However, if the team wins, everything is better. If the team loses, disrespect spreads like wildfire.
The best way to rectify the problem is to find players who understand the importance of the game and who respect the game. The problem is, those players are few and far between. That is why so many coaches have had to swallow their pride and let some things slide, something Collins and Jordan said they won't do.
Washington, D.C.: Now that all of the hoopla is over, what do you think will be Jordan's future in Washington? Steve Wyche:
I do think Jordan will be back. He has never bailed on anything he has started.
Washington, D.C.: Are these fans kidding? Did Jordan need his ego stokes again? I think not. The ceremony was fine. 15 computers to each high school is a significant and meaningful gift and the flag he received from Secretary Rumsfield is priceless. Some of the fans in this town don't know squat. Steve Wyche:
I think those 15 computers in each classroom could turn out to help leave a legacy that is carried on for years through our young men and women. The flag, well, what can you say.
Washington, D.C.: Steve: Thanks for doing this chat. It sure sounds like the list of talented former Bullet/Wizards big men who succeed elsewhere will soon grow: Webber, Rasheed and Ben Wallace, and ... Kwame Brown? (And in typical Wizards fashion, they have trashed Kwame so much that his trade value is at an absolute low.) I actually think Wes and Abe have learned a lesson from those failures and will want to keep Kwame. If Jordan is of the mind to get rid of Kwame, will that impact the negotiations between the team and Jordan in terms of how much authority Jordan will have? Steve Wyche:
Though Jordan and Collins have not been pleased with some of the things that have happened with Kwame, they also are well aware of the fact that Garnett, Kobe, Jermaine O'Neal, also blossomed in their third years. They want to see him succeed, which is why they have been so hard on him. I don't think they will move Kwame unless they get a young player who has established himself or is on the verge of establishing himself.
Believe me when I say, everyone with that organization is very aware of how well the big men you mentioned have done since they were traded from Washington.
Jordan will have as much authority as he had before, which is final say on basketball moves. He was restricted somewhat because of the luxury tax, but otherwise he had wide-ranging power.
Clinton, Md.: Ok Steve, you've talked to your sources. Any other players you think will stick around (based on work ethic and coachability)? Steve Wyche:
In terms of stick around, it's hard to tell. Again, if Jerry Stackhouse opts out, that gives the Wizards a lotof cap room, if not, some players will be traded.
Tyronn Lue is a free agent who they want to re-sign. Charles Oakley is a free agent and will either retire or play elsewhere. Bryon Russell has an opt out but I don't think he's in Washington's plans.
The Wizards do have an abundance of shooting guards so I think one might be dealt. Washington also needs to get some outside shooting in a bad way.
I do think Jared Jeffries, Juan Dixon and Lue, if they re-sign him, are pretty much certainties to be back.
Silver Spring, Md.: I believe that Stackhouse has been somewhat disappointing this year. He can't be much better than a 40 point player, and he's not playing the defense that he did in Detroit. If you were the Wizards, would you look elsewhere before re-signing Stackhouse? Jermaine O'Neil? Andre Miller? Steve Wyche:
Stackhouse can opt out of his contract. If he does the Wizards could re-sign him. If he does opt out, the team has to figure out who they might be able to get in free agency and determine if that player is better than Stackhouse.
Although Stackhouse had a tough season, he is a very good player. He does need to step it up on defense. If the Wizards get an outside shooter, I think he will have more opportunities to play isolation ball, which suits his strength. With no outside shooters this season, teams could gang up on Stack or cut off his lanes to the basket, forcing him to play more on the perimeter.
The Pacers probably will keep O'Neal and the Wiz might not have the money to get Andre Miller, although I think he would be a good fit.
Columbia, Md.: Same old Wizards. When they drafted Kwame, I thought this team had turned the corner. But the team has handled a high school player worse than any team in the league has handled a high school player. Kwame, of course, should share some of the blame, but the team had no plan, no patience, and unreasonable expectations for a kid who was going to be living on his own for the first time in his life. What do you think the future holds for Kwame? Is he as uncoachable as some in the media have portrayed him? Reports were that he was quite coachable in the big man camps last summer, so is Collins the problem? Steve Wyche:
Good perceptions. I think Collins might need to back off some but his firm handling of Kwame is in large part because he has stuck his neck out for Kwame. He pushed for the team to draft him and has been a loud voice of dissent when trade offers have come. That is why he has grown so frustrated with Brown's receptiveness, or lack thereof, to instruction.
Teams do need to have patience with young players and I think Washington's expectations weren't for him to be an all-star this season. They did expect consistency, which is still a hard thing for young players to grasp.
Kwame has to share the blame too. He chose to come to the NBA, live on his own and deal with what came. He could have honored his commitment to the Univ. of Florida, honed his game, come in more polished and all that, but he chose this life and now he must deal with it.
Laurel, Md.: Ten years from now, will most observers think the last two seasons helped the Wizards build interest and fan base; or have they just been a distraction from building a real team?
Steve Wyche:
Unless things totally unfurl over the next few years, I can't see how anyone could think these last two seasons haven't helped interest in the team. Have you ever seen a non-playoff team in any sport (maybe other than the Dallas Cowboys) get more national media attention?
Charlotte, N.C.: Do you think that Washington should get rid of Kwame Brown? Does it look like he'll ever be the player the Washington Wizards expect? Steve Wyche:
I personally like Kwame but I am not the team's GM. It all depends on what direction they want to take the team in. I think he's going to develop into a good player. A great player? Who knows. If they do trade him, I'm sure they will make sure to get a young, talented player in exchange.
Arlington, Va.: Steve, MJ is the greatest, but hopefully this will be his last retirement ceremony. What exactly was Collins so ticked off about regarding the other players? Steve Wyche:
I think Collins reached his boiling point after so many players seemed to be on the court last night not totally focused or into the game. I think he senses discord towards him among players, which is often the case in locker rooms of losing teams.
Collins is one of the most passionate coaches I have ever been around and it bothers him greatly when he feels people he's trying to help resist or don't care as much as he does.
Washington D.C.: Hey Steve I like reading your articles in the post. Do you think that there are going to be a lot of changes in the off season? And do the younger guys like Kwame work on their games in the off season because I really didn't see any improvement from last season. If they do what camps do they attend? Thank you. Steve Wyche:
There will be changes. I don't think they are going to bring in eight new guys like they did last season because that is too many players to incorporate and win in one season. Kwame, Brendan Haywood, Etan Thomas and Bobby Simmons went to some big man camps last summer and each player did make improvements.
Their gains might not have been that noticeable but they did get better in some areas. They need to combine more effort with their skills but I think each one of those guys wants to be a good player and will continue to work at it.
Right, but... : Won't that national media attention evaporate with Jordan's last game? Steve Wyche:
That attention will be gone. That is why some of these players who grew tired of all the Jordan hoopla are going to be wishing for some attention next season when they play in front of fewer fans and fewer TV audiences. You can count on that.
Virginia: You mentioned several players that would probably stay next year. What is your assessment of Brendan Haywood's year and what does he need to do for 03-04? Steve Wyche:
I think Brendan has to get stronger, particularly in his legs and he has got to become more fundamentally sound. It is coach speak but Brendan makes himself small with things he does. Before he shoots and after he grabs rebounds, he brings the ball down below his waist, allowing shorter players to easily defend him or knock the ball out of his hands.
He must learn to keep the ball held high to take advantage of his height (7 feet) and long arms. He also must get tougher, but that has never been a consistent trait of his and it's hard to change somebody's makeup this late in life.
Fairfax, Va.: TK and Wilbon say that there is no way Kwame can be successful in Washington because the relationship has soured so badly. What are your thoughts? Steve Wyche:
It's hard to say. People can overcome a lot of obstacles. Larry Brown and Allen Iverson have worked through a lot of bad feelings that go both ways. Heck, nobody ever thought Jordan would get along with Abe Pollin after they had words during the NBA labor dispute in 1998.
Washington, D.C.: The Wizards franchise is not a good one. If you will recall, the hype last season was that "His Airness" was going to take us to the promise land. Nothing happened except for his bad knees flaring up. This year, he is healthy and they are still a poor team. No offense to Jordan, but he could only do so much for them. Now, they are going to be even sorrier without him! How can they possibly be any better without him? Steve Wyche:
To be honest, I don't think the Wizards are going to be that much worse. Granted, he led the team in just about every category, but I do think some of the younger players will get better. I think they will add some role players who will hold teammates accountable and I think Stackhouse, if he returns, will be a much better player
Lorton, Va.: Wilbon wrote that the Wizards could have room under the salary cap this offseason. What guys that would be available? Steve Wyche:
The top free agents are Jason Kidd, Gary Payton, Jermaine O'Neal and Tim Duncan. Other players include Alonzo Mourning, P.J. Brown, Lamar Odom, Andre Miller, Elton Brand, Keon Clark, Eric Piatkowski, Michael Olowokandi and Kenny Anderson to name a few.
I don't who out of that lot Washington would pursue. Some are restricted free agents, which gives their teams the right to match any offer
Virginia: Part II -- Regarding Brendan Haywood -- you mean he doesn't have fundamentals? He stayed at UNC for four years. What gives? Steve Wyche:
He has a lot of fundamentals, which is why he's been able to start and do okay for a second year player. He, according to some folks around the league, needs to refine those fundamentals.
Springfield, Va.: I am likely in the minority, but I hope that MJ does not stay with the Wizards. A tremendous basketball player -- no doubt; however, I don't think he is a tremendous evaluator of talent. Should MJ leave, who in your opinion would the Wizards hire to replace him? Also, any chance the Wiz will go retro Bullets for good? Steve Wyche:
The Wizards can't go back to Bullets for at least two years. The NBA has a rule where you have to petition for uniform changes two years in advance. Based on conversations with team officials indicate that hasn't happened.
Rockville, Md.: Will you be there to write an "I told you so" article for everyone out here in fandom when the Wizards' players realize that they wouldn't have won the games that they did over the last two years without Jordan in their playing? These guys, with a few exceptions, are overpaid, lazy and undisciplined. There is nothing that Collins of MJ can do to make them change, and that includes Kwame "I'm just a kid" Brown. Steve Wyche:
I'll be here but I won't have to write I told you so. The results on the court will speak for themselves.
Steve Wyche:
Hey folks. I appreciate all the insightful questions and the interest. You all are very knowledgeable. Thanks for reading and have a great spring. I'll be here to let you know everything that's going on with the Wiz.
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