Superman to the Rescue
Posted June 18, 2006, 2:36 PM ET

It's a bird...No, a plane.

No, it's Superman.....check that, it is Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan is now a member of Team Johnson. Bobcat owner Bob Johnson announced that NBA legend Michael Jordan is now a partial owner of the Charlotte team. Jordan will be the proud owner of the second largest share of the NBA franchise.

Jordan will have the veto power of basketball operations despite not being an employee. Bernie Bickerstaff and his staff will continue to do all the work, but nothing will be finalized until MJ agrees to it.

Is Michael Jordan the answer to jumpstart the Bobcats in the Charlotte market?

It seems like people are talking about MJ and the Bobcats as we head to the NBA Draft...and that is a good thing. But how long will that last?

I have contended on the air and in print, that the city of Charlotte will support the Bobcats big-time if, and only if they win. It has nothing to do with the color of the uniforms, the new age scoreboard, or even Michael Jordan....If Bob Johnson wants his franchise accepted by the locals, then he has to do everything in his power to put a winner on the court.

When it comes to Charlotte and their sports teams, all you need to do is check out the Carolina Panthers and owner Jerry Richardson. I certainly have some issues with Richardson, but there is no doubting that he wants his team to win and will do anything it takes to reach that goal. Fans can relate and appreciate that approach. If the Panthers fall short in the win department, you can see the results immediately at the gate. Bob Johnson should take note.

The Bobcats are only in their third year of existence...and their play on the court proves that point. Assuming that Johnson's team can pick up a solid contributor with the third pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, plus they have a chance to spend some cash under the cap, too.

The future looks promising, but you can't fool the general public which knows good basketball from bad. Unfortunately for Johnson, Jordan and the Bobcats there is no honeymoon period. You can thank the Hornets and David Stern for that gift.

Fans also need to understand that the Michael Jordan announcement doesn't mean MJ will be a permanent fixture in the Charlotte sports landscape. In fact, I think it means we will see very little of him in the Queen City. Anybody that buys a ticket or a game or a season ticket based on the "MJ factor", well they need to have their heads examined.

Jordan is not the posterchild of an "NBA executive". He had a very disappointing run as a front office guy in D.C. when he was with the Washington Wizards. After hiring Leonard Hamilton as his coach (fired in one year), trading Rip Hamilton (now a superstar with Detroit), and drafting high schooler Kwame Brown (total bust) with the first pick of the draft....Jordan was a front office failure. He was eventually fired and kicked to the curb in Washington.

Jordan's work ethic as a player is legendary. His work ethic as an executive is legendary, too. Bob Johnson even stated in the press conference that he wouldn't expect MJ to keep regular business hours with his new gig....you don't say, Bob?

It concerns me that Johnson would give MJ as much power to oversee the basketball fortunes of the franchise. Jordan will spend more time on the golf course than he will watching players and games. Hopefully Bickerstaff and Co. have done their homework and will be able to better the team in the off season. I doubt that MJ has a clue about what the Cats should do with the pick.

In case you didn't hear the news, you can buy a Bobcats season ticket for as little as $199...that is certainly a great deal to watch Jordan's new team. Who knows, you might even see him at the arena when LeBron and Kobe come to town.