Michael Jordan's organization not winning championships

SHARE Michael Jordan's organization not winning championships
hc1_CST_021512_1.jpg

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 10: Charlotte Bobcats owner, Michael Jordan sits beside fiance, Yvette Prieto during the game between the Chicago Bulls and the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena on February 10, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) R:MerlinGetty_Photos138690893.jpg

Michael Jordan ruled the court as a player, but in the front office, he has been the guy who can’t fix a jammed copying machine.

The Jordan-owned Charlotte Bobcats suffered a 15th consecutive defeat Monday night while dropping to 3-25 and a .107 winning percentage that’s on pace to be the worst in NBA history. As the self-appointed ‘‘managing member of basketball operations,” Jordan can’t sidestep the blame.

The Bobcats’ woes mean that as an executive, Jordan is picking right up where he left off when he was fired as the Washington Wizards’ chief decision-maker in 2003.

The bottom line on his time in Washington: A 110-179 record with no playoff appearances, a 19-63 record for his hand-picked coach, Leonard Hamilton, and taking Kwame Brown with the No.  1 pick in 2001, when Pau Gasol, Joe Johnson, Zach Randolph and Tony Parker were available.

In Charlotte, Jordan has made the bad trades that let Tyson Chandler and Gerald Wallace prosper elsewhere.

There’s some karma at work here. During Jordan’s Hall of Fame induction speech, he skewered Jerry Krause, the executive who put together the Bulls rosters that won all those championships.

‘‘Jerry’s not here. I don’t know who’d invite him. I didn’t,” Jordan said. ‘‘I hope he understands it goes a long way. He’s a very competitive person. I was a very competitive person. He said organizations win championships. I said, ‘I didn’t see organizations playing with the flu in Utah. I didn’t see it playing with a bad ankle.’ ”

It certainly looks as if Jordan’s organization could use someone of Krause’s caliber right now.

Tom Weir, Gannett News Service

The Latest
The government will not use new, unchecked surveillance powers responsibly. It already habitually abuses Section 702, intended for surveillance of foreigners, to search Americans’ communications.
The company, known for its ice cream stores and milk packaged in glass bottles, recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Figueroa was sentenced to 50 years in prison. The infant, Yovanny Jadiel Lopez, died several weeks later.
The current contract expires this summer. On top of raises for staff, the union wants help for unhoused students and more dual language education.
Ukrainian Prime Minster Denys Shmyhal joined Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Biden special representative Penny Pritzker to tout the importance of American investment in Ukraine — while also stressing the dire need for Congress to approve more U.S. aid.