RE: Report: Jordan might cut ties with Wizards

["John Lyell" <jlyell@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Rumor has it he is bound for Charlotte



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-celtics@igtc.com [mailto:owner-celtics@igtc.com]On Behalf Of
Stephen Beauregard
Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2003 5:36 AM
To: celtics list
Subject: Report: Jordan might cut ties with Wizards


http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-jordan-wizards&prov=ap&type=lgns


      Report: Jordan might cut ties with Wizards


      May 3, 2003
      NEW YORK (AP) -- Michael Jordan's relationship with the Washington
Wizards has deteriorated to the point that he and the franchise might part
ways, The New York Times reported Sunday.

      Citing two unidentified team executives, The Times said mounting
player
resentment toward Jordan, ownership's concerns about Jordan's work ethic as
an
executive, and Jordan's misgivings about the team's direction has left his
future in doubt.

      Jordan, who gave up his position as president of basketball operations
when he returned as a player two years ago, will meet with Wizards owner Abe
Pollin next week.


      ``All issues pertaining to the future direction of the franchise will
be
discussed later this week,'' Pollin said through a spokesman.

      A spokeswoman for Jordan told The Associated Press that she would not
comment on the report.

      The Times also reported that an Eastern Conference official said
Saturday that Jordan's advisers have been seeking to set up meetings about
Jordan's potential ownership of other NBA teams.

      The 40-year-old Jordan often criticized his teammates -- and several
of
them took shots at him in return -- as the Wizards stumbled to a 37-45
finish
and missed the playoffs for the second straight season with Jordan in the
lineup.

      Before Jordan returned as a player, he attempted to run the team from
his home in Chicago, leading to criticism that he was not sufficiently
active
in the day-to-day running of the franchise.

      On Friday, Wizards general manager Wes Unseld said he's taking a leave
of absence to deal with health issues. The 57-year-old Unseld will leave the
team following the NBA draft on June 26 for an undetermined amount of time.




Thanks,

Steve
sb@maine.rr.com