![]() ![]() However, after this stretch, Jordan tore his meniscus against the Sacramento Kings. This is extremely impressive given that younger elite wings such as Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady were all playing at this time as well. Jordan at the age of 39 had even entered the Most Valuable Player conversation. This brought their record to a respectable 26-21. Yet in late November, Jordan seemed to have gotten through to his teammates when he said: “We stink.” After this horrific start to the season, the Washington Wizards would win 24 of their next 36 games. With a supporting cast of players such as Rip Hamilton (shooting guard), Chris Whitney (point guard) and Etan Thomas (power forward), Jordan simply wasn’t getting enough help to turn the season around. The 2001-2002 NBA Season BeginsĪlthough Jordan got off to a hot start during the 2001-2002 NBA season (averaging 26.8 points per game through his first eleven starts) the Washington Wizards started off a woeful 2-9. Jordan had to then take three months off from basketball and upon returning was a hefty 240 pounds. Before the season started Jordan broke his ribs in a pickup game with Metta World Peace (Ron Artest). After all, he had been away from the sport of basketball for three years. One of the biggest issues for Jordan was getting back into NBA shape. The Washington Wizards’ first move with Jordan at the helm was to hire head coach Doug Collins. He also wanted to give back to a younger generation of basketball players. Jordan believed the Washington Wizards had the roster to become a title contender. On September 25, 2001, Jordan announced he would return to the court. Michael Jordan Feels a Drive to Return to the Court Image courtesy of PRESTON KERES/AFP via Getty Images Brown would go on to average a measly 6.3 points per game throughout his NBA career. Teammates would often describe Brown as someone with an atrocious work ethic, poor attitude and immature personality. Jordan believed Kwame was to become the next Hakeem Olajuwon.īut Kwame Brown would turn out to be one of the worst draft picks in recent NBA history. As a result, the Washington Wizards drafted Kwame Brown with the no. Jordan liked what he saw from the high school prospect during the workout. Afterward, Brown decided to enter the 2001 NBA Draft. This helped the Washington Wizards land the number one pick in the 2001 NBA draft.Īt first, center Kwame Brown was supposed to play at the collegiate level, but the Washington Wizards managed to get a private workout with him. The Drafting of Kwame “Bust” Brown Image courtesy of Īt the end of the 2000-2001 NBA season, the Washington Wizards had finished with a league-worst record of 19-63. According to reports, at the beginning of the Chicago Bulls 97-98 season Krause was quoted saying to Phil Jackson” “I don’t care if you go 82-0, you’re not coming back here.” Even though Jordan had previously stated ” if you trade Scottie Pippen or fire Phil Jackson I’ll retire,” Krause attempted to call out Jordan’s bluff and the plan drastically backfired on Krause. ![]() ![]() As a result, he was willing to stay in Chicago until Krause’s relationship with Phil Jackson soured. Chicago Bulls’ general manager Jerry Krause was quoted saying “Players and coaches don’t win championships organizations win championships.” Michael Jordan took this personally, yet he still had much respect for head coach Phil Jackson. He felt he could do a better job as a general manager than his front office did during his playing days in Chicago.Īs a player on the Bulls, Jordan spent much of his time feuding with management. There was one main reason Jordan felt like joining the front office of another organization. Part of what lured him in for this deal was a 20 percent minority share in ownership. In January of 2001, Michael Jordan was hired as the Washington Wizards President of basketball operations. The Washington Wizards Hire Michael Jordan as President of Basketball Operations ![]()
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