Bobcats Fans Critical of MJ
Things aren’t so great in Charlotte right now. The Bobcats finished well below .500 again (a final record of 32-50 in a weak Eastern Conference) and last week, owner Bob Johnson openly petitioned for the city of Charlotte’s business community needs to do more to help the franchise.
Today, there’s an article in the Charlotte Observer about the ‘Cat’s floundering business and fans’ criticism of ownership:
Johnson, who lives in the Washington area, said Monday that he’s lost “significant money” on the team and that he believes Charlotte’s business owners haven’t committed to help the team financially.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Carroll said. “For him to blame his failure on local businesses — it’s his business. He needs to make it a success.”
It’d help, he said, if Johnson and part owner Michael Jordan would simply show up more, as both did for Wednesday’s 115-109 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The frequent absence of Johnson and Jordan is a tender spot for many fans.“Mr. Johnson should be in town more,” said Ron Pierce of Charlotte, a season ticketholder for two years who hasn’t decided whether he’ll renew for 2008-09. “And Michael Jordan, he’s a managing partner, but I think maybe that’s in name only. I don’t ever see him.
“I just think there’s a detachment there between the ownership and the fans, and that’s tough to build on.”
What do you think? Do Bob Johnson and MJ owe it to the Charlotte fans to be more visible on a regular basis?
-->
April 17th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Celts Fan says:
If OWNERSHIP showing up is an issue they think is the problem, they owe it to the fans to get a clue, because the real problem is not putting a real team on the floor.
MJ should show up more, it couldn’t hurt, but how much would it really help. Would you pay $50+ to see MJ on the jumbotron for 10 seconds during the game and to know you’re in the same building as him, but that’s it? No, of course not! Would you pay that much to go watch a good team (you know, like if they’d grabbed Brandon Roy instead of Adam Morrison. The only thing saving that from being mentioned more is Kwame Brown. Needless to say, MJ’s record in the Draft may mean it’s better that he’s not around more!)
April 17th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Dime Magazine says:
I think part of it is a perception problem. Their team stinks and the fans feel like Bob Johnson and MJ haven’t made it a priority to improve the product. I understand them wanting to at least feel like the front office is going all out to put together a better team. If that means a little more face time by Bob and MJ, then so be it.
- PC
April 17th, 2008 at 10:36 am
evan says:
It’s because the team feels like they’ve now been shuffled to an absentee owner after getting the shaft from previous owner of the Hornets, George Shinn. I completely agree with seeing MJ at the games more than Bob Johnson as he should be involved with the current basketball decisions and operations.
Fans know that basketball is a top-down operation and they should see excitement and participation from each level of management. If the owner doesn’t care beyond the bottom line, it’s going to show (and has shown) fans that once their ticket is bought, the team is off the hook.
April 17th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Prof. TX says:
This summer will be the same as past ones, people will say “If they can draft well and sign a good player or two…”
And then they’ll say the same things in summer 2009…
Find some successful rebuilding models, and pick one or two to emulate (and get someone who knows how to make that happen).
April 17th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Austin Burton says:
I like their general model of taking guys in the Draft who were successful in college, guys who on top of being talented also won national championships or made deep tournament runs (Okafar, May, Felton, Brandan Wright before trading him, etc.). But they rely too much on Felton and J-Rich’s penetration on offense, and Wallace got hurt at some inopportune times. And yeah, it wouldn’t hurt if the fans at least felt like MJ and Bob Johnson were excited about the future of the team.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Sam I Am says:
I live here in Washington, D.C. and I’ve travelled to Charlotte to watch the Cats play…Trust when we had Jordan up here playing it was all the rave. Everyone would line up around the block to just to catch glimpses of him on or off the court.
Now if MJ and the freakin Owner would show face and show up to their own product, CLEARLY fans would be stick to the old saying, ” I was with the team when they were good and bad.” NOT , “The owners don’t show, Why should I?”
Sam I Am
April 17th, 2008 at 11:19 am
jaceofspades says:
yes, it shows that they really care about the organization from the business and fan points of view. plus the presence of the owner and part-owner could elevate the employees. im sure if mj was watching ME play ball in person, id try to do more to impress him and maybe take my game to a new level. i think mj is just hesitant to come to a game because the team is doing poorly. u kno mj. hes about the winning. not the losing. but talent-wise, this team is pretty good. i think injuries, a better coaching staff, and some real intensity/heart is needed for this team. sometimes it just looks like they play. instead of playing with a purpose. maybe its just me.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:20 am
jaceofspades says:
i meant to KEEP AWAY from injuries is needed for the team.. hahaah.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:36 am
MoxWestCoastRep says:
AB that model for drafting sucks! We all know there is huge difference between good college players (may, morrison) and guys with NBA talent. They need to get beasley (a guy who didn’t go deep in the tourney)to play along side okafor.
If they get MB they are in the playoffs next year.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Austin Burton says:
If you think that draft model sucks, ask the Hawks how they like Al Horford. Or ask Portland how they like Brandon Roy. Of course not everyone works out — and the jury’s still out on May and Morrison — but having guys with a winning mentality on your team is always good.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Big Shot BOB says:
I think there biggest problem is the coaches they’ve chosen. I say get some big names experienced coaches to develop the young talent they have there. Maybe they can call Hubie Brown, Rick Carlisle, even Skip town Larry Brown, Scott Skiles is free. They could make the playoffs as is in the east. Look at the Atlanta Hawks!!!
April 17th, 2008 at 11:47 am
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Ask the team who gets Tyler Hansborogh. Durant didn’t go far in the tourney either and he will be ROY.
I guess there is no exact science but you can’t ignore talented players because their teams were not as good in college is all I’m trying to say.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:51 am
MoxWestCoastRep says:
And the hawks are obviously not married to that idea because they still draft guys like Josh Smith
April 17th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Austin Burton says:
Again, Durant is a guy who carried his team at least to the tournament.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
You said guys who won national championships or made DEEP tourney runs, not bounced in the first round! Make up your mind! LoL
April 17th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Jim says:
He’s talking about a general philosophy, not about passing over superstars with the 1st or 2nd pick. See: Argument, strawman.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Oh oh right, picking Adam Morrison with the 3rd pick was part of a “general philosophy”, now I got it.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
rootsradical says:
it seems like jordan needs to harness his competitive nature and put it to use as an owner. i’ve coached a few kid’s teams before and it hurts to see them lose. you want your team to do well i’d say even more so if you’re not playing with them.
it was the same thing watching my little brother play in high school, i got more excited watching him play and win than when i was playing.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
James says:
yes they do- Jordan should be more involved in basketball operations- practice with the team every once in while like he did this year- it gave the guys inspiration- Charlotte is still young- we’ll be in good shape next year- we would of made the playoffs this year if Gerald would not have gotten injured vs. Kings
April 17th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
jaceofspades says:
i think rick carlisle is a great choice for this team. defensive minded while still knows how to play decent offense. could turn the bobcats into wut he did with the pistons. or when pacers were good, their coach was rick carlisle. good defense… then let them run the fastbreak.
April 17th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Jim says:
You are right about the Morrison pick. But the 20/20 pick there is obviously Brandon Roy, who was a Senior whose team went as far in the tourney as Morrison’s and that would just go along with what Austin was saying. And no, Jordan clearly doesn’t know what he’s doing in the front office (via Blackberry).
I was saying comparing Durant to Hansborough was silly, which it is. It’s almost like comparing Darko to Melo…oh yeah, I guess that would favor the other side.
April 17th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
GEE...It ain't no fun if the homies can't haAaAave none! says:
To me this team really doesn’t have a future. This squad ranks right up there with the Bucks to me. Just a team that needs a new everything from owner, player, name and all.
Bucks
Bobcats
Memphis
All those teams should go to new cities and states. Come on Sterny!?!?!
April 17th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
word says:
Bob Johnson is too busy being a white washed coon and Hillary’s hand puppet. He should disappear into obscurity but MJ should most definitely show up more b/c he actually knows ball unlike that fool Johnson who doesn’t know shit about anything but runs his mouth b/c he thinks his billionaire status makes him able to do so. MJ needs to watch that team play and figure out what course of action to take to make that team successful. He doesn’t need to get on Cuban level, but at least make an effort unless he doesn’t care to loose money when ticket sales go down.
April 17th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
bsteezy3 says:
Hey, if they expect Bob Johnson to actually CARE about the team, then they can forget it. I got him figured out, and he’s all about making money–fuck whoever he has to cross or shit on. MJ needs to play a bigger role, and I agree, he can start by showing up more. Then as Johnson slides away (after he makes his money, or loses too much), MJ can take over. I don’t like Bob Johnson because of the way he did BET.
April 17th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
K Dizzle says:
Felton, J-Rich, Crash, Morrison, May, Okafor. Team’s got a good eastern conference foundation. Everytime it starts to look good for em, a major player, like wallace this season along with morrison and may get grounded. They are one solid piece away from doing what the hawks and philly are doing this year and the best shit they got goin for them: they’re in the east
I agree with what Austin’s sayin about the philosophy of drafting winners, but injuries keep crushin this team, they gotta stay healthy no. 1
April 17th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
bob johnson has no idea whats he’s doing. he knows nothing about running a sports franchise. tvland is much different homie.
and MJ dont belong in the front office. we done known that.
…he’s too good of a man/player to do anything else with his life (anything else would seem beneath him huh?), so he’s trying to do a jerry west type career….but it aint for MJ.
he should bow out…or just become a tv ad/pitch man
…as for the team, they got some young players, but no identity. the mix of players are wrong and they having trouble building thru the draft: emeka, ‘stache, felton, may?….this is the best you could do?
April 17th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Diego says:
Johnson and Jordan need to get their butts to some games. It’s nice to see the owners in the front row at the games. Why should the fans shell out good $ to see the team, when the owners aren’t even interested?
It’s pathtetic Johnson blaming the other local businesses for the failure of his business (the Bobcats). Jordan is a frontrunner; if things don’t go well, Jordan is gone. (Can you say “baseball”?)
The injury bug does seem to hit the Bobcats hard every year. I do think that if the stars align, they have talent to make the playoffs in the East. In the NBA each season, a lot is riding on the first 15 games or so. If a team gets off to a good start in a season, and gets their confidence brewing, it is huge (and vice-versa). Next season in the East, I could easily see Chicago, Charlotte, and even Milwaukee making it. (I am not a big believer in the current N.J., N.Y. or Ind. crews, and don’t know about Miami.)
April 17th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Brown says:
This is another prime example of an owner who doesn’t know shit about basketball and simply treats it as a business (see Sarver, Robert). In order to be a successful franchise, you have to have to put a good product on the floor, and you need your front office to make that happen. Is Jordan headed for an Isiah-like track record? Dude has picked some duds in the draft. Maybe he’ll try his hand at coaching when this team continues to suck until Johnson decides to sell them.
April 18th, 2008 at 5:18 am
doc says:
If my GM dont come to the games what the fuck is you the GM for?mike need to just quit and have fun getting paper cuts counting money.