Letterhead

Michael Jordan fine a short-sighted decision

MICHAEL Jordan was fined a reported $US100,000 for comments he made in the Herald Sun that the NBA says contravened its rules on public comment during its labour dispute.
In the big scheme of Jordan's life, it probably won't affect him greatly.
Neither is it the point.
There's no doubt Jordan, basketball's most revered figure, is in a bind as the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats.
But here is a man who has spoken openly and honestly about the plight confronting the world's top basketball league and one of its rising stars, our own Andrew Bogut.
He admitted when we ran the story on August 19 that he "can't say so much" because of the threat of fines, but then thoughtfully and eloquently put his thoughts - without preaching - about the problems confronting small-market teams.
Nobody, including Jordan, wants to see players' wages undercut for the sake of it.
But only the most selfish Knicks, Lakers, Celtics and Heat fans - in other words the franchises with basically limitless cash and TV rights deals at their disposal - want to see basketball's most prestigious club title in the world decided by the size of chequebooks.
It's absolutely time to give the Raptors, Blazers, his own Bobcats and Bogut's Milwaukee Bucks the same chance to win the NBA championship.
It's no coincidence the past three NBA championship winners all paid the luxury tax.
Why should Bogut have a reduced chance for an NBA title in his career just because he was picked up by a team that serves a population of half a million instead of some metropolis?
But that's an argument for another day.
The point is, Jordan offered up little more than sound logic, albeit from the perspective of an owner who would ultimately benefit from his suggestions.
But rather than give a bland "no comment" when he had the chance to promote his beloved sport, he had the courage of his convictions to be truthful.
For the record, he offered me background information that wasn't appropriate to print and asked that it be kept private - a request duly upheld.
That is not to talk up this reporter's ethics, but rather to highlight that Jordan made an assessment of what he thought was appropriate and what wasn't.
When asked his thoughts on Bogut, "MJ" effusively praised our star centre, but would hardly have rocked the NBA establishment with his observation that the Aussie was "entitled to certain types of demands".
Yes, rules are rules.
And yes, the NBA has invoked them, in part, to help protect clubs and players from slippery acts - such as poaching - throughout the lockout.
It's just that some are clearly more ridiculous than others - especially when their application doesn't reflect the forum and nature of the comments.
Jordan is coming to Melbourne as vice-captain of the American Presidents Cup team in November.
He is expected to take some of the promotional heat off Fred Couples' star-studded squad and will invariably be asked questions about basketball.
Brace yourself, Australia, for what will now be a series of dull-as-dishwater answers.
It's a massive pity that such an influential and articulate man will likely be stifled by a short-sighted decision.

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