Michael Jordan had an incredibly successful career in the NBA. However, the same cannot be said about his tenure as the owner of the Charlotte Hornets. As we all know, Jordan is a 6-time NBA champion and is still considered by many to be the greatest player in the history of basketball.
While there is no denying that MJ has done well in several ventures outside the NBA, his failures as the owner of the Charlotte Hornets certainly stand out and even potentially dampen his overall legacy. At least that is how some NBA fans feel considering the current state of the team. Let us take a look at whether Jordan actually has a claim to be the worst owner of a franchise in NBA history.
Did Michael Jordan fail to make the Charlotte Hornets contenders in the NBA?
Well, it certainly appears to look that way. Not many NBA fans can remember if the Hornets have found ever much success over the years ever since Jordan took over as owner. It is now 12 years since Jordan became the owner of the Charlotte Hornets. However, they have only made the playoffs twice in those 12 years and never made it past the first round.
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Additionally, the Hornets also hold a record that they shouldn’t feel too proud about. The franchise had the worst season in NBA history back in the 2011-2012 season. They finished with an abysmal record of 7 wins and 59 losses, making that arguably one of the worst teams in NBA history.
Perhaps this is just bad luck. Nonetheless, we shouldn’t ignore the fact that multiple players in Charlotte were all arrested within a span of a few seasons for varying crimes. Miles Bridges and James Bouknight are currently in prison and are unlikely to return for their team.
MJ also made several questionable picks in the draft. He selected an incredible young NBA talent in Shai Gilgeous- Alexander with the 11th pick in the 2018 NBA draft. However, he ended up trading him for Miles Bridges, whom we already know got arrested for domestic violence towards his partner. In fact, the only good move that Jordan made in the NBA draft might be adding LaMelo Ball to the roster.
While it is unfair to blame MJ for something that the GM and other upper management play a role in, he certainly makes a good case as the worst NBA owner we have ever seen.