Could Michael Jordan’s front-office futility be coming to an end? Various sources are reporting that ‘His Airness’ is set to interview former Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan for the Charlotte Bobcats’ vacant head coaching position.
Sloan joins a host of candidates, including former Blazers coach Nate McMillan, Pacers’ assistant Brian Shaw, Patrick Ewing and others. If MJ is smart (which he hasn’t proven to be as an exec) he won’t let Sloan leave the room without a contract in hand. The 70 year old coach reportedly is also eyeing the recent opening in Orlando since the Magic parted ways with coach Jeff Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith.
Jordan needs to pull out his checkbook and dole out some Phil Jackson money to Sloan. No, he doesn’t have Jackson’s championship legacy, but in 23 seasons with the Jazz, Sloan’s team only finished with a sub-.500 winning percentage once. The coach could surely help Charlotte pick and roll into the playoffs within a few seasons.
Of course, as great as MJ was on the court, he’s been abysmal during his front office stints. Now as owner, he has final say in all decisions so there’s no surprise the Bobcats are being mentioned in conversations as the worst team ever. Instead of hiring “yes men,” Jordan needs someone who will stand up to him and speak his mind without fear of being fired. Sloan is that guy. As both a player and a coach, Sloan has never been one to mince words or back down. In fact, he resigned from Utah in 2010 after nearly coming to blows in with his superstar point guard Deron Williams during a halftime spat. Unsatisfied with the ownership’s coddling of star players, Sloan chose to walk away.
The Bobcats desperately need the strength, grittiness and instant credibility that Sloan would provide. The hiring would be similar to the St. Louis Rams’ selection of Jeff Fisher.
Of course the big question is whether Jordan will pony up the cash to make the right selection or stick to his habit of hiring friends and choose Ewing or Shaw instead.
One thing is certain, with an interview already scheduled, Jordan has a short time to decide whether he really wants Sloan. Taking over a crappy team is never the most attractive option for an established coach. With the Magic and other underachieving teams like the Los Angeles Lakers keeping their eyes open, Sloan will have no problem landing a new home for his coaching return. MJ needs to summon his long-lost closing skills and get a deal done.
