Michael Jordan May Have Just Caught a Lucky Break in a Potential Nightmare Scenario
Michael Jordan‘s worst nightmare came true earlier this season with the Charlotte Hornets, adding more evidence that the franchise is cursed despite having the greatest basketball player of all time as its owner.
However, in a shocking turn of events, Michael Jordan and the Hornets may have caught a lucky break with their nightmare scenario.
Michael Jordan hasn’t had any luck as the Hornets’ owner
Michael Jordan is the best player in NBA history. He won six championships with the Chicago Bulls, went 6-0 in the Finals, and won all six Finals MVPs.
MJ was also a 10-time scoring champion and five-time MVP.
However, Jordan hasn’t had any luck as the Hornets’ owner. The franchise has been mediocre under Jordan and won only seven games during the 2011-12 lockout season. The team went just 7-59.
While Jordan’s Hornets made the postseason in 2014 and 2016, Charlotte lost in the first round both times. The best player to play under MJ, Kemba Walker, left the Hornets in the summer of 2019 to sign with the Boston Celtics. Charlotte and Boston executed a sign-and-trade deal, with the Hornets acquiring Terry Rozier from Boston.
The first year of the post-Kemba Walker era was rough for Michael Jordan and the Hornets. The team went 23-42 before the season was suspended in March due to COVID-19. However, the basketball Gods blessed Charlotte with the third overall pick in the 2020 draft, allowing MJ to select LaMelo Ball.
LaMelo Ball is a star
Michael Jordan has his new franchise player in the post-Kemba Walker era, as LaMelo Ball is already a star in the NBA. The younger brother of New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball is averaging 15.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists as a rookie.
LaMelo is the youngest player in NBA history to register a triple-double in a game. He was on pace to win the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year Award before some bad luck arrived.
Jordan was devastated when he found out that LaMelo suffered a fractured bone in his right wrist. The playmaker underwent surgery, and the Hornets stated the 19-year-old would be out indefinitely.
The prevailing thought was that LaMelo Ball would miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season. However, Michael Jordan and Hornets fans could magically see him play again.
Hornets won’t rule LaMelo Ball out for the season
Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak says there’s a possibility LaMelo Ball could play again this season. That certainly has to be music to Michael Jordan’s ears.
“We don’t know if LaMelo is out for the season or not,” Kupchak said, via the Charlotte Observer. “There is a possibility (of Ball playing again), just based on other players who have had this injury, that maybe he does come back for some portion of the year.”
The Hornets won’t rush Ball back since his long-term future is important. Charlotte is in the playoff standings in the Eastern Conference standings. As of this writing, they are in fourth place.
While Michael Jordan is sad that LaMelo Ball had to suffer an injury at such a young age, the Bulls legend has to be thrilled that the youngster could return later in the season.
Stats courtesy of Basketball Reference.
