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via Imago
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![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Your-paragraph-text-25.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
Courtesy: Imago
In the history of the NBA, Charlotte Hornets has carried the tag of underachievers season after season. After a series of misery, Michael Jordan sold his majority stake in the team for $3 billion just 48 days back. Following that, a veteran criticized their management for their treatment of LaMelo Ball, using Anthony Edwards as a reference.
He pointed out how LaMelo won the Rookie of the Year over Edwards before sharing his point of view. The old-timer directed harsh remarks toward the decision-makers of the franchise for depleting the youth.
What did the NBA veteran say?
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Recently, Austin Rivers discussed how the Hornets potentially have diminished the 22-year-old’s abilities. According to the shooting guard, Charlotte has been surrounding Ball with the wrong players. He believed that the organization should rather acquire “people that can help him tap into his potential, not deplete it”.
L@m310 pic.twitter.com/vpzaAFRRG0
— Diamond Dog (@DiamondDogzzz) September 20, 2023
The 31-year-old described the entire situation of young players in the team as “Troubled youth”. He harshly hit out at the Hornets for stagnating and depleting the 2021 ROTY’s growth. Comparing his trajectory with the brightest star of his draft class, Anthony Edwards, Rivers carried on with his remarks.
“LaMelo won Rookie of the Year over Ant,” he emphasized before empathizing with the one-time All-Star. “It’s not LaMelo’s fault,” Austin stated prior to summarizing his claim with, “He just needs help”. He wrapped up his beliefs, saying how Charlotte got it all wrong in their process of putting faith in the youth and developing. The entire interaction put the blame on one man’s shoulders majorly.
Where did Michael Jordan go wrong?
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Since buying the team in 2010, the stardom of Jordan attracted many eyes to the squad. They were strategic with their approach, but unluckily, those rarely came to fruition. As an owner, his heart was in the right place but his actions failed to back up his words during his time as the majority owner.
Of course, Michael is not solely to be criticized for the entire situation around young players at the organization. At the same time, as the face of the team, he had to shoulder all the blame. Thus, the sale of the organization became imminent sooner rather than later. The 60-year-old stays on as a minority stakeholder in the team as his influence in decision-making goes down drastically.
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Many deemed it a successful business move, as Jordan earned billions on the back of it. True NBA fans only understand that the serial winner sees it as his failure as the likes of LaMelo Ball never reached their potential under his regime.
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