“Who wants to be in Charlotte?” – Gilbert Arenas pins BLUNT RESPONSE to Michael Jordan selling Hornets 

Arenas highlighted the lack of success the Charlotte Hornets experienced during MJ's 10+ year ownership.

“Who wants to be in Charlotte?” – Gilbert Arenas pins BLUNT RESPONSE to Michael Jordan selling Hornets 

L- Michael Jordan, R- Gilbert Arenas (Image Via Christian Petersen/Brock Williams-Smith/Getty Images)

Michael Jordan‘s decision to sell the Charlotte Hornets was a moment that had been anticipated for quite some time. While his legacy as a player is undeniably impressive, MJ’s tenure as an owner and GM didn’t quite live up to expectations. Nevertheless, the move has proven to be highly lucrative, as Jordan earned a staggering profit, reaping ten times the amount he initially invested.

Having spent around $345 million to acquire the team, Jordan now walks away with a sum exceeding $3 billion. Despite this financial victory, Jordan faced criticism from disappointed fans. However, a former player has stepped forward to defend the basketball legend.

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Gilbert Arenas, though never having played alongside Jordan, has never shied away from expressing his opinions as a vocal NBA critic. Whether he’s discussing the state of the modern NBA or analyzing players like Victor Wembanyama, Arenas is always forthright. However, he’s equally passionate about defending those he respects. Hence, it came as no surprise when Arenas recently jumped to Michael Jordan’s defense during an interview on VladTV.

Gilbert said, “Let’s be honest. Who wants to be in Indiana? Who really wants to be in Memphis with free agents…In Detroit. Who wants to be in, you know, Charlotte, Sacramento? Like stars are not coming up and saying, ‘Oh yeah, I wanna be there.’ No.” He also mentioned, “At the end of the day…You have to be very lucky…When you’re in a bad city…Just like you can’t create jobs and wealth, you can’t create a team either.” 

This further bolstered Arenas’ argument regarding the shortcomings of the Hornets under Jordan’s leadership.

Related: Watch: Victor Wembanyama OUTRIGHTLY SNUB Michael Jordan for LeBron James

Gilbert Arenas critiques Michael Jordan’s Hornets and NBA’s player regulations

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Michael Jordan (Image Via – CNN)

Arenas made a brutal but valid point in his defense of Jordan. He highlighted the lack of success the Charlotte Hornets experienced during MJ’s 10+ year ownership, with the team only managing to win three playoff games. In contrast, cities like Detroit, Sacramento, and Memphis, which Arenas named, have achieved some level of success, either through championships or by emerging as top upcoming teams in the league. This further bolstered Arenas’ argument regarding the shortcomings of the Hornets under Jordan’s leadership.

While Arenas’ stance on the Michael Jordan and Charlotte situation was firm, it pales in comparison to his scathing remarks about the NBA as a whole. According to him, the NBA lacks specific regulations dictating player behavior. He also criticized the absence of a clear definition for the term “sportsmanlike conduct.” Arenas, a 41-year-old athlete, emphasized that players have a responsibility to protect their personal brands and avoid engaging in foolish actions.

His candid remarks shed light on the challenges faced by both Michael Jordan and the NBA. While Jordan’s ownership may not have met fans’ expectations, his financial success cannot be denied. Meanwhile, Arenas’ critique of the NBA’s regulations and subjective punishments raises important questions about the league’s approach to player behavior.

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