One can say, can’t one, that Michael Jordan has “paid the price of sacrifice” with his very reputation, attaching his name to the once-woeful Charlotte Bobcats? Not long ago, some wiseacres joked that MJ must’ve made franchise decisions from the comfort of a golf course or at the poker table. Now? These Bobs have risen from laughingstock to middle of the pack. Heady territory, I know. From the Cape Fear Sports Report:

Amazingly, the Bobcats moved up to #15 in one of the ESPN NBA power rankings. With a couple of roster moves and a change of attitude, Larry Brown has been able to take Charlotte from being amongst the NBA dregs, to a team that can beat any one on a given night.

And,

Any coincidence also that the Bobcats have looked hungrier since MJ started showing up for a few games? How can you not play harder with the greatest-of-all-time looking on? I guess most guys in the NBA need a little motivation to get up for all 82 games, but with Michael Jordan just showing some interest in the team’s success and sitting courtside, you can forget about needing motivation.

Things that don’t directly affect the game seep into the subconscious; having Michael cheer you on has to good for the mind. We’ve also seen Michael get on people… it ain’t where you want to be, ask Bill Cartwright.

How hot does your seat feel, Sean May?

(By the by: The Raptors next play the Bobcats March 16 in Charlotte, then March 20 in Toronto.)

Yes, this is number three on the mantle, and first from the Hoop Doctors. And there’s an actual, real, non-joke prize, too: a Tim Grover Vertical Leap Training Package, courtesy HoopSkills.com. Now I can add up to 14 inches to the jump out of my swivel chair. My co-workers will marvel at my jawdroppability.

The package includes a PPT band and the book Jump Attack by Grover (no, not that one). Look at all the testimonials: MJ, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Finley, Corey Maggette, Tim Hardaway and … Darius Miles?!

Tim’s training is the space-age exercise that all athletes need if they want to
go to the next level. I recommend him to my peers that are serious about
becoming the best at whatever sports they play. [emphasis mine]

Anyway, I’m looking forward to reading the book – which I figure will arrive in six-to-eight weeks – and trying the exercises. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?

(Thanks to Carolyn for directing me to the Hoop Doctors’ contest.)