Paxson's message to Jordan: Bulls' door is ajar

John Paxson has done a lot of studying in his first two weeks as the Bulls' operations chief, but there's one move he didn't need much time to consider.

Paxson would like to get Michael Jordan back to the Bulls in some capacity.

"I would leave that open for him anytime," said Paxson, who has played phone tag with Jordan since succeeding Jerry Krause on April 14. "I think Jerry [Reinsdorf] would, too. I hope someday that does happen."

Via Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards

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After rocky season, changes could come for Wizards

Steve Wyche of the Washington Post reports that changes in the Wizards organization could be made in more areas than just player personnel.

Abe Polin and Michael Jordan will speak next week in regards to his future with the organization.

"There is a lot to be done in terms of the future of the franchise and it's more than just player evaluation," Polin said.

Meanwhile, Coach Doug Collins had a tumultuous relationship with some of the players. Much of the season was marred with bickering between Jordan, Collins, and Charles Oakley and players like Kwame Brown and Jerry Stackhouse.

Collins realizes that while certain problems existed, the main goal, making the playoffs, was not accomplished.

"I'm disappointed that, as the coach, I could never get the team to play at its highest level," Collins said. "That's my job and I never felt I could get everything pieced together. I feel badly about that for [Jordan], as well as everybody. Obviously, you want to have a good team. We have good players but we just didn't fit. We just couldn't get the right fit. It's my job as a coach to get [us] to do that.

"I'm disappointed in myself. I feel very badly right now because I thought we'd be getting ready for the playoffs. That's not the case."

Stackhouse blames the Wizards inconsistent play on inconsistent decisions and the team's lack of identity.

"We changed lineups. We changed personnel. Whenever we did that, we changed our style," Stackhouse said. "We changed the plays we ran -- constantly. We had plays like a football team. There was a point in the season when we said we would try a youth movement. Then we went with veteran guys, trying to focus on winning games. We did that for a while then we went back."

While many inside and outside the organization feel the Wizards will take a big hit by the loss of the Jordan the player, Stackhouse feels good about the roster that remains.

"I like the makeup of the team that we have," Stackhouse said. "I think we're a better team than what our record shows. That's with Michael. Without Michael we could be just as good of a team. I look forward to that challenge and I know other guys in this locker room, even though they may not say it, are looking forward to that challenge, too."

Stackhouse may not be around, though, as he can opt out of the last 2 years of his contract- which will depend on the direction of the franchise.

"The biggest thing is to see the approach guys take in the summer," Stackhouse said about his criteria for returning. "There's no cavalry coming. There's no savior player. Maybe we can get a talented free agent that could help our talent pool that could take us up another level, but there's no savior. You have to get better in-house and that has to be the focus."

Jordan knows the Wizards need to improve and will make the necessary changes- which likely will not include moving Kwame Brown. The Wizards feel he may improve at a faster rate without having Jordan on the court, therefore taking pressure off of Brown to perform at such a high level.

"We have got to find the right mix to move in the right direction. We may have to keep certain components on this team that we can utilize but then there are things on this team that I think we probably need to change or they need a different atmosphere.

"Until we get ourselves in the position where we consistently play the way we should play every night we have to make changes," Jordan said. "They may be minor but you still have to make changes."

Via Washington Post

Washington Wizards

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Raptors to look at Wiz assistant

Steve Wyche of the Washington Post reports that the Toronto Raptors are interested in speaking to Wizards assistant coach Brian James as a possible replacement to recently removed Lenny Wilkens.

The Raptors have yet to seek permission to speak to James, but are expected to at least offer him an interview due to ties he has within the Raptors organization.

Other candidates the Raptors may look into will be former Knick coach Jeff Van Gundy, former Cavalier and Atlanta coach Mike Fratello, and Spurs assistant P.J. Carlesimo.

Via Washington Post

Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards

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