Larry Brown reveals Michael Jordan stood firmly against bringing Allen Iverson to Charlotte: “That’s gonna prohibit our progress”
The Charlotte Hornets during the 2000s had their fair share of ups and downs. They faced ownership changes, relocations and roster shake-ups.
But one of the most intriguing what-if moments in franchise history came when Michael Jordan, the team’s principal owner, shut down a potential move for former All-Star guard Allen Iverson.
Jordan’s decision
By the late 2000s, the Hornets (then known as the Charlotte Bobcats) were clawing their way back into relevance. Under head coach Larry Brown, the team had made its first playoff appearance in 2010, but the squad was still searching for a star to carry them into long-term contention. That was when the idea of Iverson came into play.
“I wanted to bring him to Charlotte,” said Brown, whose history with Iverson had long been under the microscope. “And Michael admired Allen and Allen loved Michael. But Michael said, ‘Larry, if we bring him back, you’re gonna play him ahead of some of these young kids and that’s gonna prohibit our progress.’ And he was right.”
A.I. was nearing the twilight of his career. After brief stints with the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies, the 2001 NBA MVP was looking for one last shot at proving he could still contribute at a high level.
Having guided the Iverson-led Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001, Brown recognized a chance. Despite their difficult history with the Sixers, the two have always respected one another.
Iverson’s former coach felt the star guard could still make a difference for Charlotte. But there was a significant obstacle: Jordan had the last word.
The former MVP had frequently expressed how much he admired the six-time champion, referring to him as the best player of all time and someone he took his cues from growing up. However, adoration alone was insufficient to close a deal. Michael wasn’t sure that adding Allen, even in a smaller capacity, was the best course of action for the franchise’s future.
Iverson’s end
At the time of the Hornets’ discussions, Iverson’s career had already taken an unpredictable turn. After parting ways with the Pistons in 2009, he signed with the Grizzlies.
However, his stint in Memphis lasted just three games before he and the team agreed to part ways. That led to a return to Philadelphia, where A.I. played 25 games in the 2009-10 season.
Still, the writing was on the wall. Iverson’s scoring ability and competitive fire had never been in question, but his ball-dominant style didn’t fit into every system. Charlotte needed young players like Gerald Henderson and D.J. Augustin to develop, and Jordan wasn’t willing to risk their progress for a short-term gamble.
The Hornets moved forward without Iverson, finishing the 2010-11 season with a 34-48 record. Brown parted ways with the team mid-season, and the franchise entered another rebuilding phase.
Meanwhile, A.I. never played another game in the NBA. After his brief Philadelphia return, he took a hiatus and later announced his retirement in 2013.
“I’m just sick that Allen couldn’t have gone out the right way where people could show their appreciation for him, ’cause everywhere we played, when Allen played, the arenas were full. And even though they were supportive of their home team, they were admiring everything Allen did,” Brown concluded.
