Hahn: Can Jordan bring same intensity to ownership?

Michael Jordan usually had all the answers as a player. But as an owner, he found himself searching for one when the six-time NBA champion was asked what it takes to win.

"I don't know,'' he told the Charlotte Observer after he officially took over as majority owner of the Bobcats last week. "I really, really don't know.''

Not quite as catchy - or inspiring - as "Just Do It.''

But what Jordan might have learned in several failures as a team executive (consider a draft history that includes Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison) is that what came so easy for him is an element found in very few athletes.

Sure, the current generation of NBA stars grew up wanting to "Be Like Mike,'' but for most of them, it meant the fame and fortune part. Thanks to Jordan, we have a league filled with players who know how to play the camera and the crowd but really have very little depth beyond being narcissistic entertainers.

As Jordan pointed out, "There are very few Kobe Bryants out there.''

And no Michael Jordans.

SEE PHOTOSMichael Jordan, Justin Timberlake play Bethpage Black

Bryant is the closest thing the sport has to Jordan because they not only have parallel alpha dog personalities but possess a relentless pursuit of perfection that is borderline insane.

How many other players would play a high school teammate in one-on-one to 100, win by more than 90 and do it every single day? Most people would call it off out of pity or, at the very least, boredom. But to make the kid go through that every day? That's Kobe.

And that's why even if LeBron James is up at 6 a.m. lifting weights, Kobe probably already is on his third set.

Jordan's problem as a team executive, both with the Wizards and Bobcats, is that he didn't bring that same approach to running a team. Though Jordan usually sits at the end of the bench for games at Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte observers regularly noted that Larry Brown often seemed disappointed to learn that Jordan wasn't present for training camp workouts or practices.

You could hear the cryptic message from Brown after the Bobcats beat the Thunder on Wednesday, which was Jordan's first game as the team's official owner.

"I say this all the time,'' Brown said, "that there's a different energy when he's around.''

In other words, Jordan - notorious for feeding his competitive need with golf and gambling - needs to be around more often.

At first glance, it appears he will. Jordan has kept primary residence in Chicago but said that now that he owns the Bobcats, he will move full-time to Charlotte to concentrate on the team. Now that it's his money ($220 million worth), perhaps the wins and losses will feel more personal.

With the Bobcats for sale, Brown started putting out feelers for other opportunities (76ers, Clippers). But as long as Jordan is committed, Brown will stay.

Agent Zero

Bill Walker will let his game do the talking. That is, at the negotiating table. The Knicks' young guard, who has looked like a steal as part of the Nate Robinson trade with the Celtics on Feb. 18, does not have an agent. He told The Boston Globe he isn't sure if he will hire one even though his eye-catching play since the trade could earn him a multiyear contract this summer.

"No need of somebody getting four percent of something I've earned," Walker told the Globe. "You know what I mean? That never made sense to me . . . If I get the same number that you're getting, then why are you getting four percent? That's my logic, man - trying to save up every penny I can."

Walker says he prefers to use a lawyer to handle the contract but otherwise doesn't see the need for an agent. There are very few players who prefer to go without representation. Former Knick Stephon Marbury, for one, did not have an agent in the latter stages of his career through his maximum contract.

'Split' decision for Spurs?

The Spurs thought they had found yet another international gem when they drafted center Tiago Splitter 28th overall in 2007. There was no rush to sign the highly skilled 6-11 Brazilian, but at this point they might have waited too long.

Splitter has an opt-out with his current team, Tau Ceramica, and no longer is considered a rookie- scale player. He won't be a free agent - he remains Spurs property until he signs an NBA contract - but they might wind up trading his rights if he doesn't come to terms.

As San Antonio Express-News columnist Mike Monroe pointed out, Splitter has begun preparations for this summer by changing agents - he reportedly left Herb Rudoy to sign with Arn Tellem - and there is talk that the mid-level exception, the most the capped-out Spurs can offer, won't be enough to get Splitter to leave Spain. With several free agents on the market, the Spurs could attempt to use Splitter as an asset in a sign-and-trade scenario.

The Knicks certainly will monitor this situation, but while Splitter's buyout with Tau Ceramica is higher if he leaves for another European team, there are reports that financial powerhouse Real Madrid also might make a run at the young big man.

Hansbrough's March madness

Tyler Hansbrough used to thrive at this time of year during four seasons at North Carolina. Right now he's just "miserable" as he deals with an inner ear infection that has kept him off the court for almost three months. In fact, it likely has already ended his rookie season.

Hansbrough, who was selected 13th overall by the Pacers and has appeared in only 29 games this season, told the Indianapolis Star that the actual diagnosis of his problem remains a mystery. It might even be the result of an undiagnosed concussion, which Pacers coach Jim O'Brien mentioned recently.

"It could be a combination of those two," Hansbrough told the Star. "We're not really sure."

Hansbrough has seen several specialists, including doctors in New York, to try to figure out the problem. "I've never had an injury like this where it's kept me out a long time," he said.

In his brief stint, Hansbrough has been impressive, showing the same blue-collar traits that earned him player of the year status at the NCAA level. He averaged 8.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per game.