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Having Offered Brandon Miller $9,065,600 Deal, Michael Jordan’s $17,286,153 Fumble Defended by Gilbert Arenas

Utathya Ghosh
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Having Offered Brandon Miller $9,065,600 Deal, Michael Jordan's $17,286,153 Fumble Defended by Gilbert Arenas

Michael Jordan, the iconic figure in basketball, recently made headlines with his draft pick, Brandon Miller as the number two selection. He offered the promising talent a substantial rookie contract worth $9,065,600. However, Jordan’s history of draft picks has been marred by one infamous selection that has become a running joke in the NBA. Kwame Brown, who was signed to a $17,286,153 contract when chosen as the number one pick, has faced relentless criticism over the years. It is in the midst of this criticism that former NBA player Gilbert Arenas has unexpectedly stepped forward to defend Michael Jordan’s draft choices.

Throughout Michael Jordan’s illustrious career, his draft decisions have endured intense scrutiny and criticism. The backlash extended beyond his playing days, reaching his roles as the owner of the Charlotte Hornets and the general manager of the Washington Wizards. Let’s delve into the controversies surrounding Jordan’s draft choices and explore Gilbert Arenas’ defense of his selections.

Gilbert Arenas’ Defense of Michael Jordan

In a recent appearance on VladTV, Gilbert Arenas took the opportunity to defend Michael Jordan’s draft decisions. Arenas argued that when assessing Jordan’s picks, it is crucial to consider the available options at the time. 

He said:

“Now here’s what Jordan’s gonna say: well, you take every year I owned it, you take my pick, right? You take my pick and then you redo the pick. Now that I make the worst decisions, that’s where Michael Jordan will sit there and go… Now you look at it, so now you’re saying, ‘Alright, I got the number one pick, okay, I got Kwame Brown, right? Now let’s rewind it. Who, who, who was I going to pick now, right? Right? Am I going to pick Tyson Chandler? Yeah, he had 20 years, but he was never a star. Do I take that with the number one pick? Probably not Eddie Curry. Probably not Gasol. Ding, ding, ding, but was Gasol even considered the number-one pick? No. So technically, I don’t—you can’t fault me for picking what everybody would have picked as a number one pick right now.”

According to Arenas, Jordan’s selection of Kwame Brown as the number one pick was reasonable, given the circumstances. Arenas pointed out that there were no better alternatives on the table during that draft.

Notorious Draft Picks by Jordan

Michael Jordan’s draft choices have not always panned out as expected. During his tenure with the Charlotte Hornets, he selected players like Adam Morrison and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who failed to live up to the expectations set by their high draft positions. Both Morrison and Kidd-Gilchrist faced criticism for their inability to make a significant impact in the NBA despite their potential.

Moving beyond his time with the Hornets, Jordan’s draft choices as the general manager of the Washington Wizards also drew scrutiny. One notable example is Jarvis Hayes, whom Jordan picked as the 10th overall selection in the 2003 NBA Draft. Hayes struggled to find consistent success in the league, further fueling doubts about Jordan’s ability to evaluate talent. Additionally, the selection of Kwame Brown once again raised eyebrows during Jordan’s stint with the Wizards, as the big man failed to live up to the expectations set for a number-one pick.

About the author

Utathya Ghosh

Utathya Ghosh

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I'm Utathya, the resident basketball wordsmith and editor extraordinaire at The SportsRush's NBA section. When it comes to writing about the NBA, I've got the authority of a referee with a whistle and the flair of a player with a killer crossover. My love affair with the NBA has been going strong for a solid 8+ years, and trust me, it's been a wild ride. From buzzer-beating shots to mind-boggling dunks, I've witnessed it all. And through it all, one player has captured my heart and handles like no other: Kyrie Irving. That man's got moves that make me question the laws of physics. But enough about my favorite player. Let's talk about my natural talent for writing. They say the pen is mightier than the sword, but when it comes to basketball, my words are like three-point bombs that leave you in awe. I've got a knack for capturing the intensity of the game, the drama of the locker room, and the passion of the fans, all while keeping it entertaining and relatable. So, whether you're a die-hard fan or just getting your feet wet in the world of basketball, join me on this court of words as we dive into the thrilling world of the NBA. From epic comebacks to mind-blowing trades, I've got the inside scoop and the witty commentary to keep you hooked. Get ready for a slam dunk of articles that'll have you shouting "swish" with every read!

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