Quasselstube » his off-season. On Thursday, 49ers quarterback Colin

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Michael Jordan scoffs at the idea of tanking games. The fiery 14-time All-Star who helped the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships simply doesnt have it in his makeup to intentionally lose games this season just so his Charlotte Bobcats can get a better draft pick next year. Forget that the NBA would likely hand down a hefty fine and fans would probably boycott if a team admitted to doing that, the Bobcats owner said purposely losing games is just not part of his competitive DNA. "I dont know if some teams have thought of that. Thats not something that we would do," Jordan told The Associated Press on Friday. "I dont believe in that." He then laughed heartily and said, "If that was my intention I never would have paid (free agent) Al Jefferson $13 million a year." Its not that the Bobcats couldnt use a player like Andrew Wiggins at Kansas or Dukes Jabari Parker -- two college freshman who many view as potential NBA stars. Jordan, 50, hasnt been able to translate his on-court success to winning as an NBA owner and executive. The Bobcats are just 62-168 in his three full seasons as majority owner. They were 21-61 last season. Still, he doesnt believe there are shortcuts to winning. While the 2014 NBA draft offers hopes to fledgling teams with a host of talented players, Jordan made it clear he isnt thinking about losing. "Its not guaranteed (the player) you are going to get is going to be that star anyway," Jordan said. "I did read that certain teams are thinking about doing it. But Im not one of them. "So lets alleviate that conversation." Jordan, relaxed and at ease at the Bobcats headquarters hours before his teams regular season home opener, has been widely criticized for his failures with the Bobcats and for his struggles in the front office with the Washington Wizards. He said some of that comes with the territory. "Its somewhat unfair, but you come to expect it," said Jordan, who became the majority owner of the Bobcats in 2010. "You set certain standards as a player that transcend whatever you do. It goes where you go. You will be wearing that around your neck so that when people see the name they expect the results. "Its somewhat unfair but it is what it is. I dont let it define me." However, Jordan said he remains committed to the Bobcats and said hes tried to be transparent with the fans about the direction of the team. This past off-season he used the amnesty clause on forward Tyrus Thomas, a move that took his hefty contract off the books. Jordan still has to pay Thomas $18 million, but the move freed up that money under the salary cap as part of a one-time policy under the new collective bargaining agreement. The Bobcats used that money to sign Jefferson to three-year $41 million contact and to re-sign guard Gerald Henderson for $18 million over three seasons. "I mean, that was a statement," Jordan said of his commitment to the Bobcats. "I still have to pay more than $17 million, but it was a move that we needed to make to build and go get a guy like Big Al." Jordan also feels like he finally has the right man in charge in new coach Steve Clifford, a long-time NBA assistant who took over for Mike Dunlap, who was fired after one season. "Were focused on what were trying to do," Jordan said. "I think the direction were moving is positive. ... It is baby steps. Every now and again you have a hiccup. But I must admit that were headed in the right direction and Im very happy with that." The Bobcats, however, along with other small market NBA teams, are at a disadvantage with potential free agents like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh -- who all could be a part of the 2014 class. The stars want to go "where the lights are," Jordan said. He said last year he didnt think the new CBA did enough to help level the playing field for small market teams in terms of helping them land -- or keep -- a high-profile difference maker in free agency. A year later, after seeing the system at work, he has eased up on that stance. "Its better," Jordan said. "We are still going through and seeing the full effects of it. From a business standpoint if you operate your team in the right way it gives you a chance to break even or be profitable. And it makes it more difficult for your talent to get up and go somewhere else. "You can provide more advantages than other teams to keep your player. Its a fair assessment that if you get your star you can get parity within the league. I think parity is starting to happen within the league." Jordan doesnt feel players orchestrating deals that land a trio of stars in big markets to form a "big three" is necessarily good for the game. "Im not a big advocate for it," Jordan said. "I came from an era where it didnt happen. If that happened to evolve from the draft, then you seemed pretty smart." Now hes trying to make that happen in Charlotte. Enes Kanter Jersey . For the Athletics, hes extremely important at the top of the order, especially with Coco Crisp hurting. Jaso drove in three runs Sunday night, helping Scott Kazmir and Oakland beat the Texas Rangers 9-3. Jerami Grant Jersey . However, the 38-year-old is in no hurry to sign with another team. "Im not in a rush. This will be my last contract, so I want to do it right," said Burris on Thursday. http://www.authenticthunderauthority.com...er-jersey-c-27/. - Zac Leslie scored two goals and assisted on two more, and Justin Nichols made 34 saves as the Guelph Storm blanked the Kitchener Rangers 6-0 in Ontario Hockey League action on Sunday. Doug McDermott Jersey . Sources tell TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger that the team is quietly gauging interest on the Senators captain, though Spezza has a limited no-trade clause and carries a large contract. Kevin Durant Jersey .Y. - Urijah Faber walked out on a Madison Square Garden stage in a Wes Welker jersey, the UFCs fun nod to that other "super" show this weekend.LOS ANGELES, Calif. - San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith was arrested Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport after authorities said he became belligerent during a security screening and threatened that he had a bomb. The 24-year-old player was randomly selected for a secondary screening at Terminal 1 and became unco-operative with the process, airport police Sgt. Karla Ortiz said. She said he told a TSA agent that he had a bomb before walking to the gate. When airport police officers caught up with him, Ortiz said Smith became unco-operative and was taken into custody. A witness video posted on TMZ.com shows Smith exchanging words with an officer as he was being handcuffed and escorted out of the gate area. Smith was booked for investigation of making a false bomb threat. FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said anyone who makes a bomb threat at an airport is potentially subject to federal charges, although no such charges have been filed against Smith. A message seeking comment from Smiths agent wasnt immediately returned. With the arrest, Smith is involved in three pending criminal cases. "We are disappointed to learn of the incident today involving Aldon Smith," 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement. "As this is a pending legal matter and we are still gathering the pertinent facts, we will have no further comment." A fearsome pass-rushing specialist, Smith took a five-game leave of absence from the 49ers last season to undergo treatment for substance abuse. He rejoined the team Nov. 5. Smith played in a 27-7 home loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 22, two days after he was arrested and jailed on suspicion of DUI and marijuana possession. After the game, he publicly apologized for his behaviour and later announced he would leave for treatment. Leading up to the playoffs in early January, Smith said during an interview with The Associated Press he was encouraged by the strides he had made to better himself off the football field that put life — and his work — in perspective. He said at the time he hadnt had any alcohol since before his Sept. 20 DUI arrest, and that he wasnt craving it. When he rejoined the team Nov. 5, he insisted he was on the path to lifelong sobriety stuck by that statement. His teammates rallied around him in support of his rehab and, later, his return to the team. Smith emerged as one of the NFLs most-feared pass rushers in 2012. He had a franchise-record 19.5 sacks that year, but failed to record a sack in his final six games including the teams post-season Super Bowl run. Smith finished with 8 1/2 sacks and 34 tackles in 11 games last season, making eight starts. In November, Smith pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon, stemming from a June 2012 party at his home. Investigators say several shots were fired, two partygoers were injured and Smith was stabbed. In the subsequent investigation, prosecutors say detectives found five unregistered weapons in Smiths house, including two Bushmaster rifles and an Armalite AR-10T.dddddddddddd They say those are assault weapons illegal to possess under California law. Smith and former teammate Delanie Walker were named in a lawsuit last September filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court by a Northern California man who said he was shot at a party at Smiths house on June 29, 2012. The players charged a $10 admission and $5 per drink, the lawsuit said. Smith and now-Tennessee Titans tight end Walker were allegedly intoxicated on Smiths balcony when they fired gunshots in the air while trying to end the party, the lawsuit said. Smith, selected seventh overall in the 2011 draft out of Missouri, had previously been arrested on suspicion of DUI in January 2012 in Miami shortly after the 49ers lost in the NFC championship game. This is the latest in a long list of legal issues for 49ers players the past two years — and recently, too. The Niners, who lost to the rival and eventual champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFC championship game, have made nearly as much news away from the field as they have in free agency this off-season. On Thursday, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was one of three NFL players named in a Miami police report involving a woman who passed out in a hotel and later woke up in a hospital not knowing how she got there, though no one has been charged with a crime. Kaepernick, 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton and Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette — a former 49er — were with the woman at a Miami hotel where Lockette lives, according to the Miami Police Department report. The police say its too early to determine whether a crime was committed. Late last month in San Jose, 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver was arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run and reckless driving after he drove a car into a bicyclist and fled. He is the player who underwent sensitivity training after his anti-gay remarks leading up to the Super Bowl after the 2012 season. He has done outreach to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Last summer, another starting linebacker, Ahmad Brooks, was investigated by the Santa Clara County District Attorneys office on allegations that Brooks repeatedly hit a teammate on the head with a beer bottle. No assault charges were filed because of insufficient evidence. According to police, Brooks hit then-teammate Lamar Divens with the bottle three times and then punched him in the face during an early morning argument June 8. Divens sustained a 3-inch cut on his forehead. Another member of the defence, Demarcus Dobbs, was suspended for Week 1 last season for his own arrest on suspicion of DUI and marijuana possession in 2012. AP Sports Writers Janie McCauley and Josh Dubow in San Francisco contributed to this report. 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