Michael Jordan, master of creative tension as an NBA player, wants his Charlotte Hornets to start holding each other more accountable.
Jordan _ the Hornets' owner and five-time NBA most valuable player _ had a Zoom call with the players after the "Last Dance" documentary aired on ESPN. The 10-part documentary showed Jordan calling out teammates, sometimes getting into fights with fellow Chicago Bulls, while winning six NBA championships.
Jordan told the Hornets to be more vocal and demanding of each other, said point guard Devonte Graham.
"How you have to be comfortable calling your teammates out," Graham recalled of Jordan's message. "That's going to make you guys even better. You'll bond better. Your team is stronger.
"There is more of a respect level, instead of not saying anything and letting guys mess up over and over and over again and you're losing and losing."
Jordan bought control of Charlotte's expansion team _ then called the Bobcats _ from Bob Johnson in March of 2010. They have made only three playoff appearances in Jordan's decade of primary ownership and have yet to win a playoff round.
The Hornets were not included in the NBA's restart, scheduled for late July in suburban Orlando, Fla. They finished with a 23-42 record _ their fourth consecutive season without a playoff appearance.
