Michael Jordan has been about as popular as ants at a picnic for many NBA players since his strident views on the lockout have become common knowledge.
Jordan has been one of the most vocal owners who have demanded the league to turn down the recent deal for a 50-50 split in the basketball related income with the players. Considering that “His Airness” is an owner of the small-market Charlotte Bobcats, it’s not hard to see why.
But those views have been an anathema to many basketball players who were weaned on “being like Mike” as they learned how to dunk wearing their Air Jordan Nike tennis shoes.
Indiana forward Paul George called Jordan Former NBA player Stephon Marbury said he was . Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace said he by Jordan’s anti-union stance. Washington forward Nick Young .
But Miami guard Dwyane Wade, who coincidentally is one of the NBA players with the largest deals with Nike to endorse Jordan’s apparel line, isn’t ready to diss the icon or his shoes.
“I really didn’t need to get involved in all that,” Wade . “Obviously I wear a different hat than certain other guys that got involved in it. And I stay away from it. I have an obligation and I have a job to do and I’m going to do my job.”
Wade has heard the comments from the other players. But he doesn’t want to join them in their vituperation for Jordan.
“That’s on Nick Young,” Wade said. “That’s his moment. Obviously, that’s his own choice and decision and, you know, that’s something he’s going to have to deal with. I can’t let that affect me. I have my own things to run, my own stuff to think about what I’m doing with my own shoes.
“Obviously, I heard about it, because you can’t do nothing but hear about everything now, because there’s nothing else to do.”
Translation: It’s nice to be paid for endorsing Jordan’s shoes — particularly during the lockout.
