Craig Hodges rips Michael Jordan for revealing ‘cocaine circus’ story - NBCSports.com

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Michael Jordan has spent a surprising amount of “The Last Dance” documentary airing dirty laundry of his former Bulls teammates.

That didn’t sit well with Craig Hodges, who played for Chicago from 1988-92.

Craig Hodges, via FOX Sports Radio:

One of the things as players we call this a fraternity. So I’m watching the first episode and I was upset about the ‘cocaine circus.’ That bothered me because I was thinking about the brothers who are on that picture with you who have to explain to their families who are getting ready to watch this great Michael Jordan documentary event and they know you’re on the team, and now you’ve got to explain that to a 12-year-old boy.

Hodges certainly isn’t afraid to speak his mind, including standing up to Jordan. That outspokenness might have prematurely ended Hodge’s NBA career.

Personally, I have mixed feelings. I enjoyed the stories and scenes Jordan shared and appreciate his openness. But he’s also controlling a hagiography that includes promoting himself at the expense of his former teammates.

Undoubtedly, there’s a double standard where Michael Jordan can say these things and remain beloved. I’m glad Hodges at least brought attention to it.

TYRONE, Ga. (AP) — Former NBA player Shannon Brown faces charges in suburban Atlanta after he was accused of firing a rifle at two people who were looking at homes for sale, police said.

Brown, 34, was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault stemming from an incident May 2 at his home in Tyrone, Georgia. He is free after he posted bond on Monday.

The former Los Angeles Lakers guard and two-time NBA champion told police he thought the couple was trying to break into his home, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

The couple told police they were in the area looking for homes and noticed a “for sale” sign in front of Brown’s home. They told investigators the front door was open and they entered after yelling out their intentions to tour the home.

“They stated that they heard a voice acknowledge them and once inside, at some point, Mr. Brown came from upstairs with a rifle and detained them,” said Lt. Philip Nelson. “Shortly thereafter he let them go and they stated he fired his rifle towards them as they were leaving.”

No one was injured, Nelson said. Investigators who responded found one empty shell casing at the scene.

Brown’s home in Fayette County is listed for sale, police said.

Brown, who shares a daughter with ex-wife R&B singer Monica, played for eight teams over nine NBA seasons, most notably winning two rings with the Kobe Bryant/Pau Gasol Lakers. Brown currently plays in the Big3 League.

The NBA told teams not to test asymptomatic players for coronavirus.

After all, teams faced criticism for using too many scarce tests in the early days of the shutdown. The league was sensitive to more more blowback.

But not sensitive enough to completely halt the testing of asymptomatic players.

The Cavaliers, Trail Blazers and Nuggets were set to open facilities today. Other teams will soon follow. Some of those teams will have the league’s permission to test asymptomatic players.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:

In municipalities where coronavirus testing has become readily available to at-risk health care workers, NBA teams opening facilities for voluntary workouts will be allowed to administer tests to asymptomatic players and staff, sources told ESPN.

As team facilities reopen in the coming days and weeks, organizations such as the Orlando Magic, LA Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be among the teams allowed to conduct coronavirus tests of every player and staff member entering facilities for individual workouts — regardless of whether they are experiencing symptoms, sources said.

Among teams that opened up facilities on Friday, including Cleveland and Portland, those testing options weren’t in place, sources said.

Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press:

The Orlando Magic say they have gotten permission from the Orange County Department of Health to test players for COVID-19. Officials have determined there is a robust supply of tests for the general public in that area, so the Magic would not be unnecessarily taxing resources.

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) May 8, 2020

That leaves such a narrow restriction. It’s important for at-risk healthcare workers to be tested, yes. But they’re far from the only group for whom testing is important.

It’s particularly important for asymptomatic workers at essential businesses – like grocery stores and gas stations – to be tested more. It’s particularly important for asymptomatic people in shared living spaces – especially nursing homes – to be tested more. It’s particularly important for asymptomatic people who have or are around others with underlying conditions to be tested more.

It’s not particularly important for asymptomatic NBA players to be tested more.

If the NBA wants to commit its considerable financial resources toward testing, that’s fine. Paying for tests will inject money into the companies conducting testing and boost access to testing for everyone in time. But the NBA shouldn’t express such a willingness to wait on tests, draw praise for its stance then set parameters like this.

Also: If there’s really such widespread testing in Orlando, that’d bode well for resuming the season in Disney World.

If the NBA resumes play in a bubble, there will be complications as everyone arrives at a central location. Of course, everyone must get there first.

That won’t necessarily be simple for international players like Luka Doncic.

Ramona Shelburne of ESPN:

Foreign-born players such as the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic, who flew home on a private jet to Slovenia after the NBA shutdown, according to sources, will have to fly back to the United States and then quarantine.

It’s one thing knowing Sekou Doumbouya returned to France. He’s a backup on the lottery-bound Pistons. Even if the NBA resumes, Detroit might be finished.

Doncic is the best player on the Mavericks, who are in playoff position. They’d almost certainly have games if the NBA restarts it season.

The United States has travel restrictions from Europe amid the coronavirus pandemic. Resources and connections could help bring Doncic back stateside, but this is yet another complication for the NBA.

Starting today, players on a handful of teams can return to workout in their team facilities.

Those workouts come with a host of restrictions. Only four players in the facility at a time, one player at one basket at a time. Players will get their temperature checked when they arrive and if it’s above 99.1 they will be sent home. The assistant coach rebounding the ball will wear a mask and gloves, then after the ball will be sanitized. Players can workout, but there can’t be a strength coach next to them, spotting them. And the list goes on and on.

Not every team is going to open their facilities today. Some because their state hasn’t re-opened in that way yet. Some because team management and ownership aren’t ready to yet.

Portland’s CJ McCollum is among those who have concerns about the re-opening and the move toward games again, as he told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.

“I am worried like the rest of the world, but I like that it is optional and I’m pleased with the caution, structure and measures the Blazers organization has put in place to ensure the safest environment possible for all parties involved,” McCollum told Yahoo Sports. “I get the measures [the league is] taking, but you have to think at some point when there are drastic measures that need to be taken, ‘Is it really worth it?’ It’s either safe or it’s not.

“ … And let’s just be honest, man, it’s not like it will be the first time players got gym access outside of the team’s facilities. Some people have been working out, if we’re being honest.”

Does McCollum think basketball will return this season?

“I don’t know, man,” he said. “I’m probably as optimistic as the casual fan. Some days you feel like there’s a chance, and then some days you’re like, ‘I don’t know.’ But in the meantime, if you go to work out at the facility, I get it. Work out, but we’ve got to figure out a balance between what’s safe and what’s forcing it.”

There is an optimism in league circles that this season — or, at least this postseason — will get played out, that the NBA will crown a champion. Adam Silver is cautious, not leaking plans like the MLB or releasing a schedule like the NFL, but the NBA is planning for a lot of scenarios and expects one of them will come to fruition.

However, as parts of the nation start to re-open and we potentially face a “W” shaped recovery as a country, McCollum is right to ask, “is it really worth it?” If the league can’t keep players and personnel safe, if they can’t find a balance without forcing it, then it’s not worth it.

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