All-Star game marks latest career milestone for Jordan

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Buzz Peterson knew Michael Jordan as well as anyone when they were in college.

Roommates and teammates at North Carolina, they spent countless days competing on the basketball court in practice and endless hours talking hoops. Their nights often included shooting pool and tossing cards in their Gran often were arcade games — before the downtown Chapel Hill.

His roommate becoming an NBA owner and hosting the league’s All-Star game in his home state of North Carolina.

“You know, staring across the dorm - pen,” Peterson said.

Jordan didn’t either. All-Star game. “Growing back up as a kid here in North Carolina, the first thing is play basketball. Then things

While maybe unexpected, Peterson said he isn’t shocked by what Jordan

assistant general manager for Jordan’s listener. He gathers information and opinions and then makes decisions. And once he makes the decision to go after something, he goes all out. He is

The All-Star game will be played on

“It’s a constant reminder that I am getting old,” Jordan joked. “The AllStar game is always around my birthday and I wish it could be postponed a week.”

The only thing seemingly that has eluded Jordan is ultimate success as

- - ity owner nine years ago and they remain mired in NBA mediocrity while struggling to compete in a small market.

But Jordan wants to change any neg Charlotte. It’s one reason he aggres - ing the showcase will help attract mar Kemba Walker being an All-Star game starter also helps.

“It’s an illustration of the type of players we are trying to draft and grow from within,” Jordan said. “So from a Hornets standpoint, that is on display this choices to be made to get to that (cham presentation of what the city is all about — for other people to see and understand that this may be a small market the fan base tremendously comes out and supports the game.”

Dell Curry is expecting Jordan to go

“He’s excited for the NBA to come to his home state and play in the building of the team he owns,” said Curry, the Hornets color commentator and former NBA player. “So he is going to roll out the red carpet. He only knows one way to do it, and that is big time.”

Jordan’s is known to embrace a challenge.

On the court, after not being able to - more, Jordan went on to become a twotime All-American, NCAA champion and the national college player of the year in 1984. He is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and won three straight NBA titles — and after a stint in minor league baseball — returned to the league and won three more.

Off the court, Jordan marketed his on-court success into a fortune.

“He has always had incredible deter - ball coach at Wilmington’s Laney High School.

Michael Jordan’s older brother, James Jordan Jr., said it comes from their parents.

He describes Michael as a “country ethic. He was the youngest of the three boys who relished a challenge, and James Jr. said their parents, James Sr. and Deloris Jordan, always taught the boys to go after their dreams.

“Our parents taught us that you can James Jordan Jr., who now works as - ing 31 years in the military.