Jordan: Players who create super teams will hurt league

Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan said that NBA stars ganging up and playing for super teams will hurt competitive balance.

A year ago, Kevin Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the already loaded Golden State Warriors. This year, Carmelo Anthony and Paul George landed with Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City, creating another so-called super team with tremendous star power.

In an interview with Cigar Aficionado, Jordan said, “I think it’s going to hurt the overall aspect of the league from a competitive standpoint. You’re going to have one or two teams that are going to be great, and another 28 teams that are going to be garbage. Or they’re going to have a tough time surviving in the business environment.”

The issue comes out Oct. 31.

Heat

Rodney McGruder, who started at small forward a season ago and was a strong candidate to open this season in the same role, will have surgery next week to repair a stress fracture in his leg. McGruder played in a team-high 78 games last season for Miami, starting 65 of them. The injury likely will keep him out at least three months, though the timetable for a return will be known until after surgery.

McGruder averaged 6.4 points per game last season, narrowly missing getting voted onto the All-Rookie team. With McGruder out, it could open a path for Josh Richardson or Justise Winslow to open as Miami’s starting small forward.

Trail Blazers

Brian Wheeler, longtime play-by-play radio voice of Portland, is taking a leave of absence effective immediately for undisclosed health reasons. There is no timetable for Wheeler’s return. He has been a radio announcer for the team for the past 19 seasons and recently signed a multi-year contract extension.

Taking over for Wheeler at the start of the NBA season will be Scott Lynn, a longtime fixture on Portland-area radio and television who relocated to Florida in 2014 and called games for the University of Tampa and Eckerd College.

“Nothing pains me more than to be away from this Trail Blazers team and our amazing fans,” Wheeler said in a statement. “I’m appreciative of the organization’s belief in my talent as a broadcaster, and for their understanding of my need to manage these personal matters. I look forward to returning to the microphone very soon.”

The team’s flagship station is AM-620 Rip City Radio.