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RMJH4 · 08-20-2018, 05:57 AM

Michael Jordan recruiting visits begin: Portland Trailblazers, New York Knicks make pitches in Hay-Adams Hotel.

July 1st, 2002 | by NBA.COM

Washington, DC -- The recruitment of Michael Jordan has begun and it is as much of a circus as expected.

The Portland Trailblazers, led by billionaire owner Paul Allen, were the first to meet with Jordan on the first day of free agency. Allen arrived with Jordan's former teammate Scottie Pippen, former foe Gary Payton and Head Coach Mo Cheeks at the Hay-Adams Hotel in downtown Washington shortly after 11 a.m. on Thursday morning.

They brought a rack full of luggage and computer equipment for their presentation to Jordan. A little less than two hours later the Trailblazers group left with smiles.

"It went well," Payton told The Washington Post, briefly showing a specially-made folder with Jordan's face above a Blazers' logo.

"I would like to comment but I cannot," Allen said, remarking that he thought it was funny that he heard his plane had landed on the radio on his drive into downtown from the airport.

As the Blazers left, they were literally passed by the New York Knicks' on the way out the door. The Knicks were represented by owner James Dolan, president Scott Layden, several executives, star player Allan Houston and recently acquired Ron Artest. About an hour before their arrival, an advance team came to the building with their own luggage and computer equipment for their proposal.

Jordan, the free agent himself, arrived in his black Ferrari a few minutes before 11 a.m. wearing a white shirt, grey suit and flanked by security he headed up to the hotel. He declined to comment to The Washington Post.

The Blazers and Knicks were the only teams scheduled to meet with Jordan Thursday, sources said.

The process is expected to be repeated on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as Jordan hosts five more teams.

According to a source, he is expected to be visited by the Sacramento Kings
on Friday morning, followed by a presentation by the Toronto Raptors in the afternoon. The Minnesota Timberwolves are believed to be scheduled to pitch Jordan on Saturday morning with the Los Angeles Lakers following up on Saturday Afternoon. The Lakers will have a strong contingent with Jordan's former Coach Phil Jackson, superstar Kobe Bryant and the Larry O' Brien trophy carried by Dr Jerry Buss. That will make quite the impression on Jordan who is very interested in competing for a championship this season.

Then, potentially as the last team to present, the Wizards are expected to meet with Jordan on Sunday Morning. Head coach Doug Collins and recently acquired Jerry Stackhouse are expected to be part of that meeting. Christian Laettner and Chris Whitney are also expected to be present.

As the parties arrived at the hotel, they were greeted by a large banner that was hung on a hotel across the street that read "HOME" along with a Wizards logo. It is part of a marketing campaign throughout the city launched this week with various banners and billboards targeting Jordan and playing to his sense of home and community. The people of Washington have really embraced Jordan this past season.

Numerous Wizards employees held up signs of the same nature outside the building and waved them to passing cars, with drivers honking horns.

There were several dozen reporters and photographers camped outside the hotel to capture the events and workers on their lunch break stopped by to take in the scene.

08-20-2018, 05:57 AM	#176
RMJH4 Retro NBA Nut OVR: 19 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,533 Blog Entries: 17	Jordan recruiting begins. Michael Jordan recruiting visits begin: Portland Trailblazers, New York Knicks make pitches in Hay-Adams Hotel. July 1st, 2002 \| by NBA.COM Washington, DC -- The recruitment of Michael Jordan has begun and it is as much of a circus as expected. The Portland Trailblazers, led by billionaire owner Paul Allen, were the first to meet with Jordan on the first day of free agency. Allen arrived with Jordan's former teammate Scottie Pippen, former foe Gary Payton and Head Coach Mo Cheeks at the Hay-Adams Hotel in downtown Washington shortly after 11 a.m. on Thursday morning. They brought a rack full of luggage and computer equipment for their presentation to Jordan. A little less than two hours later the Trailblazers group left with smiles. "It went well," Payton told The Washington Post, briefly showing a specially-made folder with Jordan's face above a Blazers' logo. "I would like to comment but I cannot," Allen said, remarking that he thought it was funny that he heard his plane had landed on the radio on his drive into downtown from the airport. As the Blazers left, they were literally passed by the New York Knicks' on the way out the door. The Knicks were represented by owner James Dolan, president Scott Layden, several executives, star player Allan Houston and recently acquired Ron Artest. About an hour before their arrival, an advance team came to the building with their own luggage and computer equipment for their proposal. Jordan, the free agent himself, arrived in his black Ferrari a few minutes before 11 a.m. wearing a white shirt, grey suit and flanked by security he headed up to the hotel. He declined to comment to The Washington Post. The Blazers and Knicks were the only teams scheduled to meet with Jordan Thursday, sources said. The process is expected to be repeated on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as Jordan hosts five more teams. According to a source, he is expected to be visited by the Sacramento Kings on Friday morning, followed by a presentation by the Toronto Raptors in the afternoon. The Minnesota Timberwolves are believed to be scheduled to pitch Jordan on Saturday morning with the Los Angeles Lakers following up on Saturday Afternoon. The Lakers will have a strong contingent with Jordan's former Coach Phil Jackson, superstar Kobe Bryant and the Larry O' Brien trophy carried by Dr Jerry Buss. That will make quite the impression on Jordan who is very interested in competing for a championship this season. Then, potentially as the last team to present, the Wizards are expected to meet with Jordan on Sunday Morning. Head coach Doug Collins and recently acquired Jerry Stackhouse are expected to be part of that meeting. Christian Laettner and Chris Whitney are also expected to be present. As the parties arrived at the hotel, they were greeted by a large banner that was hung on a hotel across the street that read "HOME" along with a Wizards logo. It is part of a marketing campaign throughout the city launched this week with various banners and billboards targeting Jordan and playing to his sense of home and community. The people of Washington have really embraced Jordan this past season. Numerous Wizards employees held up signs of the same nature outside the building and waved them to passing cars, with drivers honking horns. There were several dozen reporters and photographers camped outside the hotel to capture the events and workers on their lunch break stopped by to take in the scene. __________________ Part 1 and Part 3: Nowhere to Hide. The Mike Hobbs Story. Part 2: No Country for Old Men: A Utah Jazz Story.