Michael Jordan should coach the Charlotte Bobcats after this season.

I said it. I believe it. I hope it happens.

And I wouldn’t put it past him to have considered it even as he selected the Bobcats interim coach.

To those who are shouting in anger and disbelief I ask: WHY NOT?

I understand that Jordan’s record as an executive is unflattering and that the current Bobcats are in disarray partially because of Jordan’s personnel and financial miscues.

And I haven’t forgotten that he drafted Kwame Brown first overall in 2001.

I’m also not saying he would be guaranteed to succeed - Jordan could fail miserably and I know it.

But hear me out, would you?

In the wake of Larry Brown’s unceremonious firing MJ has selected veteran coach Paul Silas to run the team for the rest of the season and I think, in the short term, this was a wise idea. Silas led the prior incarnation of the Bobcats (the Hornets) to four consecutive seasons with 40-plus wins between 1999-2003 and won thirty-five games in 2003-04 with the Cleveland Cavaliers who had LeBron James and little else.

Silas will also run a more fan-friendly uptempo style and don’t underestimate his abilities on the defensive side - the 02-03 Hornets ranked 7th in the NBA in defensive efficiency.

So why should Jordan nominate himself after this season is through instead of extending Silas or commencing a new search?

Because he should, for himself and the franchise.

I ask that you not dwell on Jordan’s executive past too much as his unsuccessful stint as CEO thus far wouldn’t necessarily predict his failure on the bench.

For example, before Larry Bird began coaching the Pacers in 1997 he had been a “special assistant” with the Celtics from 1992-97. For those who remember correctly those weren’t exactly years to cherish unless you enjoyed watching Brett Szabo and Chris Corchianni run the break.

How I miss those days!

Bird proceeded to win Coach of the Year honors in his rookie-coaching season, went on to post a .687 winning percentage, and ultimately directed the Pacers to the 2000 NBA Finals in his third and final year.

Of course, looking at the other side of the coin, former greats Magic Johnson, Bob Cousy, and Isiah Thomas bombed in their tenures for a variety of reasons, most notably a lack of patience for the former and stupidity from the latter.

So why does this matter in Jordan’s case?

Most great former players are ultra-competitive as that intense drive and sense of resolve is partly responsible for their legendary exploits to begin with. This is the main reason most feel that Jordan, like Magic and Cousy, would falter as the leader on the sidelines. Even former Celtics legend Bill Sharman nearly ran the Lakers ragged with his legendary intensity before backing down a bit.

The result of Sharman’s compromise? A 33-game winning streak in 1971-72 and an NBA title.

I think you can see where I’m going with this.

Jordan has the work ethic. He definitely has the basketball I.Q. He certainly has the competitive drive. And I’m fairly certain that he would command his players’ respect.

I also have this odd hunch that if you were to ease his workload with personnel and let him focus purely on coaching he might surprise us all.

In fact, I’d bet a lot of my non-existent monetary fortune that Jordan would perform much better as a coach than he ever has in his current or past executive roles and might possibly lead the Bobcats further than they’ve ever been.

Would you want to let Jordan down?

Besides, I can’t see Jordan putting up with all this mediocrity without trying a more hands-on approach. MJ hates losing and it’s just not his style to sit back and let it happen when he could potentially fix it himself.

The only issue I would see hampering his results would be patience. However, we all thought that when Larry Bird was hired by Indiana and he proved us all wrong.

He would also have to let go of some personnel responsibilities that might affect his on-court decisions, but that would work itself out.

I understand that Jordan is the CEO right now. How would he get around this not-so-insignificant hurdle? I’m sure he could find a way.

His decision to step into the Bobcats coaching vacancy would also generate mass interest in a Bobcats franchise that continues to lose money despite its relatively modest payroll. Bobcats’ games would instantly become an attraction and if they began winning… who knows?

I’m not saying that Jordan coaching would come without risk - he’s well known for berating former teammates and his trash-talking is legendary.

But don’t you think people mature with age? Shouldn’t they be given that chance?

I hope that Michael Jordan decides to coach the Charlotte Bobcats next season.

I certainly wouldn’t put it past him.

What do you think?