What does Jordan's arrival mean to Unseld and Heard?

"I don't get to play. I don't get to wear a Wizards' uniform," Jordan said. "But I will have influence with the players who wear the uniform. ... I'm going to try to have my imprint and footprints all over this place."

The Wizards players have expressed incredible gleam towards Jordan’s arrival. Prior to that arrival, moody guard Rod Strickland wanted out of Washington. Now he wants to stay. Jordan talked about getting on the practice floor with the guys (which he has done already), and says the best way to evaluate a player is to look into his eyes and see how scared he is.

In less than a week, Jordan has played both GM and coach. His hands-on approach to ownership and "President" is admirable, but how does this affect the current GM (Wes Unseld) and coach (Gar Heard)? When questioned about their fate, Jordan responded:

"Until we get everyone on track, everybody's disposable to some degree."

The question is how far he takes his hands-on approach. How much is short term vs. long term. If he’s going to make personnel moves, he steps on Unseld’s toes. If he participates in practice, he steps on Heard’s (not to mention undermine their authority). Is he going to counsel Unseld on personnel matters, and tutor Heard on coaching matters? Doesn’t Jordan’s mere intercession assume the disposability and incompetence of both guys?

Unseld and Heard have been under constant scrutiny by the Washington media, and deservedly so. They have assembled over-priced, under-achieving talent devoid of team chemistry and victories. It doesn’t take a genius (Michael included) to recognize the dire shortcomings of this team and organization. Given these undeniable failures, why doesn’t Michael just drop the ax on Unseld and Heard immediately, and assume both roles by himself?

Jordan can decide to trade this guy or dump that guy, but what then? The ultimate test comes on the hardwood, and Jordan is not the coach (at least not yet). Up until now, meddlesome owners have been as welcomed as a male chauvinist at a feminism convention. How is this different? He’s Michael Jordan, that’s how. Despite his potential as an executive, his real talents lie on the basketball court and in the "game." Can he resist the temptation to stay off the floor when it’s time to keep score?

Lost in all this "Welcome Back Michael" hoopla are Unseld and Heard. Initially, they might welcome Jordan’s intervention – especially Heard, who might gain an obedient Strickland. But what about the long term? If both guys get fired, their plights are moot. If neither get fired, they might become lame ducks. My guess is that Jordan would hire only a replacement for Heard and not Unseld, or just replace Heard and leave Unseld as the pseudo GM. The guy hired to replace Heard might be a lame duck too. That prospect alone could repel any marquee coaching candidates.

The other day, Jordan criticized Strickland for not getting to practice early enough. Strickland wasn’t late, mind you, just not early enough. The perfectionist in Jordan shined through on this directive, but how long can he inhabit the trenches before Heard says: "Wait, that’s my job." (Keep in mind that Heard’s successes wouldn’t fill a thimble).

Jordan’s penchant for getting his hands dirty proves that he is unwilling to settle for a "view from the owner’s perch." The real curiosity is whether any coach or GM can co-exist with Jordan in the long term, and how much Jordan can resist running the entire show all by himself.

How does the title Owner/President of Basketball Operations/GM/Coach grab you? If nothing else, kudos to the person who prints his business cards.