The Associated Press asked Chris Paul if his relationship with Michael Jordan was strong enough to consider signing with the Charlotte Bobcats when he becomes a free agent in 2012.

Paul grew up in the state of North Carolina and the Bobcats could be positioned to have cap space that summer.

"I think guys do and will want to play for MJ," Paul said. "Who better to learn from? . . . . Now that he has a team, he's like a kid in a candy store," Paul said of Jordan. "He's so happy because he's one of those guys that no matter what, he can't get away from the game. . .

"I thought about (playing near home in Winston-Salem) then when I got drafted," Paul said of the potential of playing pro ball in his home state. "But that feels like that was so long ago now."

Paul's comments on Twitter indicated he felt as though his words were taken out of context.

"Come on now people," Paul tweeted, "I did 3 different interviews about the Jordan Brand Classic this morning and was asked if Michael Jordan had influence on free agent signings and I said at the end of the day guys want to win...they askd would I want to return home and I told them I'm focused here in NO and that's the future and anything can happen...Hate when people try to turn things around just to make it a story.. #slowdown."