Bobcats owner Michael Jordan likes the idea of competitive balance in the NBA.

“As a small market (owner) I’m very supportive of being able to keep your star player,” Jordan said. “That whole market is determined by that one individual. You want to make it very difficult for that guy to leave. Not that he can’t leave, but to understand the circumstances if he does leave.

“I can’t imagine if I’m in the Hornets scenario that I would want Chris Paul to leave. You want to keep your star.”

During labor negotiations in 1998, Jordan famously told then-Wizards owner Abe Pollin. "If you can't make a profit, you should sell your team."

On Wednesday, Jordan smiled and laughed before responding to questions about how some perceive him as a "hardline owner."

He said things aren't the same as they were in 1998.

"We have gone through some difficult (financial) situations and we have 22 teams losing money — so obviously the model is not correct," Jordan said. "I understood what some of the players said in terms of what they thought I should be doing. But my dedication was to the community and to this team.

"I would have been more hypocritical if I'm sitting here supporting the players. Ultimately when these kids grow up and hopefully can get to my side of the table they will understand what my stance was."