Talk about bouncing back... Just three weeks after he was abruptly dismissed as general manager of the Portland Trailblazers, it was announced late yesterday that Rich Cho's got himself a new GM job -- with the Charlotte Bobcats: Bobcats brass believes Cho provides missing link.Cho has the distinction of being the NBA's first Asian American general manager, but was fired after less than a year with the Blazers. See, this is why it's a good idea to keep your resume updated. Now Michael Jordan is his new boss. He replaces Rod Higgins, who was promoted president of basketball operations:
It's a quick return to the NBA for the 45-year-old Cho, who was fired last month after less than a year on the job. Now he's charged by Jordan with making a success out of a franchise with one playoff appearance and no postseason victories in seven years.He now faces the challenge of helping to build and shape the Bobcats into a winning team. But just over a week before the NBA Draft, the news of Cho's hiring seems to be going over well in Charlotte. More here: New Bobcats GM isn't aiming for 'middle of the road'
"He's open to listening to new ideas. He's open to a lot of dialogue," Cho said of Jordan. "I really, really feel like he wants to win."
Cho acknowledged he "didn't see it coming" when the Blazers fired him. President Larry Miller said it was because of "chemistry issues," believed to be with owner Paul Allen. Cho declined to address the issue, saying he didn't want to "dwell on the past."
Born in Burma, Cho became the NBA's first Asian GM last year when he was hired away from Oklahoma City's front office. But he lasted less than a year despite being praised for the Wallace deal.
Cho, who has a law degree from Pepperdine, will assist Higgins in basketball decisions and handle the salary cap.