PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida - Basketball legend Michael Jordan won't travel to Australia as a captain's assistant for the US Presidents Cup team because of the NBA's ongoing labor dispute.

Fred Couples, who will captain the US side in the matchplay showdown with an International team Nov 17-20 at Royal Melbourne, had enlisted Jordan to "motivate and inspire" the Americans as they bid to retain the trophy.

But Jordan, the former Chicago Bulls great, is now the majority owner of the league's Charlotte Bobcats and decided to withdraw to deal with the NBA lockout.