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.

The news came on Tuesday, the same day that the NBA season had been scheduled to start, but the impasse between owners and players over financial issues has led to the cancelation of all games scheduled for November.

"John (Cook) has been a friend of mine since we broke in together on the PGA Tour in the early 1980s," Couples said of John's replacement. "Having achieved success at the highest levels in the golf world, I value his opinion greatly.

"I would like to thank Michael for his significant contributions, both as a captain's assistant and his role as ambassador for the Presidents Cup.

"While the team will miss his friendship, spirit and leadership, we certainly understand the complexity of his current team obligations."

Couples replaced Jordan with Cook, who will join Jay Haas as an assistant. Haas was also an assistant in 2009 when when the US notched a 19 1/2-14 1/2 victory in San Francisco.

"After careful consideration, it is with regret that I have decided to cancel my trip to Australia later this month for The Presidents Cup," Jordan said. "With the NBA labor situation unsettled, as the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, I feel it is necessary that I remain in the country.

"It was an honor to have been chosen by Fred Couples to serve as a captain's assistant. I wish Fred and the United States team the best of luck."

The Presidents Cup is a Ryder Cup-style competition which pits a US team against a line-up of international players from countries outside Europe.

AFP-Reuters