Jordan ready to risk the knees and play more

Joseph White, Associated Press, Washington

Frustrated by a three-game losing streak, Michael Jordan sounds ready to increase his playing time.

Jordan said Monday he wasn't necessarily lobbying to start, but he said his minutes should no longer be limited by concerns over his knees, especially if it means keeping the Washington Wizards out of the playoffs.

"I'm not concerned about that right now," Jordan said when asked about the current plan to limit his minutes to save his knees. "I know they are. Doctors are supposed to be very conservative, especially with a guy who's about to turn 40.

"But I may not make 41. Who knows? I'd rather live in the moment. I'm a guy who lives for now. You can save all you want, but if you don't get to where you want to go ... By the time you get there I may be healthy, but I may be playing golf in April or May, and that's not fun for me.

"If I feel good - which I do feel - I'd rather get on the court and play."

Jordan was elaborating on his comments after Saturday night's loss at Memphis, the Grizzlies' first victory of the season. At the time, Jordan said he might start playing more "if some of these young kids don't start to play up to their capabilities."

Asked Monday who the young kids are, Jordan said: "Everybody."

Jordan's knees gave out from wear and tear last season, prompting coach Doug Collins to use Jordan off the bench for what is expected to be the superstar's final NBA season. The goal has been to give Jordan about 30 minutes per game. He played 32 against the Grizzlies, two short of his season-high, and is averaging 28.

Collins has been using a rotation that keeps either Jordan or Jerry Stackhouse - the team's only two consistent scoring threats - on the floor at all times. Jordan also plays most of the fourth quarter, especially when the game is on the line.

Jordan is averaging 15.7 points per game, second to Stackhouse.

Asked if he wanted to start, Jordan said: "Not starting, per se."

"I'd rather feel, from a strategy standpoint, I'd still like to come off the bench and force teams to match up to us," he added. "But if that's something Doug wants to tinker with, then he definitely has an option to do that. If he wants to put me in the starting lineup, believe me, I'll be ready."

Collins said he had no plans to start Jordan, but that the minutes could go up. The coach said he wanted to avoid "heavy minutes," when Jordan is asked to carry the entire team for most of the game.

"All the eyes are on me about the minutes, but I also have to trust him, too, because it's his body," Collins said.

The Wizards (6-7) host Indiana on Tuesday, the first game in a tough five-game stretch. By early December, the Wizards might have a new Jordan plan.

"If we're winning, and other guys are playing well, I'll be over here cheering and wishing everybody the best," Jordan said. "But obviously we haven't been winning. Something has to be done."