We're off to see the Wizards...

Funny how two simple words can change the fortunes of a team mired in mediocrity.

After falling to 2-10 on the season with a loss to Cleveland, Washington Wizards forward Michael Jordan told a group of reporters, "We Stink."

It can't get much simpler than that, but since those two words echoed through our nation's capital, the Wizards have been smelling pretty.

The greatest aspect of their recent four-game winning streak has been the fact that it's not simply because of MJ having his typical 50-point games like he did in the prime of his career.

Admit it, America, you wished that he didn't come back. You wanted to remember him for the tongue-wagging, high-flying, scoring machine that led the Chicago Bulls to six championships. You fanboys wanted the Jordan who scored 40 points a game and led the SportsCenter highlights. You wanted your last memory of him to be that game winning shot in Game 6 of the 1998 Finals (yes, he pushed off, but who cares). When he and the Wizards came out the gate at 2-10, there were reports all over the media that he should either trade himself or hang it up.

Ok, so when he came back he was scoring about 30 points a game, but they were losing constantly, and you could see all 38 years of him wearing down. However, much like his days in Chi-town before he became lord of the NBA rings, he came to the realization that his team wasn't going to win when he hoisted up all the shots. Since then he has shown what will be his greatest legacy, one incredible trait that you can't define on a stat sheet: his indescribable leadership.

Yes, I know they're still 9-12 (in the NBA's Eastern Conference, they can still have a home court advantage with that record), and I'm not ready to call them the team to stop LA, however, MJ's leadership and willingness to let this young team grow has been the biggest difference. Just look at how this team has played during this streak.

They beat Houston (minus Steve Francis), Dallas (minus Dirk Nowitski), Memphis (no injuries, but they stink anyway), and Miami (who is 4-16 but is still talented). Jordan hasn't had to be the MJ of old, taking every shot in the fourth quarter. He averages only 23 ppg, but he is second on the team with seven boards and five assists per game. Teams who thought he lost a step now realize that his game is not all about the fadeaway jumper or the crisp moves to the hoop. He has trusted his teammates more and they've responded. He is now as much a threat to pass the ball as he is to shoot.

This brings me to a bigger proof of his leadership -- his teammates. In the beginning of the season the talk was all about the "Jordannaires." Who would be his Scottie Pippen, his John Paxson, his Dennis Rodman (ok, maybe nobody else can be Rodman on this planet, but that's beside the point).

The biggest contributor has been Richard Hamilton, who in the last eight games has led the team in scoring with 24 ppg and Jordan has been relegated to second banana status. "Rip," as he is known, has elevated his game and is scoring in bunches.

The biggest surprise, without a doubt, has been the play of rookie Brendan Haywood, who might be the answer to the Wizards' biggest problem: an inside presence.

I must admit when I heard Jordan got him I thought it was because they share the same roots of playing at UNC, especially when Haywood had already been released by one team and traded by another before he even played an NBA game. He is averaging eight points and eight boards a contest since he started playing this season, and his energy and long seven-foot wingspan has given Washington some power in the paint, which cost them numerous games in the early part of the season. If all holds well for this thriving rookie, he and first overall pick Kwame Brown could be the next version of the Twin Towers.

Back to MJ for one second, if I may. He has rallied his troops and given them the sort of confidence that they can win close games, especially on the road. Other key contributors like quicksilver guard Tyronn Lue and three-point extraordinare Hubert Davis have given this team a more complete look.

Jordan has changed his game and now leads his new team to success, but in a different way.

"I just think we're starting to understand our roles offensively and defensively," Jordan said after defeating Miami on Wednesday.

The biggest adjustment might have been for MJ to abandon his role of dominating games with his scoring and trusting his teammates.

Right now, Washington is still a team in transition. Are they capable of finally establishing themselves as a playoff contender? Will MJ be healthy long enough to continue to guide this team to the point where he can sit back and let his teammates win games instead of putting it all on his shoulders?

Most of America thinks he is wasting his time, that he's tarnishing his legacy. I say that he is putting the exclamation mark on his legacy, and this time on his own terms.