If you're going to appreciate Michael Jordan this time around you'll have to forget about flying from the foul line, switching hands in mid-air and 50-point outbursts. What we're seeing evolve here now is a Jordan who is part Magic Johnson and part John Stockton, someone who is as likely to hand out five straight assists as go on a shooting spree.

The Washington Wizards have won consecutive games (and been in position to win all three games this season), which is big news around here regardless of the opponent. And they've done it without Jordan being an acrobat, or making all the big shots, or doing anything otherworldly. While that might not be the best news in the world for the casual fan who is hyped to see IMAX Jordan, it comes as wonderful news to the Wizards, that this new incarnation of Jordan, as a 38-year-old facilitator, can work pretty darn well.