They go to the hole hard and often for 24 minutes, then revert back to their old jump shooting ways, collapsing against Golden State in the fourth quarter for their sixth loss in a row -- equaling the worst streak of MJ's career. 



While not having the best game himself, Michael Jordan easily bested young Warrior star Antawn Jamison.



by Fred Schiebel, Head Writer

WASHINGTON -- Up by ten near the very end of the third quarter, the Wizards hopes of finally getting a win were dashed once more, as the Golden State Warriors came back for an 93-89 victory in front of a hoarse and deflated sellout crowd at the MCI Center.

It had felt like it was going to be the Wizards night, especially when Michael Jordan uncorked the first shot of the game and nailed a 20 foot jumper to send the fans (energized by the close loss to the undefeated Celtics) into an even higher level of screaming faith than before tipoff. Unfortunately the intensity waned soon after, as Washington endured another horrific start, going 1 for 10 from the field in the first six minutes of play and finding themselves down 10-2.

What made the beginning even more distressing was the amount of close shots they missed. Christian Laettner, who so far was one of the best shooters on the roster this year, missed four attempts right at the rim in that stretch. He went 0-6 for the game.

"It's mind-boggling, absolutely mind-boggling," he said afterwards. "I don't know what we did, but the basketball gods are real angry at us for some reason."

The slow start was over earlier than than usual. Staying relentless in their desire to get into the paint for the next six minutes, a Jordan drive tied the score back up at 16-16. He went to the bench with time remaining in the opening period, and the Wizards were able to endure the loss. His replacement, Tyrone Nesby slashed through the Warrior defense for two straight dunks to reignite the fans as Washington pulled ahead 24-22 by the buzzer.

Richard Hamilton finally caught fire at the start of the second, hitting two jumpers and then two drives to extend the lead to five. It didn't stick for long, and within a little more than three minutes, the score was 33-32, with Jordan checking back into the game.

He looked like his old self in what was his best half of basketball yet. He powered the Wizards back and beyond to a 51-41 lead (the biggest lead they've enjoyed this season),  finishing at the break with 18 points on 9 of 15 attempts. Not only that, he pressured Antwawn Jamison like a wolf into turnovers and offensive futility, holding him to 3 of 11 from the field for only six points.

Apparently the effort left him exhausted.

The third quarter was not so kind. Jordan went 1 for 9, and Washington's season-best 48 percent field goal percentage mark at the half had been lowered to 41 percent by the start of the fourth. The lead, down to six when Jordan went to the bench, then dissipated to only two, 68-66.

Jordan returned early, early enough to see Chris Mills' jumper in the lane over him give the Warriors back the lead. He missed a fifteen footer on the other end, then had Mills hit another in his face to extend the buffer to three, 78-75. The Wizards kept fighting however, and Jordan scored on two jumpers -- the last one retaking the advantage for Washington, 81-80.

The Warriors regained control from there. Rookie Jason Richardson slammed home two dunks down the stretch, the last one a 360 degree gravity-defying jam that put Golden State up by five and sent an awed hush over the Washington crowd. Richardson, in his first professional start, finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Danny Fortson had a monster game, picking up Jamison's slack, scoring 16 points and snaring 20 rebounds, including 7 offensive boards.

Richard Hamilton led Washington with 27 points, finally refinding his touch (12-21 from  the field). Jordan, only 4 of 18 in the second half, finished with 26 points. Afterwards he looked so depleted, as if there was no amount of rest that could replenish him. He seemed at a loss for words, or perhaps simply possessed not much interest in finding any.

"We're getting better, I guess..." he said, his eyelids hanging so low it appeared he might drift off. "Obviously we're not improving as much as I would like, but we're making progress... In order to turn this thing around, we have to keep working and believing we can inevitably become a winning squad."

Their leader had never sounded so uncertain.