Jordan: I'm committed to Bobcats

Michael Jordan could no longer hide his frustration midway through the Bobcats' dismal season last year. Not wanting anyone to see how angry he was, Charlotte's owner moved from his seat at the end of the team's bench to his more secluded luxury suite high above the court.

Still, he didn't give up on his club then and he isn't now.

The ultra-competitive Jordan said despite watching his club "hit rock bottom" during the most miserable season in NBA history, he's "in it for the long haul" when it comes to seeing his struggling franchise transformed into a consistent winner.

He knows it won't be a quick, easy process.

"Are we a playoff team? C'mon, we can't expect that," Jordan said on Thursday. "But we need to get the ball rolling in the right direction. I'm not real happy about the record book scenario last year. It's very, very frustrating."

Charlotte finished 7-59, recording the worst winning percentage (.106) in NBA history.

Jordan, who won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, believes he has the right man to turn things around in new coach Mike Dunlap.

Dunlap has taken a no-nonsense, back-to-basics approach to coaching basketball - something Jordan said has been missing in Charlotte.

"For years those steps have been skipped," Jordan said. "We don't have a star that can carry the team, so you've got to learn to play together. That is what I love about (Dunlap). He's going to get back to the basics with good passes, pivots, boxing out, running, taking care of the ball and taking good shots. All of the things that were lost."

Jordan said the challenge has been getting players to buy in, particularly when it comes to Dunlap's grueling three- to four-hour marathon practices.

But he's there to make sure they do.

Jordan saw what he perceived as "resistance" from some players to Dunlap's ways earlier this week, pulled them aside after practice and dressed them down. He told them he fully supports Dunlap's philosophy and if they don't agree with it, they won't be around for long.

That seemed to get the players' attention.

Jordan said the next day he saw a change in attitude.