Michael Jordan, showing flashes of the skills that made him a six-time NBA champion, worked out with the team he owns, the Charlotte Bobcats, in a practice session on Thursday.

One week shy of his 48th birthday, Hall of Fame playmaker Jordan pulled on an orange Bobcats jersey and took part in a scrimmage after having settled for giving instructions at a few workouts earlier this month.

Showing the work ethic that shaped the Chicago Bulls into champions six times in the 1990s, Jordan made the players on his team work a bit harder and move a bit faster knowing the man who signs their pay cheques was on the court.

"He's holding these guys accountable and it's great. I love him out here," Bobcats coach Paul Silas said. "Guys work a little bit harder when he's out here.

"You're not going to let him do a job on you if you have got any pride."

Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace has plenty of pride, but he also sees Jordan still has plenty of talent and it's not so shameful to be schooled by a master of the game.

"He still has it," Wallace said. "He's Mike. He's been kicking our (rears). He doesn't have this quickness, but he can score, he's a shooter. The last thing to ever go is your jump shot and he has that."

Jordan was a part-owner in 2006 who had a final say in personnel matters and last year became the majority owner of the Bobcats.

He has not been shy about making moves. The Bobcats made the playoffs for the first time last year but when they started this season 9-19, Jordan fired Larry Brown as coach.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 02/12/2011 page16)