Jordan shows support for Bulls

DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Michael Jordan was back on the Chicago Bulls' practice floor Wednesday - but don't get excited, it was just to show support.

	MJ plays a little one-on-one with some friends. (Allsport)

Jordan said he was there to boost the spirits of his struggling former team. He also went 1-on-1 against a player 15 years his Corey Benjamin, the Bulls' first-round pick in 1998.

"Halfcourt and I'm wore out," Jordan said after beating Benjamin 11-9. "The good thing about it, he's wore out more than I am."

Jordan came to Wednesday's practice at the invitation of coach Tim Floyd, the coach he once said he didn't want to play for. He watched the practice, played against the 21-year-old Benjamin and hung out with the team for a couple hours.

"Today was just break a sweat, see some of the guys. Try to help the morale a little bit," Jordan said.

"Tim asked if I could stop by sooner or later. I just got back in town, I decided to stop by. I came by to see Dickey (Simpkins)and some of the other guys. Please don't take it no further than that," he said.

Jordan said he didn't ask the permission of general manager Jerry Krause, with whom he had an icy relationship, to visit the team or practice facilities.

"I don't come around Jerry. I don't have to come around Jerry. ... I don't have to report to him or any of the Jerrys," Jordan said, a reference to Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

"I still have friends on this team that I relate well with and come in contact with and I come back to support them," Jordan said. "In essence, I'm still supporting the Chicago Bulls. I won't ask them if I can come back around. I think I'm entitled to do that without asking."