WASHINGTON - Ah, much better. Instead of a post-game news conference after a loss in which the Emperor of the Wizards (Sir Air) delivers a threat about needing more minutes because the kids are not all right, we get this:

A gush of praise.

It turns out Michael Jordan doesn't need more minutes. Juan Dixon, however, does. No one is going to argue with that prescription for what ails Jordan's Wizards, not after the former Terp did everything he could last night to make Jordan eat his words - or at least some of those harsh words.

Dixon's franchise-record setting six steals - all in the fourth quarter - weren't enough to produce a come-from-behind win against the Indiana Pacers, who delivered the Wizards a fourth consecutive loss, 88-84. But Dixon's energy showed that youth can be a beautiful thing in the NBA, if given the right opportunity to flourish.

"He's one of those guys who when you can call on, they step up," Jordan said about the man who led Maryland to a national title in April.

"He'll find his niche in this league. Maybe he's not a true point guard and maybe he's too small for the 2-guard, but we picked him because he's got heart."

Jordan is presiding over this Wizards reincarnation. A youth movement, with players like Dixon, Jared Jeffries and Etan Thomas, stepped it up last night - just as Jordan had implored earlier this week. But when Jordan said he was willing to be a role player this season, we could have guessed what kind of role: Emperor.

The Wizards' so-called sixth man is all about the here and now. He admits it, which means he had no problem erupting after the Wizards dropped their third consecutive game to the formerly winless Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.

The basketball Jones that grips Jordan makes it tough for him to hold his famously wagging tongue. All it took was a three-game losing streak in - gasp! - November for Jordan to start talking about how there's no time like now to lock up a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

And if that means he has to play 38 minutes and/or start, that's what he'll get.

All that said, it wasn't Jordan's impatient outburst that fueled a better effort last night. The Wizards were still rudderless and off-kilter for the first half, letting the talented, young Pacers take a lead the Wizards could never erase.

Jordan came off the bench with just 2:30 gone, about two minutes earlier than coach Doug Collins usually sends him in, but it was not the concession to Jordan's emotive brewing earlier this week.

"I'm not planning on any roster changes. Our big men are young but they're here to play and get better. We have to look at the big picture," Collins said, adding:

"People have a misconception about whether Michael and I disagree about his minutes and role. We're on the same page."

And at least one of Jordan's 50 Greatest Ever in the NBA peers sounded a cautionary tone for anyone (read: sports columnists) who wants to take Jordan to task for coming down hard on his youthful team.

"His competitive spirit will help his team more than it will ever hurt it. He's talking about winning, about wanting to win. He's letting them know it's not all right to lose," Isiah Thomas said.

Still, when Jordan sounded off, it seemed a little like a knee-jerk reaction. It was a lot like last season when Jordan issued the "We Stink" proclamation. This time, however, by talking about increased minutes and/or starting, Jordan also broadsided his handpicked coach. Don't these guys have an agreement about how best to preserve Jordan for the long haul while educating the youthful corps of Jordan's draft picks?

In fact, the answer is yes, despite Jordan suggesting that he was going to suddenly change the rules.

It might turn out the new Jordan is just like the old Jordan, except the new Jordan is older and can not dominate the entire NBA, planet and universe like he did in the old days, when he was young.

We'll know it's really bad when word leaks out of a Wizards practice that Jordan has landed a few roundhouse punches on Larry Hughes or Brendan Haywood, like back in the old days, when Jordan pummeled Steve Kerr during a Bulls practice.

Back then, when Jordan was leading the Bulls to NBA titles, there was no question: He was the best-ever basketball player performing at the top of his game. He was ruthless, relentless, demanding, unforgiving. His physical and verbal lashings were a result of his compulsive competitiveness, not to mention his unparalleled skill and ego. But back then, who could argue?

Now, it's different. Or at least it's supposed to be.

Collins is emphatic and eloquent in his purpose for being at the Wizards' helm. He is here to do what Jordan told him to do, which is develop a group of young players and show them the way. That includes Jeffries and Kwame Brown and, last night, Dixon, who had a coming out party that was so much better than all the MCI Center fans who've been waiting for Dixon's big chance.

"No one loves Juan Dixon more than I do, but it was hard on him earlier in the season when fans would cheer for him to come in at the end of games," Collins said.

"But we're not going to use Juan Dixon as our victory cigar. It was tough on him. I'd look over and see his face. That put extra pressure on him. I don't want fans to take this the wrong way, but that wasn't fair. He's a rookie. He's not going in just because we're winning," Collins said.

"I'm here to develop these young players, and they depend on me to teach them and I'll give them my heart and soul," he added.

Heart and soul from the coach. A kick in the rear from a doggedly competitive legend. The Wizards have a long way to go this season, with bright spots likely to watch for in losses, like Dixon last night.

Next for Terps

Matchup: Wake Forest (6-5, 3-4) vs. Maryland (9-3, 5-2)

Site: Byrd Stadium, College Park

When: Saturday, noon

TV/Radio: ESPN/WBAL (1090 AM)

Line: Maryland by 13 1/2