Frustrated at the lack of support by his team's younger players, NBA legend Michael Jordan is now asking for more playing time regardless of the consequences.

With the Washington Wizards on a three game losing streak Jordan is ready to risk a career-ending injury for the sake of the team, Steve Wyche of the Washington Post is reporting.  Jordan's comeback season last year was cut short after Jordan's knees could not hold up to the rigors of an 82 game season, some blaming the heavy minutes Jordan was forced to play in order to make the team competitive.

"I'm not concerned about [injury]," said Jordan. "I know they are. Doctors are supposed to be conservative, especially with a guy who's about to turn 40. I might not make it to 41 -- who knows?

"I'd rather live in the moment. I'm a guy who'd rather live for now."

Jordan cited his reasons for desiring more playing time as frustration towards the inconsistency of the team's youth, referring to Brendan Haywood, Kwame Brown and Etan Thomas.  "If they step forward and play, I may not get the increase in minutes and you won't hear me gripe," Jordan said.

The Wizards have focused on using Jordan sparingly to keep him healthy for the post-season.  While Jordan claims he does not want to pressure Wizards coach Doug Collins into playing him more, but even Jordan suggests that neither may have any real choice.

"You can save all you want, but if you don't get to where you want to go, by the end of that time I may be healthy, but I may be playing golf in April or May. So if I feel good, which I do feel good, I'd rather get on the court and play."

"I'm not the coach," Jordan concluded. "Doug's going to have to read the situation, read how the guys are playing, how I'm playing, how the rhythm is going over the course of the game and make the judgment accordingly."