CHICAGO, Jan. 19 (Ticker) -- Michael Jordan gave the Chicago Bulls a glimpse at their past, and it looked a whole lot better than the present.

Returning to the city where he is an icon, Jordan scored 16 points and the Washington Wizards matched their win total for all of last season in a lethargic 77-69 victory over the woeful Bulls.

Jordan's No. 23 jersey hangs from the rafters of the United Center and outside is a large statue of perhaps the greatest player in NBA history, who led the Bulls to six NBA titles in the 1990s. The Bulls tried to treat it as just another game, but Jordan knew better.

"I have statues out front," Jordan said. "When I come back, it's never going to be just another game."

NBA.comTV highlights from Wizards-Bulls: 56k | 300k It wasn't a masterpiece by any stretch, but Michael Jordan still managed to lead his team to victory in his return to Chicago. Kent Horner/NBAE/Getty Images

Making his first appearance at the United Center since Game Five of the 1998 NBA Finals, Jordan received a three-minute standing ovation during pregame introductions.

"When the crowd started, I had a very tough time. This whole night made it like playing against a relative," Jordan said. "Say whatever you want about the uniform change, but Chicago is Chicago and it's always very special for me."

The ovation would have been much longer had the lights not been dimmed before the Bulls' players were announced, a move that drew boos from the sellout crowd of 23,534.

"How can you be in Chicago and not cheer him?" said Washington coach Doug Collins, who once held the same job in Chicago. "He's the greatest winner that was ever here. Just look at the banners hanging from the ceiling. I knew the Bulls' fans would give him those cheers and they probably still would be cheering if they hadn't turned out the lights."

"Thank God they turned out the lights or they might still be cheering," Jordan said.

Jordan was far from spectacular, making 7-of-21 shots from the floor and committing a season-high nine turnovers. He also had 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals, enough to help the Wizards (19-18) snap a four-game losing streak.

The current crop of Bulls bear no resemblance to the glorious teams of the past, losing for the 200th time since Jordan retired for a second time.

The Bulls missed their first 13 shots and shot a dismal 24.7 percent (22-of-89). Only a late rally prevented them from having the lowest percentage in NBA history set by the Milwaukee Hawks in 1954 (22.9 percent).

"It was just one of those days. We came and got our shots," said Bulls forward Charles Oakley. "We had a lot of chances to score, but the game just was not falling. It was an ugly game."

"It was two teams trying to live up to the hype," Jordan said. "Both teams are in transition periods. You have two young teams trying to find their way in the dark. Both coaches trying to figure out what works and what doesn't. Then I'm kind of caught right in the middle of all that."

Chicago shot a woeful 17 percent (7-of-42) before intermission, the worst shooting half in franchise history. It did not have a basket until Brad Miller's layup with 5:56 left in the first quarter.

Chris Whitney scored a season-high 20 points and was 10-of-10 from the line for Washington.

Ron Artest and Ron Mercer had 14 points each for the Bulls, who had a mere 38 points through three quarters. Artest made 3-of-15 shots and Mercer was 6-of-16. Miller had seven points and was 1-of-12.

Jordan often was guarded by Artest, who broke Jordan's rib during an offseason workout.

"I love Ron Artest. He's someone who has great intensity and competitive drive," Jordan said.

The return of Jordan was the opener of a huge sports day in Chicago. The Bears hosted an NFL playoff game for the first time in a decade, putting the basketball contest in the position of being second fiddle in the Second City.

The Bulls and Wizards did nothing to change that status. After the introductions, the game settled into a slow, boring pace.

"This game was not kind of ugly, it was real ugly. We're a tired team and we showed it in how we played," said Collins, whose team played for the third time in five days.

The Wizards, who shot just 37 percent overall, led 16-12 after one quarter and twice built leads of 14 points in the second period Tyronn Lue sank short jumpers on each occasion to build the comfortable bulge.

"That can be good, when you come out and get a win when you're not playing well," Whitney said. "That could be a good sign."

The Bulls scored the first six points of the third quarter, including a pair of baskets by Artest, to move within 35-33. But Whitney, who had eight points in the period, answered with a 3-pointer.

Jordan's jumper rebuilt the lead to 43-33. He scored off an alley-oop pass from Lue and Christian Laettner sank two free throws to make it 55-38 after three quarters.

"It was a fun game for us," Lue said. "It wasn't a great game, but I'm glad we got the win for MJ."

Jordan's final basket came on a fast-break layup that gave Washington a 60-44 edge with 7:29 left. The Bulls were able to cut the deficit to six points in the final minute.

"I'm very glad it's over with," Jordan said. "A lot was made of the game, but it was not a particularly great one to watch. Next time here, I hope it's not as hyped up."