The Charlotte Bobcats, who are owned by basketball great Michael Jordan, have become something of a joke in the NBA.

The team is at a depressing 7-58 for the season and, if they lose tonight’s game against the Knicks, will be at the losing end of some nasty jokes.

”It has been tough, but we are just trying to move forward,” guard D.J. Augustin said. ”Many people are laughing at us and making (the streak) as a joke, but we take it very seriously. We are just trying to stay positive and play hard until the end.”

Jordan says he knew the team had their work cut out for them when he signed on, however, and is not deterred.

”Ever since I’ve owned the team I think we’ve made some very positive moves on the business side,” he said. “We had to make a difficult decision to turn over the talent. This year the talent we had didn’t respond, but that doesn’t cause me to turn my back on the plan.”

I can’t imagine how discouraging it must be for the players to have such a rough record; it brings to mind the Detroit Lions, who have had their fair share of laughs over the years with dismal numbers. But the Lions are making a comeback this year in a big way after a phenomenal last season, sticking their collective tongues out at naysayers. Perhaps the Bobcats will be able to do the same, especially if they get a shot at the number 1 draft pick, Kentucky’s Anthony Davis.