One Jordan Leaves as Another Arrives : Pro basketball: Former Cleveland High standout tries to make NBA with Seattle.

Adonis Jordan was weaned on the basketball courts of Southern California and Kansas, but his attitude these days reflects his New York City upbringing.

Jordan is in a survival mode.

A Cleveland High graduate and the smallest Seattle SuperSonic is battling for his NBA life. To make a positive impression, he’s leaving some bruises.

“I’ve been taking some elbows, and giving them,” said Jordan, a 5-foot-11 point guard selected last spring in the second round of the NBA draft. “Yeah, definitely I take a New York attitude. It’s always penetrating and looking for your shot. Put that street kind of game into your game. Can’t let nobody push you around.”

His body language says as much. Jordan walks on the balls of his feet. His jaws forever work a piece of gum. While he spins and twists through a shooting drill, effortlessly popping his silky jumper, his expression never changes. He’s cool, nonchalant.

The frenetic pace of professional basketball differs from the way Jordan played at Kansas, where the Jayhawks ran a more methodical offense. These days, he’s asked to create more shots, take charge.

“He has to be aggressive, a fighter, a scrapper, in order to make it in this league because of his size,” said Nate McMillan, an off-guard who backs up Gary Payton at the point. “He needs that mental toughness like a Muggsy Bogues or a John Stockton.”

Jordan’s odds of making the Sonics roster are long. He acknowledges as much. Jordan is third in the point guard pecking order behind Payton and McMillan.

“Seems like they’re going to carry 13 guys,” Jordan said. “I’m like the 14th guy right now, trying to break into that last spot. There are a lot of other teams that are interested in me, so if something doesn’t work out here, maybe somewhere else.”

Said Sonics Coach George Karl: “My feeling has been he’ll make the league. Unfortunately, with our situation, the opportunity isn’t a big one. What we’re planning on doing is just evaluating, get the first look at him, and then in two or three weeks find out if he’s putting us in a position where we should put a bigger spot on our roster.”

With his performance last week, Jordan likely pushed up his stock with Sonics coaches.

During an intrasquad scrimmage at Seattle Pacific University, in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 2,574, Jordan was dazzling. He scored 16 points, most from long range, and brought the fans to their feet several times.

His most memorable moment came while he was leading a fast break with only Payton between himself and the basket. Jordan glanced back, saw teammate Vincent Askew trailing, and fired a backward bounce pass though his legs. Askew grabbed the ball and floated in for a layup.

“I wasn’t trying to get fancy or nothing,” Jordan said, grinning. “It was one of those college things Rex (Walters) and I used to do. I saw Vincent coming, and I knew Gary was coming real hard at me, so I just dropped it back. You know, get the crowd a little excited.”

The crowd erupted. A crowd favorite was born.

“I try to show Coach Karl that I’m willing to give 100%,” he said. “I’m willing to take any role he gives me, whether it’s playing five minutes or two minutes.”

If Jordan does not stick with the Sonics, he will try to land a spot on a Continental Basketball Assn. or European team.

If not there, maybe in Hollywood. Jordan was an extra on the set of “Blue Chips,” a soon-to-be-released basketball movie starring Nick Nolte and Shaquille O’Neal. Jordan was a member of a fictional college team and played in a 40-minute game, captured on film, against Shaq’s squad.

Will he wind up on the cutting-room floor?

“I scored 25 points in that game,” Jordan said. “They’ve got to show at least two of those.”