Jordan Is Back, Briefly

He’s back! He’s back!

Oops, well, he’s almost back.

For 90 minutes Monday, Michael Jordan was listed as an active player for the Washington Wizards on the team’s Web site. Apparently, someone pressed a button a little too soon.

“Just a clerical error,” NBA spokesman Tim Frank said. “Our Internet department was making preparations in case he comes back.”

Jordan had all but confirmed he would announce a comeback at a news conference as early as this week. Because of the terrorist attacks, he is now more likely to announce his decision in a more low-key manner, such as a faxed news release, in the next two weeks.

Wizard spokesman Matt Williams said he was inundated with phone calls after Jordan was included on the Web page, tucked alphabetically between Popeye Jones and Christian Laettner.

Jordan was listed as a 6-foot-6 guard, 198 pounds. The uniform, of course, was No. 23.

The Web site also included a biography, complete with his career statistics down to such information as the fact that he wore his North Carolina shorts underneath his shorts when he played for the Chicago Bulls.

Jordan’s name was taken off the active roster late in the afternoon by the NBA, which controls the rosters on the Web site.