Jordan Feels Good, Looks Good in Victory

Michael Jordan got a burst of youth from his children.

Jordan’s sons were in town for the holidays Friday, and he smiled and laughed as he watched them play assistant general manager Rod Higgins’ sons on the Washington Wizards’ practice court for than an hour around midday.

Then, right before Friday night’s tipoff against the Milwaukee Bucks, Jordan told Coach Doug Collins: “Don’t be afraid to put me in soon. I feel good.”

Jordan went on have his best game since his knee surgery, scoring 34 points on 12-for-22 shooting in 26 minutes as the Wizards moved into a tie for ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a 107-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

“It’s always good to see your kids, even though they call you old,” said Jordan, who also made 10 of 12 free throws. “It was fun hanging out with them today. I just felt good all day. I came into the game loose. I felt the best I’ve felt since coming back.”

The Bucks, already without flu-stricken Ray Allen, finished the game without starters Sam Cassell and Glenn Robinson, who were ejected in the second half. Cassell punted the ball off the scoreboard and into the crowd after he was called for an offensive foul late in the third quarter. Robinson was assessed consecutive technicals for arguing a call early in the fourth.

Jordan had his best scoring night since he had 37 against Miami on Feb. 23, four days before the right knee surgery that caused him to miss 12 games. It was the first game in which he made more than half his shots since Jan. 24, when he was 18 for 29 against Cleveland.

The victory helped turn the focus back on this season after two days of speculation on Jordan’s status for next year.

That bit of drama started Wednesday, when Collins said he’d be surprised if Jordan plays next season. On Thursday, Jordan said he does plan to play next season unless his knee doesn’t improve. Before Friday’s game, Collins said he’d been told “by the organization” not to discuss the subject any more.