For Jordan, Jersey Still Has a Nice Feel
Monday, November 13, 2006; Page E06
It's been four seasons since Washington Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan was an assistant for the Nets, but Jordan retains fond memories of his time in New Jersey. Jordan, who also spent parts of four seasons with the Nets as a player, was on the New Jersey coaching staff from 1999 to 2003 and helped the Nets reach the 2002 and 2003 NBA Finals.
Jordan still has a close relationship with Nets point guard Jason Kidd and has ties to his alma mater, Rutgers.
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"As long as Jason Kidd is there and some of those guys left over from the times I was coaching there, with the experiences we shared, it will always be special," Jordan said. "Right now, Gilbert Arenas means a whole lot more to me than Jason Kidd, I'd like to say that. But it is a team I played for and a team I coached to a high level so it's always a special experience to face them."
Wizards assistant Mike O'Koren also played with the Nets and was an assistant with Jordan when New Jersey reached the Finals.
Jordan, who led Rutgers to the Final Four as a point guard in 1976, also is thrilled by the resurgence of the school's football team. Rutgers is attempting to go undefeated in football for the first time since 1976, when Jordan was a junior.
"It's real special to see what's going on up there," Jordan said.
Hitting the Road
Last night's contest concluded a three-game homestand. Beginning with Wednesday's game against the Knicks in New York, the Wizards will play five of their next six on the road.
