Michael Jordan says he plans to play next season, if his knees cooperate

<br>WASHINGTON (AP) _ Michael Jordan will play next season if his knee will let him. If it won't, he won't. <br><br>That was his answer Thursday to the suddenly burning question about his playing

Friday, March 29th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Michael Jordan will play next season if his knee will let him. If it won't, he won't.

That was his answer Thursday to the suddenly burning question about his playing status after the end of this season.

``I'm not going to make a decision now,'' Jordan said, ``because I don't know what's in store for me three or four months from now.''

Jordan was responding to the tempest that erupted on Wednesday when Washington Wizards coach Doug Collins said on an ESPN program that he'd be surprised if Jordan plays next season.

Jordan and Collins were taken aback by the reaction to Collins' comments, so much so that Jordan broke his routine and spoke to reporters on an off day.

``You guys are asking me to make a decision about next season now,'' Jordan said after practice. ``Based on how I feel, that's not really fair. My intention, my contract lasts for next season. I have all intent of living out my contract.

``But, if I physically can't, if I go through the same situation I've been going through this year, it's not meaningful for me,'' he said. ``I would be surprised if I'm back playing next year if I'm going through the same situation that I'm going through right now.''

The 39-year-old Jordan said he would play for two years when he came out of his second retirement last fall.

Jordan had surgery on his right knee Feb. 27 and missed 12 games. He returned last week, but has played sparingly and has not started even as the Wizards fight to get into the playoffs.

He was slowed by tendinitis in both knees early in the season. He said he might have surgery on the left knee during the off-season, a strong indication that he plans to continue playing.

Jordan reiterated that he will not make any decisions about playing next season until this season is done.

The issue of Jordan's future has caused a momentary distraction at a pivotal point in the Wizards' season, something that clearly irritated Collins.

``Did I say he wasn't playing next year?'' Collins said. ``I said that Michael would make that decision. It's his intention to play next year, and that he wants to play more than anybody.''