Jordan's Knee Determines NBA Return

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Michael Jordan was fitted with a shoe insert this week to deal with discomfort in his knee as he contemplates whether to return for another NBA season. <br><br>Washington Wizards coach

Wednesday, September 11th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Michael Jordan was fitted with a shoe insert this week to deal with discomfort in his knee as he contemplates whether to return for another NBA season.

Washington Wizards coach Doug Collins said Tuesday that Jordan hoped the insert would get his foot in better alignment and ``take away some of the pain on outside of the joint'' of his right knee.

Jordan had surgery on the knee in February, cutting short the first season of his second comeback. He has said he plans to play another season if his health allows, and that his decision won't be announced until shortly before the Wizards open training camp Oct. 1.

Collins said Jordan has experienced no new swelling or fluid buildup on the knee over the summer, but that Jordan's final decision could hinge on how he feels once he starts practicing with the shoe inserts.

``I don't think that decision's going to come for a couple of weeks,'' Collins said.

Should Jordan play, he would likely be a regular off the bench for the first time in his career. The Wizards on Tuesday signed Bryon Russell to start at small forward _ Jordan's usual position last season _ and Collins said recently signed Larry Hughes and Richard Hamilton are penciled in as his starting guards.

``If Michael does play again this year, I don't want him to play forward,'' Collins said. ``I don't want him to get pounded. Michael and I have already spoken, and we've talked about him coming off the bench as a guard.''

Russell said he worked out with Jordan a couple of weeks ago.

``He looks good to me,'' Russell said.