The Wizards ended the first phase of the Michael Jordan comeback, putting him on the injured list for the remainder of the season after his right knee swelled up. Jordan, who had surgery to repair torn cartilage in the knee at the end of February, says he wants to play next season, depending on his health. But that might be wishful thinking. The condition of Jordan's knee is a concern, and as one Eastern Conference assistant coach says, "The nature of that injury to his knee, if he tries to keep pounding it, this will just keep happening. He'd play 60 games, max." . . .The Rockets will be in the lottery for the third consecutive season, but don't expect coach Rudy Tomjanovich's job to be in danger.

Hornets owner Ray Wooldridge, seeking a move out of Charlotte, said last week the team and New Orleans met all of the requirements-club seat sales were the final obstacle-to secure a positive recommendation from the NBA relocation committee. League owners could vote on the move as early as April 16-just four days before the start of the playoffs. Crowds in Charlotte have been bad enough this season, but should the official vote to move the Hornets out of town come within four days of the playoffs, it's likely attendance will suffer even more during the team's playoff games. . . .

When the Kings visited Detroit last week, Kings PF Chris Webber responded well to the taunts of Pistons fans, who were reacting to allegations he took $280,000 from a booster during his time at Michigan. Webber had 28 points in a Kings blowout, but Pistons PF Cliff Robinson offered this assessment of Webber to reporters after the game: "(Webber) has basically become a jump shooter." If the postseason last year was any indication-Webber settled for jump shots rather than making himself a presence in the post in the team's second-round exit against the Lakers-that had better change. . . .

Recently signed Bucks PG Greg Anthony has been getting more playing time than he expected, sometimes even teaming with PG Sam Cassell in the same lineup. Bucks injuries have forced Anthony to play as many as 38 minutes, which he has done twice for Milwaukee. Injuries also have forced him to juggle positions. "I don't know quite what I am," Anthony says. "Sometimes I go out there and I am playing the 1, sometimes the 2. I think I have played the 3 out there sometimes. . . . I am a basketball player; that is how I am approaching it." Can he handle the increased load? "Hey, I will be 35 this year," he says. "I love to play, but this is definitely a shock to the system."