Ailene Voisin: In the end, Jordan turned out fine after Kings firing

Eddie Jordan on the sideline, Anthony Johnson on the court, the Kings trudging toward the lottery …

Ten years ago already? Ten years and two teams later, Jordan, whose injury-depleted Washington Wizards stormed back for a 114-108 victory Friday night, is still remembered around Arco Arena as the Kings coach who set the table, then was chased away before the meal was served.

To facilitate the great makeover of 1998 – in terms of roster spots and salary cap flexibility – the 1997-98 squad was stripped to its basketball skivvies. The lineup routinely featured a former ballboy named Yogi Stewart, an overabundance of role players, and an aging All-Star who threatened to boycott training camp, then spent most of the season chasing stats, complaining about his salary, and demanding a trade.

"Mitch (Richmond) wasn't happy," Jordan recalled, "and when your star player is a little bit sideways, it's really tough. He sort of got his act together later, but we had lost Brian Grant, some other veterans, so it was just a real learning experience."

That's what he thought it was, anyway. A learning experience. Endure the tough times, chew your lip in the locker room, remain loyal to the troops and the troop leader, notably, former Kings owner Jim Thomas.

And after that dramatic offseason? When Geoff Petrie traded for Chris Webber? Signed Peja Stojakovic? Drafted Jason Williams? Outdueled several other clubs for free agent Vlade Divac? No, it wasn't fair.

Yes, the timing was lousy.

Instead of being rewarded, Jordan was fired after 15 games (1996-97) and only one full season as head coach. In August. Over Geoff Petrie's vehement objections, the maligned Thomas insisted he had one more rim-rattling maneuver left.

Having already sold minority shares to the Maloofs, who would purchase majority interest in the franchise several months later, Thomas wanted someone else to lead his final run. He interviewed Scott Skiles and Kurt Rambis, among others, and was prepared until the last minute to hire Paul Silas.

A few days later, however, Rick Adelman was given the job, Silas was left wondering where he went wrong, and Jordan was left looking for work.

"You know what though?" Jordan asked rhetorically. "You can't really be a survivor until you've been fired. In the end it worked out very well for me."

He has a job, which is more than some folks can say these days. He has a team with two All-Stars, and twice on this road trip already, with enough tenacity to overcome large second-half deficits.

Perhaps most importantly given the prolonged absences of Etan Thomas (heart) and Gilbert Arenas (knee), he also resides within the weaker Eastern Conference, where a club's 38-34 record is good enough for fifth place and a playoff berth.

So no complaints from Jordan. He appreciates the life and his past experiences in Sacramento, and is forever indebted for Petrie's introduction to a basketball legend named Pete Carril. Jordan, who spent four seasons as an assistant in New Jersey before joining the Wizards in 2003, remains close with Carril, and a committed devotee of the Princeton offense.

"I think it's the way to play," said Jordan, "to share the ball, without a ton of dribbling, with a series of cuts and screening. The principles are there to help the teammate first, and ultimately, you help yourself."

The Wizards, in fact, looked a lot like the old Kings in that fourth quarter last night, the ones Jordan never stuck around to enjoy.

"That's the NBA," he added, with a laugh. "That's life."

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• Call The Bee's Ailene Voisin, (916) 321-1208.