LAS VEGAS – At the Palms in Las Vegas, there are two towers in which guests reside and – on occasion – even revel.

There is the more-aged "Palms Tower," its rooms far from flashy but the feel so very familiar. And then there is the "Fantasy Tower," home of the hotel's many high-end suites and boasting more than enough architecture to justify the name.

Around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday night, a nattily-attired Eddie Jordan coolly walked between the two. Sporting a gray suit, leather briefcase and a confident air, he had just finished his interview for the Kings' head coaching vacancy.

It was entirely fitting that the former Kings and Washington coach spent more than three hours Tuesday evening campaigning for his old job inside the older facility. And while the vacancy in Philadelphia means he stands between jobs of varying appeal as well, Jordan spoke from his Fantasy Tower room as if he wanted to make a return to Sacramento a reality.

"No. 1, I have great respect and admiration for (Kings basketball president) Geoff Petrie, (Kings consultant) Pete Carril, and the Maloofs, for their energy, enthusiasm and excitement with their team," said Jordan, who was fired after his one full season with the Kings in 1997-98. "Second of all, I love coaching and developing, especially young players. I've been involved with young players both in New Jersey (as an assistant) and the Wizards (as a head coach). Third, I love Northern California. There are a lot of positives, a lot of good things. But before I get to the step of, 'Would I accept an offer?' it has to be offered to me, and it hasn't been offered to me yet."

While former Phoenix and Seattle head coach Paul Westphal will be interviewed here today, Jordan's situation will remain front and center due to the context that surrounds him. He is believed to be high on the Sixers' wish list, although an NBA source said there is no interview scheduled with Jordan yet.

Despite the Kings' recent on-court struggles and off-court financial challenges, Jordan dismissed the notion the job wasn't desirable.

"There are 30 jobs in the NBA," he said. "It's one of the top jobs in the world. So whether (the Kings' job is No.) 30, 28, or 29, why would it not be attractive and exciting? It's the NBA, the greatest athletes and the greatest basketball league in the world.

"It doesn't make sense to sit back and say 'that's a bad job.' I hear that a lot, (people saying) 'That's a bad job. That's not a good job. They don't pay this or that.' I'm not saying that's the case here, I'm just saying that's what you hear in the league. They're all good if you want to be a head coach in the NBA, so I have no preferences."

While Petrie is known to be fond of Jordan from their longstanding relationship, Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof said he had never met Jordan before the interview that included Petrie and Joe Maloof. His first experience, however, was positive.

"I really liked him personally and he certainly has the credentials," Gavin Maloof said. "I was very impressed with him."

Despite Jordan's reputation as an offense-first coaching mind, Gavin Maloof said he was pleased with the discussions on defense as well.

"He's a good teacher," Maloof said. "He was going over some Xs and Os (of Wizards games on video) with Joe and I, and I really learned a lot in the first three hours about his defensive strategies, his offensive philosophies. And I'm thinking to myself, 'If I can understand it, then maybe these players can understand it.'

"He speaks very simple, very direct, and you understand it. He's a good teacher, which is what we're going to need with the young team that we have."

Maloof said the Kings will now deliberate and decide where to go from here. He reiterated ownership's stance that Petrie will be in charge of the process.

"We've got another interview (today), so we'll see how that goes and then it's really up to Geoff (and) whether he wants to interview more people or whatever," Gavin Maloof said. "We're just kind of leaving it all to Geoff. Ultimately, he's going to make the final decision. He just wants to make sure we're comfortable with whoever he chooses.

Read the Kings blog at www.sacbee.com/kingsblog.