Watching Michael Jordan's first game back reminded me of the story of Magic Johnson's first game as a rookie.

I'm not sure of all the details, just that the Lakers had beaten the Clippers on a last-second shot. Magic immediately started jumping around, waving his arms, and acting as if the Lakers had just won the world championship. Then he raced to halfcourt and gave veteran center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar a big hug.

Kareem smiled, but you could tell by his expression that he wasn't very pleased. While wrapped in Magic's arms, Kareem told Johnson to settle down -- that there were 81 more games to be played, that a season isn't determined by Game No. 1.

We should remember that as we watch Jordan during the season's first month: There are a lot of games left. I'm not trying to make excuses for his performance in the opener, mostly because he doesn't need any. After all, he did have a better return this time than in his first comeback, when he shot 7 of 28 from the floor in a loss to the Indiana Pacers. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe he won three titles after that comeback.

Yes, Jordan looked a little out of sync. Yes, he could still afford to drop 7-10 pounds. And yes, his Washington Wizard teammates have a long, long way to go (that became extremely evident after viewing five minutes of the Lakers-Trail Blazers game). But Jordan still commands a double team. He still can glide past top defenders such as New York's Latrell Sprewell. And he can still carry a bad team into the playoffs, and in my opinion, beyond.

So allow me to reiterate: Jordan is going to be very, very good. By February, many of his critics will be more hushed than a 1990s Celtics fan . And once Jordan gets in real shape ... once his unmatched cockiness returns ... once his teammates improve ... look out.

As Kareem might say, settle down. It's terribly early.

LAKER BELIEVER

Boy, do the Los Angeles Lakers look like champions. I'll be honest, even after last season's title, I didn't think the current Lakers were even as good as the 1999 title-winning San Antonio Spurs. But after watching the Lakers in the opener, I may hop on the bandwagon with those who say they are the NBA's next dynasty. Heck, I'm even starting to think that maybe Kobe Bryant isn't the most overrated player this side of Scottie Pippen.

The Lakers look so much better than everyone else, just like the Bulls of the '90s and the Celtics of the '60s. I mean, Portland is much-improved, yet the Lakers tossed the Blazers aside like an old newspaper. Throw in the fact that every starting center besides Shaquille O'Neal would be a backup in the pre-expansion years, and it could get very ugly.

All of this leads me to my one big problem with Laker fans. Where were you from 1992-1999?! I didn't meet one during that time. Before that and since then, I've met about 150. There are some who are a real basketball fans, people who love the NBA even when their team isn't winning.

But there are too many that sat on their hands during the rough years -- which really weren't all that bad. Still, you would have thought the team went 0-82 every year. So to see them sitting front and center today, acting as if they never left, makes you roll your eyes.

OK, I'm done venting now. On to the fun stuff ...

OPENING NIGHT QUICK HITS

-- Cleveland forward Chris Mihm scored the first basket of the 2001-02 NBA season. As far as anyone can tell, it was also the final basket for the Cavaliers, who were simply throttled at home by Boston. That game was played in front of a lot of empty seats (and I mean A LOT). With outcomes like that, the Cavs can expect to draw about 2,000 a game by midseason. That's not an exaggeration.

-- It may be ugly, but I love the Knicks' style of play. It's pound, pound, pound followed by bang, bang, bang. You would think Jeff Van Gundy and his team are building a new arena. I've taken plenty of heat (pardon the expression) from Knick fans, many of whom say their team has no shot at the playoffs. Well, Sprewell may be a step slower, Allan Houston may have the most uneventful 20-point games in basketball history, and there may be no center in sight. But the Knicks always seem to find a way.

-- By the way, I love the little Knicks logo that's been added above the players' names on the back of the jerseys. Simply a nice touch.

-- I don't care if it was a rock-throwing contest between a bunch of 10-year olds -- if Charles Barkley was going to be on at halftime, I'd watch. Speaking of halftime, what's the deal with coaches and players being interviewed then? Don't know about you, but I can sure wait until after the game to hear Chris Whitney say he's missed his last three shots.

-- Would Whitney ever be interviewed at halftime if Michael Jordan didn't come back?

-- One last Knicks thought (I promise): Wonder how happy guard Howard Eisley is that he was traded to New York? In fact, Eisley's career has been on a downward spiral since he signed for big money in Dallas before last season. Had he stayed in Utah -- where his style of play meshed perfectly with the Jazz's system -- he would be getting quality minutes. Instead, he's buried deep at the end of the Knicks bench.

-- It's apparent that the Trail Blazers are in dire need of a consistent three-point shooter. Putting Steve Kerr in the game and convincing him to actually shoot may not be a bad place to start. Also, let's remember that the Blazers were without Ruben Patterson (suspended by the league) in the opener.

-- Did anyone notice the female official during the Lakers-Blazers game? I barely did -- and that's the sign of a good ref. I did, however, notice the old guy who made all the questionable calls.

-- Did anyone notice Blazers forward Shawn Kemp? I sure did. Kemp played with the aggressiveness and confidence that made him arguably the league's best forward three seasons ago. He still could stand to lose about 20 pounds, but he had a promising showing against the Lakers. And, hey, if the man is eating Twinkies instead of using drugs, more power to him.

-- Kwame Brown, the most ignored No. 1 draft pick of all time (thank you, Mr. Jordan), was active in the Wizards' opener. He looked very good at times, and extremely lost at others. The bottom line on Kwame is he's not ready for the NBA. Just like every other high schooler, he should have gone to college for a while. But, hey, who can pass up a million bucks?

-- You probably won't hear this often, but ... how about those Denver Nuggets, who won their opener in Phoenix? Perhaps the most pressing question is what kind of season are the poor Suns in for?

-- After watching an entire night of NBA games, I forgot all about the new rules.

-- The Milwaukee Bucks' season-opening win in Utah proved that they are the early favorites in the East. Anthony Mason isn't going to make anyone forget Bob Lanier, but he's better than Scott Williams.

-- Jalen Rose, The Next Magic Johnson? He sure looked that way on opening night against New Jersey. Of course, Jason Kidd simply looked a lot like Jason Kidd, which was all the Nets needed.

-- Nice showing by the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets in their overtime game. They're two exciting young teams full of potential.

QUESTION & ANSWERS

FROM JOSH EGBERT

Q: I am having difficulty understanding your reasoning behind placing the Sacramento Kings third in the Pacific Division. You say that the bench would have a hard time beating Sacramento State. Now, aside from the fact that you, me and three guys off the street could beat Sac State, you fail to mention that the Kings over the last few seasons have had what most believe to be the best bench in the NBA. Bobby Jackson is a legit backup point guard, capable of making jumpers and running the offense. That much was proved time and time again last season when he was the playmaker in the fourth quarter. You graciously called Scot Pollard a serviceable big man, but you don't mention that he would probably start for a handful of teams. Hedo Turkoglu is considered a frontrunner for Most Improved Player honors. Lawrence Funderburke is simply a scorer, nothing more or less, but he is good at what he does. He can come off the bench and give you 10 or 12 points in limited minutes. I think this is the ONLY team who can give the Lakers a real run for their money this year and your analysis, although detailed, it ultimately wrong.

A: Josh, thanks for simply calling me wrong and not some of the other names Kings fans have called me in recent weeks. I won't argue with your assessment of the team's bench -- but it's still not as good as Portland's. But more than anything, I picked the Kings to finish behind the Blazers because of Chris Webber's early absence. I think Portland will finish with a better regular-season record by a game or two. But again, I agree that in the playoffs, the Kings will be the Lakers' top challenger. (P.S. You don't want me on your team, not even against Sac State).

FROM STAN KAHN

Q: How come you're always picking on my Chicago Bulls? Can't you admit that they'll at least be more fun to watch this season?

A: Stan, to answer your first question, I always pick on the Bulls because it's their turn. Plus, I'm very generous toward everyone else. Gotta pick on someone, right? I do think that the Bulls will be easier to watch, mostly because of veterans such as Eddie Robinson (when he returns) and Greg Anthony. Of course, "fun" sure isn't a word that I would associated with the team. But that's just me. Some people may find 40-point games to be absolutely breathtaking, and it is not my intention to offend them.

SAM'S SLAMS

Atlanta forward Dion Glover started the opener in front of Toni Kukoc. Glover is an up-and-coming young player, but it was just a courtesy start awarded by Hawks coach Lon Kruger. Kukoc will be the regular. ... Jimmy Jackson, your NBDL player of the year? Granted, Jackson isn't Vince Carter, but you would think he could find a spot somewhere in the league. Namely, Utah. ... John Stockton doesn't look much different at 517 years old than he did at 25. ... Khalid El-Amin might be a good fit for the Jazz, too. I have no idea why that young man can't find a team. He's better than a lot of backup point guards, yet he keeps getting cut. ... Derrick McKey, Will Perdue, Chris Herren, Don MacLean, A.C. Green and Derek Strong are all capable backups who are also out of work. ... Utah's Jerry Sloan has the longest tenure with the same team (13 seasons) of any coach in the four major pro sports leagues. ... Nice season-opening games from Philadelphia's Speedy Claxton (20 points) and Minnesota's Chauncey Billups (22). ... My wife told me I don't write about the Clippers enough. I am now left to wonder which one of us is in more need of a life.

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FINAL THOUGHT

"'Tis true that we are in great danger; the greater therefore should our courage be." -- William Shakespeare's "King Henry V"