Forward Jerry Stackhouse knew his knee would keep him from being ready to open the season for the Washington Wizards. Still, he had hoped to avoid the mandatory five-game absence that came with being place on the injured list.

"I agonized over it for days and nights, thinking, 'What is it that I have to do?''' Pollin, 79, told the Associated Press in his first in-depth interview since Jordan's dismissal on May 7. "I'm going to think very hard about these decisions and make the decisions that I think are best for the franchise.''

So Pollin severed ties with Jordan and shortly after with coach Doug Collins, whose style displeased some of the Wizards players and staff.

On Tuesday afternoon, Wizards swingman Jerry Stackhouse had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to repair worn lining under his kneecap and for doctors to determine if their was further damage.

"Results of the procedure won't be released until Wednesday, according to the Wizards. No timetable has been set for his return. However, the recovery and rehabilitation is expected to take several weeks and Stackhouse is expected to start the season on the injured list, which would require him to miss the first five games."

The Washington Wizards picked up contract options on Kwame Brown and Brendan Haywood Monday, securing the third-year players for a fourth season. The expected move came shortly before the starting power forward-center tandem combined for 13 points and nine rebounds in the Wizards' 99-86 preseason victory over the Atlanta Hawks at Charlotte Coliseum.

"Washington Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld announced today the team has exercised its fourth-year option on forward Kwame Brown and center Brendan Haywood."

"Washington Wizards leading scorer Jerry Stackhouse will undergo exploratory arthroscopic surgery to investigate the extent of damage to the already worn lining on the back of his right knee cap, the team announced yesterday. The length of time the projected starting small forward will be inactive will be determined by the results of the operation, however, President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld said it was a "safe assumption" that Stackhouse won't be ready for the start of the season."

The right knee problems that have sidelined Washington Wizards leading scorer Jerry Stackhouse for the past few days have been caused by a wearing of the lining on the back of his kneecap, tests revealed.

"(Jerry)Stackhouse, out with right knee soreness, underwent an MRI exam in Washington on Tuesday. The team did not release the results. Stackhouse, who previously said his discomfort was caused by a misaligned hip and that he did not expect to be ready to play any time soon, is scheduled to have a non-team-affiliated doctor examine his knee Wednesday."

"Washington Wizards leading scorer Jerry Stackhouse might not be ready to play in the team's season opener Oct. 29 at Chicago because of right knee discomfort that has grown progressively worse over the past few days. After a meeting between Stackhouse and team officials Friday morning, it was determined that Stackhouse, 28, would be held out of practice and games until the knee improves."

"I'm trying to find out what I'm working with," Jordan said after the Wizards' final practice at the College of Charleston. "I'm not totally sure. We have ideas what guys can do. We'll find out about guys' personalities under pressure, when they're challenged physically and mentally. There were no surprises but we've still got to find out."