Jerry Eaves will understand the butterflies and the wide-eyed looks associated with Michael Jordan's return to Cleveland tomorrow.

And he's not talking about the fans.

"Without question, I know how some of our younger players will feel [tomorrow]," said Eaves, an assistant coach with the Cavaliers. "I was in a similar situation when I was coming out of college. Dr. J [Julius Erving] was my idol, and playing on the same court with him was an unbelievable experience. I'll never forget it."

After his senior year at the University of Louisville, Eaves participated in a series of exhibition games between recent college graduates and NBA players. Eaves not only played against Erving during an exhibition game, but Eaves scored 29 points against the Sixers during his rookie year with Utah.

"Doc and I got a chance to talk following that exhibition game," Eaves said. "He gave me his phone number and told me to call him any time. Just being out there with him was something. I'll always remember that, and that's the same feeling our younger players will have with Michael."

The Washington Wizards, led by Jordan, will play the Cavs at Gund Arena at 7 p.m. tomorrow. A few tickets are available through the Gund Arena box office or through Ticketmaster.

When Jordan was piling up championships with the Chicago Bulls, winning scoring titles and contributing to the economy with the latest Air Jordan sneakers, Cavs players like rookie Jeff Trepagnier and third-year player Ricky Davis were glued to their TV sets dreaming of playing in the NBA.