Santa Claus was good to Pat Williams, delivering a nine-game winning streak to the Orlando Magic's senior vice president.

It may appear that the big guy got the order a little confused; the streak was accomplished by Michael Jordan's Washington Wizards, not by the Magic. But the timing couldn't have been more fortuitous for Williams, who was completing a 22-city tour for a book he had written about Jordan.

Or at least he thought the tour was winding down -- until the winning streak.

"Usually a book tour is a month or so, but in this case it's gone on for three months, and the plan was to basically terminate it at Christmas," Williams said. "But I am now talking with them seriously about the fact that the Wizards are just heating up, Michael appears to be just hitting his stride. . . this is an ongoing story and why can't we keep hammering on this book all winter."

The 61-year-old Williams, who basically created the Magic, has authored two dozen books. "How to Be Like Mike" is his most successful by far.

"I don't have numbers yet. All I can measure is that if the publisher is not happy, book tours terminate quickly. I've had a number of them when the plug is pulled midstream with no warning," he said.

The book is published by Health Communications, Inc., of Deerfield Beach, publishers of "Chicken Soup for the Soul," which has sold 90 million copies, Williams said. The publishers like the concept of "How to be Like Mike" so much that Williams has been authorized to write similar books about John Wooden, Walt Disney and Magic Owner/Amway co-founder Rich DeVos. Other possibilities are Cal Ripken Jr., and Jackie Robinson. His next book will be "How to Be Like Jesus."

The Jordan book is subtitled "Life Lessons About Basketball's Best." It is written as a series of accolades and anecdotes that define who Jordan is and how he has become so great at what he does. Not knowing anything about Jordan's comeback plans, Williams wrote Jordan a letter at the outset, explaining his intention but not asking him to participate. Then he interviewed more than 1,500 people.

"What I really wanted was to get into his world," Williams said.

His success has been verified by no less an authority than Deloris Jordan, Michael's mother.

"One of my prize possessions is a two-page letter from Mrs. Jordan about the book," said Williams. "In summation, the bottom line of what she said was: 'You've captured my son.'. . . " The author is fascinated by Jordan's willpower, leadership ability and phenomenal stamina. But perhaps what comes across most is Jordan's genuine love of basketball.

My favorite anecdote is from 1994 when Jordan was struggling as a minor league baseball player in Birmingham, Ala. On his way to the ballpark one summer afternoon, he stopped by a 10-year-old boy shooting baskets in his driveway and asked if he could join him. They shot baskets together for 20 minutes and then Jordan got in his car and drove away.

"Here is the Michael Jordan we don't see," writes Williams. "Here is what exists beyond the iconography. It is not a pre-packaged smile, not a silhouetted T-shirt slogan, not a commerical spokesman, not a towering image on a TV screen. No. Here is a man. And here is a child."

Jordan's latest comeback has been a huge and unexpected bonus for Williams. Without it, all he had was a book.

"Now there's a news angle to it which has been very helpful," Williams says. "Everywhere I go, it's: 'Tell us about Michael. Why is doing this? What have you learned?'. . . " The comeback, as Williams sees it, is about Jordan's commitment to the Wizards.

"He's made a full commitment to this Washington franchise. He sat up in that owners' box for two years and I think it drove him crazy," Williams explained. "A franchise at the lowest level humanly possible, in success, in interest, in following, I mean absolutely couldn't be any lower, highlighted by a 19-win season under a rookie coach. Not a great group of guys.

"So Michael watches this and I think he said: 'I can't go through five years of this. We've got to do something to expedite it.' And his decision was to come down amongst them. And that's what he did. He said I will nestle amongst them and see if we can't juice this thing up."

If that sounds a bit messianic, so be it.

"It certainly has rejuvenated the franchise," Williams said. "There's enormous interest in Washington; they sell out every game. And they're making tremendous strides on the court. Rip Hamilton, (Brendan) Haywood, Kwame Brown, these guys seem to be getting it a little bit."

The Wizards' winning streak is over. But of course, so is Christmas. When the streak started, the Wizards were 3-10 and even Williams didn't expect much.

"I was thinking it's been a great run, I've loved doing the book, Michael's legacy will never be forgotten, the lessons of the book are just as valid, and let's see if he can through this," he said. "But I didn't give it much hope. I mean, I saw the Wizards play up in Boston and I didn't think they were gonna win two games. I just didn't think they had a chance."

Williams' book tour took him to Boston and Atlanta when the Wizards were playing there in November. After watching Williams discuss the book on television in Atlanta, Jordan couldn't resist teasing the author when they met in person in Boston.

"What are you doing, following me around? And besides, you're telling all my stories!" Jordan said.

"Well Michael," Williams replied. "They need to be told."