With his frustration mounting, Washington Wizards swingman Jerry Stackhouse said yesterday that the surgery on his right knee that forced him to miss 51 games and the team's losing ways have caused "regression" to his career. He added that he'd rather not play the final seven games of the season so he could properly heal, but said he would play because the organization's management insist he compete.

"I think [there] is a consensus with the higher-ups, who feel if I can be out there at 50, 60 percent and do anything to help the team, do it," said Stackhouse, a day after he was ejected for protesting a foul call in the first quarter of Wednesday's 103-99 overtime loss to New Jersey. "I just roll with it but I'm definitely not happy with who I am as a basketball player and would rather be sitting out just getting ready for next season but I'll do what I need to do."

This season of misery comes after Stackhouse, 29, signed a two-year, $18 million extension that keeps him under contract through the 2006-07 season. He is averaging 14 points (a career low) and 4.1 assists this season and has played in a career-low 23 games after averaging at least 21 points the last four seasons.

"He's never told us he's unable to play and he has medical clearance," said President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld, who was traveling to San Antonio to scout prospective draft picks at the Final Four. "We realize Jerry's not playing at 100 percent and I respect the fact he's out there trying to help us and setting a positive example for our younger players."

"I haven't been in playoffs the two years I've been here so there's not a lot to be happy about," Stackhouse said. "Coming here, it's kind of been a regression, so to speak."