Contrary to what Michael Jordan believes, NBA commissioner David Stern says he's very enthusiastic about No. 23's return to the league.

	Jordan

"Michael is going to be great this season. The concern everyone has is his ability to take the strain and the grind of an 82-game NBA season, because the NBA season is a very difficult season," Stern said Monday in his annual preseason conference call with reporters.

Jordan said over the summer that he felt Stern was only lukewarm to the idea of a comeback, believing it would undo some of the progress the league has made toward turning the public's interest toward its new generation of stars.

Jordan termed Stern's enthusiasm level "50-50," but Stern said that was not the case.

"Any player is welcome in our league to test his skills, and he's going to give a lot of young players a chance to say they played for, with or against Michael Jordan," Stern said. "I think that's only a net positive for the NBA."

Deputy commissioner Russ Granik conceded that earlier this year, the league was somewhat wary of a Jordan comeback. But that line of thinking changed after players like Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen and Vince Carter put on thrilling performances during last season's playoffs.

"I think now what's happened is that the story more is how is Michael going to do against a lot of the great players that came forward last year. I think to us, that's just a terrific story," Granik said.

Jordan has been spectacular at times during the exhibition season, scoring 18 first-quarter points against Miami in his second game and then getting 41 Saturday night against New Jersey in a game that was televised nationally on cable by TNT.

Jordan is scheduled to play four games in five nights in four cities this week before making his regular-season debut at New York next Tuesday night.

"There's an enormous amount of interest in ... the world's greatest player returning to this game. But I think it can't be just a Michael Jordan story, the bigger question will be whether the Lakers can repeat, whether Vince Carter and (Hakeem) Olajuwon will be able to continue their success. Whether Philadelphia, with Allen Iverson and Dikembe Mutombo, will challenge more. Whether Indiana's youngsters are ready to step up big," Stern said.

Much of the national focus this preseason has been on Jordan, who is returning to the NBA as a player for the first time since the 1998 finals.

By comparison, the Los Angeles Lakers and their chance for a third straight title has almost been an afterthought.

"I think in preseason time, when Shaq is nursing his toe back to health, I think it's fair enough for people to wonder if the world's greatest player can actually make a comeback at the age of 38, pushing 39," Stern said. "It doesn't surprise me that there's so much attention on the best-known person in the world."

Stern said league officials have been spending an increased amount of time discussing security-related issues in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

He also shed some light on the possible relocation of the Charlotte Hornets, saying a ban against corporate-affiliated nicknames would not prevent the Hornets from calling themselves the Kentucky Colonels if they move to Louisville next season.

Owners Ray Woolridge and George Shinn have until March 1 to file a formal application to relocate.

"That would be too bad," Stern said. "I can still remember opening night there, and I remember it fondly."

Stern also said that current broadcast partners NBC and Turner Sports have expressed "great interest" in retaining rights to televise NBA games. Their contracts expire after this season.

In addition, Stern said about $10 million will be donated to relief organizations by the league and its players to help families of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.