WASHINGTON – The Nets are off to see Da Wizard. Da Wizard who used to be Da Bull.

Curiosity and a touch of excitement are as much a part of the Nets’ makeup as preparation and determination for tonight when they get their first look at Michael Jordan in a Wizards’ uniform. The 8 p.m. nationally-televised TNT game represents Jordan’s first appearance at the MCI Center here.

Kenyon Martin normally would guard His Airness but the second-year Net is out with tendinitis in his left knee. So the assignment falls to rookie Richard Jefferson and Kerry Kittles.

“This is ridiculous,” said an excited Jefferson, who admits he still has a Jordan poster labeled “The Master” hanging in his home bedroom in Arizona. “My first television game. I’ll get to play a lot and I’m going against Jordan. I couldn’t ask for a better scenario.”

Jefferson has worked camps with Jordan in the past and claims he “won’t be in awe” playing him. But coach Byron Scott knows the rookie could be in for a tough time. Jordan shot 7-of-20 Thursday in a 114-88 defeat to Detroit.

“That means he’s going to take 20-plus shots especially when he knows he has a rookie. When he sees a rookie who’s athletic, who can guard, it’s like a wolf looking at a sheep. He’ll start salivating,” said Scott, who announced Kittles will stay the starting two guard with increased minutes, starting with Tuesday’s rematch against Washington in Greenville, S.C.

Like everyone else, Kittles is anxious to see what tricks remain in Jordan’s 38-year-old frame. Jordan, who played 29 total minutes in his first two games, went 32 minutes and scored 24 points Thursday. He’s averaging 16.7 points, shooting .462.

“Yeah, I’m curious, but I’m pretty sure he hasn’t lost anything,” Kittles said, recalling Jordan’s 18-point first quarter against Miami last weekend. “It seems like he has his rhythm … He may not be dunking like he used to but he’ll be scoring and giving everyone trouble … I’m like a lot of other players in the NBA who looked up to him as a kid and enjoy competing against him.”

Watching Jordan hasn’t been limited to the opposition. His Airness admitted his young teammates watched and waited for him to take command against the Pistons.

“In the Miami game, maybe they were watching more so then it kind of carried over,” said Jordan. “I had this problem in Chicago and we had to work our way out of it. We have to keep everybody focused. A lot of that’s going to be keeping everybody involved, keeping everybody in the offense, making them a threat so when I get my opportunities, I can take advantage.”