CALL KJ AND KIDD COPACETIC : SUNS SAY `DOOR OPEN' FOR JOHNSON'S RETURN.

Byline: Joe Gilmartin Arizona Republic

Kevin Johnson has elevated door-watching to the No. 2 spectator sport in Arizona these days, right behind Suns watching.

And this just in - Following a meeting between Johnson and Suns boss Jerry Colangelo, the word is that the door is slightly open.

Or sort of open. Or possibly open.

In any case, the operative word is ``open.''

For the longest time, it was so tightly shut you couldn't slide a sliver of light under it.

Johnson said three years ago he was going to retire at the end of this, his 10th, season and never deviated from that position. Through thick and thin, better and worse, hot and cold, sickness and health, he never indicated he might change his mind.

Still hasn't, really.

But where Colangelo once said he had no gut feeling on whether K.J. is going to change his mind or not, he now says he does. Have a feeling, that is.

``My gut feeling,'' he said after Tuesday's summit meeting, ``is that the door is genuinely open.''

K.J. didn't go that far. In fact, he said he hasn't changed his position. But he didn't protest too vigorously when it was suggested the door might be, if not actually open, at least a tiny trifle ajar.

So, all things considered, it seems fairly safe to assume K.J. is at least considering reconsidering.

But while one door was being opened Tuesday, another was being slammed shut with a bang.

If he does play next year, K.J. assures, it won't be for anybody else but the Suns unless something really unusual happens.

And judging from the way he said it, you got the feeling that by ``really unusual,'' he meant something along the lines of hell freezing over or javelin catching becoming an Olympic sport.

If he does return, it will likely be because 1) he feels better than he has in years, 2) is not only at the very top of his game but has taken it to new heights, and 3) needs the money. Not for himself, mind you. But to enhance the funding for the various worthwhile organizations and causes he funds.

And also because, at least in the short term, he and Jason Kidd are co-existing beautifully - which is a tribute to both players and the fine coaching hand of Danny Ainge, who has provided a framework in which two point guards can not only survive, but thrive.

Kidd was promised when he got here that this was now his team. ``Jason's my point guard, period,'' said Ainge in a laudable attempt to ward off a ``quarterback'' controversy.

But it hasn't worked out quite that way.

For one thing, Kidd missed some 20 games with an injury, and for another, KJ cranked his game up to MVP level.

So Ainge, Kidd, and KJ adjusted, and everybody is living happily ever after. Nobody seems to know which is the point guard, and nobody seems to care.

And a circumstance that could have given Ainge headaches is giving the opposition migraines.

Ironically, while Kidd's acquisition was seen as a threat to KJ, it has actually led to a greater appreciation of him. Especially in the Valley, where I've always felt his brilliance was taken a little too much for granted.

After all, it wasn't that long ago that some people, well, OK, talk-show callers, were actually saying the Suns would be better off without him.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

Photo: Suns guard Kevin Johnson has cranked his game up since Jason Kidd took over as the point guard for the revamped team.

Daily News File Photo