Learning big-time lessons.

Byline: Rob Moseley The Register-Guard

It was the first career NBA start for former Oregon standout Fred Jones, and that wasn't even the best part.

Staring across from the Indiana Pacers rookie was his defensive assignment for the night - Michael Jordan of the Washington Wizards. The most acrobatic finisher in UO history was to spend the night guarding the most acrobatic finisher in the history of basketball.

So Jordan finished with 41 points on 14-of-26 shooting. So Jones had just four points in 26 minutes. So the Wizards won, 107-104 in overtime.

The details of that night, Jan. 4, couldn't cloud the bigger picture.

"That might have been the game that it really hit me: that I've arrived at this level," Jones said.

On Saturday, Jones returns to his home state when the Pacers face the Trail Blazers in the Rose Garden at 7 p.m. Though on the injured list last week with knee tendinitis, Jones said he hoped to be activated in time to face the Golden State Warriors tonight, and certainly in time to play in Portland.

In 17 appearances this season, Jones is averaging six minutes and one point per game. He's been on the injured list twice and admits to being frustrated by a lack of playing time, but Jones is confident in the progress he has made this season, the first in the $4.45 million, three-year contract he signed after being selected 14th in the 2002 NBA draft.

"Of course you doubt yourself sometimes, but my team has done a good job of keeping me involved and showing me that I'm a valuable part of this team," Jones said. "I go just as hard as everybody else in practice, and they let me know that just because I'm not out on the floor, I'm still a big part of the team."

On the court, Jones has had to take the bad with the good as a rookie for the 38-21 Pacers, who are in first place in the Central Division. There was the time he hit a game-winning shot with three seconds to play against the Atlanta Hawks in the preseason, though Jones had allowed his man to score the game-tying basket the possession before.

And then there was his meeting with Jordan. It wasn't the first time Jones had encountered the basketball immortal - they squared off when he worked at Jordan's summer camp before Jones' senior year at Oregon - but this time it was in a regulation NBA game.

"At that point, it's not like, 'This is Mike,' ' Jones said. "It's like any other player - you play the best defense you can.

"I think he's the greatest player ever; I've always been the biggest MJ fan ever. But once you're out there playing against him, you're not a fan anymore, you're trying to go at him."

Though he helped allow 41 points by Jordan, Jones said his biggest improvements this season have come on defense. This offseason he'll go to work on his perimeter game, both shooting and ball-handling.

Jones credits Indiana coach Isiah Thomas and his five assistants for helping him improve this season, as well as 15-year NBA veteran Reggie Miller, the only player on the Pacers' roster who is older than 30.

"It's kind of awkward, because our whole team is around the same age except for Reg," Jones said. "Reg of course has helped me on the floor, helping me out with pointers in practice. The other guys have befriended me and taken care of me, on and off the court."

Along with Jones, Indiana's stable of young talent includes Ron Artest, Jonathan Bender, Al Harrington and Jermaine O'Neal. Bender owns a record label and has a studio in his house, and Jones said he occasionally hangs out there, messing around on Bender's turntables with Artest.

Jones shares a condominium with Elijah Jackson, younger brother of former UO basketball player David Jackson. He stays in touch with former teammates Luke Ridnour and James Davis, among others, and his childhood friend, UO football player Josh Atkins.

Saturday night they may finally have a chance to watch Jones play professionally in the state he starred in as a prep and collegian. Living so far away from his family has been the hardest part of this season, Jones said, and he hopes to be off the injured list in time to play in front of them.

"I stayed at home to go to college in order to be close to my family, so they could see me play," Jones said. "We talk a lot, but it's not the same as them being able to see me play with them in the stands."

And as a seldom-used rookie, Jones will be happy for some playing time, regardless of location.

"Of course it will be special the first time back home to get out there," he said. "But I'm just looking for any opportunity to play."

CAREER HIGHS

Points: 6, vs. Orlando, 11/22/02

Rebounds: 3, at Washington, 1/4/03

Minutes: 25, at Washington, 1/4/03

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

First career start: at Washington, 1/4/03

Best opponent he's guarded: Michael Jordan

Favorite road trip: Miami

Friends on the team: Everyone, though he hangs at Jonathan Bender's house

Best part of this season: Winning

Hardest part of this season: Being away from family, limited playing time

CAPTION(S):

D u c k s t o P a c e r s Chris Pietsch / The Register-Guard Fred Jones chats with former Oregon teammate Ben Lindquist prior to this season's game against Stanford at Mac Court. Darron Cummings / The Associated Press Indiana Pacers rookie Fred Jones soars to slam a shot over Denver's Donnell Harvey in an October game at Indianapolis. John Harrell / The Associated Press Fred Jones faces off with veteran guard Stacey Augmon during a preseason game against New Orleans.