There is a poster that still hangs in Richard Jefferson's bedroom back home in Phoenix.

It is a likeness of Michael Jordan with a simple statement.

"It just says 'The Master,'" Jefferson said.

Tonight, the Master gets a chance to school the Rookie when Michael Jordan and the Wizards welcome the Nets to the MCI Center. With Kenyon Martin sidelined by tendinitis in his knee, Jefferson, a 6-7 rookie, will make his first preseason start, drawing Jordan. Jefferson has practiced against Jordan before, having worked a few of his summer basketball camps in the past. But defending Jordan in an NBA game ? albeit a preseason one on national TV (TNT) ? is like a dream come true for the Arizona forward.