The Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Given the opponent they faced and how they played in the NBA Finals a year ago, the New Jersey Nets are thrilled to be going against two-time defending MVP Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs this time around.

That's not a knock at Duncan.

The Nets don't match up well against Shaquille O'Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers, and they admit it.

"Thirty-four is not there, so that helps," Jason Kidd said Friday as the Nets practiced for the first time knowing their opponent for the NBA Finals, which start Wednesday. "Shaq changes the game by being out there. San Antonio has a guy like that in Tim Duncan."

But it's still not the same. The Spurs don't have a Kobe Bryant, and Duncan isn't Shaq in terms of size and bulk.

WIZARDS: First Michael Jordan, now Doug Collins. And if Washington fans don't like it, they can get their money back.

Collins was fired as the Wizards' coach Friday, three weeks after Jordan was shown the door by owner Abe Pollin. The widely expected move happened sooner than expected - Pollin originally had pledged to let Jordan's yet-to-be-hired replacement decide Collins' fate.

"With seven head coaching positions available in the league and with his future here in Washington in doubt, I felt that it was only fair that Doug be given a chance to pursue other interests," Pollin said in a statement Friday.

Pollin went even further in a separate letter to season-ticket holders. After citing the unpopularity of his decision to dismiss Jordan, Pollin promised refunds to fans unhappy with his moves.

LAKERS: Shaq acknowledged he "messed up" by not attending his season-ending meetings with the Lakers' staff, a snub that had angered coach Phil Jackson.

The players were expected to meet with the coaches before taking off for the summer.

"I didn't go to the meeting and I'll take the punishment like a man," the star center said Thursday.

ALSO: Walter Hughes, the man convicted in the beating death of the father of Atlanta Hawks player Nazr Mohammed, was sentenced to 42 years in prison.

NBA Finals

(Best-of-7) _ San Antonio vs. New Jersey

Wednesday

New Jersey at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

Friday, June 6

New Jersey at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 8

San Antonio at New Jersey, 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 11

San Antonio at New Jersey, 8:30 p.m.

Friday, June 13

San Antonio at New Jersey, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 15

New Jersey at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 18

New Jersey at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.