76ers lose finale; Jordan 'not concerned' about job

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - April 14, 2010

The Sixers finished 27-55 after losing to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night in the regular-season finale. Jordan said before the game the only things he anticipates Thursday are a team meeting, player-exit meetings and taking his staff out to lunch.

"I've told the players there's no cushion in the season," Jordan said. "There's no air mattress you can fall and say, 'OK, the end is near.' You've got to approach it like a bug on the windshield. Just keep going until the final buzzer rings, then you have time to contemplate."

Unfortunately for Jordan, he might be the splat.

Jordan's hire was panned by fans and media from the day he arrived last year. There has been much speculation over the last two months that he'll be fired once the season is over.

Philadelphia was the Eastern Conference's No. 6 seed last season, eliminated in the first round by the Magic in six games. Now the Sixers are headed for the draft lottery.

Asked directly if Wednesday night's game would be his last with Philadelphia, Jordan said: "No, I'm not concerned about that."

Jordan signed a four-year contract when he was hired with expectations to take the Sixers to the playoffs and beyond. Philadelphia battled injuries and struggled to find consistency, even signing Allen Iverson in an acquisition that never panned out. The Sixers announced in March that Iverson would not return this season because of family issues.

Even though it was a difficult season, Jordan said he still enjoys coaching.

"Every day is a challenge," Jordan said. "I've said no matter where you are, every day is a challenge in the NBA. Every day is a great day to be a head coach in the NBA.

"It's a challenge, something you try to improve, try to overcome some adversities, that's the name of the game. You work hard every day, you try to get better."

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