Sixers look toward Eddie Jordan.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Phil Jasner

SAN ANTONIO _ If success breeds more success, then Billy King's latest step in his wide-ranging search for a new coach for the Philadelphia 76ers makes perfect sense.

Sunday, the Sixers' new president focused on Exit 16W of the New Jersey Turnpike, the road that leads to the home of the New Jersey Nets. That is a road that, sources told the Philadelphia Daily News, leads to highly regarded Nets assistant Eddie Jordan.

King, who has a strong relationship with Nets president Rod Thorn, acquired permission to speak with Jordan, fitting in a face-to-face session at an undisclosed site before the Nets left for San Antonio and Wednesday night's opener of the NBA Finals against the Spurs.

Jordan, a former coach of the Sacramento Kings, is regarded as a top strategist, designing the Nets' high-post offense. When Nets scouting chief Eddie Stefanski was linked to the Washington Wizards for a possible front-office position, it was believed that he would have an interest in Jordan as a coach.

But even as King met with Jordan as the next name on what promises to be a lengthy list, he denied reports that he had received permission to speak with Portland coach Maurice Cheeks, saying in an e-mail response, "Nothing has changed."

A story in Sunday's editions of the Detroit News indicated the Sixers had gotten permission, and that if Cheeks were to leave, deposed Pistons coach Rick Carlisle would become a top candidate to take over the Blazers.