NET NOTES
AUBURN HILLS – Jason Kidd is a likely Olympic scratch.
“I’ll probably pass on it,” said Kidd, who insisted the knee problem that plagued him this season would not be the sole reason for withdrawing, but obviously would play a part. “I have to [decide] shortly. If I decided today, I would have to probably pass. I would love to represent our country. I did it once and I thought it was a great experience. But at the same, I haven’t had a break.”
Kidd, who won a Gold Medal in Sydney in 2000, spent much of last summer playing with the Olympic qualifying team.
“He hasn’t said anything to me about it,” said Net CEO Rod Thorn, a member of the Team USA selection committee. “With what’s transpired with him over the last part of the season that’s certainly a possibility. I think he really wants to go, and if he possibly can, I’m sure he’ll do it.”
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Nets won battle of boards, 42-40, but were outrebounded 20-15 in second half. Ben Wallace led all rebounders with 11 for Detroit.
Nets had 15 assists in first half – just three in second.
Rasheed Wallace lost his cool – drawing a technical as did Larry Brown on the same sequence – 1:24 before halftime. Lawrence Frank picked one up during the Pistons’ third-quarter run at 4:30.
Kenyon Martin wore a look of disgust throughout the night. While he declined post game comment, teammate Richard Jefferson gave an indication of the frustration.
“They (Pistons) have earned their (defensive) reputation. Take a look at the tape and say Kenyon only got fouled twice in the low post,” said RJ
Martin shot just four free throws. And he eventually fouled out.
Martin has heard nothing about joining the Olympic team. And if asked, he’d have to think hard about going because of security issues.
“If it comes up, I’ll sit down with (wife) Heather and Brian (agent Dyke). It’s crazy over there,” Martin suggested. “My safety, my family’s safety is more important than all of that. If I went I’d have to take my family with me. If it comes up I’ll address it.”
Nets’ shooting woes – 27 percent in Game 1, 37 percent after halftime last night, makes it safe to assume an outside threat might be among the off-season searches.
“This year we played better against the zone, shot the ball better from outside than we did last year, but I don’t disagree with that,” said Thorn.