By FRED KERBER
Among other tidbits today, Jason Kidd proclaimed his desire to stay in New Jersey.
Every indication – including players saying so – was that Vince Carter, while officially a game time decision, was playing in Portland here (okay, no dateline, but trust us, we’re in Portland) tonight. Lawrence Frank though said he wouldn’t decide until they got back to the arena.
And Frank had a starting front line of Allen and Collins and Jefferson which would mean the Nets’ fourth different starting lineup in five games – that would be Malik and Jason and Richard although the way things have gone, they might want to use Woody, Phil and Wheezy. Coming up next: Nets try hitting A-Rod eighth.
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First, Kidd. You all know about his frustration rant on Monday. He said this and that and all sorts of stuff. Sounded like a player laying the groundwork for a trade. Then on Tuesday, Kidd softened the stance and spoke about teamwork and staying together. Seemed like he wanted a real Kumbaya sing-along.
Then today, he spoke of liking New Jersey.
“I’m happy in New Jersey, happy being a Net,” Kidd said. “Nobody has asked for any trades or anything.”
So there.
But what about this team? Does Kidd still believe in it?
“You always have faith in your teammates,” Kidd said. “I have a lot of respect for these guys. We’re all frustrated that we can’t find a way to win but that’s why you have 82 games. It is early but the thing about this trip is we have a chance to come back at .500 so that would be something. If we can achieve that, then we’re going in the right direction. And .500 would be better than how we started the trip, too. That would be a huge thing.”
And players supported Kidd.
“You know how Jason is. He’ll say one thing and he’ll still play like he’s going after it like it’s the most important thing in the world. But he’s right: He’s a leader and if he feels that way, he should say it,” said Boki Nachbar, who threw himself under the bus and claimed how poorly he has been playing, but refused to blame a hip-pointer that has bummed him.
“I feel it a little, but it doesn’t bother me when I play,” Nachbar said.
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Next, Carter.
The All-Star practiced Tuesday, went through the shoot around today. Every indication was Carter would play after missing five games with a sprained right ankle.
“That’s the plan,” Kidd said.
“He worked out yesterday he’s out here running around today so I would think that he will,” team president Rod Thorn said.
But Carter could be coming off the bench. Frank has done that in the past with players returning from injury – and at shootaround, Carter wore a white jersey, normally what the bench guys wear. Of course, it just could have been a fashion statement.
Having Carter though, may cure a lot of ails.
“What will help us is Vince coming back because he helps spread the court, he helps make other people better. He’s a facilitator. We’ve really struggled offensively and with him we’ll be more efficient, we’ll be better on the offensive end of the court,” Thorn said.
And Carter said when he gets back, it’s a question of not trying to do too much.
“Just play within the offense and just give us another body. We don’t have too many guards and guys are playing a lot of minutes so that’s what I’ll do. Just play my same game and nothing will change. Don’t try to do nothing more than I’ve done before or anything like that. Be just another body because we don’t have too many guys,” Carter said.
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Next, the lineup.
From Jefferson-Krstic-Collins to Jefferson-Nachbar-Collins to Jefferson-Williams-Magloire (twice) to tonight’s version of Jefferson-Allen-Collins.
“We’re just searching for the right combinations,” Frank said. “We had said all along it would take the better part of a month to see what combinations work best. It’s no reflection on Sean or Jamaal. But it’s looking at combinations and in some cases matchups. Portland is a high volume pick and roll team and they (Allen, Collins) are good pick and roll defenders.”
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Magloire was back where he played last year. Or sort of played. “I was here to be more of a leader for the younger guys last year which was fine.”
Magloire likes Blazer LaMarcus Aldridge. A lot. “He is going to be a great player. A lot of potential, a lot of upside. Asks a lot of questions. Has a very good work ethic.”
In honor of getting Carter back (maybe) to do what he does best:
Movie Quote of the Day – Christopher Walken (Rayburn) – “A man can be an artist, in anything – food, whatever. It depends on how good he is at it. Creasy’s art is death. And he’s about to paint his masterpiece.” – “Man on Fire”