Troy Murphy went through about half the practice today before the Nets shut down the power forward for a steady diet of ice, rather than a dose of elbows and rebounds.

Murphy didn’t get in any of the scrimmages and no one would guess when he’ll return from a back ailment that needed a cortisone shot last week. Murphy insists he’ll practice tomorrow (“I could have gone today”) which would be a significant step because coach Avery Johnson wants Murphy to go through at least three full sessions before the thought of his playing is even approached.

“Right now, there are no expectations other than to see if we can get him into a full practice. Once we do that, we’ll see where we are,” said Johnson, who indicated that Murphy knows the system and once he is physically cleared, should work his way into the flow.

But even then, the power forward spot will be handled by committee with rookie Derrick Favors, vet Joe Smith and Kris Humphries all in the mix.

“Power forward is going to be a revolving door for us probably all year,” Johnson said. “We’ll see halfway through the season where we are and how much we’ve had to rotate at that spot. See if Favors is ready to start someplace later on in the year. But it will be a revolving door…We’ll go game-by-game.”

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The Nets and Devin Harris’ “34 Ways to Assist Foundation” are making a $75,000 donation to help Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand, the junior from Colonia who suffered a spinal cord injury Oct. 16. The funds came through donations from Nets’ players, coaches, front office personnel and ownership.

“Him being from New Jersey and staying home and playing, I think it’s important for us to take care of our community,” said Harris said. “It’s an unfortunate thing so we want to do what we can to help him our of this tough situation.”

The Nets are hoping to raise awareness of LeGrand’s plight while getting others to help, too. The defensive tackle remains paralyzed below the neck.

“We could think of no greater cause to get involved with than the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Eric,” GM Billy King said. “We hope that our donation will spur others throughout the state and country to also contribute, and we will be actively publicizing how donations can be made.”

Contributions can be made by sending a check payable to the “Eric LeGrand Believe Fund” to:

“Eric LeGrand Believe Fund”

PNC Wealth Management

Attn: Kimberly G. Kingsland, Senior Trust Advisor

One Palmer Square Suite 201

Princeton, NJ 08542

There’s more info on the team website: njnets.com.

* * *

Rookies Derrick Favors, Damion James and Ben Uzoh got extra exercise in after practice, courtesy of teammates who punted, drop-kicked, threw basketballs throughout the Prudential Center. Rookie hazing thing. Beats Dora the Explorer backpacks.

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Johnson laughed when asked if the team was ready for Wednesday’s season opener. “Ask me that at shootaround Wednesday,” said Johnson who quickly proclaimed, “I’m ready.”

* * *

What a difference an off-season – and a different coach – makes.

“Tremendous difference,” Harris offered.

Harris stressed how patient Johnson is with the younger guys. More patient than in Dallas?

“You could say that,” Harris said with a broad smile.