It was supposed to be so different for the Nets. New team president, new coach, No. 1 draft pick, two rising stars, decent supporting cast. Well, wasn’t “The Michael Richards Show” supposed to be a hit, too? The only difference is the folks who put that sludge together got to pull the plug. Here, the Nets and their followers must endure an entire second half of the season.

What wasn’t forecast were the injuries that took out Keith Van Horn, a major piece of the puzzle, waylaid Jamie Feick, the top rebounder from a year ago and reduced Kendall Gill to an overpaid player constantly bothered by knee pain. Top pick Kenyon Martin didn’t quite make the adjustment overnight. His rebounding just recently has soared. Center? They’ve got four 6-10-to-7-1 types sitting around but power forwards usually play there.

There has been some individual wonder: Stephon Marbury’s overall play was decidedly first class until a recent severe shooting slump. Van Horn’s return has impressed. Stephen Jackson came from nowhere and flashed skills but still is learning. Aaron Williams showed he would have been a wonderful complement but probably has been overworked. There are no A’s on the report card: They’re tough to give to a team that loses twice as many games as it wins. The grades:

HEADLINE: ANOTHERSEASONOFAGONY

STEPHON MARBURY

The point guard deserves an All-Star spot. Put him on a winning team and there would be daily raves. It seems like he has been playing since the Ice Age, yet he’s only 23 and still learning, especially about leadership skills. One positive from all this: He has learned he can’t do it all himself and seems to have developed a better appreciation for teammates, notably Van Horn.

KEITH VAN HORN

Yeah, he missed 32 games but “Incomplete” grades are so, well, incomplete. He stunk on ice in his third and fourth games back but has provided good scoring inside and outside, alleviating some of the horrible offensive burden groaning down on Marbury’s shoulders. We like what Sam Cassell said: “Keith is a helluva talent. But you’ve got to stay on him. If he goes 5-for-25, get on him to shoot the 26th. That team needs him to score.”

AARON WILLIAMS

He’s the workhorse inside who has played better than expected. And the Nets expected a lot. He has had some uneven moments and is as chatty as a Corn Flakes box but he goes about his job with an admirable professionalism that sees him work on both ends. He’d be a perfect complementary piece but the Nets probably are asking their top rebounder to do too much.

SHERMAN DOUGLAS

Good or bad, something will happen when he gets the ball and more times than not, it’s good. Maybe has forced a little too much at times and that leads to some ugly turnovers. Still, his turnover average is a most acceptable 1.4 a game. Good, savvy player whom the Nets didn’t want at the start which could have been one of their biggest blunders of the season.

STEPHEN JACKSON

A terrific find. Walked into training camp with a long, well-traveled resume despite his age and won a spot on the team. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a starting spot as players dropped everywhere with injuries. Strong offensive talent, improved (but not great) defender but continues to make decisions that are death-penalty worthy. Still, he’s minimum wage with a bright future and given what was expected, there can be no complaints.

LUCIOUS HARRIS

Started the season on the sidelines after a hernia operation. Extraordinarily streaky shooter. One night can’t miss, the next night can’t hit the Hudson River from the shoreline. Still, has been the most consistent outside threat and has been in and out as a starter because of the injuries. Some nights, he looks good defensively, other nights he looks like a sieve.

KENYON MARTIN

Too bad the season started in November. Had it begun a month later, this guy would be getting raves everywhere. Needs more than work, try major reconstruction, on his offensive game but has been as advertised defensively, a major plus in a rookie. Maybe too much was unfairly expected offensively because of his lofty No. 1 status: Top picks are normally assigned 20-point projections. Has been a recent monster off the boards. Needs that fire every game.

VLADIMIR STEPANIA

Doesn’t know the plays yet. Hey, you can’t have everything. Now, he’s not the answer to all that’s wrong (the answer here is an exorcist and Michael Jordan in his prime) but hasn’t been bad for a minimum wage December pickup. Needs consistency, which will only come with minutes which are another story. Willing rebounder and has flashed offensive versatility. Hey, you could do worse.

JOHNNY NEWMAN

Maybe he was out of position at times (he played four?). Maybe he wasn’t getting enough shots. Whatever the reason, Newman went through the worst slump of his career, shooting .295 over 27 games. Hit some of the biggest shots in the victories, but playing too many minutes for his 37 year-old legs.

EVAN ESCHMEYER

Has fallen off the radar in playing time. Began the year as the starting center and played well early then gradually fell from favor. Also, his lack of quickness hurts. Cameo roles haven’t done much to get him back in the rotation. Deserves another look.

KENDALL GILL

Gets credit for playing in pain. But has played the worst ball of his career, shooting a lifetime low .334 and unable to defend the quicker opponents. Another problem is the $7 million contract he signed in the offseason. Based on salary and the fact he played even though he probably should have sat, he has failed terribly.

JIM McILVAINE

The preseason starter was yanked when the real stuff began. Noticeably slimmed down but noticeably unassertive in the few times he played. Has been in less than half the games, averaging barely legible minutes. Hasn’t done enough to warrant more time.

SOUMAILA SAMAKE

Where would Nets be without him? Finest goat-herder in the league. The second-round pick is residing on the injured list with (wink, wink) patella tendinitis. Still learning the game.

BYRON SCOTT

Has tried every combination which could be a drawback: 10 starting lineups is a bit much in half a season even for the Nets. Has the requisite passion, fire and knowledge and is brutally honest. Players like and respect him but the Won-Lost record and this one is far too Net-like.

ROD THORN

Still too early to judge the new president’s two main moves – the drafting of Martin and hiring of Scott, which seemed sound. Had a terrific pickup in Williams but nearly drove away Douglas, which could have been disastrous.