NET NOTES

BOSTON – For years, NBA opponents maintained the Celtics would do anything for an edge, like alternating the visiting locker room temperatures between the surface of the sun and Antarctica. Now there is another item for the conspiracy theorists.

Danny Ainge, yesterday named the Celtics’ executive director for basketball operations, has been serving as a TNT analyst in the series and as such was allowed to sit in on Nets’ practices and hold strategy chats with Byron Scott.

“It’s funny. I talked to Danny the last game and told him a little bit about our zone defense. Then the next thing I know, he’s going to take the job here. I said, ‘Oh, man,’ ” said Scott, who praised the selection of Ainge because he is “one of the brightest guys” in basketball. “It doesn’t bother me. I didn’t give him anything that’s of any consequence. I just told him a little bit about what we do.”

Ainge last night walked out with a host of Celtic legends, including Red Auerbach, John Havlicek, Tom Heinsohn, Jo Jo White, K.C. Jones, Bob Cousy and Bill Walton. The irony of it? The Boston legends walked out to “Glory Days,” by Bruce Springsteen – as New Jersey as you can get.

*

Dikembe Mutombo, who caused ripples early over his lack of playing time, went to Scott before a recent practice and told the coach he would be the good soldier.

“I said . . . I have accepted what was going on and I don’t want nobody to feel like I’m mad,” Mutombo said.

And Scott insisted Mutombo’s time may still come, especially if the Nets advance against Philly or Detroit. Mutombo played three garbage-time minutes last night.

“Deke understands his role and what he means to our team now. He understands every series is going to be different,” Scott said. “If we’re fortunate enough to move on and we’re playing against a Philly or a Detroit, a team that is big and physical, and he gets a chance to play, I think he’ll be ready.”