NET NOTES
Amid all the fuss of Dikembe Mutombo’s wrist surgery and his ensuing four-month leave of absence, Kerry Kittles’ stay on the injured list (sprained knee) almost has been overlooked. Maybe that’s because of the ultimate faith the Nets have in Lucious Harris as Kittles’ stand-in.
“I would be real concerned if I didn’t have a veteran like Lucious to back him up,” said Byron Scott.
“Lou is a true professional. Ask him to start and he’ll start and give you everything he has. Ask him to be the sixth man off the bench, he’ll give you everything he has,” said Jason Kidd. “I’m happy he’s on my side.”
Harris, who had one great (23 points) game, one bad (4 points) one subbing for Kittles, sees this as opportunity in disguise. He’s a free agent at season’s end and he wants to stay in New Jersey. It’s another chance to prove himself to the Nets or to audition for other teams.
“They didn’t get it [extension] done this summer so I came with an open mind,” said Harris. “Now the situation presents itself where I can be out there showcasing myself to other teams and for the Nets.”
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Pacers’ GM Donnie Walsh said don’t discount the Nets in the Eastern race because of Mutombo’s injury.
“They have enough to keep going at a very high level,” Walsh said. “I don’t think Dikembe was really integrated into their offense yet and now they have guys who are familiar with it.
“And if Mutombo can make it back for the playoffs, that’s what counts.”
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Aaron Williams said Scott apologized to him for keeping him on the bench in L.A. and ending his consecutive game streak at 189.
“There was no apology necessary,” he said. “Winning a game is more important than my little streak.”
Williams said he found out about the seriousness of Mutombo’s injury through a phone call from his brother after the Atlanta game while watching TV.
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Chris Childs went through easy workouts yesterday but is still far off from joining the team.
Childs, still working on conditioning and battling a tender Achilles, says he’d need two weeks more even if in peak shape. But he said he improved his mental outlook at Duke.
“Just getting a passion back for the game. As players you lose that sometimes. When you are occupied by things going on in your life, you lose that passion,” Childs said. “Being there by myself and going through what I went through has given me my passion again.”
