When a team that has grown accustomed to playing in the NBA Finals is swept out of the first round, there are precious few positives to be found. For the Nets, the only one was the play of rookie center Nenad Krstic.
The 21-year-old Serb averaged 18.3 points and 7.5 rebounds against the top-seeded Heat, shaking off a hand injury and a sore back to match Shaquille O’Neal in a performance that shocked even the Nets.
“Anyone that’s not surprised with what he did in the playoffs needs to take a polygraph,” said Lawrence Frank. “The guy averaged 18 and change and 7 ½ rebounds against the best team in the Eastern Conference, showing no fear.
“As disappointing as this playoffs was, the one great thing was he got to taste playoff intensity, and not only taste it but play at a high level. It’s a great building block, and knowing his nature, he’s not going to be complacent, [but] take it and run with it and work even harder.”
Granted, Krstic benefited from Richard Jefferson’s drives and Miami’s doubling of Vince Carter, but he did shoot 56.3 percent, hitting jumper after jumper when O’Neal wouldn’t or couldn’t guard him.
“He was great. The sky’s the limit. He did a great job with Shaq and he’s 21 years old and just going to get better,” said Jason Kidd. “He’s the first one in the gym, the last one to leave. He’s a workaholic, a great kid and all he wants to do is play and win, and it showed.”
An MRI convinced team Dr. Mike Kelly and hand specialist Dr. Charles Melone that Krstic tore a tendon in his right thumb; he was scheduled for a third opinion yesterday. If needed, Krstic could have surgery as soon as today, because he wants to play in the Euro championships, which wrap up Sept. 25 in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and Montenegro.
“I felt whatever he could give this year, I’d be happy. I was concerned about throwing him to the wolves, [but] this kid got a shot and he was terrific,” said GM Ed Stefanski.
“If you watched our playoff series and didn’t know any names, you might’ve said Krstic was the best player on the Nets. That’s a great accomplishment. He doesn’t back down to anyone. He looks thin and has a baby face, but this kid is tough. We’re thrilled with him.”
There is a saying in basketball-crazed Belgrade: “The Game Is The Law.” If so, Krstic got his degree the past week, facing O’Neal.
“Coach gave me a chance, and I’m happy,” said Krstic, who bulked up from 240 pounds to 257 but said he wants to get stronger and work on using his left hand in the low post. “I just need to keep improving everything.”
