NET NOTES
On the court, Bostjan Nachbar noted that his new team is very similar to his old team. Off the court, things couldn’t be more different.
“Comparing it to Oklahoma City would be ridiculous,” Nachbar said.
Nachbar, who was acquired from the Hornets for Marc Jackson and Linton Johnson before the trade deadline, was activated for last night’s game against Indiana. The good news was he didn’t expect much of an adjustment.
A native of Slovenia, Nachbar already knew Nenad Krstic and Zoran Planinic before becoming a Net. And when the coaching staff walked him through the team’s plays, he said 75 percent of them were similar to the Hornets’ sets.
“It’s not going to be a hard transition,” he said.
Nachbar lost his starting job with the Hornets when he sprained his knee and missed about six weeks, he said, but he pronounced himself healthy.
Nets coach Lawrence Frank expected Nachbar to play small forward, but he couldn’t guarantee he’d play last night. This is the third team in four NBA seasons for Nachbar, who began his career in Houston.
“It’s not like he’s a rookie; he’s been in the league for a while,” Frank said. “He’s played under some really good coaches. He’s played in the playoffs. He has a good feel about how to play, and now it’s just coming to a new situation.”
Coming to the greater New York area was always Nachbar’s dream. He discussed it with his wife when he came to this country four years ago.
“It’s going to be nice,” he said. “I’m going to try to take full advantage of living in a city like this. Obviously there’s a lot to offer.”
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Gone but not forgotten: Johnson scored 17 points in 20 minutes and Marc Jackson added four points and four rebounds in 15 minutes in the Hornets’ 100-95 victory over Utah on Saturday.
“I think [the trade] worked out better for both teams,” Richard Jefferson said. “Marc Jackson and Linton Johnson, I believe, are very capable players. “In our system, they weren’t able to get enough time.”
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Actor James Gandolfini attended last night’s game.
The Nets wore throwback uniforms and honored teams from their past during the game.
