The standings and numbers say there is a chance at the playoffs for the Nets. The results and body language say differently.
The Nets start a four-game road trip in San Antonio tomorrow night, still covered in the wretched stench resulting from their game against Orlando Saturday night.
Coach Lawrence Frank was about two degrees shy of his head exploding after the Nets embarrassed themselves in a 105-81 disgrace in which they put up jump shot after jump shot against Orlando’s zone.
“We live and die by the jump shot. That’s the way this season has been. As much as we want to get it inside, when we win or play at a high level, we make jump shots,” said Jason Kidd, who seemed inordinately calm – almost resigned – about the Nets possibly saying good-bye to playoff aspirations.
“We’re way behind and we’re trying to play catch-up. Everything has to go our way to even have a chance. We have to try to make a push, and if it doesn’t happen, we have to be professional about it,” he added.
Maybe Kidd is being more realistic than anything. Or maybe he’s plotting a summer exodus, referring to an inside game that lacks Kenyon Martin, the source of Kidd’s unhappiness. Kidd in the past asked out and was denied a trade, notably to Minnesota. In the recent past, Kidd and the league saw Alonzo Mourning, Jim Jackson, Elden Campbell and Baron Davis sulk and hold their breath. And then get their way.
Kidd has not shot 50 percent in any of the seven games since the All-Star break, compiling a 29-of-81 (.358) package. In keeping with team policy, Kidd was awful against Orlando. But maybe he has reconciled himself to a touch of realism. The Nets (26-34) must catch the Pacers (29-29) to get in the playoffs. That’s virtually their only option.
“Judging by our last performance,” said GM Ed Stefanski, “no one is happy with how we’re playing. But we’re still in it and no one is giving up.”
If Kidd is unenthused and eyeing a summer move, there are obstacles. Owner Bruce Ratner and Net brass want to see a Kidd-Vince Carter-Richard Jefferson combo at full strength. Carter’s first game was the same one where Jefferson injured his wrist. The Nets have stressed they don’t want to deal Kidd.
So if the Nets are lottery-bound, they’ll seek a big, athletic forward. Depending on underclassmen declarations, they figure to start doing homework on the likes of 6-10 soph Chris Taft of Pittsburgh, 6-11 senior Channing Frye of Arizona State, 6-8 senior Wayne Simien of Kansas, 6-9 junior Sean May of North Carolina and 6-10 soph Josh Boone of UConn.
The Nets have their own first-round pick and would also get the Clippers’ first-rounder if L.A. sneaks into the playoffs, a scenario even less probable than New Jersey making it. So with 22 games left, effort and body language will tell if the Nets are playing hard or merely playing out the string.
“It’s not supposed to be this way but when you make shots your energy level can go up. When you miss shots, it goes down. It seems this team, we miss shots, we just get down and don’t play well,” said Brian Scalabrine.
“I’m not big on looking at standings and playoff push and things of that nature. It’s about the way you approach the game as a team. I think that’s what we need to look at most is our approach,” said Jacque Vaughn.
Currently, the view is not pretty.
