NET NOTES

CHARLOTTE – Byron Scott swore he wasn’t having flashbacks to last season. But you’d understand if the Net coach was.

A few hours after learning he’d be without forward Kenyon Martin for two games because of a league-imposed suspension, Scott discovered Keith Van Horn was a scratch for last night’s game against the Hornets here because of a stomach virus.

“None at all,” Scott said when asked if he was being haunted with memories of last season, when, it seemed, every day brought a new crisis. “Temporary setback, that’s all this is. It gives other guys an opportunity to play some more minutes.”

Van Horn accompanied the team here, attended a team meeting in the morning and then was stricken by a bug. It was the first game he missed this season.

The replacements were two rookies, Richard Jefferson and Jason Collins.

Scott elected to go with Collins over the veteran Aaron Williams because he felt Williams is not as comfortable in the power forward spot, away from the basket. And he wanted to keep him as Todd MacCulloch’s backup at center.

Jefferson had started once previously – Dec. 26 in Cleveland, also as a fill-in, when Martin served a suspension. For Collins, it was his first NBA start. The Nets received one break from the Hornets, who were without forward P.J. Brown, out with a sprained left ankle.

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Net President Rod Thorn said there has been no movement on getting a backup point. But there are discussions, and several names are being discussed. One being seriously considered is Anthony Johnson with the Mobile team in the NBDL. Johnson has NBA experience with the Hawks and Kings.

“I like Anthony,” Scott said. “He’s been a solid backup, he’s got experience. He knows how to play. He’s very smart. He pushes the ball pretty good. You’re not going to find a Jason Kidd. We know that but he’s a guy who’s pretty interesting. There are maybe two or three other guys, but like I said the pickings are very slim.”