Kidd backs out

Jason Kidd showed up Sunday, shot, stretched and then left to see a chiropractor.

The cause: "In the middle of stretching, his back tightened up a little bit," was Doctor Lawrence Frank's assessment.

Frank didn't seem to worried. Maybe if this were the regular season or playoffs there would be cause for concern, but the Nets don't play their opener until Oct. 31 so they're not sweating right now.

Even so, the only two games Kidd missed last year was because of a back injury.

"Now you’re making me concerned," Frank said. "It was just a fluke. It wasn’t like he got hit. I don’t know what to say other than he was sore and he’s at the chiropractor."

Kidd will get at least a day to rest it. He didn't go to Charlotte for Monday's preseason game. He wasn't going to anyway. The plan is to play him just three preseason games - the home three so the New Jersey fans can see him.

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Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson will play tonight and start with Darrell Armstrong. Frank said he hasn't decided who will start up front yet.

Nenad Krstic went to Charlotte to get some contact work in at the shootaround.

Antoine Wright went too. He's a game-time decision with a sprained left ankle. He said he's all right.

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I'll say this for Sean Williams and Frank, they have senses of humor.

As Frank was talking to the media Sunday, Williams said, "Coach, what time is the bus leaving?"

Frank answered "Two."

"I'll try and make sure I'm on time," Williams said.

Frank said something in retort, but I didn't hear it clearly. I was laughing at what Williams said.

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The big man conundrum for the Nets is how is Frank going to give minutes to Jason Collins, Krstic, Malik Allen, Jamaal Magloire and Josh Boone? But Frank said Sea Williams shouldn't be omitted.

"There’s no reason to take him out of the equation," he said. "I'm telling you, I  wouldn’t take him out of the equation."

Williams has been impressive in scrimmages and can provide momentum-changing plays. But he also has to show he can do it every night, within the framework of the team. That's why these exhibition games are important.

Frank also said Boone is in the running for the starting power forward job. Yet it seems it will be Collins and Krstic at the power positions once Krstic is healthy. I have a feeling Allen is the starting power forward. Frank said his best defensive team on Friday was the starters, citing the defense of Collins and Allen.

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The Nets made their first cut on Sunday. They waived Rod Benson.

Comments

[Skeeter57]

We are finally on track and its good to see the young big men getting some time.Its amazing that Seattle even plays their rookies lots of time. Gotta have faith in the youth and give them the chance to develop. Hear that coach