Krstic, bigs look good

Throw away the 110-94 final because the Knicks play no defense and the Nets had no Jason Kidd. But there were some encouraging things to take out of yesterday's preseason game and it starts with Nenad Krstic.

The Nets, the doctors, or Krstic couldn't have asked for a better first game back from major left knee surgery. The Nets went to him on the first play of the game to get him comfortable and it worked. Krstic scored inside and it helped him mentally.

"It helped me get my rhythm," he said. "But I'm still not satisfied with my defense."

Good answer. Coaches love that, but Krstic is sincere, so you have to believe him.

The biggest thing, though, was there was no hesitation. He took five shots and made all five, including a high-arching three-pointer.

"I feel good to be back on the court," Krstic said after his 11-point night. "I'm excited right now because I feel part of the team.

"I was so excited to be back on the court I didn't have time to think about my knee. So it was very good."

Krstic wasn't on any time constraints. Coach Lawrence Frank said he let trainer Tim Walsh decide Krstic's substitutions. The 7-footer played 15 minutes, all in the first half. He didn't travel with the team for tonight's game against Boston.

"He was much better than I thought he was going to be," Frank said. "For a first outing you couldn't ask for a better game."

***
Also encouraging was the overall play of the Nets' big men. Jamaal Magloire scored inside, rebounded well, blocked a couple of shots and pushed Eddy Curry around. Curry drew a technical for pushing Magloire after one exchange. I get the feeling Magloire is going to have a few of those this year.

Malik Allen looked good offensively. Josh Boone and Sean Williams played late and were predictably active. Williams threw down a dunk and Boone scored twice inside on post ups. The second-year big man is much more confident with himself and his game.

We probably got a good idea of the rotation Frank will use: start Jason Collins and Krstic, bring Allen and Magloire as the first two bigs off the bench, followed by Boone and Williams. Boone could jump up in the top four, but all these guys do things differently. Fidning minutes for all of them is a good problem to have for Frank. The Nets have good big man depth.

***
We knew the Allan Houston situation would not end pretty in New York. They never wanted him. They invited him out of respect. Isiah Thomas agreed with a reporter last night who called the chances of Houston making the Knicks "slim."

This is not surprising from the Knicks. Thomas doesn't want him and the Knicks are no longer the first-class organization they were in the 1990s.

But Houston made a mistake by waiting. He could have been a Net, but he waited too long. The Nets made the right call by getting Darrell Armstrong. His signing looms larger with Kidd banged up. They also were right to tell Houston to go elsewhere, but he shouldn't have picked the Knicks.

***

No Kidd, Krstic, Richard Jefferson or Vince Carter tonight at Boston. None made the trip.

Comments

[Ilic Fan]

With the big four not making the trip to Worcester, will Mile get a shot to shine?

[Jon]

I loved it when Magloire beat out Lee for 2 rebounds followed by Lee crying to the reffs. I thought he was a bad signing before last night ( I really wanted Reggie "Nut Cracker" Evans instead).

[Ilic Fan]

Ilic can do everything Magliore can do!

[Al Iannazzone]

Mile Ilic got in the game, Ilic fan. He played 2:11, but didn't record a stat in a game shortended due to condensation on the court.

[Ilic Fan]

If the game would of went on I bet he could of scored double-digits! Thoughts anyone? Appreciate the response Mr. 'Zzone. Great blog. Really enjoy the content.

[Ilic Fan]

If the game would of went on I bet he could of scored double-digits! Thoughts anyone? Appreciate the response Mr. 'Zzone. Great blog. Really enjoy the content.