Vince Carter To Play Point Guard?

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

Carter may back up Kidd

Saturday, October 21, 2006

By AL IANNAZZONE
STAFF WRITER

EAST RUTHERFORD -- The Nets are keeping their fingers crossed that Marcus Williams is a quick healer and won't miss much time, if any, after spraining his left wrist.

But if the rookie point guard can't play in the Nov. 1 season opener against Toronto, the Nets are very comfortable asking their greatest single-season NBA scorer to back up Jason Kidd.


After all, Vince Carter is the only Nets' player with a guaranteed contract -- see Jay Williams -- and who is welcome on the team -- see Jeff McInnis -- with NBA experience playing the point.

Carter played there last season, allowing Kidd to play off the ball at times.

In Wednesday's preseason loss at Boston, Carter slid over from shooting guard to give Kidd a rest.

He did the same in Friday's 102-92 win over the 76ers at Continental Arena. Carter will continue to do that until Marcus Williams comes back, and perhaps even after.

"It's always something I wanted to do," said Carter, who has averaged 25.6 points and 4.4 assists in 136 games as a Net.

"I felt comfortable with it. Knowing the offense and being around it a little bit really helps."

After dropping their first four preseason games, the Nets recorded their first win Friday behind 21 points and three assists from Carter. Richard Jefferson added 17 points and Bostjan Nachbar had 13 points and six rebounds off the bench.

Carter got a good baptism by fire against Boston.

He had to guard the smaller, quicker Sebastian Telfair. Boston coach Doc Rivers also trapped Carter in the backcourt. Carter welcomed it, as he looked at Rivers and smiled.

"If I'm going to play the position I want to be good at it," said Carter, who had 20 games last season of at least six assists. "Helping Marcus, Jay, playing sparingly behind those guys, I want to keep it going. I don't want it to regress, I want to progress."

Williams returned to practice Thursday after it was first thought he would be out six weeks.

His wrist felt sore Friday, but he wanted to play. He was told he couldn't.

The Nets won't rush him. Besides, they trust Carter can do the job.

"Vince is unbelievable," coach Lawrence Frank said, "His vision, I mean that's why we're so fortunate. He's just such a special player.

COLLINS SITS: Jason Collins' left foot has been bothering him lately so he sat out Friday night's game for precautionary reasons.

The pain could be linked when he rolled his ankle over the summer.

"It'll be fine," Collins said. "I'll be fine."

SETBACK FOR BOONE: Rookie big man Josh Boone, who had left-shoulder surgery in July, hoped he could begin shooting next week.

Boone said that's on hold because of "a little bit of a setback."

Boone is feeling some pain, but it's to be expected.

Frank said doctors want Boone to take a few days off to see if it helps.

Boone remains hopeful he can return in December.

RICHARD'S PREVIEW: Richard Jefferson is not a fan of reading team previews because he said some criticisms of the Nets -- they're not as good defensively and rebounding is a weakness -- are off base. If he had to write one, here's what it would say:

"We'll be one of the top two or three teams in the conference again.

We're favored to win the division. Our young guys and bench will determine how far we really go. That's basically it."

BRIEFS: On Monday several Nets will help put together care packages and greeting cards to be sent to U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Former Seton Hall center Samuel Dalembert (strained left hamstring) did not play for the Sixers.

E-mail: [email protected]

[ducks]

because kidd sucks?

[Zunni]

Cue Sequ changing his underwear for Mr. Half Man, Half a Season.