There are four guys in the Nets’ camp who would love to be hurt all season.
The four – Doug Overton, center Jonathan Kerner and forwards Larry Lewis and Damone Brown – are fighting for one possible roster spot, a position likely to serve on the injured list all season.
The Nets, who sought to remain unbeaten through three preseason games when they faced the Sixers last night at the Meadowlands, have 13 guaranteed contracts. Coach Byron Scott would like a 14th player as insurance. Enter Overton – with the most NBA experience by far – Kerner, Lewis and Brown. Each brings something different to the table, Scott said, summarizing each player’s overriding strength.
Overton: “Leadership.” Kerner: “Shooting.” Lewis: “Toughness.” Brown: “Scorer.” Scott is looking for “just the best player,” a guy who’ll fit in and be good in practice.
“Where is the biggest need, as far as our team is concerned, between those four guys for us to keep one of them. It doesn’t boil down to anything more than that,” said Scott.
Overton, 34, has been an NBA fixture since 1992, playing for eight different teams, including the Nets (two stints, 1998-99 and 2000-01). He has career averages of 4.6 points and 2.1 assists in 438 games.
“It’s good to have experience, but it’s really what the team needs. There are four guys, playing four different positions,” Overton said. “I’m just playing as hard as I can, doing the best that I can and hopefully they’ll feel as though I can help.”
The Nets are always searching for shooting and Kerner hopes his skills – plus his 6-11 size – wins him favor.
Kerner, 29, has played in Ireland, Russia, the CBA, NBDL and with the Magic (one game) in 1998-99.
Lewis, 34 next month, has stops in Spain, Japan and the CBA on his resume along with a hard-nosed approach.
Brown had a strong showing against the Knicks last week, hitting all three of his shots while grabbing five rebounds and scoring 11 points in 14 minutes.
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Nets holding open practice at 6 p.m. tonight at Meadowlands. Admission and parking are both free . . . Jason Kidd expects to play Friday against Boston, rest Saturday against Toronto and play next week against the Knicks and either Philly or Boston. “We’re not looking at it as just me sitting out. It’s giving Zoran [Planinic] . . . quality minutes,” Kidd said. “I’m going to probably play Friday because the more we thought about it, trying to play the back-to-back games closer to the regular season didn’t make any sense.”