NBA

Pierce will continue to come off the bench for Nets

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Of course with the Nets this season, it seems like something always has been broken. If not sprained, strained or in spasms.

So “for right now, yes” Paul Pierce will continue to come off the bench, said coach Jason Kidd. In a small positive sample, Pierce has provided offense, defense and leadership, psyching both coaches and teammates.

“It gives us the luxury of a guy who understands being a starter … who can score the ball and understand defensively what we’re trying to do,” Kidd said Sunday.

Pierce, after suffering a broken hand, has come off the bench three straight games, progressively improving each time. Pierce scored 12 Friday in the loss at Detroit which ended the Nets’ three-game winning streak.

But in the three games, the Nets’ bench has outscored opponent subs, 120-98, and crushed them in rebounding, 61-29. Andray Blatche (17.3 points, 10.0 rebounds) was huge in those games as the Nets show continued signs they are a team to fear in the Atlantic Division. Despite the wretched start, they are just two games out of first.

“We know we dug a hole and we’re all fighting to get out,” Blatche said. “Every player right now is embarrassed where we’re at. So I feel like everybody is just bringing it every night to get right.”

Seems like they are.

“Guys are starting to get to know one another, starting to trust and believe in the system,” said Blatche leaving little doubt what he feels is most responsible for the recent run.

Williams returning from an ankle injury.

“To be honest with you, that was the missing key. Having him back is probably one of the most important things for this team. He’s the coach on the floor. He’s our leader,” Blatche said. “It’s hard to win without him or Brook Lopez. … I feel like when we’re all healthy, we’re one of the best teams in the league.”

And versatile. Like with Pierce. Before this season, Pierce had come off the bench three times in a 1,102-game career. He matched that total in the past three games, figures to surpass it Monday at home against Philadelphia. And Pierce has done so selflessly.

“That shows what kind of person he is. He can be a guy that says, ‘I’m Paul Pierce, I’m a starter in this league, you know?’ Like some guys have done. He’s just worried about winning right now and he’s trying to get back healthy,” Williams said.

“It’s basketball. It’s all about the last six minutes of the game,” said Kidd. “That’s where it’s won or lost. … So if you’re in at the end that’s where you want to be.”

And of course, Pierce landed on the bench in the first place because of injury. But the Nets like what they’ve seen.

“It’s something that’s helped us and we’ll see how it goes [Monday],” Kidd said. “It helps to have guys like Paul. This whole team [has] a great attitude.”

And they gradually are adding health – despite Brook Lopez (ankle), Jason Terry (knee), Andrei Kirilenko (back), Joe Johnson (illness) and Mirza Teletovic (illness) all sitting out practice on Sunday. With 10 different starting lineups in 23 games, it’s one reason the bench has been so important, so early.

“Paul coming off the bench, helps. But also having some of us back [so] we can go back to our regular rotations and so guys are kind of thriving in their roles,” Williams said.

In the East, specifically the Atlantic Division, a little thriving goes a long way.