NBA

Nets know how badly they need Kevin Garnett on defense

The dropoff for the Nets when Kevin Garnett does not play is really not indicated in wins and losses.

With Garnett on the floor, the Nets are 25-24. Without him, they are 3-5. Yeah, noticeable, but it has only been eight games played without Garnett. But in those eight games, his absence was painfully obvious.

“He’s our vocal leader. He’s our anchor on defense,” said Shaun Livingston regarding Garnett, who was listed as a gametime decision for Monday night’s home game against the Bulls because of back spasms, the ailment that forced him from Saturday’s game in Milwaukee.

“He makes our team that much better just with his presence out there. I don’t think anybody is able to have that impact, outside of the superstars in this league. It’s not like he’s out there scoring 30 and 15. It’s his presence, being vocal, his leadership.”

The Nets are back from a 4-2 road trip on which they won twice without Garnett, including the game in Milwaukee.

“The big thing is we won two games on that road trip without Kevin, so it shows our growth, but we do want him on the court as soon as possible,” coach Jason Kidd said. “And hopefully it will be tonight.”

But even if Garnett misses a ninth game, the Nets have confidence in the rest of the cast.

“We played without Kevin, we played with Kevin,” Andrei Kirilenko said. “We’d love to have him. If not, we still got his back. I think we’ve got enough talent to beat anybody in this league even without Kevin.

“It’s not that we don’t need him — we need him. But if he’s resting, he’s out, he needs to take care of his body.”