All last season, Mirza Teletovic had said all he needed was a chance, an opportunity to show the Nets what he could do.
Turns out, he wasn’t just whining. A year after being an afterthought and chained to the bench during the playoffs, Teletovic has what he wanted, a major role on a postseason-bound Nets team.
“Going into the playoffs, it’s about our team and how we think and the way we’re ready,” Teletovic said “We’ve done a good job getting everything together and knowing the way we have to play to win.
“My role is when I get in try to help any way possible, defending, rebounding, if it’s making shots or whatever it is, just go out there with energy.’’
Teletovic barely had a role last season, averaging just 3.5 points in 9.4 minutes over the 53 games he played, and was persona non grata in the playoffs, given just one measly minute by P. J. Carlesimo. But this year
Teletovic has been a big part of Jason Kidd’s team, averaging 8.5 points and 3.7 rebounds, and raising his game down the stretch to 11.3 points and 4.5 boards over his last 10.
“Last year it was tough. I felt I could help but they didn’t let me do it. This year I appreciate, really appreciate the chances [Kidd] gives me, and I want to give them back as much as I can,’’ Teletovic said. “It was just confidence and getting playing time and showing what I’m able, what I’m capable to do, and their trusting me, talking to me and being able to get in the team and help out. It was just knowing the way the team wanted to play and learning by playing.’’
Guard Shaun Livingston and small forward Alan Anderson missed practice Saturday and are out for Sunday’s game against the Magic at Barclays Center. The former will miss his third straight with a sprained right big toe, the latter his second with a sore abdominal muscle.
“It’s better,” said Livingston, who called the rest a blessing in disguise and plans to play either against the Knicks on Tuesday or at Cleveland on Wednesday before the regular season ends.
“It was really sore after the Miami game, but I’m making progress,” he said. “We’ll see how it goes. I’d personally like to [play], but it all depends on the toe, how it feels day-to-day and just take it from there.”
Point guard Deron Williams said he expects to play after sitting out Friday with right patella tendinitis.
“It’s feeling great,” he said. “The last couple days have helped.’’
The Nets have an 11-man rotation, but Kidd insists he won’t pare it down for the playoffs.
“I don’t see why I’d tighten up the rotation,” said Kidd, who added not to read anything into Andray Blatche not leaving the bench Friday. “That’s one of our advantages, that we have a lot of guys that can play, so the guys can go harder — just looking at different scenarios, different guys at different positions. That’s it, nothing to read into.’’