BOSTON — Time may not be on the side of the Nets, who are playing career-high minutes almost across the board.
Maybe fatigue is setting in, maybe not. But any help is welcome, and tonight against the Celtics the Nets might see the beginning of some relief with rookie Damion James, who figures to assume a starter’s role sometime after the All-Star break.
He endured his initial full practice yesterday since breaking his right foot in his first-ever NBA start, Dec. 9 in Dallas.
“I just have to get my timing back. I did a lot of good things I was doing before I got hurt,” said James, whose playing status will be finalized today.
“What decision Coach makes, I’m going to be satisfied with either one. I want to be out there playing, but at the same time, Coach doesn’t want to put me out there playing if [he’s not] ready.
“But I think we’ve got a good feeling I’m ready. We’re just going to take it a day at a time and see how I feel.”
A stint in the D-League after the All-Star break is possible. Coach Avery Johnson, who deliberately pushed the rookie forward hard yesterday, said it’s wait and see how he’ll use him against the Celts in the finale before the All-Star break.
“He’s not going to come in and turn our whole season around,” Johnson said of James, who was the 24th overall pick in last June’s draft, selected by Atlanta and acquired via draft-night trade.
“Defensive energy,” is what Johnson likes first and foremost.
“He can guard three positions,” the coach said. “Getting us lay-ups on the break by running on the break, putting pressure on the defense. His size, physicality. He’s a guy that can offensive rebound a little bit.
“We don’t have anybody at the two or three spot that can offensive rebound and get us extra possessions. Those are the things we like about him. Basically what we saw in the draft.”
One other thing: He’s a fresh body.
No one is making excuses or claiming they’re worn down, but the facts suggest the Nets may truly welcome the break. Six regulars — Travis Outlaw (30.7 minutes), Kris Humphries (25.6), Anthony Morrow (31.9), Jordan Farmar (24.1), Sasha Vujacic (20.8) and Stephen Graham (17.2) — all are averaging more than their career minutes and their highest individual seasons.
Brook Lopez (34.3) and Devin Harris (32) are above their career averages but below their individual highs. Rookie Derrick Favors (19.5 minutes), while playing fewer minutes than his only college campaign, has far exceeded his 36 college games. Only Johan Petro is below both his career average and season high minutes.
“I think it’s affected our consistency because we’ve got guys who are in new territory,” Johnson said.
“I hate using myself — but you’ve got to learn how to be a starter. You’ve got to learn how to be in the rotation. Favors has got to learn to be a part of an NBA team from a physical standpoint. It doesn’t happen overnight. And it affects consistency.”
Humphries, who carries the biggest jump over his career average — 10.1 minutes (25.6 to 14.5) sees the positive.
“I don’t think we’re getting tired,” Humphries said. “Obviously, the team is building something. You’re not taking ready-made polished players and putting together. We’re all trying to get better by building to it.”