The Nets are headed on a three-game road trip, but Andrei Kirilenko won’t be going with them. He is staying home with back spasms.
“He’ll … get some treatment and rehab. AK will heal and get back into the swing of things,’’ coach Jason Kidd said.
Kirilenko has already missed two games this season, including Saturday’s loss to the Pacers. He’s averaging just 5.8 points and 3.3 boards in 13.3 minutes off the bench in the four games he did play.
Kidd, asked whether he was worried Kirilenko’s back woes could become chronic, replied, “I think he’ll be fine. He has to rehab and work and hopefully he’ll be back soon.’’
In the meantime, expect Alan Anderson to get more minutes.
The Nets have struggled against young, athletic teams, and that’s exactly what they’ll see on their West Coast trip to Sacramento, Phoenix and Los Angeles.
“I don’t know where we stand on age of teams, but I’d guess we might be one of the oldest teams [in the NBA], and [the Kings, Suns and Clippers are] all younger than us,’’ Kidd said. “I think for us the challenge is to win on the road right now and we have the opportunity come Wednesday.”
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Phoenix is off to a surprising start behind Eric Bledsoe and a transition game, while the Clippers have not only high-flying big men Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, but also point guard Chris Paul. That’s the kind of youth that has troubled the Nets.
“Yeah, a little bit. Definitely,’’ Joe Johnson said. “They’ve definitely been very energetic, high motor and we can withstand it for a quarter or two, but … it always kind of bites us whether it’s the third or the fourth quarter. We’ll get it down pat and do whatever we can trying to get some wins on this road [trip].’’
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Kevin Garnett may be averaging just six points on 32.1 percent shooting, but Kidd insisted the forward is 100 percent healthy and not too jumper-happy.
“He’s fine,’’ Kidd said. “That’s basketball. Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don’t. It’s where you have to keep working, and that’s what he’s all about. His blueprint is to keep working and it’ll turn.
“[It’s] just the ball not going in. He’s taking those shots. He wouldn’t have been the player or have had the career he’s had if he hadn’t missed shots. If he was 25, he’s missed shots before. There is no difference in what he is doing now than when he was 25 years old.’’
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Deron Williams worked after practice under Kidd’s watchful eye and talked about a focus on getting back to attacking the rim.
“Yeah, I want to get back to playing basketball. I haven’t been able to do it and now I’m just getting to where I feel like I can attack and I’m starting to feel like my old self again,’’ Williams said, adding he’s feeling physically more like himself.