NBA

Nets have first practice since start of season

TORONTO — To borrow a notable quote from one of life’s great philosophers, Allen Iverson, the banged-up and ailing Nets yesterday weren’t talking about the game.

“We’re not talking about the game. We’re talking about practice.”

Hey, if there’s something new and novel, you talk about it.

Given their Schedule from Hell that has them usually playing on the road — like here, where they face the Raptors tonight (7 p.m., YES, WBBR [1130 AM] ) — or in a back-to-back, the Nets had not practiced since Christmas Eve. Until yesterday. And even that session was tainted as two starters, MarShon Brooks (sprained left ankle, questionable after his first start) and Damion James (sore right foot, doubtful), watched.

“I’m a little too sore. I don’t want to rush it back,” Brooks said. “We got three games in the next four days. I don’t want it to linger, so we’ll make a game-time decision.”

With all the upheaval through injuries, late additions, whatever, coach Avery Johnson admits his gang lacks a truly important element — the feel of a team.

“Not yet. No, not yet,” Johnson said. “The thing I dream about is if I can have the same starting five for two or three straight weeks. Is that asking for too much?”

Apparently. In seven games, they’ve used four different starting lineups. Only James has started every game, and if he sits tonight it will be five lineups in eight games.

On the positive side, Deron Williams (sore right side, missed one game) and Kris Humphries (sprained left shoulder, missed two) were able to practice and are listed as probable. Both took the extra step and said they would play, trying to help the Nets snap a six-game losing streak.

“It’s sore, but I’m going to go. Things are never 100 percent in the NBA,” said Humphries, who noted he can lift his arm over his head without a sharp “pinch” in the shoulder.

“I feel good. I’m playing,” said Williams, who welcomed the work. “We needed it. ” We haven’t had any practices to make adjustments or work on things. You can watch film, you can talk about stuff but until you go over and walk through it, it’s tough.”

And things have been tough for the Nets. The defense has been acceptable, the offense has not. One obviously affects the other. Though yesterday wasn’t a true bang-and-bruise session, the Nets tinkered.

“It’s more repairing the offense, in terms of setting screens, spacing, timing, on-target, on-time passes, reading the defense. That’s what we need to work on. And just everybody knowing the plays,” said Johnson. “We get in offense, you can’t have three guys that know the play and the other two guys don’t. … Overall our defense has been pretty decent. But when our offense goes haywire, it seems to have a really bad effect on our defense.”

The Nets are home to face the Heat tomorrow. Miami is the team to beat, Williams said. “I would say so. They went to the Finals last year, most people thought they would win the Finals against Dallas. I think they came back stronger, better. They look like they’re ready to go. I would definitely put them as the favorites.’’

fred.kerber@nypost.com