Troy Murphy is staying home.
The on-going confusion regarding Murphy’s status with the Nets resurfaced when general manager Billy King spoke about the possibility of Murphy rejoining the team. In the morning, Avery Johnson was unaware of any impending move and said he would address the matter with King. Last night, the coach claimed it’s not happening.
“Billy said we’re just going to stay along the same path,” Johnson said of Murphy, who has been told to stay home in case the Nets try to trade him — or hang on to him in case Denver calls back about Carmelo Anthony. “He will not be joining our team.”
Murphy last played Jan. 7 and basically has been a non-entity. Johnson acknowledged he has no spot for him.
“We tried that [playing him],” Johnson said before the Nets’ 93-88 victory over the Grizzlies last night.
“Right now there’s just no minutes there to play,” said Johnson, who starts Derrick Favors at power forward and brings Kris Humphries off the bench.
When owner Mikhail Prokhorov ended the Anthony trade talks, King said Murphy requested a trade, but the GM later backtracked and said he did not.
Earlier yesterday, the Nets sent out a statement from King claiming Murphy’s “status has not changed.”
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Johnson tipped his cap to the 8,866 fans who showed up at Prudential Center, all of whom were treated to lower-level seats.
“A special thanks to all our fans who showed up,” Johnson said. “The weather was not good. It showed we had 8,000 fans here, but it felt like 18,000 in the second half.
“So thanks for helping us pull this game out,” he said.
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Rookie Damion James is finally out of the walking boot for the right broken foot he suffered Dec. 9. Johnson said the rookie could be headed for a D-League rehab stint.
“He’s out of the boot finally. He’s walking on the treadmill,” Johnson said, noting James will go on the weekend trip to Indiana and Milwaukee. “Just to have him around the team. I like to see our rookies as much as I can.”
Nothing is set in stone but Johnson is tentatively looking at Feb. 14 game against the Spurs for a possible return. And, if possible, they’re discussing getting James some rehab work in the D-League.
“Just to get 35 minutes or 30 minutes and then come back to us, depending on where we are with our roster and our injury situation at that time. We haven’t made that final decision yet,” Johnson said.
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Johnson praised Devin Harris‘ leadership and noted how the point guard waved off three plays last night.
“My feelings don’t get hurt,” the coach said.
“I’m just reading the situation and what we need at that time,” Harris said with a shrug and added with a smile, “sometimes he just needs a reminder what play to call.”
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The 4-1 homestand brought the Nets success for different reasons. Brook Lopez remembered how to score. Anthony Morrow returned from injury with a vengeance — and a dead-eye shooting touch. The defense also resurfaced — maybe not Bad Boy Pistons defense, but they clamped down and surrendered .399 shooting (156 of 391).
Favors also is being asked to play with “crazy energy” and to block more shots. He’s trying.
“Yeah, that’s what coach spoke to me about, more shot blocking,” Favors said. “I’m trying. It’s just me knowing which ones, trying to pick the right shots to go after on defense.”
Favors had two games with three blocks in his last four.
Someone joked with Lopez that he’s a star with replays of his game-winning shot against the Cavs shown repeatedly on TV.
“If I watched sports TV, I’d be so proud,” he said.
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Despite Morrow’s impressive success since returning from injury, Johnson said he will continue to use him off the bench.
“We don’t want to tinker with anything,” Johnson said.