How Nets Shape Up in December

Forward Jason Collins has had a setback on the leg nerve problem that knocked him out of four games last month. Collins sat in Charlotte Wednesday and is expected to miss Friday's game in Cleveland, at least. Against Charlotte, the rotation went 11 deep, including rarely-used Linton Johnson III.
ROTATIONStarters -- Point guard Jason Kidd, Shooting guard Vince Carter, Small forward Richard Jefferson, Power forward Cliff Robinson, Center Nenad Krstic. Bench -- Guard Jeff McInnis, Guard Zoran Planinic, Center Marc Jackson, Guard Jacque Vaughn, Forward Scott Padgett, Forward Linton Johnson.
PLAYER NOTES
--Forward Jason Collins reported he felt the pain from a leg nerve problem return on Saturday when he landed after going up for a rebound. Collins received an injection of a different type of medication that had provided relief for two weeks. He likely is out through the weekend.
--Guard Jeff McInnis, who scored seven points off the bench in the victory over Charlotte, insisted that going back to Cleveland is no big deal.
"Just another game, another basketball game," said McInnis, who likely will hear boos Friday in his old stomping grounds.
--Guard Vince Carter wore a sleeve on his right leg Wednesday night. Carter on Saturday left the game after he was stepped on, and the initial report was he turned his ankle. It turned out that he also twisted his knee. An MRI was negative and Carter scored 23 points in the next game.
--Forward Richard Jefferson enjoyed a flashback on Wednesday. During the Nets' key third quarter burst, Jefferson scored three transition layups, an element that has been sorely lacking in their game.
"I haven't run that much in a while," Jefferson said. "I got tired."