NET NOTES
SAN ANTONIO – Todd MacCulloch wants to pick on somebody his own size.
The Nets’ 7-0, 280-pound center has played his best this season when going against players of like proportions. When MacCulloch really has struggled, is when he has gone up against smaller lineups and quicker centers. The quickness of Charlotte’s Elden Campbell has made his life miserable. While he was not in a one-on-one situation with the Mavs’ star, MacCulloch had trouble in Dallas, where Dirk Nowitzki started at center. So last night, MacCulloch got to go against a Spurs’ front line of David Robinson and Tim Duncan. He was looking forward to it.
“It seems like there’s not that many of them (big centers) left in the league any more. I kind of like it. It seems to be a better matchup,” said MacCulloch, who scored 18 against the Spurs in the first meeting between the two teams. “That’s not an excuse, I have to try to match up with everybody, every starting center. But sometimes it’s nice to go up against somebody my size.”
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When he achieved his 5,000th career assist Monday in Dallas, Jason Kidd did it in his 531st game. That made him the 38th player to reach the plateau but the sixth fastest to 500. The five who required fewer games are Oscar Robertson (467), Magic Johnson (472), John Stockton (483), Isiah Thomas (519) and Kevin Johnson (519). Not bad company. If Nets legend Yinka Dare gets back in the league, he’ll need a strong push. He had four in 110 games.
Keith Van Horn gave a smile and a “no comment” when asked about Dallas’ Johnny Newman’s observation that Stephon Marbury made it especially hard for Van Horn to play last year.
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Rookie forward Brian Scalabrine is on the trip to work with team and get a better handle on the system.