Weekly Essentials: Calamity Vince off to typical start

New Jersey looked pretty good in its first four games after acquiring Vince Carter, stringing together consecutive wins for only the third time this season.

They looked even better with him on the court.

Carter scored 24 points and distributed a team-high five assists in his debut against the NBA champion Pistons, meshing nicely with his new teammates.

But. Yes, but ...

Carter left early in the overtime period with a cramp in his hamstring and the Nets fell apart without him, ending up with a 10-point loss at Detroit that isn't worthy of the effort they gave.

They lost the game, but looked improved and also faced the primal fear acquired with picking up Carter. His body is a calamity.

For much longer then an instant, Lawrence Frank felt what it was like to have his heart jump into his throat. Owner Bruce Ratner, gambling on Carter to be the tourniquet for his damaged organization, felt what it was like to have a gaping hole in the pit of his stomach.

That's the future the Nets have been backed into, despite Carter's assurances that he won't let them down.

The problem with that is you can't trust a man writing checks his body may not be able to cash. He had a fabulous debut, but his abbreviated Nets career has been highlighted by one encouraging outing opposite a sizeable stretch as a dapper cheerleader in designer suits.

It's encouraging that he doesn't expect to miss any time, and maybe the injury, not the strong performance, will be the aberration.

However, watching him writhe in pain in front of the scorer's table had to prompt all Nets to undergo a reality check. Because acquiring Carter from Toronto, for what some felt was a bargain, was actually a gamble on a quick fix.

As Ratner's tourniquet, he could help atone for the critical mistake of letting Kenyon Martin go to Denver. He could help revitalize Jason Kidd's passion and help the team regain its drawing-card status. He could curb the flow of revenue currently bleeding from Ratner's pockets because the team is so bad.

In doing so, he could achieve personal redemption. Re-establishing a franchise that was an NBA finalist two years ago and has won its division three consecutive years would help to erase the damage that has been done to his reputation. Where it is now, it's easy to believe rumors that he coasted in order to leave Toronto, even going as far as tipping off opponents.

The schedule gods have given him a strong platform with which to make the opening argument, throwing the defending champs, the surging Bulls, reloading Indiana and a visit to Madison Square Garden in his path.

Saturday's game against the Knicks caps the huge week. Carter could have easily been wearing a New York uniform had an agreement been reached, but instead will be across the river trying to steal headlines and strengthen the team tentatively moving to Brooklyn in 2007.

It's time to see whether "Carter: Off Broadway" is an era or error beginning. Or, considering the ending to the Detroit game, do we already have an answer?

Big Ballin'

At halftime of Golden State's Sunday night visit to Sacramento, it looked like the Warriors' string of 11 consecutive setbacks at Arco Arena would inevitably be extended. The Kings led 46-36, on track for their 22nd win in 23 home games against their in-state rivals.

Jason Richardson, scoreless on 0-for-6 shooting, decided he'd rather extend a more gratifying streak. The athletic wing secured his fifth straight 20-point game, dropping 26 in the final two quarters to fuel Golden State to an unlikely comeback win.

His performance helped the team notch its third consecutive 60-plus point second half; a sign first-year coach Mike Montgomery is really doing a nice job making adjustments at the break.

It hasn't hurt that Richardson has finally expanded his game by perfecting his outside touch; helping balance out the athleticism he got by with through the early part of his career. When Sacramento pulled within three in the final minute on a 14-2 last gasp run, it was Richardson who put the game away, pulling up and making a critical 20-footer despite Peja Stojakovic camped in his face.

The young Warriors have assembled a nice supporting cast around Richardson, who is finally developing into the consistent go-to guy they need him to be. They have a chance to notch the first three-game winning streak of the Montgomery era when the Nuggets visit Monday. ...

Wally Szczerbiak has scored in double figures in all 13 December contests, consistently getting his offense on a team that features a multitude of weapons. He appears back to his normal self after injuries sidetracked him last season, and has become more efficient in his role over his last six games, connecting on 57 percent of his shots (47-for-82). During that span, he's averaging 21.5 points per game, thriving at attacking the basket and limiting his number of perimeter shots. The T-Wolves play just twice this week, visiting New York on Wednesday and hosting Memphis on Jan. 1. ...

Scope Amare Stoudemire's averages over last week's three-game period: 31.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, three blocks and two steals. There's a new name involved in the NBA MVP race, and at this point, you would have to consider the 22-year-old third-year pro the favorite given what he and his team have done thus far. Tuesday night, he'll tangle with Tim Duncan in the week's featured matchup.

Lacking game

An 11-4 home record isn't typically something to sneer at, but given the Kings' dominance in their building over the past few seasons, it does raise a few eyebrows. Sunday's loss to Golden State was their third in five outings, and also marked the first time they had let one slip at home to an opponent with a losing record since last March.

Not that we're pointing fingers, but there is a common thread. All-Star center Brad Miller has been ineffective offensively in all four of the losses, shooting 34 percent (11 for 32) and averaging just eight points. He did have 13 boards and seven assists against the Warriors, but managed a season-low five shots, continuing to defer to Chris Webber in the post.

Trends to watch

Credit Ricky Davis for making the most of his role off Boston's bench. Though he's voiced that he'd rather be starting, Davis hasn't moped and has been rewarded with major minutes by head coach Doc Rivers.

GM Danny Ainge has said he feels Davis provides fabulous lift off the bench because of his versatility and ability to step right in and start making plays. Davis is anchoring one of the younger second units in the league, and that looks to have kicked his maturation process into another gear, helping him emerge as the league's leading scorer off the bench (15.1 ppg). Davis is averaging over 18 points per game over his last seven. ...

Baron Davis is still receiving limited minutes off Byron Scott's bench, but should be closer to a full return to action this week. The Hornets are being cautious with Davis' back, but simply working him back into the rotation has improved their fortunes. They're now losing by 10 instead of 20.

Davis wants out of New Orleans and may get his wish, but the only way that's going to happen is if he stays healthy. Word is that there are a number of suitors prepared to come to the table with multi-player deals that would spring the superstar off the league's worst team. ...

Chicago would be the team most concerned with the famed "rookie wall", which if you believe in such things, should be just on the horizon. No one relies on rookies more than Scott Skiles and the Bulls, who field four in their regular rotation.

Thus far, the results have been nothing but promising, with Luol Deng and Ben Gordon each averaging double figures to rank second and third respectively behind Charlotte's Emeka Okafor among first-year players. Andres Nocioni, who has already hit a lull and has started to bounce back, ranks fifth. Chris Duhon leads all rookies in assists.

Reppin' rookie

Boston's Al Jefferson doesn't typically get more than 20-25 minutes per game, but his production when he's out there has exceeded all expectations.

Less than a year removed from Mississippi's Prentiss High School, Jefferson made his first NBA start against the Knicks on Dec. 22 in place of an injured Raef LaFrentz and finished with 12 points, five boards and a wealth of admirers.

He looks like the skinny, young version of Shawn Kemp or Antonio McDyess before their injuries set in. Turning 20 on Jan. 5, Jefferson knows he's got a ton of learning left to do and isn't allowing himself any illusions despite the early success.

Asked whether the light bulb had come on in terms of his grasp on the pro game, Jefferson replied, "it's dim". Sooner than later, he'll be coasting with his brights on at all times.