Collins heads to the glass

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- As if the daunting task of facing Ben Wallace weren't motivation enough, New Jersey Nets center Jason Collins got a couple of extra challenges before the start of the Eastern Conference finals.

The first came from coach Byron Scott.

"The one thing I did before Game 1 was challenge him to get every offensive rebound -- because Ben Wallace is going to try to block every shot," Scott said before Thursday night's Game 3 at the Meadowlands. "I said, 'Every time he goes to block a shot, you should get the rebound.'

"He's done more than hold his own."

With Wallace out to swat shots, Collins soared to grabbed nine offensive rebounds and score 11 points in Tuesday's 88-86 victory in Game 2. Collins is the main reason the Nets had a 28-15 edge in offensive rebounds and a 27-15 advantage in second-chance points over the first two games.

"He does fly -- way under the radar," point guard Jason Kidd said. "Sometimes the guys aren't appreciated as much as they show up in the stat line, but he's been big for us all season. He goes unnoticed, but we definitely notice him on the team."

Collins' second challenge is a secret, in the form of a side bet with teammate Richard Jefferson. Jefferson would only say that it's not tied to points or rebounds.

"We can't even talk about it until the series is over," Jefferson said with a smile. "I don't know if he's in the lead or not, but it's every close. I'm feeling good about my money."

Collins was just as secretive, except to say: "I'm winning right now."

The bet might be under wraps, but Collins won't be much longer if he keeps playing like this. The second-year center from Stanford averaged just 4.5 rebounds during the regular season, but he bettered that number to 7.2 in the playoffs entering Thursday night's game.

Collins said he can live with the unsung hero label -- for now.

"That's how it is," he said. "We've got a lot of great players on this team. I know my role. I'm going to go out there and try to get the job done."

 

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