"The Nets signed Rafer Alston to back up Devin Harris, as insurance in case their all-star guard got hurt. Looks like that policy is already paying off, with Harris (groin) and Keyon Dooling out, former New York streetball legend Skip To My Lou starts tonight in the Garden vs. the Knicks.

"I'm getting a lot of work right now. I thought those guys would be here, all of us would be here pushing each other. But injuries are part of the game and you just have to go with the guys you have until they get better," said Alston, who insists he isn't worried about playing time upon Harris' expected return next week.

"I don't know, that remains to be seen. It's hard to just take away an All-Star point guard's playing time. But whatever minutes are given, you just have to go out and try to make it work. That's the only thing you can do."

Despite starting 373 of his 376 appearances since 2004-05, Alston is saying all the right things.

"Rafer's been terrific," said coach Lawrence Frank. "His attitude's been great. He's a smart guy. If he's playing at a high level we got to find ways to get him on the court." "