EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) They have gone through a slump, injuries and illness. They have faced questions about their coach's future and witnessed a locker-room meltdown by Jason Kidd.

Not surprisingly, the New Jersey Nets have developed a dark sense of humor.

With back-to-back road games against Detroit and Indiana after Christmas, Kidd was asked about playing for Pistons coach Larry Brown during Olympic qualifying last summer.

Before he could say a word, Richard Jefferson offered the wisdom of his two-plus NBA seasons.

``Be careful what you say: He could be our coach in a couple of weeks,'' Jefferson said.

``OK,'' Kidd said with a smile. ``My adviser. Thank you. I appreciate that.''

The lightheartedness underscored how things have changed for the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions.

After a 7-11 start, the Nets (14-13) have won seven of nine and moved into first place in Atlantic Division.

``We're been playing much better basketball,'' guard Kerry Kittles said. ``But, hey, it's a long season.''

The rough times started with the release of center Dikembe Mutombo in training camp. There were injuries to Kidd (knee) and Kenyon Martin (ankle). Top reserve Lucious Harris (back) and Rodney Rogers (thumb) were knocked out of the lineup for weeks.

Martin made some cracks about Alonzo Mourning's kidney illness and the two nearly fought. Mourning, who was signed before the season, had to retire and received a transplanted kidney last week.

Then came the 47-point loss at Memphis and the locker-room spat that seemed to put Kidd and coach Byron Scott at serious odds. Scott already was under scrutiny for his coaching in the deciding game of the NBA Finals against San Antonio. But Scott survived and the Nets are beginning to look like the team of old.

``The last couple of weeks we've outrebounded teams, our turnovers are down and now we are starting to shoot the ball a little bit better,'' Kidd said.

The Nets also picked up their defense and are running again. In their seven wins, they held opponents to 39.8 percent shooting.

``The only thing that I think is holding us back now is injuries,'' Scott said. ``We've gotten back that mentality of being prepared, being aggressive and getting after guys.''

While Kidd and Rogers are feeling better, centers Jason Collins (knee) and Aaron Williams (groin), Harris (ankle) and Martin (ankle) are banged up entering this two-game road trip.

``We're just trying to get back on track,'' Kidd said. ``We're not trying to send a message. We know we are capable of playing with the best.''

Jefferson said the Nets will make their point in the playoffs, as they did a year ago in ripping off 10 straight wins.

``Come April, I am not going to remember whether we lost two or three games in a row,'' Jefferson said.

Scott likes the cockiness but worries about hitting the playoff switch. He would rather see more consistency now.

``Having a 10-game winning streak in the playoffs can be a curse,'' Scott said. ``Now you have guys who think we can mess around all regular season long and then when the playoffs start think we'll be ready.''

Kidd thinks the Nets will be ready, and knows he will be. Spending a few hours with Mourning on Sunday made sure of that.

``He shared some stuff about Lance Armstrong that was eye opening,'' Kidd said. ``Sometimes you need those types of experiences to help you regain the edge and not be complacent.''