The anti-Stephon Marbury sentiment simmering beneath the surface of the Nets since they traded him to Phoenix for Jason Kidd almost four months ago began bubbling Thursday.

Coach Byron Scott, addressing published remarks from Marbury critical of Scott's coaching and Keith Van Horn's play, took the bait that Kidd and Van Horn wouldn't, saying the Nets are better and happier with Kidd playing point guard than they were with Marbury.