Silk whipped Brillo last night at the Meadowlands. The pat on the back defeated the perpetual scowl. Jason Kidd set the tempo, while Stephon Marbury merely set the stage.

Kidd's 13-assist, nine-rebound performance was enough to overshadow Marbury's return, to provide further evidence that Rod Thorn has done wonderful things since coming to New Jersey. But the Nets' 106-87 victory over Phoenix should be taken in the spirit it was earned ? as another example of Kidd's mature court magic, not as a bad mark against Marbury, a superb point guard still learning his trade before a skeptical public.