Rod Thorn knows all about the theory that with three great - and greatly paid - players, NBA contention should be a given. The Nets president is bringing back Vince Carter because along with Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, New Jersey has the star power, if not the depth. Thorn had looked into dealing for Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal - a prospect that could always resurface now that the Pacers center is talking wistfully about other locales. But Thorn also admits that his team’s “Big Three” status just hasn’t been the same since Kenyon Martin was allowed to leave. Three great perimeter players is one thing. Two great perimeter players plus a great big man makes an enormous difference. We’ve never been able to replace Kenyon,” said Thorn. “He gave us defensive ability and running-the-court-toughness. We’re still searching for that type of player.” Not even O’Neal, a better offensive player than Martin but hardly a tough defensive presence, could bring that edge back to the Nets. Kevin Garnett, on the other hand, is another story. Much has been made of how the Celtics [team stats], despite their dramatic trades for Garnett and Ray Allen, don’t have enough to make the power of their new Big Three stand muster. But Thorn sees that winning blend at play now in Boston - two great wing players in Paul Pierce [stats] and Allen, balanced out by one of the best big men in basketball. "That’s three pretty daggone good ones,” said Thorn. “Garnett is one of the best, Ray Allen is one of the best offensive players in the league, and Paul is one of the all-around best. "I think that combination is going to work very well,” he said. “They’ll fill in some holes around those guys, but from where I’m sitting Garnett makes up for a lot. He’s going to block shots, rebound, and there won’t be as much pressure on him to score. That will help him to focus on helping their defense even more. He’ll make everyone’s job easier.” Scot Pollard, one of the players signed to fill in some of those holes, has plenty of perspective on the issue. He backed up Vlade Divac and Chris Webber in Sacramento on two particularly great teams, O’Neal in Indiana and played a reserve role in Cleveland’s improbable run into the NBA Finals last June. "I know people think I’m crazy for saying it, but I thought (the Cavaliers) were much better than people gave us the credit for,” said Pollard. “We beat Detroit, and we should have beat (San Antonio).” The point, he said, is that in this day and age, a Big Three can go especially far. "My opinion is that you need two strong shooters - a shooting guard and a small forward - and then a center or a (power forward),” said Pollard. “ Then you have role players. So we have a 2, a 3 and a 4, but our 4 can also play a 5 or a 3. I think that makes a big difference. After that, you need role players who can come in and hurt you, and that’s what we have. And if any of the guys here are thinking selfish things, they’ ll learn quick. The first rule is that you get the ball in the hands of (Garnett, Pierce and Allen). One or the other is going to be open. The opportunities are going to be there.” Not Green with envy Just because he struggled through a rough summer league doesn’t mean Gerald Green was guilty of slacking. Far from it. The former Celtics [team stats] guard, part of the package sent to Minnesota for Garnett, may have actually been guilty of over-training, according to his father. In addition to Green’s usual workouts in his hometown of Houston with John Lucas, he also trained with two other fitness gurus, including one who trains Tracy McGrady, in an attempt to get ready for the games in Vegas. The result was a shooting disaster. "He was trying to build strength in his legs - that’s what he really focused on - and that threw off his shooting once he started playing,” said Green’s father, Gerald Sr. By the way, there are no hard feelings over the trade from this close-knit family. "Tell the Boston fans that we appreciate them, we love them, and we think they’re the best fans in the world,” said Gerald Sr., a retired Houston firefighter. “And we tip our hats to Danny (Ainge) and Doc (Rivers). We respect what they’ve done, and what they had to do. "If I was in that position, I’d trade for Kevin Garnett myself. I hope banner No. 17 is on the way for them. But right now Gerald has an opportunity, he has a pulse, and as long as you have a pulse, you can go on.” House favorite It’s early, but at least one person believes he can pick the new fan favorite at TD Banknorth Garden this winter - someone who isn’t a member of the Big Bucks Three, anyway. "The fans are going to love Eddie House,” said Mark Bartlestein, who is, naturally, the 6-foot-1 guard’s agent. “He’s a high-energy guy, explosive, and he has the kind of game that people will absolutely love. This is going to be a great situation for him.” Thorn, who because of budget restrictions was unable to bring House back to the swamps of Jersey for a second season, agrees that House will give the Celtics a potent reserve scorer. "I think he fits in great for what they need,” he said. “Eddie did a terrific job for us. He’s a great shooter with tremendous energy. He showed that with us, and he also showed that when he was with Phoenix the year before.” Just don’t expect House to satisfy the Celtics’ need for a backup to point guard Rajon Rondo [stats]. "He’s not really a point,” said Thorn. “But he can sure make shots in a hurry. I can’t say enough good things about Eddie.” One area to keep an eye on, however, may be House’s health. He missed time last season to knee trouble, and then missed the playoffs after getting flagrantly fouled by Indiana’s David Harrison. House suffered a tear in his hip. A Brown out The Celtics [team stats], by giving $1.5 million of their $5.36 million mid-level exception to House, probably fell out of range for free agent power forward P.J. Brown, who as of last week was being courted especially hard by Dallas. The former Bull, whose children attend school in Louisiana, has left the impression with several teams that he is seeking the full mid-level from his next employer. "There’s several things going on regarding P.J.,” said Bartlestein, his agent. “The Celtics are a little limited right now in what they can do. But I think he would like to stay close to his kids.” . . . O’Neil’s latest comments about wanting to be traded - and the Indiana center has done his share of damage control attempting to clear the perception that he does indeed want to leave - sound like evidence of learned behavior. All of his points - the desire not to continue with a rebuilding team, the need to join another established star a la Kobe Bryant - were made by Garnett roughly a week earlier. Like Garnett, O’Neil is set to earn $20 million next season, with two more to follow. Unlike Garnett, O’Neil’s game may not be in enough demand that the Pacers can move that kind of contract. --

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