The last time the Nets went on a West Coast trip, they tied the record for the most losses to start a season and fired their coach.

They left today for another Western swing that shouldn’t involve as much drama but could involve the same number of losses, depending on whether the Nets finally decide to play 48 minutes and not let a team’s runs completely deflate and ultimately defeat them.

In November, the Nets went 0-4 out West, losing by a total of 56 points to the Lakers, Nuggets, Blazers and Kings. This trip the four games are against the Clippers, Suns, Warriors and Jazz.

On paper, this trip is easier than the last one. Not only are the Nets healthy compared to the prior trip, but these four are also a combined nine games under .500 as of today, whereas the four in November are plus-33 as we speak.

Realistically, though, the record doesn’t matter. The Nets have lost two games to the eight-win Wolves, three games to the 14-win Pacers and two games to the 13-win Sixers.

It’s all the Nets’ approach, how they compete and the point in which they start to hang their heads and feel sorry for themselves. They're a mentally fragile team. Lately, it’s been the first half, but we’ve seen it happen in every quarter all year.

It’s a big trip for Devin Harris, coming off one of his better games of the season in Friday’s loss against Indiana. He faces Baron Davis, Steve Nash, Monta Ellis and Deron Williams.

“It’s great,” Harris said. “They bring the best out of me. I look forward it. It’s a challenge. I look forward to going against some of the better guards in the West.”

It’s got to start on the defensive end for Harris, but for the Nets overall. They gave up 71 and 72 points against Boston and Indiana in the first halves of the last two games. And in Phoenix and Golden State, the Nets face the top two scoring teams in the league.

Tomorrow at the Clippers

The Clips have owned the Nets in the Staples Center lately, winning six in a row.

The Clippers are a perplexing team because they have talent at all positions: Davis, Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Marcus Camby and Al Thornton. Camby is on the decline but he impacts the game with his defense and rebounding.

Which starting five would you rather have? And keep this in mind: the Clippers should have No. 1 pick Blake Griffin completely healthy next season. They have a good young nucleus if they ever could get things right in Los Angeles.

This is a tough game because of the Clippers’ talent and their record – out West – is not that bad. They’re five games below .500 and just 4 ½ out of the final playoff spot. They won’t make it, but they’re in the mix and have had impressive home victories against the Celtics, Lakers and Blazers in the last three weeks.

The Clippers’ last two games have been against the Lakers -– a 40-point loss -– and the Cavaliers -– a one-point defeat -– so they’re looking forward to seeing the Nets. One piece of advice to the Nets if the game comes down to a final play: guard Steve Novak.

Wednesday at Phoenix

The Suns have come back to Earth after their unexpected start. But if Harris and the Nets don’t come with the right defensive mindset, Nash and the high-powered Suns could end this game early.

This was one of the places last season when Harris put his All-Star-level play on display, helping the Nets to their first win in Phoenix in 15 games. The Nets really could use Harris to turn back the clock to last year in this building and on this trip.

Friday at Golden State

Neither team plays defense so the Nets have a shot. But the Warriors have better offensive players and have already handed the Nets a 16-point loss this season.

The Nets have to play a little better defense than Golden State because there’s no guarantee they will score. They had just 89 points in December -– the fewest allowed by the Warriors, have held just four opponents under 100 thus far.

Saturday at Utah

The finale of the trip comes in a place where the Nets have had some success. They have won two of their last three in Utah, but also had Vince Carter on the roster.

All trip enders are tough because you don’t know whether the players are going to be right mentally or tired from all the travel and just looking to go home. The Nets should never think that way because they’re young and still have many players who need to prove themselves.

They’re not just debuting for the Nets, but for other teams because very few players have stood out as keepers on this team.

Al Iannazzone covers the Nets for The Record (Bergen County, N.J.)