The Nets season ended in fitting fashion. At least they had a night out on South Beach. At times, they played like they had a night out on South Beach.

This was a game you thought the Nets would win, especially since the Heat were without Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem and Jermaine O’Neal. But how many times have the Nets not taken advantage of a team without some of its top players? Whatever the number is, add one now.

The Nets should have avoided their 70th defeat. But they were down 13 at the start of the fourth quarter as they played like there was some good times on Ocean Ave or Collins. But hen the Nets put up a fight and made it interesting.

They didn't lose until double overtime, 94-86, and the game wasn't decided until Yakhouba Diawara banked in a three. The last time the

The developmental year, as it had been called over and over by general manager/interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe, is seven games from being over and some development is needed still.

Some players did better than expected and others showed signs of improvement but then faded. In a lost season like this, all the players should have improved or least gotten the chance.

But this was a bizarre year in so many ways, and there were times young players weren’t getting the shot they should have. It was one of the many mistakes of this season.

Showed Improvement

Courtney Lee: Quietly, the second-year guard has had a solid season with his defense and shot-making ability. He can’t replace Vince Carter, but Lee’s work ethic and continually-improving play is a reason for optimism for

CHARLOTTE -- The Nets can’t play every game against the Bobcats, but if they can transfer what they do against Charlotte to their other contests there is no way they should own the NBA’s worst record ever.

Easier said than done.

But you see the confidence the Nets play with against Charlotte -- not just Tuesday night, but earlier this season -- and you just wonder why they can’t do it more often.

The Nets beat the Bobcats, 103-94, on Tuesday night in the first game after the All-Star break because they played a complete game. The Nets didn’t get rattled when Charlotte made runs and they didn’t let them make many runs because they made plays.

It is that simple, but with this team it’s not. Otherwise, they wouldn’t