Jerry Stackhouse still had some basketball to play.

The Hawks may not have seen it last season but Stackhouse is making the most of his chance with the Nets this season.

Stackhouse has appeared in 24 of the Nets’ 39 games this season and is averaging 5.2 points and 15.3 minutes. He has had four double-digit scoring games already, including a high game of 17 points. Last season with the Hawks, he appeared in 3.0 games and averaged 3.6 points in 9.1 minutes. He had a high-game total of 11 points

“I don’t know that I was really looked at to come in and get a shot, in fairness to them,” Stackhouse told the AJC before Wednesday’s game. “I think it was kind of a surprise that I even came to camp last year but in the back of mind I would like to have had the scenario last year that I had this year, to come in and still play and find your way into the rotation. It just didn’t happen. The few minutes I did get, I tried to make the most of them.

“I look at it as I served a purpose. I thought I came in and helped the locker room, helped in some different areas other than the court – that up until today I had made some strides (a reference to the fact that Josh Smith was suspended for Wednesday’s game). Here it’s been great. I’ve had a chance to get out and play. At the end of a career it’s great to still be on the team but to be able to still contribute, that’s the fun part.”

Stackhouse would obviously like to become a coach once the playing days are over, even as the 38-year old plays his 17^th season.

“It was (frustrating last season in Atlanta) but that’s part of being a pro,” Stackhouse said. “I felt like I took something from last year. In my mind I never considered myself a 15^th man ever on a team. I think last year, in their mind, I was. That is just an experience that I will be able to take in my next phase of coaching. I think I can relate to every player, one through 15. I can relate to the star guy. I can relate to the guy having a changed and adjusted role. I can even relate to the 15^th guy. I think that is a positive. Everything happens for a reason. My purpose was what is was and now I’m trying to fulfill a purpose with this team and hopefully do something special.”

Stackhouse played four minutes Wednesday and was 0-for-1 from the floor with one rebound.

Note

* The Hawks at Celtics game on March 8 has been picked up by ESPN and the game time changed to 8 p.m.