Just how bad is pro basketball in the metro area? It was bad enough that the Nets lost to the Knicks a few nights ago but they couldn’t even beat a depleted Kings squad who had just one road win on the season.

Even without leading scorer Kevin Martin (out 4-6 weeks with groin injury) and Mike Bibby (thumb injury), Reggie Theus’ club came into a dead environment at the Izod Center (what kind of a freaking joke of a name is that) and defeated the struggling Nets 106-101 Tuesday night.

John Salmons’ career high 31 and seven assists paced the Kings as four players finished with 20-or-more. They also managed 23 assists spreading things out in a game which featured little defense as the Nets actually had four more assists if you can believe that.

Now just picture an angry Knicks fan (maybe me, kidding here) yelling at the top of their lungs wondering how the hell other teams can move the ball and wind up with that many assists.  

The Nets shot well enough (over 50 percent) but were done in by turnovers (20) and their opponents’ three-point shooting where Sacramento connected on 13 of 21 from beyond the arc while Lawrence Frank’s club made just four of 15.

You combine those two stats and there’s your difference in the latest depressing Nets home defeat where they’re now 5-10. Putting things in perspective, the Knicks are 6-8 at MSG.

The Kings also made the most of their chances at the charity stripe going 23 of 28 while New Jersey was 19 for 26. Ah. Another one of those lost simple fundamentals which usually comes in handy down in crunch time when the game’s on the line.

So despite shooting over 50 percent from the field, outrebounding the Kings 45-31 and finishing with four more assists for an impressive total of 27, the Nets once again came up on the short end before an announced paid crowd of 11,902. I want to know if they actually count the people who show up cause there were so many sections empty that it looked more like seven or eight at best.

So, who else did in the Nets? Bronx product Francisco Garcia knocked down five treys including a backbreaker which put them down 103-99 with 15 seconds left. The ex-Louisville star finished with 24 points on six-of-12 shooting and drained all seven free throws.

Former LaSalle and St. John’s star Ron Artest chipped in with 20, four boards, three assists and two blocks. Reliable veteran center Brad Miller added a double double (23 and 10) including some late free throws where he missed just once in eight attempts.

It was enough to spoil a 36-point nine rebound performance from leading scorer Richard Jefferson. Jason Kidd narrowly missed another triple double falling an assist shy with 11 points, 10 rebounds and nine dishes.

Meanwhile, Vince Carter had only 15 taking just 12 shots. Nice $68.5 million investment!There were a couple of instances where he passed up wide open looks including one where he was setup by J-Kidd from 15 and another on the right side of the arc but opted to overpass turning it over. That was the problem for the Nets on this night, especially late. Way too much passing. Sometimes, that can be bad. I’ve witnessed it at games I score. If you’re open and have a decent look, take it. Especially if you can shoot.

In his first NBA start, rookie Sean Williams didn’t disappoint finishing with eight blocked shots along with 11 points and seven boards in over 42 minutes. The former BC standout who sat out last year is looking more and more like a steal for the Nets. If he continues to develop especially on offense, watch out.

At the very least, now the Nets have a shot blocker who can alter shots and be an intimidator. They haven’t had that since the last time Kenyon Martin was relevant.

The Nets next visit Miami who just flat out suck. If they can’t win that, maybe they should just pack up.

So now they’re 10-15 while the Knicks are 7-17. That’s a combined 17-32 for those keeping track.

On that note, good night.