boutons
10-04-2005, 04:39 PM
October 4, 2005
This Year, Nets Show New Mood
By JOHN ELIGON
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Oct. 3 - Smiles abounded at the Nets' practice facility Monday as the players posed for pictures as part of media day. But the most important catalyst for the prevailing good mood seemed to be stability.
With a healthy Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter to start the season, the Nets were suddenly dreaming big as they started training camp Tuesday.
"I think we're slightly more upbeat this year," Coach Lawrence Frank said. "Last year, the apocalypse seemed to have come upon us."
Last year, the Nets entered training camp after a tumultuous off-season. Under new ownership, they had lost Kenyon Martin, a key part of the team, in a sign-and-trade deal. Kerry Kittles and Rodney Rogers had also departed, and the Nets had received little in return.
The future of Kidd, their star point guard, was in question not only because he was coming off an injury, but also because he had voiced displeasure about the team's off-season moves and questioned if the Nets were the right team for him.
To make matters worse, fans were disgruntled over talk of the team's pending move to Brooklyn.
"Last year was tough," Rod Thorn, the Nets' president, said. "Even if Jason stayed, he wasn't going to play for a month or so. We were looking at a not real talented team, and we were going to have a tough time."
The Nets did not have a perfect off-season this year. A deal to acquire forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim from Portland fell through after he failed a physical. Abdur-Rahim would have given the Nets the frontline presence they had sought in the off-season.
Instead, they acquired Marc Jackson, a 6-foot-10 low-post threat, in a trade with Philadelphia. The Nets say they hope he will provide some much-needed defense and rebounding.
Perhaps the biggest summer acquisition was Jeff McInnis, who could provide Kidd, 32, with some rest.
"We feel very talented," Kidd said. "The key for us will be our depth, being able to be fresh."
* Copyright 2005 The New York Times Company
This Year, Nets Show New Mood
By JOHN ELIGON
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Oct. 3 - Smiles abounded at the Nets' practice facility Monday as the players posed for pictures as part of media day. But the most important catalyst for the prevailing good mood seemed to be stability.
With a healthy Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter to start the season, the Nets were suddenly dreaming big as they started training camp Tuesday.
"I think we're slightly more upbeat this year," Coach Lawrence Frank said. "Last year, the apocalypse seemed to have come upon us."
Last year, the Nets entered training camp after a tumultuous off-season. Under new ownership, they had lost Kenyon Martin, a key part of the team, in a sign-and-trade deal. Kerry Kittles and Rodney Rogers had also departed, and the Nets had received little in return.
The future of Kidd, their star point guard, was in question not only because he was coming off an injury, but also because he had voiced displeasure about the team's off-season moves and questioned if the Nets were the right team for him.
To make matters worse, fans were disgruntled over talk of the team's pending move to Brooklyn.
"Last year was tough," Rod Thorn, the Nets' president, said. "Even if Jason stayed, he wasn't going to play for a month or so. We were looking at a not real talented team, and we were going to have a tough time."
The Nets did not have a perfect off-season this year. A deal to acquire forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim from Portland fell through after he failed a physical. Abdur-Rahim would have given the Nets the frontline presence they had sought in the off-season.
Instead, they acquired Marc Jackson, a 6-foot-10 low-post threat, in a trade with Philadelphia. The Nets say they hope he will provide some much-needed defense and rebounding.
Perhaps the biggest summer acquisition was Jeff McInnis, who could provide Kidd, 32, with some rest.
"We feel very talented," Kidd said. "The key for us will be our depth, being able to be fresh."
* Copyright 2005 The New York Times Company