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<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Finishing 11 wins shy of the NBA title after a second-round, one-point loss to eventual champion Miami didn't make the Nets blow up their roster. They kept the core together and got younger.
Sporting perhaps the best starting five in the East with Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, Nenad Krstic and Jason Collins, the Nets will open training camp Tuesday with big dreams. At Monday's media day they will say winning a fifth Atlantic Division title in six years is one of them, but returning to the Finals is the main goal.
With the five starters and top reserve Cliff Robinson back from last season's 49-win team, the Nets like their chances. But they know they need better bench play this time.
That bench will consist of four rookies for the first time since 2001-02, the first time the Nets reached the NBA Finals. They hope this mix of familiarity, experience and youthful exuberance and energy can help turn back the clock about five years.
"We're unique in the sense that we're blessed with three high, high-level players," coach Lawrence Frank said. "You can't have everything, but I think we have enough to get where we want to go."
But time is ticking.
Kidd turns 34 this season. Robinson will be 40 in December. And Carter can opt out of his contract July 1 and become a free agent. The Nets have until June 30 to extend his contract.
But Carter's reported separation from his wife could affect where he wants to play.
The Nets are not worried about Carter's decisions affecting his play. But this could be this particular group's last chance to make a championship run.
"I think definitely with where Jason is in his career and Vince in the middle of [his prime], there's always urgency," Nets president Rod Thorn said. "[But] I don't feel any differently about it than I did, say this time last year."
Krstic's development may the biggest reason the Nets are optimistic.
They think the third-year center is an All-Star in the making, one who could have a breakout year because of his low-keyed summer.
Krstic comes into camp rested and stronger. He got a needed break when he decided not to play for Serbia in the World Championships.
Still, the subs could determine how far the Nets go.
They will look to Robinson, new shooter/scorer Eddie House, big man Mikki Moore and let second-year player Antoine Wright, and Bostjan Nachbar, who are coming off impressive summers, battle for the backup swingman role.
Little is expected early from rookies Josh Boone, whose shoulder surgery will keep him out until at least December, and Mile Ilic. Hassan Adams, another first-year player, is returning from a broken foot.
But in playmaking rookie Marcus Williams, the Nets hope they've finally found Kidd's full-time backup.
"I think our starting team looks as strong, if not stronger, than last year," Thorn said. "We're hopeful that we'll get good play from our bench this year. If we do, we could be a very strong team."
The Nets would like to add a veteran point guard. They could guarantee the contract of Plainfield's Jay Williams. First, they must buy out or trade Jeff McInnis, who has drawn interest from the Heat. </div>
Source
Sporting perhaps the best starting five in the East with Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, Nenad Krstic and Jason Collins, the Nets will open training camp Tuesday with big dreams. At Monday's media day they will say winning a fifth Atlantic Division title in six years is one of them, but returning to the Finals is the main goal.
With the five starters and top reserve Cliff Robinson back from last season's 49-win team, the Nets like their chances. But they know they need better bench play this time.
That bench will consist of four rookies for the first time since 2001-02, the first time the Nets reached the NBA Finals. They hope this mix of familiarity, experience and youthful exuberance and energy can help turn back the clock about five years.
"We're unique in the sense that we're blessed with three high, high-level players," coach Lawrence Frank said. "You can't have everything, but I think we have enough to get where we want to go."
But time is ticking.
Kidd turns 34 this season. Robinson will be 40 in December. And Carter can opt out of his contract July 1 and become a free agent. The Nets have until June 30 to extend his contract.
But Carter's reported separation from his wife could affect where he wants to play.
The Nets are not worried about Carter's decisions affecting his play. But this could be this particular group's last chance to make a championship run.
"I think definitely with where Jason is in his career and Vince in the middle of [his prime], there's always urgency," Nets president Rod Thorn said. "[But] I don't feel any differently about it than I did, say this time last year."
Krstic's development may the biggest reason the Nets are optimistic.
They think the third-year center is an All-Star in the making, one who could have a breakout year because of his low-keyed summer.
Krstic comes into camp rested and stronger. He got a needed break when he decided not to play for Serbia in the World Championships.
Still, the subs could determine how far the Nets go.
They will look to Robinson, new shooter/scorer Eddie House, big man Mikki Moore and let second-year player Antoine Wright, and Bostjan Nachbar, who are coming off impressive summers, battle for the backup swingman role.
Little is expected early from rookies Josh Boone, whose shoulder surgery will keep him out until at least December, and Mile Ilic. Hassan Adams, another first-year player, is returning from a broken foot.
But in playmaking rookie Marcus Williams, the Nets hope they've finally found Kidd's full-time backup.
"I think our starting team looks as strong, if not stronger, than last year," Thorn said. "We're hopeful that we'll get good play from our bench this year. If we do, we could be a very strong team."
The Nets would like to add a veteran point guard. They could guarantee the contract of Plainfield's Jay Williams. First, they must buy out or trade Jeff McInnis, who has drawn interest from the Heat. </div>
Source
