In the 'Zzone

Rafer Likes It Here

Rafer Alston acted totally different than Courtney Lee did yesterday when he met the local media for the first time. Lee, you could tell, wasn't happy about being a Net. Rafer seemed downright giddy when we met with him today.

No joke. He ue. He was born in Queens, but he always wanted to play close to home. The Magic gave him the chance.

"I’m excited not only to be with the Nets but to be able to play in front of family and friends, and also the opportunity to help a franchise turn things around," Alston said.

Looking For Help

Everything we hear is the Nets aren't going to do that much in free agency, that they're going to wait things out. It's an understandable approach, given the economy and their financial situation.

But I don't believe the Nets are going to sit back and do nothing, that this, aside from a minor tweak, is their final roster.

Rod Thorn wants to be competitive so he's going to try and add pieces and if something big comes along he will do it. Like many of you, the Vince Carter trade looks like a salary dump. If it was, maybe the Nets would have done something with the Cavaliers or the Spurs when they wouldn't have gotten a young player back.

New Net Lee Caught Off Guard, Still Coping With Change

The smiles seemed a little forced, understandably.

Courtney Lee and Tony Battie went from playing with Dwight Howard, playing for a championship, living in sunny Orlando to playing for a team that is rebuilding, hasn't seen the playoffs in two years and in an area that seems like it hasn't seen an entirely sunny day in weeks.

All of that said, the two new Nets - Rafer Alston was unavailable because he was sick - tried very hard to put a positive spin on being with the Nets. But you could tell Lee, especially, would rather have stayed where he was.

Lopez Looks Forward

Sneakers were squeaking inside the Nets' practice facility this morning, but it wasn't those of any draft hopefuls as has been the case the last few weeks. It was a couple of players who seem to be very important to the future of the team - one for sure.

Brook Lopez, Yi Jianlian and Sean Williams worked out together today. It was the first time we got a chance to talk to Lopez after he lost his best friend on the Nets (Ryan Anderson) and perhaps his most influential teammate (Vince Carter).

First things first, how did Yi look?

The Future

Unless the Nets make another blockbuster - and they have the pieces - next season is going to be about developing the young guys.

Sound familiar? That was the plan this past season. They went away from it a little because of the Nets' fast start, but coach Lawrence Frank did have many of his players perform better than expected.

Encore time.

Carter Deal: Nets' Gains and Losses

You have to be happy for Vince Carter.

The guy, who really was one of the most low-maintenance and friendliest superstars I have ever covered, is going home and playing for a chance to win a championship.

I know all the Carter bashers, those who say you can never win with this guy, are saying the Magic won't return to the Finals now. Let's wait and see. I think, from covering him all these years, he's going to make Dwight Howard better and Carter is going to thrive on the attention that Superman gets.

Nets Take Williams

The Nets used the No. 11 pick in tonight's draft on Louisville swingman Terrence Williams.

The Nets like versatile players and Williams' fits that characteristic. He play both guard positions and small forward and can defend, which is something the Nets need.

Earlier in the day, the Nets traded shooting guard Vince Carter so they need someone who can play multiple positions. Williams isn't nearly the shooter or scorer Carter is, but since the Nets play small a lot he can fit in at any spot.

Williams patterned his game after Magic Johnson, so he thinks pass first.

The Nets also considered Gerald Henderson, Tyler Hansbrough and Jrue Holiday.

Carter Going Home

The Nets are sending Vince Carter home.

The Nets traded Carter, who lives in Orlando, and Ryan Anderson to the Magic for Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie and two trade exceptions.

Looking for Versatility and a Surprise

Rod Thorn thinks there could be a repeat of last season. He probably hopes so, too.

The Nets thought it was possible but unlikely that Brook Lopez would fall to them when he was projected to go as high as three or four.

Now with the flurry of trade activity yesterday, Thorn thinks it's possible a player could drop into their laps that they weren't expecting to be there.

The Finale

The mega-workout hyped by many of us, including yours truly, wasn't that big after all.

There was quality talent in the Nets' gym for the final pre-draft workout. Tyler Hansbrough impressed with his athleticism and sweated more than anyone. Gerald Henderson was here for his second workout. Brandon Jennings showed off his speed.

But Terrence Williams backed out of his second Nets' workout at the last minute due to a - cough! - sprained ankle and Jonny Flynn didn't showcase his skills.