In the 'Zzone

Nets Prez: Let the games begin

It's about 7 1/2 hours before tip off and the Nets' president is looking forward to seeing the mix of players he and GM Ed Stefanski assembled.

Rod Thorn always is excited about the start of another season, but this could be a big one. The core is back and healthy and the Nets addressed some needs by adding size, scoring, more experience, veteran leadership and athleticism.

And Jason Kidd calling this group, "the most talented team that I've been on," went over very well.

For Openers - same starting five

The opener is tomorrow and your starting five will be - drum roll - - the same five the Nets opened with the past two seasons. So that means Jason Collins is starting still.

We all expected that, and it could change at some point. But it was answered right away before anyone asked.

More on the trade and what's next

GM Ed Stefanski said that David Wesley will not reporting, so the Nets are going to waive him and will have two roster spots available after dealing Bernard Robinson and Mile Ilic and cash to the New Orleans Hornets.

What to do? What to do?

Saving Money: Nets deal Ilic, B-Rob

The Mile Ilic and Bernard Robinson errors, rather eras, are over.

The Nets found a team to take one guy who would have been on the end of the bench and another who would have been in the NBDL and gladly sent money with them to New Orleans for David Wesley today.

Magloire's Still Working Out

Today's practice was long over. Coach Lawrence Frank already did his session with us and even stuck around a little while longer to shoot the breeze as Jamaal Magloire worked on his shooting.

Frank left and I was sitting there with a couple of Nets' employees both named Matt - I won't put their last names because they want me to - and Magloire was still shooting.

Say this for the Nets' new big man - he works hard.

Captain Kidd is on board

As you already know, Jason Kidd called these Nets, ""the most talented team I've played on," which sets a good tone going into the season.

Kidd's mood usually dictates how the Nets do. Sometimes he goes back and forth on some things. You've seen him quoted about the last year's near deal with the Lakers and saying, "unfortunately," when talking about not being able to play with Kobe Bryant.

But for him to say this a few days before the season opener shows the Nets he's with them and shows his teammates the belief he has in them.

Philly rewind and contract stuff

Since you didn’t get to see last night’s 91-83 loss to Philly unless you were there here are some things you should know:

Vince Carter and Darrell Armstrong went to the bench for good with 3:33 left in the third and Richard Jefferson with 1:49 remaining in the quarter because Lawrence Frank wanted to rest them. His plan is to try and go regular rotation with Jason Kidd out there tonight against the Knicks.

No Nenad

Nenad Krstic won't be doing a back-to-back after all. He's fine. The Nets just wanted to hold him out.

Actually, Krstic said that coach Lawrence Frank didn't know. He thought Krstic was playing, too, which is why we told you he was earlier. But it was decided earlier today, after shootaround we think, that Krstic would rest and play tomorrow night against the Knicks. He's still set for the opener against the Bulls.

"Just take a precaution, limit the contact, guy coming back from a major injury," Frank said. "We thought it would be better to play one of the two instead of both games."

The Roster

The roster is just about set. No real surprises.

The Nets waived Eddie Gill Thursday morning, which was earlier than expected. It sounded as if they were prepared to keep him through the final two preseason games because of Darrell Armstrong's left foot injury. The Nets are not worried anymore that it will be anything chronic so Gill was cut.

Kidd practices

A familiar face was back on the Nets' practice court today, albeit unshaven on both face and head.

Jason Kidd practiced for the first time in 13 days and came out reporting no pain in his lower back and saying he may play in one of the last two preseason games. Provided there's no setback, he's playing in for the Oct. 31 season opener.