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?

"Yi's been playing a lot stronger," Lopez said. "Looks like he's polished up a lot of stuff. He still looks like he's going well, even though he's playing basically year round. So he doesn't look too winded or anything like that. He looks like he's in pretty good shape."

What exactly did he polish up?

"A lot of his post moves, honestly," Lopez said. "He did a lot of one-on-one in the post. He was making some great moves, kind of caught me by surprise. And of course he's got his jumper."

Maybe the extra work is paying off for Yi, but none of us will know until the regular season - if he's still here.

Rod Thorn said the other day that Yi is the Nets' power forward. Right now he is, but there could be trades this summer that changes that.

***

Lopez used the word "difficult" a few times to describe what it's going to be like to not have Carter and Anderson as well as what it's going to be like to get easy shots without Carter there to make the pass or take the attention away from him. But Lopez is looking forward to the challenge of doing more.

"I have confidence in myself," he said.

Lopez spoke to Anderson after it happened and said he was shaken up. Lopez, who loves Walt Disney, tried to put a positive spin on it, though.

"He just said it was a shock to him," Lopez said. "He's kind of shaken by the whole thing. I was telling him I'm kind of jealous of him though. He's going to be done by Disney now. He can go whenever he wants."

This doesn't mean he wants to be traded to the Magic. Lopez likes the idea of being more of the face of the franchise and having a bigger role on offense.

***

This is how Lopez found out about the trade. He got a text from someone with the Nets.

"They said: 'How you doin, Brook?' - with a sad face. We thought Robin might have got traded or something. We heard Oklahoma City was really interested in him. I was like, 'What happened to Robin?' He's like, 'No, Ryan.' He didn't even mention Vince. So I called him immediately and it was like Vince whatever.

***

Lopez is here for his basketball camp at Hoop Heaven in Whippany. It began today and runs through Friday.

The Nets will be leaving later this week for summer league in Orlando. (They're sharing a team with the Sixers). There will be a jersey there for Lopez, but it's no guarantee he's playing. The Nets will have No. 1 pick Terrence Williams and Chris Douglas-Roberts on their roster.

Here is the Roster for the Nets/Sixers:

AJ Abrams, G, Texas

Jeff Adrien  F Connecticut

Blake Ahearn  G Missouri State/Dakota Wizards

Dionte Christmas G  Temple

Chris Douglas-Roberts G/F Memphis/Nets

Jason Ellis  F  Boise State/Idaho Stampede

Gary Forbes  F 6-7 220 UMASS/Tulsa 66ers 

Jrue Holiday   G UCLA    

Chris Johnson   C  LSU  

Rob Kurz  F Notre Dame/Golden State  

Marreese Speights F Florida/Philadelphia  

Terrence Williams G/F  Louisville   

***

As expected the Nets picked up $2.06 million option for Jarvis Hayes for 2009-10.
 

Comments

[hugh]

yi is a loser. his moves are SO mechanical.he will never be a real ballplayer.his attitude is timid and it shows on the court.
in summary,his intangibles add up to zero.it will be a long year if thorn believes that yi is the power forward.yi is probably one of the worst draft choices in history. the bucs lucked out by having the nets take him off the bucs roster.now the nets need to find another sucker-i sincerely doubt there is one out there.

[Winston]

Brook Lopez is the true hope of this franchise. I believe he can be a GREAT PLAYER, especially on the defensive side of the ball. We have a potential franchise center to build around - let's hope they surround him with the right players. I'm not sure Harris is one of them

[hugh]

i agree with winston.the jury is out on harris both from a durability standpt.as well as whether he can run a team and make his teammates better aka jason kidd

[jab]

harris won't have to run the team. williams will be running the team within 8 months. his passing skills are second only to kebron for someone his size. louisville was at its best when he had the ball going to the hole. disregard the negatives you have heard about him. his shot will arrive in the pros. he can defend 4 positions. his hops are world class. check this out--http://nbaroundtable.wordpress.com/2009/06/20/terrence-williams/

[jab]

Lebron*

[jab]

the nets will have two players, harris and williams, who can get to the hole at will. there are only a handful of players in the nba that can do that. the nets will be fine. give these young guys a little time. enjoy them.

[timmy]

@hugh

if a joke like yourself think you are so good, why don't you go play for the nba.

[Mike G.]

The Nets should make up their minds which way they are going. Either rebuild and play the young players and lose alot of games and get a high lottery pick or try to win now. I don't believe you can do both. If the Nets played their young players mistakes and all (Including Yi) they might of lost more games but they would have had a better lotto pick and might of been able to draft the PF they need. They lucked out in 2008 getting Lopez with the 10 pick. I think they might of gotten really lucky this year with T. Williams at 11. You can't rely on luck every year. Play the young players and take your lumps now. The NBA rewards losing big. The fans will understand. As for Carter (a class act) he was not the answer. With Vince the Nets would win more games this year but at the expense of less playing time for the youngsters and a worse Lotto pick in nexts years draft. Winning 36 games this year by playing veterans at crunch time to steal a few games is not the answer. Play Yi, CDR, etc. until you are sure they are keepers or not. I wouldn't mind watching the young players develop, finishing 20-62 and getting a top 3 draft pick next year. Remember we can't count on getting Lebron, Wade, Bosch etc. Lets go Nets!!!