It seemed like a good idea at the time. The Nets, facing a season with as many as nine new players since the end of the last campaign—with seven roster players having two years or less of experience—decided to have some voluntary workouts.

Maybe the idea was planted by the brass, but however it came about, a couple of veterans placed calls and players gathered in early to mid-September for two different sessions. After the Olympics, even Yi Jianlian joined the gathering.

And now with improved conditioning, with a little better sense of familiarity, with a far better sense of camaraderie, the Nets see the good idea as a great idea.

"I totally am encouraged because first of all, a lot of guys came in early. ...More