Yeah, and he lasted to No. 10.

That might have been a sore point on draft night with Lopez, who was projected as a top-five pick by some, and still might be when he sees his paycheck compared to some guys picked earlier. But he is in a terrific situation with the Nets, getting time and refining his game.

Yes, he caught a break when Josh Boone was injured. But he has taken advantage. In seven starts, Lopez has averaged 15.7 points and 9.0 rebounds, shooting .554 (46 of 83).

No way the Nets could have figured he would emerge this quickly. Defensively? Well, he's getting there. And as coach Lawrence Frank has said, Lopez is a perfectionist so he continually works on shortcomings.

It's coming. He's a rookie, remember? One step at a time and the first step is offensively, where he is becoming an animal. Lopez says he is one of those not surprised.

"Not really. I thought maybe it would take a bit longer, but I was very confident I could reach this level. And it's just beginning for me, hopefully," said Lopez.

He credits the superb penetrations of Vince Carter and Devin Harris for his early success.

"It just makes it easier for me," he said. "You have to respect guys like Vince and Devin and then what (everybody else) can do, just makes it that much easier for me and harder to opponents to pay so much attention to me.

"There are definitely post ups," he added. "They'll definitely get me the ball. And on the drive and kicks, they have to respect Devin and V.C. driving. That leads to a lob a game now, at least."

And when Lopez isn't using that 7-foot bulk inside, he can step out and show he range. He nailed a 21-footer in Sacramento, for example.

"Ever since he's started, he's really been very consistent," said Frank, whose 7-7 Nets play in Utah tomorrow. "We're going to keep on demanding more from Brook but when you look at it, he's been pretty dog-gone good."

And remember, he is a veteran of 14 NBA games. But he is has had an impact on the way the Nets do things.

"He's getting more confident and we're running plays for him. When you're a rookie and the coach is running plays for you early in the game, it makes you feel good about yourself," Carter said.

*

Harris did his best Vince Carter in Wednesday's overtime win. He got the Nets to overtime with 3-pointer at with 7.1 seconds left as the Nets rallied from six down with 34.7 seconds left (the Kings helped with some stupid play).

Harris made his last three shots after a 3-of-10 start. He knew he had to pick it up.

*

Carter insisted he is fine after not playing the final 2:18 of OT. "For sure," he said about tomorrow's game in Utah. Carter's problem was a cramp, after he got dehydrated playing 45 minutes.