--The Nets held "voluntary" workouts and received an overwhelming response with 14 of 15 players present, the lone exception being F Yi Jianlian, who was in Beijing for the Olympics.
"This is already an exciting time of year because nobody really knows what to expect -- especially when you're predicted so low as us," said G Keyon Dooling. "It kind of gives us some extra motivation to be here." Guards Vince Carter and Devin Harris did a lot of the organizing work calling teammates for the sessions. And the players saw the workouts as a sound investment.
"You've got to learn how to play together. That's why I say (it's good) guys are here early. It means a lot, because in the long run, we'll benefit," said G/F Bobby Simmons.
Carter who underwent arthroscopic right ankle surgery at the start of the summer has maintained the ankle is fine. And after watching him workout, teammates agree.
"That's half-man, half amazing. So even on a bad day, he looks pretty good to me," said Dooling.
"When we were playing 3-on-3 down there, I saw him do a 360 during one of the games, so he's doing Vince things at this point," said F/C Josh Boone. "Shooting left-handed three-pointers, making them. I hate that so much. It's so annoying."
--One other minor injury note concerned Boone, who suffered a slightly hyperextended right elbow during a big man camp in Las Vegas, a setback that forced him home after just one day. But Boone, whose first two training camps were lost or hampered to shoulder (2006) and knee (2007) surgery rehabs, insisted all was fine.
"This is very minor," he said.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Every time I see him it just reaffirms the fact that I've never seen anyone more talented on the basketball court." -- F/C Josh Boone, discussing teammate Vince Carter, who worked out at the Nets' facility this summer after undergoing arthroscopic ankle surgery after the season.
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