--The Nets staged additional voluntary workouts in September and received an enthusiastic turnout with all roster players in attendance except Eduardo Najera, who was conducting a clinic in his native Mexico, and Stromile Swift, who was aiding hurricane relief efforts in his home state of Louisiana. Coach Lawrence Frank labeled the attendance "great" for the conditioning, drill sessions that did not have formal coaching instruction.
"You like to see that, to have 17 guys in the gym is good (in) September," Frank said. "In the drills, it seems like they're working hard. It's the first step for those guys. The focus is on conditioning, camaraderie and their skill development. That's what September is about." With so many new faces on the roster, additional camp invitees should be at a minimum but three guys are in line for camp invitations, including two who did the September workouts: Julius Hodge and Brian Hamilton. Also, veteran Eddie Gill, who has had two stints with the Nets, figures to be in camp vying for the third point guard job.
Hodge was drafted 20th in 2005 by Denver's then-GM Kiki Vandeweghe, now with the Nets. He was victimized in a highway shooting in April 2006 and has fought to regain his form ever since. Hamilton, 6-6, undrafted in 2005 out of Louisiana-Lafayette, has played in the USBL and NBDL, then impressed the Nets in summer league.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's so early, but I'm excited. From a personal standpoint, very, very excited about the group we have. With the combination of talent, character, work ethic, enthusiasm, competitiveness, I think we're going to have the right mix to do some very good things." -- Coach Lawrence Frank on the Nets, who underwent a major makeover in the offseason.
