--Coach Lawrence Frank, bombarded constantly by questions about the Nets' historic losing streak, has stayed even keel throughout, even managing to maintain his sense of humor in the most trying of circumstances. Despite all the losing, he maintains his admiration for how hard his team has played, with a few exceptions here and there. And he goes about preparing as if his team were riding a lengthy win streak. "Your preparation is the same and it's just a different type of challenge that you're dealing with. When you're 0-15, you don't ignore it," Frank said. "You focus on the present but at the same time it's just a different test, a different type of test. You have to embrace the challenge and there are certain things that we have to do in order to win games and that's what we focus on.
"There's no doubt that it wears on you but we're trying to focus on just today. Don't let the past determine your future. Just think that today matters."
--It was only a matter of time before Devin Harris returned to the starting lineup. The All-Star guard made his return to the first unit Friday in Sacramento, after coming off the bench for three games. And while Harris' timing and conditioning still are lagging, fill-in starter Rafer Alston went to coach Lawrence Frank and stressed the need to make the move.
"I thought it would be better for Devin to get back in the starting lineup, maybe get him back into a rhythm," Alston said. "I know what it's like when you've been a starter for a long stretch and then all of a sudden you're coming off the bench. It's hard to regain your rhythm. I just took it upon myself to go to Coach."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Nobody wants to accept losing. Ever. We have guys who really hate it with a passion." -- Guard Devin Harris, on the Nets' continued hard play in their search for their first win.
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