
DRAFT PICKS:
Brook Lopez, C, 7-0 Stanford -- A gift at No. 10. The Nets projected him going much higher. The best center in the draft, he is a scorer who can shoot with range and establish an inside presence. Will bring toughness but his defense is not a strong point and he was foul prone in summer league play. Ryan Anderson, F, 6-10, California -- Lopez said Anderson possessed the best stroke in the Pac-10. Nets need him to stretch defense and be the recipient of kickouts from Devin Harris and Vince Carter. Needs to get better at creating his own shot. Could surprise as a rebounder.
Chris Douglas-Roberts, G/F, 6-7, Memphis -- Could be a real steal at 40. Not flashy but a player. Not a great shooter, but a scorer. "Deceptive," was how Nets GM Kiki Vandeweghe labeled him. With the departure of Jefferson, Nets needed wing help.
PLAYER NOTES:
--F/C Josh Boone became a rotation regular last season. But in the off-season, the Nets brought in a slew of players who ostensibly seek his job. Boone said he's ready to protect his turf.
"Everyone wants to keep his spot. I'm going to do whatever I can to keep my spot. This is a business. Rod (team president Thorn) wants to win just as much as we do, and he's doing what he thinks he needs to," said Boone who hopes one way to find job security is to extend range on his shot. "Hopefully, it's 15 (feet)."
--F Eduardo Najera has seen the Nets' rookies and he likes all three. But one really stands out to Najera: Brook Lopez.
"Brook has really impressed me. He's definitely a better shooter than I thought. He has a great touch around the rim, and as young as he is, 20, he actually knows how to play the game.
"In the pickup games, he's gotten the ball in the post and has made some pretty good moves," said Najera, noting one obvious drawback. "He has to get more physical inside. Early in training camp, I'm going to go at him hard. Toughness is something you develop."
--G Keyon Dooling was brought in to back up both guard spots, an important job in the Nets' new planned dribble-drive offense. But Dooling hopes he furthers his reputation in New Jersey as a defender.
"I don't get a lot of steals or blocks or anything, but ask my opponents if they like playing against me," Dooling said, stressing his love of pressure, on-ball defense. "You can get a feel for it. I try to make every inch tough... Good ball pressure just has a way of picking up the whole team."
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