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 Bobby Simmons, one of many guys who feel they have something to prove this season, is the likely starter at small forward, replacing Richard Jefferson. Simmons won't compare but says while the two are totally different, he feels he is a "more complete" player than Jefferson. Simmons, who came from the Bucks with Yi Jianlian for Jefferson, said, "The way Bobby Simmons plays, it's more complete as far as a guy who can do a lot of things out on the floor. I've never seen Richard play power forward. I'm capable of playing that position."

--G Vince Carter has showed no limitations from the right ankle surgery he underwent. Carter has been a camp standout in the early going. Many point to him as the team's leader, and he is embracing the role.

"I'm ready to get on the court and lead this team and lead by example and verbally," Carter said. "It's going to be an interesting year, which I'm very excited for."

--F Sean Williams, by all accounts, has been the biggest surprise in the early going. And what he has done, simply, is do what he does best: defend, rebound, and block shots. To GM Kiki Vandeweghe, Williams is more a case of maximizing strengths instead of minimizing weaknesses.

"That's the thing, exactly," Vandeweghe said. "Focus on the things you do well and don't try to do too much. Sean has played very well. You want to put him in a position where defensively or offensively he can succeed."