The Nets play the defending champion Heat twice in their first four games, match-ups that could give each team an idea where they stack up in the Eastern Conference.
But with the regular season just two days away – the Nets open against the Raptors on Wednesday at the Meadowlands – Richard Jefferson refused to get overly concerned with how they start.
“So much is made of the regular season and we were 3-1 [against the Heat] in the regular season and they got the best of us in the playoffs,” Jefferson said after practice yesterday. “No matter how well you play against a team in the regular season, you still have to beat teams in the playoffs.” Jefferson’s comments speak to the confidence the Nets have as they approach this season, the second full year that he, Jason Kidd and Vince Carter, as well as Nenad Krstic, will be teammates.
A run at the Eastern Conference title is expected.
Having such talented, familiar faces makes Jefferson believe this could be a very successful season.
“You look at the start Detroit got off to last year,” Jefferson said. “They had a lot of their same guys back.
That’s what we’re looking to do, but we want to do more than that, also.” Despite the Pistons’ hot start a year ago, it was Miami that won the NBA title, which is clearly what the Nets have their sights on.
“It’s not about where we are right now,” Jefferson said. “I believe at the end of the year it will be [a much better team than last year].” But he isn’t sizing up any jewelry just yet.
“Don’t get me wrong, we still have to fight through this year,” Jefferson said.
“There’s going to be injuries and adversity.” And he’s realistic enough to know that the preseason is the time for everyone to make bold predictions that are often forgotten.
“Everybody can say the right thing right now,” Jefferson said. “We’ll find out.” That will happen soon enough, although head coach Lawrence Frank wouldn’t mind more time.
His players, however, have a different view.
“If you ask the players, they’ll wish the first game was today,” Frank said.
“Coaches wish for about three more weeks. But we’ve got good continuity, which is always important.”
*
Frank continues to like what he sees from rookie guard Marcus Williams, the former UConn guard.
“Marcus Williams can be a very special player,” Frank said. “I think everyone’s been impressed with him. He hasn’t played a regular season game yet, but we have high hopes for him.”