Nets fans will get their first glimpse of Richard Jefferson in the Meadowlands as a member of the Bucks tonight. But after going up against his former player in Milwaukee Jan. 9, Nets coach Lawrence Frank is looking at it like it’s just another game.
“I think the hardest thing is the actual moment when it goes down, in terms of whether someone’s a trade or a free agent,” he said. “Once you then have time to let it all seep in, I think everyone just kind of moves forward.”
Despite the fact that he and his team have already faced Jefferson this season, Frank expected Jefferson, who is second all-time in Nets history in points scored, to get a warm reception when he’s announced before tonight’s game (7:30, YES, WBBR).
“I imagine it will be a very, very good reception,” he said. “Richard put in seven quality years here, so I imagine it would be very good.”
Jefferson’s teammate for 3 1/2 seasons in New Jersey, Vince Carter, left Saturday’s win over the 76ers in the third quarter with a sprained right ankle and didn’t return. But after receiving treatment Sunday, Carter said he’d be in the lineup for tonight’s game.
“It doesn’t matter,” Carter said when asked if he would be 100 percent. “I’m able to play, so I’m playing.”
Carter also said he’d gotten used to the idea of seeing Jefferson in another uniform after playing against him last month, but thought his former teammate would enjoy playing in the Meadowlands again.
“It’s definitely different for him, coming in [here],” Carter said. “I’m sure he’s going to be excited, and I’m going to give him a hard time as usual.”
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After averaging 14.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.81 blocks per game in January, Brook Lopez was named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month. Lopez led all rookies in blocks per game in January, was second in rebounds and fifth in points.