By FRED KERBER
Last updated: 7:36 am
July 24, 2008
Posted: 3:22 am
July 24, 2008
The Nets and misery were on the verge of becoming synonymous. A .500 record two seasons ago, a 34-48 record and a front-row lottery seat this past season. The hierarchy felt it could not continue.
"We wanted to re-define who we were," coach Lawrence Frank said yesterday, listing "character, competitiveness, chemistry, discipline" as part of the new Net world order.
"We're acquiring the type of people to fit into that mold. We're starting first with high-character people and, second, highly competitive people and the third is high-energy, high-flying people."
So the Nets introduced their latest - the eighth - acquisition yesterday, combo guard Keyon Dooling, who "qualifies under all those characteristics," Frank said.
Dooling, a strong defender and pick-and-roll player, arrived through a sign-and-trade with Orlando to provide two-position guard backup, experience and versatility.
"They appreciate my craft and I'm going to come in trying to play my brand of basketball," said Dooling, 28, a 6.8-point career scorer who rejected a $1.91 million offer from the Magic - he'll start two guaranteed Net years at $3.3 million.
"This was an organization that wanted me. I just got a good feel about Coach Frank and how they see me fitting into their system."
With Dooling in, Marcus Williams was out, traded to the Warriors. But the Nets likely are not done. Minimum-wage types such as Kareem Rush and Royal Ivey remain on the radar, as does the possibility of a trade.
