October 7, 2009

Versatility: A 'Boone' for a Big

Three years are behind Josh Boone, and the rookie contract has only a single season remaining. He is approaching a career crossroads, and is aware, though he acknowledges talks about an extension have yet to begin.

"I’ve got a year to prove that I belong here or somewhere else, one way or another," Boone said. "I want to stay here – I’ve enjoyed my time here. But this is a contract year."

The 24-year-old big man began last season as the Nets' starting center, but ceded to Brook Lopez after suffering a bone bruise seven games in. He ultimately played the majority of the minutes behind Lopez, but felt expanding his game was necessary.

Boone worked hard this offseason to add skills that would enable him to play power forward, a position he has only dabbled in at the professional level. During summer workouts, Boone shot more than he ever had previously and focused on one-dribble moves to open up his game.

Acknowledging that he needs to play with a high energy level every second of every minute he's on the court (which might not have been the case in the past), Boone has faith in his newfound versatility. He has put aside any thoughts about statistical goals, and sounds like he's impatiently waiting for the season to begin.

"I just want to be on the floor at this point," Boone said. "I’m confident that if I’m on the floor, based on what I’ve done this summer, I’ll be performing at a high level. The numbers are going to come, that’s not the main issue. The main issue is getting on the floor and doing what I can to help the team win."

C-Lee Speaks, After Sitting Out
Courtney Lee sat out in sweats, but said he was ready to practice today and was only held out as a precautionary measure. He'll participate tomorrow "without a doubt" and said "of course" he'll be playing in Friday's preseason game at Philadelphia. The sprained right ankle – unrelated to the left-foot inflammation that knocked him out this weekend – only worried him initially because the injury involved a third-party.

"When I sprained it, I had the force of somebody else’s body on there and it swelled up," Lee said. "It never swells up. That was the only thing that concerned me. Once the swelling went down, I was fine because I was walking with my shoe on, climbing up the stairs at home."

Lee was sporting an boot to apply pressure and reduce swelling, reiterating that he was only out under coach's and trainer's orders. Coach Lawrence Frank backed up the assertion, though played it extra cautious and added that if there was any swelling overnight, Lee would be held out of Thursday's practice as well, stipulating that he'd need that one to play in Friday's game.

T-Will Throws Down
During a full-court conditioning drill at the end of practice, Terrence Williams showed off a ridiculous level of fitness and athleticism. While other players stuck with layups (some barely leaving the ground, if at all) or light dunks, Williams went off for a one-man dunk contest – this after running backwards while winning the team's end-of-practice sprint.

He caught everyone's eye with a one-handed "rock-the-cradle" reverse, then elevated his head nearly to the trim on a one-handed tomahawk, repeated the RTC reverse, and capped the run with a powerful one-handed windmill while palming the ball at full extension.

The Real T-Will's going to be a fun one to watch on the fast break, mmm hmm.

Frank Words About Three PGs
Coach Frank feels good about the point guard depth chart, even if juggling the minutes could get complicated once Keyon Dooling (offseason hip surgery) returns to action:

"We think if you look at our three point guards, we’ve got the three best PGs on one team in the league," Frank said. "We’ve got to figure it out. It’s my job get our best eight or nine players on the floor, regardless of position."