Video: NBATV previews the 2005-06 Nets.

This has been the first offseason in quite a while in which Jason Kidd has been healthy and able to rest all summer. This will also be his first season in New Jersey with a legitimate back-up. Jeff McInnis was brought in to keep the Nets productive when Kidd is on the bench and to keep their star fresh for the playoffs. The addition of Lamond Murray gives them a long-range threat off the bench and Marc Jackson, Clifford Robinson and Scott Padgett give them much more frontline depth than they’ve had in the past. Antoine Wright, selected with the 15th pick in the draft, could come in and contribute right away backing up Carter and Jefferson.

One of the questions for this season will be if the Nets can get their running game going again. Jason Kidd wants to run and Richard Jefferson will be right there with him, but they need Vince Carter to learn the "get it and go" philosophy that the Nets have had since Kidd arrived. Lawrence Frank will certainly keep the team focused on defense, especially on the perimeter. New Jersey hadn’t given up as many three-pointers (485) as they did last season since '96-97.

Kidd will lead, Carter will score and Jefferson will be counted on to be the guy that fills in the holes on both ends of the floor. "I've always been a defensive player that could come out and score 20 plus a game," Jefferson said. "That’s something that I’m looking forward to doing again this year. Every year, my numbers have increased, my consistency has increased, so this year I not only want to be a defensive player, but put up 18-22 a game."

The development of Nenad Krstic will be important as well. Krstic has great hands and puts himself in great position to score, which is so important with three guys who can draw and dish like Kidd, Carter and Jefferson. Foul trouble can be a problem with him though and he needs to be more disciplined on the defensive end. Don’t overlook Jason Collins, who knows his role and who has become a very tough interior defender.

Carter

Carter now needs to prove that he can sustain that level of play and help the Nets regain their spot as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. He can improve on last season by eliminating defensive lapses and by getting out on the break with Kidd and Jefferson more often.

Kidd

X&O WEAKNESS
When they have to go against the dominant centers, it's a question of whether Collins and Krstic can hold up.

HEAD COACH PHILOSOPHY
They like to run. Get it into Kidd’s hands and go... They jump defense a lot. They'll trap on defense.
-- Kevin Loughery (courtesy of the National Basketball Coaches Association)