In 2007, the Celtics were in bad shape. Losses piled up as a young team found its way. Ten players had fewer than three years in the NBA. They hoped to win the lottery and take Greg Oden. Then, after losing out on Oden, they gave up the youth movement, picked up two Hall of Famers and gave one of the remaining kids his big chance. A year later, they won it all. Could it happen to the Nets? Not like that.

• Celtics have no sympathy for struggling NJ Nets - Dave D'Alessandro - Star-Ledger
• Sinking feeling familiar to Rivers - Julian Benbow - Boston Globe
• Nets see room to move up - Dan Duggan - Boston Herald
• Troubled Times Are Sure to Fade for Nets - Evans Clinchy - NESN