Word out of Thursday's practice was that it was a lively, peppy affair. The Nets will need as much enthusiasm as they can muster this weekend with the season's first back-to-back-to-back starting Saturday. Again, they'll be playing hurt with Brook Lopez out all three, Damion James out the first two and Shawne Williams out at least for Saturday's game.

Lopez will become a fixture (in street clothes) on the bench and at PNY Center as he makes his way back from a broken foot. "It's exciting, you know, to be back there with the guys and everything like that. It's also tough for me to be on the sidelines," he said. "I was real anxious. I wanted to get in there, in the middle of that game. I was hoping Coach would call my number."

Meanwhile, Avery Johnson has been working with Marshon Brooks on his defense. Johnson said he had shown Brooks about 20 video clips of him on defense after Wednesday’s shootaround. Brooks said the coach was talking to him about his lack of focus on defense, particularly at the end of possessions.

• Injured Lopez eager to return - Pete Caldera - The Record
• Considering Dwight Howard trade rumors, Brook Lopez says he's not sure he is in organization's plans - Kristie Ackert - New York Daily News
• Brook Lopez unsure of future with Nets - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
• Nets' MarShon Brooks showing signs of improvement in defense, passing - Colin Stephenson - Star-Ledger
• Brooks’ maturation turning heads - Gregory Hrinya - Examiner
  
• Lopez on future: 'I don't know' - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
  
• Brook Lopez will not be getting extension from New Jersey - Kurt Helin - NBC Sports
• Brook Lopez not joining Nets in Brooklyn? - Mark J. Miller - Yahoo! Sports