One advantage of having so many players in camp so early is they volunteer to join in community events, like Thursday's "Dads Take Your Kids To School Day" in Brooklyn."

Deron Williams, Jerry Stackhouse and Keith Bogans --the three increasingly seen as the team's veteran leadership-- walked with school children and their fathers to a local elementary school. The event was co-sponsored by the Nets and Williams' Point of Hope Foundation. Also on hand were Khalid Green, the Nets' Brooklyn-based scout, Brett Yormark, CEO of the Nets and MaryAnne Gilmartin, EVP of Forest City Ratner.

"This is a special event for me, because I'm a father. It's really great that you guys are involved in your kids lives," said Williams, noting how the time he spends walking his children to school is often the only time he gets with them during the season.