Avery Johnson says he's looking forward to the premier of "The Association" on October 16. One reason is that the Nets control the final product (unlike the NFL's"Hard Knocks"). Another reason, he says is that it's not been a distraction to his team.

When season ticket holders get their tickets this week, it will be in a black and white box and their tickets will be black and white as well, part of a plan to create unifying theme for the Brooklyn roll-out, from tickets to gear to arena.

Avery Johnson had the Nets running against a 12-second clock, announced his rotation could be 11 deep and the players were "clearly gassed" at the end of Wednesday's practice, all of which might lead you to believe the Nets will be running in 2012.

Shaquille O'Neal doesn't like Dwight Howard. He believes that he, not D12, is the one true Superman. So, he regularly disses him, as he did on NBA TV Tuesday, saying some may think Howard is the best, but he's going with Brook Lopez or Andrew Bynum.

Starting in December and going on for years, the clang --and congestion-- of construction will be felt at Barclays Center. Bruce Ratner will break ground December 18 for the first of three towers that will take years --five or more-- to complete.

Superstars are great, but they have to mesh well. For the Knicks, the Carmelo Anthony - Amare Stoudemire mix has yet to work out. Now the Nets have to find a way to get two All-Stars to work together. They and their coach think they can do it.

The Dodgers left Brooklyn for L.A. in 1957 after New York officials wouldn't help them build a new stadium at the corner of Atlantic and Flatubush avenues. So the Nets feel a kinship and are reaching out to Dodger greats to join them Opening Night.

Avery Johnson says that as of now, Mirza Teletovic is his back-up PF, but Teletovic told a Spanish site he will do "anything to get the best results." His shot is already NBA-worthy. He promises to play good defense. He will need to.