Leading sports columnists in three Eastern Conference cities, perhaps reflecting their favorite teams' concerns, are giving the Nets' off-season moves high grades. One wrote that the acquisition of Shareef Abdur-Rahim "could be the league's most significant addition this offseason."
- East's best offseason start: Nets, Pacers - Ira Winderman - Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel
- Expect Celtics to be a green team - Peter May - Boston Globe
- Knick roster Larry's Wake-up Call - Mike Lupica - New York Daily News