On a team of leaders, no captain?

Fred Kerber writes that the Nets may not have a captain this season, that Jason Kidd believes the team has enough leadership without a captain.

"Nah, that’s something [the players] will figure out" on their own, Kidd said.

"You can never have too many," added Kidd, who listed Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Jason Terry as quality leader types. "Everybody leads in their own different way, by being vocal, by playing hard when they’re on the floor. So it’s good to have the leaders that we do have."

Deron Williams was the Nets' captain last season and it may be better to not replace him at all than name someone else.

Meanwhile, Pierce spoke about the versatility of the team. "The versatility of this group is unmatched probably by any team I’ve ever played on," said Pierce. "I try to tell the guys you don’t get these opportunities. They’re far and between. I waited 10 years in Boston before I got the chance to play with other great players and have the opportunity,"

Pierce sat yesterday with a sore toe, which everyone suggested was nothing and holding him out was precautionary.  Andrei Kirilenko, on the other hand, was limited to treadmill work. "It's a day-by-day thing with him. We'll see how he feels tomorrow," said Kidd.

• Nets team has many leaders — not just one - Fred Kerber - New York Post
• Paul Pierce, Andrei Kirilenko miss practice - Fred Kerber - New York Post
• Nets' Strengths Are Depth, Versatility - Alex Raskin - Wall Street Journal
• Andrei Kirilenko returns but still is slowed by back injury - Barbara Barker - Newsday
• SecretRival: Taking a Look at NBA Draft Rights Held Players - Stephen Lorenzo - New York Daily News
• N.B.A. Game of the Week - A Chance to Settle a Grudge - Jonah Bromwich - New York Times
  
• Notebook: Pierce rests jammed toe - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York