As Rodney Stuckey’s three-pointer from the right corner missed at the buzzer, the fans inside Prudential Center cheered loudly, wildly and made the Nets feel like although this is a temporary home they are glad to have them.

But the Nets gave the 15,178 fans every reason to cheer because they played hard, put forth the kind of effort you expect from a young team, an Avery Johnson coached team and one that wants to prove this is nothing like last season.

The Nets pulled out a 101-98 win in their opener, first-ever regular-season NBA game in Prudential Center and the first game with Johnson on the bench and new owner Mikhail Prokhorov in the stands.

The only way this night would have been better for the Nets would have been if LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony was the starting small

Out with the old and in with the new has been the Nets' mantra since last season’s 12-70 debacle ended – and who could blame them.

They have 11 new players. They’re playing in their new building and have a new coach. The Nets would like to add some more new as in a new franchise player - Carmelo Anthony.

For now they’re focused on the new season, starting Wednesday at Prudential Center against the Pistons and with new owner Mikhail Prokhorov in the house.

Team Strengths
Man in the middle: Brook Lopez is expected to be “The Man” this season. On most nights, they will have an advantage at center, one they will exploit as Avery Johnson plans to go to Lopez early and often inside. Lopez will demand double-teams and draw fouls and could get the Nets in the

This was a travel day for the Nets, or at least part of it was.

While most of us were sleeping, the Nets flew nine hours from Russia to China. They probably started their initial descent as we typed this because they're on the ground now. Bed awaits, though, if their body clocks allow it.

China is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, so it’s night time there. While many of you are watching the Jets or some NLCS action, the Nets will be holding their first practice in Asia.

“We got a detailed schedule,” coach Avery Johnson said before embarking on the week-long journey. “In China we have a strategic [plan]. All of our guys behind the scenes, they’ve all been working together along with our Russian allies.”

This isn’t an ideal trip

Rod Thorn had his reasons for leaving the Nets that may have been right for him personally, but it wasn’t a smart move professionally.

The former Nets president and now Sixers president won’t expound any more than he has about why he left. You’ve heard the reasons: it was time, some things happened in the last 2 ½ years that led him to his decision, personality conflicts, the team needed to go in a different direction and so did he.

But this wasn’t a lateral move for Thorn. It was a step backward in areas such as talent, flexibility, finances and the team’s future.

The Nets, who beat Philadelphia 90-89 in preseason action today on Stephen Graham’s game-winning, buzzer-beating three, are in far better shape than the 76ers all the way around.

NEWARK, N.J. –- You can’t overlook the opponent or the fact that, for most of the game, they didn’t play anyone taller than 6-foot-8, but that doesn’t discount what Nets rookie forward Derrick Favors did in his first professional game.

In New Jersey's preseason opener, Favors played 21 minutes and scored 14 points, threw down four dunks, missed only two shots and grabbed nine rebounds in a 108-70 trashing of Maccabi Haifa at Prudential Center.

“He was good,” Avery Johnson said. “In the right spots on defense, really decisive on offense, ran the floor well. He got some good work in for his first professional game.”

More than a week ago, it seemed this space would be about Carmelo Anthony’s New Jersey debut. But Anthony remains in Denver

The first training camp of the Mikhail Prokhorov, Avery Johnson and Billy King eras starts Saturday with or without Carmelo Anthony.

The Nets would like to add the Nuggets superstar small forward and are in conversations with Denver, but they don’t want to mortgage too much of their future. They would like to hold on to rookie Derrick Favors and may need a third and perhaps a fourth team to get something done.

The Melo-drama adds some intrigue to what should be an interesting camp for a team coming off a dismal 12-win season.

The Nets have a new Russian billionaire owner, a new coach with the best regular-season winning percentage in NBA history, potentially 12 new players and 10 guys who are 25 and under.

“I’m excited, cautious but I’m optimistic,” said

For the first time in a long time, the Nets’ weakness won’t be power forward.

They acquired a quality big man and proven double-double performer, getting Troy Murphy from Indiana in a four-team trade that sent Courtney Lee to Houston.

Now shooting guard may be a little weaker, so it’s up to Terrence Williams and Anthony Morrow to seize the opportunity, produce and defend.

But getting Murphy – after Chris Bosh and Carlos Boozer said no in free agency – is a major upgrade at power forward where the enigmatic Yi Jianlian spent two injury-plagued seasons for the Nets. Murphy will mentor rookie Derrick Favors - who the Nets believe will be an All-Star in the future - and complement Brook Lopez in the upcoming season.

The Nets have a productive, starting-caliber

The Nets begin the work week under new management. For the first time in 10 years, Rod Thorn isn’t the man pulling the trigger on all basketball decisions.

Thorn left the building Friday; he’s the former Nets president now. His legacy is secure after acquiring Jason Kidd and seeing the star-crossed franchise to two NBA Finals. Thorn’s legend would have been greater if he got LeBron James to choose the Nets over Miami.

Thorn wouldn’t have resigned if James picked the Nets. That wasn’t happening so Thorn and the Nets turn the page and start anew.

The Nets are now in the hands of Avery Johnson and Billy King - the two men that should lead them into Brooklyn. New owner Mikhail Prokhorov calls the shots, but he’s taking his cues now from Johnson as is King,

The Nets shot for the moon and hoped to land some of the biggest stars in free agency. But they came crashing down to earth with nothing to show for their lofty ambitions, bravado and bluster.

Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov and part-owner Jay-Z were supposed to be two of the biggest names in this chase, but their money, power and global vision couldn’t match what Micky Arison, Pat Riley and the Miami Heat were offering.

LeBron James, Chris Bosh or Dwyane Wade chose to be teammates in Miami. The long-rumored possibility became official when James made his announcement on Thursday night.

As South Beach gets even hotter, the Nets feel a chill. It’s downright freezing in Cleveland and Toronto, though. Those two cities lost their franchise’s best players. The Nets