"Rafer Alston went from a title contender, the Magic, who were in the Finals, to a fixer-upper, the Nets, who were in the lottery.

Now, he's going to want to play, and though he's behind starter Devin Harris on the point-guard depth chart, there is one factor that can ease all the negatives. Alston is pretty much home.

"I'm excited just by the opportunity to play in this league and then the opportunity to play close to home. It should be fun," the Queens product said. "Everything else, the minutes, playing time, coaches take care of that. I know I am ready. But I'm excited. Family, friends, everybody that's followed my journey through basketball will get an opportunity to watch me play at home."

There are holes and questions everywhere. But for now, coach Lawrence Frank feels confident about one thing.

"We've said we think when you look at our three point guards we've got the three best point guards in the league, on one team," Frank said. "