"Brook Lopez lingered, shooting free throws after practice at the PNY Center in East Rutherford, but he didn't hide. When it was time to face the questions about the reports that have him headed to the Orlando Magic in a possible trade for Dwight Howard, the Nets' starting center for the past three years walked over to reporters, sat down and answered them.

"It comes with the business," Lopez said of the reported trade that would send Lopez and two first-round picks to the Magic for Howard and Hedo Turkoglu. "What are you going to do, you know? I mean, it was a crazy enough summer to begin with — there was rumors everywhere. So I guess it's a good way, after no basketball (and living through) the lockout the whole summer, to throw all the stuff out the beginning of the season."

According to Nets coach Avery Johnson, Lopez was "fired up" today for the first practice of the 2011 training camp, and performed well. Lopez said he was just happy to be back playing for the first time since last season ended.

"You know, we're just coming in with the most professional attitude possible," he said. "Everyone's glad to be back. A lot of people are smiling. We're glad to be back on the floor, playing together and we're ready to start the season already." "