"The Giants and Nets both arrived here Monday, but on entirely different missions.

The Giants, of course, are hoping to cap their remarkable turnaround from a 7-7 team with its playoff hopes hanging in the balance with the franchise's fifth Super Bowl title Sunday against the Patriots.

The Nets, on the other hand, still are trying to lay the foundation for what they hope will eventually be a team capable of competing for a championship.

"I think it's a great story," Nets coach Avery Johnson said of the Giants' turnaround before his team's 106-99 loss last night to the Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. "It's a great story, and I think we're gonna be a great story one day."