Center has been like a black hole for the Nets so far this year. 32-year old Mehmet Okur is missing some time due to a back back, but he hasn’t played too well for the Nets anyway so far this season. Okur has played in 17 games (14 starts) for the Nets so far this year and he is averaging 26.6 minutes, 7.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game on a lousy 37.4% from the floor. The Nets hope that Okur picks up the pace when he returns to action. 28-year old Shelden Williams has replaced Okur in the starting lineup until he’s ready to return to action. Williams has played in 25 games (8 starts) for the Nets so far this year and he is averaging 19.7 minutes, 4.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. He is pretty much just a banger inside with little upside. 26-year old Johan Petro is #3 in line for minutes at center. He has played in 20 games (5 starts) for the Nets so far this year and he is averaging 13.6 minutes, 3.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. The Nets really need one of their centers to step up.

The Nets were outscored 29-20 in the 4th quarter last night and it did them in. Deron Williams only shot 7 of 19 from the floor but he led the way for the Nets with 21 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists and 3 steals. Kris Humphries (20 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocked shots) and Jordan Farmar (19 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists and 1 steal in 25 minutes) also had solid games for the Nets last night. Anthony Morrow (11 points) and Jordan Williams (10 points) also pitched in for the Nets in this game. The Nets are now 8-17 on the year.

The Nets played hard last night, but they still got nipped at home by the visiting Timberwolves. Anthony Morrow as on fire last night for the Nets as he led the way for them with 42 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. He hit 13 of 20 shots from the floor, 8 of 11 shots from three point range and all 8 of his free throw attempts. Kris Humphries (16 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 blocked shots) and Jordan Farmar (14 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists and 1 steal in 30 minutes on the floor) also pitched in for the Nets. Deron Williams only shot 5 of 17 from the floor last night, but he still finished up with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 14 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots. The Nets are now 8-16 on the year.

The Nets outrebounded the Pistons 44-31 last night and it really helped them win this game. Deron Williams led the way for the Nets last night with 26 points, 3 rebounds and 9 assists. Kris Humphries also had a rock solid game with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocked shots. Jordan Farmar (15 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists in 31 minutes) and Shawne Williams (11 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot in 38 minutes) pitched in with decent games in rare starts. The Nets are now 8-15 on the year.

The Nets have signed 31-year old SG/SF Keith Bogans. Bogans played in 82 games (all starts) for the Bulls last year and he averaged 17.8 minutes, 4.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He has now played in 586 games (308 starts) so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 22.1 minutes, 6.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Bogans should help the Nets improve defensively when he’s on the court.