Nets "more than anxious" to begin preseason

After nine days of practicing and banging heads against each other, the Nets are more than eager to see a uniform that doesn't have the word "Brooklyn" emblazoned it. They'll get that opportunity tonight. It's the first of six preseason games for the Nets.

Hosting Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Barclays Center before they hop on a plane tomorrow and fly to China for two preseason games against the Kings nearly has them downright giddy.

"More than anxious," Deron Williams said following yesterday's practice. "We haven't played a game and we are just going against each other every day. So it will be a good change to go against another team, have refs and be back in the Barclays arena."

Nets head coach Lionel Hollins has been implementing his principles and installing the team's scheme as he works them into shape.

Seeing how they fare in practice is one thing, but there's only so much he can gather from scrimmaging.

"The players are ready," Hollins said after practice. "I want to just see where we are in a real game. So I'm looking forward to it."