Note From The Underground

Coming into the season, center Jayson Williams (right) was a source of concern for the Nets , since he had publicly declared his distaste for coach John Calipari and was hoping for an off-season trade. However, Nets sources report, when Keith Van Horn got into a tussle with Utah 's Karl Malone during a preseason game, Williams stepped in and defended the honor—and the game—of his rookie teammate. Williams 's endorsement of Van Horn will go a long way toward promoting team harmony.