Todd MacCulloch learned how to juggle as a youngster in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

But it's unlikely the fourth-grade teacher who imparted that wisdom taught MacCulloch how to keep all the balls in the air that the Nets are expecting from him this season.

When they signed the free-agent center to a lucrative contract this summer, the Nets didn't ask him to be their savior. They'd already brought in Jason Kidd to be this season's savior du jour. Still, they did expect plenty from MacCulloch whom they'd like to see -- in no particular order -- score, rebound, and clog up the E-ZPass lane that led directly to the opposing basket last season.