Byron Scott sees the difference in the little things. He watched carefully as his players took the court the last few games of the playoffs and gauged their reactions. Last year, there was wild celebration with each stage of success. Making their way to the NBA Finals, the Nets walked out onto the Staples Center floor smiling and soaking in the atmosphere.

"When I saw them looking around for the stars in the crowd, I knew we were in a little trouble," Scott said. "But when they stepped out on the court for Game 3 in Boston (after the controversy with Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan and animosity between the Nets and Boston fans) and they didn't even flinch.

"We've grown up."