The Nets, one season after being swept in the finals, and just moments after surviving tonight, are no longer feeling desperation.

He spoke today about how getting swept in the finals should be educational as well as motivational.

Last year was more of an embarrassing situation in that we were swept in the finals.

Being swept in the finals by Houston last year set the tone for Orlando's season.

The mayor won an unprecedented fifth term, but the Nets got swept by the Lakers in the 2002 finals.

Boston did get swept in the finals that year, but that was by Edmonton.

We beat Chicago last year, but we didn't win the championship because we got swept in the finals by Houston.

Last season, Detroit was also favored to win the cup, but was swept in four games by the Devils in the finals.

The Pistons swept the Lakers in the 1989 finals and then won the championship again in 1990.

And the Magic is still embarrassed about being swept in the finals by Houston.