Nets head back to Brooklyn for the Bulls, allowing Marcus Thornton and Jason Collins to make home debuts

Collins was signed right before the Nets' game in Los Angeles Lakers, and Thornton was traded for right before the game in Utah. Both will play in front of the home Brooklyn crowd for the first time tomorrow against Chicago.

Since their last meeting with the Chicago Bulls, whom the Nets are 0-2 against this season, which was a blowout loss in Chicago right before the All-Star break, Brooklyn has won four of its last six games–all on the road–and has lost two players while acquiring two new ones.

Marcus Thornton was picked up from the Kings in exchange for Jason Terry and Reggie Evans the day before the trade deadline while Jason Collins, the first active openly gay player in the NBA and a former New Jersey Net with Jason Kidd, was signed to a 10-day deal. Busy few weeks for the Nets.

Now, Thornton and Collins have both been with the team for a few games now, and are figuring out their roles in Kidd's scheme. The former King exploded for 25 points last night against Milwaukee to help the Nets end their trip on a high note while Collins' contributions have been a little more low-key, as they have been in the form of some solid interior defense, smart fouls, and important rebounds.

It's not known just how much these guys will help the Nets down the stretch and into the playoffs, but fans of the team should–and probably will–realize they represents smart moves by Billy King and will give them decent approval in their first appearances in front of the home crowd of their new team.

For sure, for a historical event such as Collins' coming-out and subsequent NBA action, the big man will be loudly applauded by those at Barclays tomorrow night for his courage and groundbreaking integration of the NBA and pro sports overall. Meanwhile, for Thornton, his appeal is more basketball-based, as he gives the Nets a very talented scorer who comes off the bench and can put up points quickly.

Still, regardless of the differing circumstances of Jason's and Marcus' Nets tenures, they are two players who give the team abilities sure to help it as the season progresses into the postseason. Since they're pretty invested in their team's success, Brooklyn fans will appreciate that, and they'll show it tomorrow at Barclays against the Bulls.