CHARLOTTE -- Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston are five months removed from the time of their lives.

The eye-opening rookie from Western Kentucky and the veteran who made his name on the New York City blacktop seemed like an unlikely pairing, but each was living out a lifelong dream as members of a starting backcourt in the NBA Finals. They were the legs of a fearsome offense attack that surrounded one of the game’s best centers with 3-point shooters at every other spot. Eyes were on them all over the world as they competed on basketball’s biggest stage against none other than the Los Angeles Lakers.

Fast forward to a Monday night in early November and you’ll see they’re still together. That’s about all you'll see that's even remotely similar to where they were in June.

In a not quite half-full arena in Charlotte, Alston and Lee took the court for a winless team that failed to score 70 against the Bobcats. Thanks to the absence of All-Star Devin Harris and backup Keyon Dooling, Alston found himself starting again.

But after going from Houston to Orlando and inheriting a team ready-built to compete for an NBA title, Alston is now being reminded how the other side lives.

By losing in Charlotte. Appearing out-manned, to be more accurate.

Yes, the basketball gods can be cruel.

Lee and Alston joined Tony Battie in a blockbuster July trade that delivered Vince Carter to Orlando, accelerating New Jersey's rebuilding process and freeing up cap space for future moves. Lee, as you would assume, was taken aback at being uprooted for the first time in his young career, but now sees opportunity in the situation.

"If you ask anybody on the (Orlando Magic) they didn’t want me to leave. If you ask the organization they didn’t want me to leave. It was just a decision they had to make to get Vince Carter," says Lee, who has thought about the move endlessly over the past five months. "I see this as a blessing in disguise. I get the rock here. I get to showcase my game."

Despite the opportunity ,the game Lee has been showcasing continues to look more like that of a role player than a breakout star. Lee scored 13 points in New Jersey’s 79-68 loss to Charlotte and is averaging exactly that after four games. That’s an improvement over a rookie season where he scored 8.4 points per contest, but he's shooting just 33 percent and playing over 40 minutes a game, 15 minutes more than he did with the Magic.

Although Brook Lopez has his moments, he's no Dwight Howard, and Lee is quickly finding out the game is much more difficult with significantly less talent around him. The poise, defense and solid fundamentals that he was praised for in Orlando remain, but when the Nets were struggling through a seven-point, 7 turnover third quarter it was evident that shouldering the offensive burden was beyond him or any of the Nets players.

Lee and the rest of his teammates are still finding their way, seeing how the pieces fit, and are currently in  a situation where the lack of a go-to guy is putting a strain on their ability to be productive.

The story is similar with Alston, brought into serve as a veteran influence until his contract expires at season's end. Whether he remains a Net remains to be seen, as parole could come in the form of a trade should a playoff contender come sniffing for his services. For now, Alston is trying to make the most of his opportunity for increased playing time, showcasing his skills for any potential empolyers.

A history of playing together with Lee can help him look good in place of Harris, who is expected to be out until at least next week with a groing strain.

"We connected as soon as I got to Orlando," said Alston, who was acquired at the traded deadline for Brian Cook. "He understood the type of guard I am. I’m always going to look to pass the ball up the court and get guys going."

It's clear with Harris out New Jersey will have to win with synergy, where the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts. Alston’s comments after Monday’s loss echoed that opinion.

"Offensively we’ve just got to do it together," said Alston. "I think guys have to understand that you may not score 20 points, guys can’t get bored with the process and get frustrated because they’re averaging (just) 13 or 14 points. That might just be your average right now.”

Alston is on board to help dispense sage wisdom and aid the younger guys until he isn't, but Lee is considered a valuable building block. Learning how to take greater ownership in New Jersey's offense while Harris is gone is yet another step in his development, another indication of how much his circumstances have changed.

With the Magic, his contributions were considered a bonus. With the Nets, they're essential. Whether or not he's truly ready to carry such a heavy load doesn't really matter. No longer in the ideal situation, reality has begun to set in.

Rafer, I don't think we're in Orlando anymore.

James Hamlin is a frequent contributor to Pro Basketball News. He can be reached at jameshamlin810@gmail.com.