On Dec. 14, while he was riding Amtrak's Acela train from New York to Washington, he opened an e-mail that detailed problems in the auction-rate markets, which were seizing up because of the blossoming credit crisis.

FORBES: Legal

The result was a seizing up of credit in a variety of markets as the solvency of counter-parties to various transactions came into question.

FORBES: Subprime Debacle Lessons

Now, they have a chance to grab the lead after seizing homecourt advantage in this series, and even though they're still dealing with a dinged-up Noah, Brooklyn isn't completely healthy, either.

WSJ: Noah, Johnson hobbled as Bulls, Nets resume series