The New Jersey Nets are in rebuilding mode as proven by last season's Jason Kidd trade that sent him to the Dallas Mavericks and Devin Harris to the Nets. They also shipped Richard Jefferson to the Milwaukee Bucks for Yi Jianlian during the offseason. When is Vince Carter packing his bags? The team is obviously hoping to get LeBron James to jump from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Nets after the 2009-10 NBA season to help in the rebuilding. Major problem... that's two years away. So, what to do in the meantime? Let's preview "T-Minus Two Seasons Before Bron."
Last Year's Record: 34-48
Key Losses: Richard Jefferson, Nenad Krstic, Marcus Williams
Key Additions: Keyon Dooling, Yi Jianlian, Brook Lopez, Eduardo Najera, Bobby Simmons
1. What significant moves were made during the offseason?
The purge continued for the Nets as they traded away the second head of the former three-headed monster known as J-Kidd/R.J./V.C., shipping Richard Jefferson to the Milwaukee Bucks for Yi Jianlian, Bobby Simmons, and future cap space for that LeBron guy. (HOV!) So, no more Jefferson, who was arguably the second most popular Net after Kidd until the latter was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Devin Harris during the 2007-08 season. But, popularity aside, it's all about laying down your skills on the court and getting the J-O-B done and there is a lot of hope in Netsland that Jianlian, the main piece for the Nets in the R.J. trade, turns his huge potential into huge production.
And don't forget the other guy in that trade because Simmons will make sure you don't, claiming to be a more complete player than Jefferson. In fact, you have to appreciate the moxie as he's already referring to himself in the third person. Talk about (basket)balls. If there is any Net that will throw up the Roc-A-Fella hand gesture, it will be Simmons.
Other significant moves include the gifts the Nets received and took at the 2008 NBA Draft when Brook Lopez, arguably the top center in the draft, fell into the Nets waiting hands at pick number 10 in the first round. Some projected Lopez to be a top-three pick for months before the draft, so you know there's talent there. Lopez is polished in the post, can get his feet moving on the fastbreak, and has great physical tools. He has the talent to start, but it might be better to break the big fella in slowly. I'm sure Josh Boone and Sean Williams will appreciate Lopez letting them get as much burn as they can before he eventually steps in with meaningful minutes.
At pick number 10 in the second round, Chris Douglas-Roberts, considered a first round talent, proved that the Nets were blessed on draft day. Douglas-Roberts is the epitome of the term, "scorer." He doesn't always shoot particular well, but he always somehow puts the ball in the basket. He has great handle and isn't afraid to take the last shot of the game.
Sandwiched between the two Nets' "dumb luck" picks was Ryan Anderson from California University, taken 21st overall. He is an excellent shooter with ridiculous range, height and a quick release to get off his shot, smart with the ball, doesn't force things, can board, and possesses a solid inside/outside game. There is a lot of upside here, but will there be a lot of time for Anderson? Which brings us to...
2. What are the team's biggest strengths?
Definitely depth at the four and five positions. And what's good for the Nets who really don't have a chance to go far into the playoffs, even if they somehow make it, the players are young ("Don't drink the sweet tea!") and have their best days ahead of them. The aformentioned trifecta of center goodness - Lopez, Boone, and Williams - just screams, "Wow, collectively, this is a strong rotation at the five..." but then whispers, "... if they can adapt well to the NBA level (Lopez), shoot better from the field and charity stripe (Boone), and be consistently awesome (Williams)." The proverbial talent is there and if they can grow during the season, look out for the youngsters!
At the four, Williams can actually slide in there, but the starter will be chosen amongst a group that includes Jianlian, Anderson, and the ubiquitous "cagey veteran" in Eduardo Najera. Ideally, the Nets want Jianlian to start, so they get that all-important return on their investment thing, which isn't so great currently in world of U.S. economics. Hopefully, the Nets fortunes are the opposite because there are no bailouts or "rescue plans" when it comes to Jianlian. Anderson probably won't play much off the bench, but he's a good chip to have for the future. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention Stromile Swift who can come out of nowhere and get some serious minutes on the court, providing excellent insurance in case of injury. But, the one guy to really watch is Najera, who is a great team player, is all about effort, and does whatever is necessary to win the game. He is a Lawrence Frank, head coach of the Nets, type of player.
Altogether, this is a strong group of players in a jam-packed couple of positions. However, a rebuilding team like the Nets can appreciate the depth.
One last note, the Nets won't be lacking at the point guard position either, with the combination of Harris as the starter and Keyon Dooling as the back-up. In fact, don't be surprised if the two are on the court at the same time in a small-ball lineup that would put Vince Carter at the three. Speaking of which...
3. What are the team's biggest weaknesses?
Indubitably, the starting small forward position. I'll be rooting for Simmons and I hope he does well, but him and Jarvis Hayes does not exactly instill any fear in opposing teams' hearts. If Simmons can recapture the numbers he put up in his last season with the Los Angeles Clippers, then alright, we have something here. However, that was three years and an injury that kept Simmons out the whole 2006-07 season ago. And unless Jarvis can play the way Isaac made music, it's a wrap!