1. What can the Nets learn from the 2006-07 season to help them improve their 2007-08 campaign?
To be, or not to be: that is the question that us Nets fans must ask ourselves as we mentally prepare for and get ready to embark upon the journey of the 2007-08 NBA season. This offseason was interesting because Nets management had to contemplate whether the Big Three factored into the equation of the future franchise.
Is there such thing as "outrageous fortune," something that is too good to be true? This adage is especially applicable to the Nets triumvirate that consists of Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson. When the Big Three united in Jersey back in 2004, they had NBA Finals written all over them. Three seasons later, they are without a ring. To this day, the Nets have one of the best backcourts in the NBA. So, what’s the problem? If the Nets have three key pieces, why do they continually fall short?
Lesson Number One: carpe diem. The Nets have to seize the days, minutes and seconds. Time is of the essence. Kidd isn’t getting any younger; at age 34, there’s speculation over how much gas he has left in his tank. Kidd just had one of the best seasons of his career, so the team needs to ride this momentum straight into the start of the season. With a stronger Atlantic division, the Nets can’t rest on their laurels and just expect to land in the top tier of the Eastern Conference. They barely made the playoff cut last season and were knocked from the Atlantic division throne by the Toronto Raptors. The relaxed second-half mentality this team has adopted is not a winning frame of mind. They suffer spells of inconsistency and sometimes play on autopilot, lacking intensity and self-awareness. Last season, the Nets had many disappointing losses that came down to a point or two in the final seconds. As a fan, I was pulling my hair out and screaming aloud, "What are they waiting for?"
Lesson Number Two: there can’t be any on- or off-court distractions. Trade rumors have now quieted. Players must focus and leave all the dirty laundry in the locker room. Kidd is a prime exemplar of this attitude. He had one of the best seasons of his career while going through an ugly divorce. With the suspense of free agency over, let’s hope Carter is focused and plays more consistent ball, proving he’s worth a four-year $60 million deal.
Lesson Number Three: the Nets need a back-up plan. The health of the Big Three is critical to their success, and a risky gamble when placing bets on their NBA Finals potential. Last season, the Nets were ravaged by an unexpected run of injuries. They didn’t have Jefferson for 27 games, which really hurt them. This was already on top of an early exit from Nenad Krstic and the months-long hiatuses of Eddie House and Josh Boone. The Nets need to be in prime physical condition and listen to their bodies, especially Krstic who will be returning from knee surgery. These injuries teach an important lesson. No matter how prepared you are the unexpected can strike at any time; in this type of situation, you can feel damned and curse your luck or come equipped with a back-up plan. The Nets players and coaches need to adopt the mantra: "you’re only as good as the next player behind you." Lawrence Frank has to embrace a preventative reaction and be open to braving the risk of inserting the bench. With that said, Boone, Antoine Wright, and Robert Hite need to be ready to step up to the challenge and not jeopardize the team with silly errors and mild play.
Lesson Number Four: the Nets cannot rely solely on their perimeter game. The Nets can’t run and gun their way to the NBA Finals and need to hone their half-court game. A good half-court game is especially important in the postseason. Last season, the Nets were in desperate need of a starting big man – an offensive and defensive presence in the paint to grab rebounds. In the playoffs, the Cavaliers crushed them on the boards. With the return of Krstic and the addition of Jamaal Magloire, the Nets need to take the ball to the rack more and be a more fearsome offensive and defensive threat under the hoop. Speed is a cause for concern with Magloire, but the Nets need to utilize his strength and muscle for some much needed inside scoring and rebounding.
