Questions and Answers:
1. Is this the year the Nets need to put it together and make one last title run considering, primarily, that Vince Carter has the choice to opt out of his contract after this season and Jason Kidd being one year older?
The optimist in me says "no" because why would Vince Carter leave the Nets with Jason Kidd dishing him the ball and Richard Jefferson taking the heat off from defenders since he can score off the wing and take it to the rack as well. As far Kidd getting older, he keeps himself in good enough shape where he should be effective for at least a few more years. And his court vision is still one of the best in the league! But, then the pessimist in me says "yes" this is the last shot the Nets really have because in the end, money always talks and I wouldn't be surprised if VC left the Nets to go play back at home in Florida for the Orlando Magic where he would fit in perfectly with Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson. Of course that's only a rumor going around. And also, in the East I think it's going to be all about LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers for at least the next few seasons. The aforementioned Magic are also up and coming. So, what's my final answer? Yes, this is the last chance for this current roster of players to make some noise.
2. Is this the year Nenad Krstic puts it altogether and has a true breakout season? How about the other youngsters, particularly Marcus Williams, Hassan Adams, and a healthy Josh Boone. How do they fit into the Nets - presently and in the future?
Nenad Krstic is ready to do some damage full-time, meaning over the course of a whole season. He's shown himself to be a very good scorer in the box as well as showing some more confidence. While he'll take a backseat to Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson in the scoring department, he is hands-down their best post player. Judging from their college days, Josh Boone and Hassan Adams could be good players in the NBA, not great because Adams is a tweener type guard that can't score like Dwyane Wade another tweener. Boone seemed to tail off in being motivated to do the best he could during the latter part of his college career after a terrific start at the University of Connecticut. However, I think that Boone's teammate at UConn, Marcus Williams has the makings to be special in the league. Here are a few reasons why - he'll be learning the point guard position from one of the best ever in Jason Kidd, he has excellent court vision and leadership ability, and after being rated the #1 point guard prospect coming into the draft and being snubbed by falling all the way to #22, you know he'll be playing with a chip on his shoulder.
3. How good of a coach is Lawrence Frank?
I think that he works just as hard as the players do as he seems very organized and has scouted teams well. However, I think he may overthink at times, which was more in the 2004-05 season when the Nets finished 42-40. Last season with Vince Carter for the whole season, Frank relaxed a bit and let the talent come out from his stud players - VC, Kidd, and Jefferson. It seems that the team responds to him, which is always critical for a coach that wants to stay a coach. Because of the way he prepares and gives a lot into it, Lawrence has the ability to lead the Nets all the way to the promised land of an NBA championship.