If the NBA loses the 2011-12 season, It's hard to imagine the New Jersey Nets organization getting too worked up about it. After all, some might say they have been running out the clock for seven seasons now, just biding time until their proposed move to the corner of Atlantic and Flatbush.
If this last season in Newark never happens, it would seemingly only save them from one last awkward solicitation to New Jerseyans who have not abandoned them since they announced they were leaving in 2004 (That's before the Charlotte Bobcats played a single game!). Their highest profile player was the first to sign overseas - preparing for the worst. Their owner is wealthy and patient, and equipped to absorb whatever losses a missed season would bring. And there's a fair chance they would receive a higher draft pick by not playing a full season with Deron Williams running the show.
However, if the tides shift and there is an NBA season this year, the Nets expect to improve significantly from the 36 wins they've amassed over their last two dismal campaigns.
The first and most obvious improvement is at PG, where the Nets boast one of the NBA's brightest stars. Deron Williams is the perfect blend of size, strength, court vision, shooting skill and all-around savvy. If he can put aside the nagging injuries that hampered him last year, he makes the Nets playoff contenders by himself.
Another strength is center Brook Lopez, who was slowed last season by mononucleosis and calcium deposits in his right arm that made it difficult and painful for him to extend it over his head. If he's 100 percent, he should improve on a disappointing performance that saw him regress a bit, especially on the boards.
The Nets were substandard on the wings last season, starting lackluster Steven Graham and a struggling Travis Outlaw most of the year. They drafted explosive scorer MarShon Brooks from Providence to provide some backcourt punch. A healthy season from 2010 first rounder Damion James could help bolster the SF position and take some pressure off the oft-frazzled Outlaw.
The Nets got an unexpectedly spectacular season from PF Kris Humphries, who not only came from oblivion to put up impressive numbers in his walk year, but rose to TMZ-style celebrity by becoming the future Mr. Kim Kardashian. The Nets want to re-sign him, but if his price is too high, they may need to replace him via trade or with a free agent like New Orleans' David West or Utah's Andrei Kirilenko.
Most important to the long-term health of the Nets, however, is to get Deron Williams to buy into - and be a part of - the franchise's plans. He has an option to become a free agent after the upcoming season, and the Nets have invested (some may say gambled) a lot of assets that they can convince him to be their cornerstone in Brooklyn. Along with the move to the impressive Barclays Center and a New York address, that is the key to obtaining the kind of free agents (like Dwight Howard) who bring championships.
No matter what the new CBA brings, the Nets have the assets and cap flexibility to build a winning team in Brooklyn. And if they don't play again in Newark? That's small stuff they won't sweat at all.
By NetsDaily.com member ghoti
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by NetsDaily
from NetsDaily
on Feb 3, 2012 10:13 PM EST
Anthony Morrow played the game of his life on Friday, but he didn't have enough help, as the Nets fell to the Timberwolves, 108-105 at the Prudential Center.
by Alex Sonty
from Blog a Bull
on Feb 3, 2012 8:29 PM EST
Ira Winderman came out and said it -- that the price the Bulls would have to pay for Dwight Howard creates problems similar to those of the Knicks. That any price that ends with Howard as a Bull is a long-term net positive is not a self-evident claim.
by Net Income
from NetsDaily
on Feb 3, 2012 5:23 PM EST
Mikhail Prokhorov again said he'll sell all his assets, presumably including the Nets, and donate almost all the proceeds to charity if elected president of Russia. Prokhorov said he would retain $1 billion. "I’ll need something to live on," he explained.
by Net Income
from NetsDaily
on Feb 3, 2012 4:45 PM EST
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel reports that the Magic will ask Dwight Howard for a definitive answer about his future on March 1 and if he still wants to leave, they will begin pursuing deals for the 6'11" All-Star center.
by NetsDaily
from NetsDaily
on Feb 3, 2012 2:47 PM EST
After one-game absences, Anthony Morrow (ankle) and Johan Petro (stomach virus) will play (or at least be available) Friday night against the Timberwolves. However Marshon Brooks (broken pinky toe) will miss his third straight game and Mehmet Okur (sore back) will miss his fifth straight. That leaves the Nets with 10 healthy bodies.
by Scott Campsall
from Raptors HQ
on Feb 3, 2012 8:00 AM EST
The Toronto Raptors will look to rebound from their 34 point loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night as they return home to take on the struggling Washington Wizards. After being blown out in their last matchup against the Wizards the Raptors should be out for blood this time around. The HQ has your keys for a much needed Raptors victory.
by Net Income
from NetsDaily
on Feb 3, 2012 6:37 AM EST
Too bad Marshon Brooks is still out. Friday's game with the Timberwolves would have made for a great match-up between Rookie of the Year candidates. Ricky Rubio, aka Ricky of the Year, will have to settle for a match-up with the NBA's hottest player at his position, Deron Williams.
by Net Income
from NetsDaily
on Feb 3, 2012 6:36 AM EST
The Dwight Drumbeat continues. Fred Kerber writes that the Nets are the "heavy favorites" to wind up with Dwight Howard, quoting people "claiming knowledge of some of Howard's thinking." The Lakers, Kerber adds, are not that big of a threat. However, adds, expect no movement till after the All-Star break.
by Net Income
from NetsDaily
on Feb 3, 2012 6:35 AM EST
Rod Thorn talked to Zach Lowe of Sports Illustrated the other night in Philly about the 76ers' success and their lack of a superstar. At the tail end of the conversation, Thorn also spoke about the trade that made him the Executive of the Year in 2002, Stephon Marbury for Jason Kidd. It was easy.
by Net Income
from NetsDaily
on Feb 3, 2012 6:15 AM EST
Perhaps the best indicator of the success of the Nets experiment in Springfield is what happened Thursday night. The Armor won their fourteenth game of the season, putting the team over .500 but more importantly setting a franchise record for wins. In its first two seasons, without Net help, they were 7-43 and 13-37!
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