The End Is The Beginning
Anyone out there in Netsfanland think the Nets can win enough times to make up 3 games on the Hawks with 8 remaining?
If you think so, you are one pie-eyed optimist.
Let's call it for what it is, though - a game effort that falls short and wins them a spot in the draft lottery, more often than not because they didn't play enough defense.
Offense is great, sure, but did you ever think you'd hear no defense from a Nets team coached by Lawrence Frank?
Me neither.
They are not mathematically eliminated, but if they couldn't win a game on the road against the Pacers, and couldn't beat the Suns at home, well, do we think the Nets will win against the Sixers, Raptors (twice), or Celtics? Or win all of those five remaining road games? Not bloody likely.
Who do you like in the draft? I suppose it depends on where they find themselves in the draft order, but the Nets could use another shooter, or you can never have enough big men, or athletic wings.
Oh, you still wanted to talk about the season that remains? Sorry.
Well, it's not like Vince Carter hasn't given his all, but he's being let down by his bench, and even his starters. Devin Harris will fit in nicely with whatever group remains, but he's not quite there yet with this team. We love the way he can split that double team, however, with his blazing speed. Let him rip, says Joe.
Richard Jefferson has been there all season long, but now would be the time to bring his play to a new level. He hasn't been able to get there, though, and with his defense slipping along with the team defense, the Nets are finding themselves allowing too many wide open looks.
Josh Boone has been solid, but he needs to work harder on defense, and learn to make more free throws, especially if this pick and roll thing works out.
Nenad Krstic needs to regain his footwork, timing and defense. All will come in time, hopefully.
But that bench needs more help. Desgana Diop has been solid, and with time could be the defensive big that Jason Collins was, with more offense. Not much, but more. Oh, he can be a free agent, so maybe he doesn't come back since Rod never seems to want to overpay his bench (see Magloire, Jamaal).
Boki Nachbar has been up and down, and now he's playing hurt. The Nets desperately need his shooting, but it's been a lot more streaky than it was last year. He can go free as well.
Marcus Williams needs more playing time, period, to see if those mistakes he tends to make can be eliminated. The bad pass, the awkward shot, and the blowby defense all need to be reigned in.
Sean Williams needs to play. He's got to learn to foul less and keep his head in the game more. But I have no doubt it will come.
Darrell Armstrong? Assistant coach.
Mo Ager? Training camp 12th man.
Trenton Hassell? Good defender, limited offense, could stay or go. Doesn't matter to me.
Draft or trades should be in the offing in any case. The Nets need some magic, so this horrible season with its disjointed end can be the beginning of a better season next year.
Start making your plans for April 16th and later, because it'll come down to more down time than Netsfans are used to.
Look at it this way - training camp for the Nets will be earlier than usual so the Nets can do the preseason thing in London and Paris. It ain't all bad.
And don't you need some downtime after going through this season of torture? Sure, you want the Mavs to miss the playoffs, but other than that, do you really care who wins the title?
Maybe the whole Brooklyn thing will get killed by the economy. Move 'em back to Newark?
Enough with the whole thing - let's just try to enjoy the last two weeks, flaws and all.
There's always next year.
Joe
If you think so, you are one pie-eyed optimist.
Let's call it for what it is, though - a game effort that falls short and wins them a spot in the draft lottery, more often than not because they didn't play enough defense.
Offense is great, sure, but did you ever think you'd hear no defense from a Nets team coached by Lawrence Frank?
Me neither.
They are not mathematically eliminated, but if they couldn't win a game on the road against the Pacers, and couldn't beat the Suns at home, well, do we think the Nets will win against the Sixers, Raptors (twice), or Celtics? Or win all of those five remaining road games? Not bloody likely.
Who do you like in the draft? I suppose it depends on where they find themselves in the draft order, but the Nets could use another shooter, or you can never have enough big men, or athletic wings.
Oh, you still wanted to talk about the season that remains? Sorry.
Well, it's not like Vince Carter hasn't given his all, but he's being let down by his bench, and even his starters. Devin Harris will fit in nicely with whatever group remains, but he's not quite there yet with this team. We love the way he can split that double team, however, with his blazing speed. Let him rip, says Joe.
Richard Jefferson has been there all season long, but now would be the time to bring his play to a new level. He hasn't been able to get there, though, and with his defense slipping along with the team defense, the Nets are finding themselves allowing too many wide open looks.
Josh Boone has been solid, but he needs to work harder on defense, and learn to make more free throws, especially if this pick and roll thing works out.
Nenad Krstic needs to regain his footwork, timing and defense. All will come in time, hopefully.
But that bench needs more help. Desgana Diop has been solid, and with time could be the defensive big that Jason Collins was, with more offense. Not much, but more. Oh, he can be a free agent, so maybe he doesn't come back since Rod never seems to want to overpay his bench (see Magloire, Jamaal).
Boki Nachbar has been up and down, and now he's playing hurt. The Nets desperately need his shooting, but it's been a lot more streaky than it was last year. He can go free as well.
Marcus Williams needs more playing time, period, to see if those mistakes he tends to make can be eliminated. The bad pass, the awkward shot, and the blowby defense all need to be reigned in.
Sean Williams needs to play. He's got to learn to foul less and keep his head in the game more. But I have no doubt it will come.
Darrell Armstrong? Assistant coach.
Mo Ager? Training camp 12th man.
Trenton Hassell? Good defender, limited offense, could stay or go. Doesn't matter to me.
Draft or trades should be in the offing in any case. The Nets need some magic, so this horrible season with its disjointed end can be the beginning of a better season next year.
Start making your plans for April 16th and later, because it'll come down to more down time than Netsfans are used to.
Look at it this way - training camp for the Nets will be earlier than usual so the Nets can do the preseason thing in London and Paris. It ain't all bad.
And don't you need some downtime after going through this season of torture? Sure, you want the Mavs to miss the playoffs, but other than that, do you really care who wins the title?
Maybe the whole Brooklyn thing will get killed by the economy. Move 'em back to Newark?
Enough with the whole thing - let's just try to enjoy the last two weeks, flaws and all.
There's always next year.
Joe
posted by Joe Netsfan at 9:54 PM
1 Comments:
I've been a nets fan since the R.A.C. days in Piscataway. I now live in manhattan. I hate the drive thru the tunnel in late-rush-hour, so i've been rooting for the move to brooklyn. But, come to think of it, i'd be okay with newark. Hop the PATH.
The nets have been the best show in town for a long time, but I wish it was easier to get to see them without driving a car.
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