Taking Shape
Wow, did you ever think you'd see a Net team under Bruce Ratner (motto: I ain't losing $40 mill a year forever) have 16 guaranteed contracts?
Well, that's what the Nets will have after they do a sign and trade for Keyon Dooling, who's been the object of the Nets affections for years.
A complete turnover of the roster since the start of last season leaves the Nets a very interesting team right now. Dooling is a young vet who can add some legs, some defense, and a turn at the point if necessary, which probably leaves young Marcus Williams packing his backs for points elsewhere (hey, is Memphis still collecting point guards?). A shame about poor Marcus, who appeared to have a world of talent but doesn't have a clue as to how best to harness it.
So with Dooling backing up Carter and Harris, and a logjam at the center and forward spots, this Nets team is taking shape and looking very much like a bit more than a rag tag team of definite losers. If Brook Lopez can learn the NBA game on the fly, if Chris Douglas Roberts can add a spark off the bench, and if the Nets can get some offense from a bunch of these role players, well, then maybe the Nets won't be a challenged as we had thought just a week or so ago.
And with Carter to (hopefully) sell some tickets, the rookies, Harris and a few others, it might not be the worst game in town (think maybe the Knicks will still play that role in the NYC area?).
Of course, it all comes down to Lawrence Frank and the coaching staff to get everyone to buy in, put together a rotation that capitalizes on strength, and hopefully go against type and give the rookies some PT so that they can develop. That might be the biggest challenge facing these New Jersey Nets - getting the coach to trust his youngsters and give them the PT they need to develop. I for one would rather watch a 35 win team that hustles and learns and grows throughout the season than a 40 win team that's flat out boring and going nowhere fast.
The next trick is to see who goes, and how fast - (no the Nets won't keep 16 guaranteed contracts, or even 15 for that matter) Nenad Krstic? Marcus? Sean Williams? Stromile Swift? Josh Boone or Mo Ager or the Keith Van Horn contract?
Put your money on Marcus and Nenad, unfortunately. The Nets likely want to have no more than 14 guaranteed contracts, and you know the 3 rookies, Carter, Harris, Najera, Hayes and Dooling are sticking around, so that makes 8 potential players that could be had in a trade. There's some value in Swift (expiring contract at season's end), Ager (same), Van Horn's contract, and I would guess that the Williams' boys value has declined somewhat and the bottom feeders will be out in force trying to catch Rod at a weak moment. But as has always been the case, no one will get the better of Rod.
Stay tuned - things continue to get interesting...
-Joe
Well, that's what the Nets will have after they do a sign and trade for Keyon Dooling, who's been the object of the Nets affections for years.
A complete turnover of the roster since the start of last season leaves the Nets a very interesting team right now. Dooling is a young vet who can add some legs, some defense, and a turn at the point if necessary, which probably leaves young Marcus Williams packing his backs for points elsewhere (hey, is Memphis still collecting point guards?). A shame about poor Marcus, who appeared to have a world of talent but doesn't have a clue as to how best to harness it.
So with Dooling backing up Carter and Harris, and a logjam at the center and forward spots, this Nets team is taking shape and looking very much like a bit more than a rag tag team of definite losers. If Brook Lopez can learn the NBA game on the fly, if Chris Douglas Roberts can add a spark off the bench, and if the Nets can get some offense from a bunch of these role players, well, then maybe the Nets won't be a challenged as we had thought just a week or so ago.
And with Carter to (hopefully) sell some tickets, the rookies, Harris and a few others, it might not be the worst game in town (think maybe the Knicks will still play that role in the NYC area?).
Of course, it all comes down to Lawrence Frank and the coaching staff to get everyone to buy in, put together a rotation that capitalizes on strength, and hopefully go against type and give the rookies some PT so that they can develop. That might be the biggest challenge facing these New Jersey Nets - getting the coach to trust his youngsters and give them the PT they need to develop. I for one would rather watch a 35 win team that hustles and learns and grows throughout the season than a 40 win team that's flat out boring and going nowhere fast.
The next trick is to see who goes, and how fast - (no the Nets won't keep 16 guaranteed contracts, or even 15 for that matter) Nenad Krstic? Marcus? Sean Williams? Stromile Swift? Josh Boone or Mo Ager or the Keith Van Horn contract?
Put your money on Marcus and Nenad, unfortunately. The Nets likely want to have no more than 14 guaranteed contracts, and you know the 3 rookies, Carter, Harris, Najera, Hayes and Dooling are sticking around, so that makes 8 potential players that could be had in a trade. There's some value in Swift (expiring contract at season's end), Ager (same), Van Horn's contract, and I would guess that the Williams' boys value has declined somewhat and the bottom feeders will be out in force trying to catch Rod at a weak moment. But as has always been the case, no one will get the better of Rod.
Stay tuned - things continue to get interesting...
-Joe
posted by Joe Netsfan at 11:35 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home