Joe Netsfan Backlash #6 -

Joe: do not panic?

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Backlash #1 - September 2, 2007
Why The Panic?
A month's worth of Backlash as we begin the descent into the 2007 -2008 season. Enjoy!

Joe:
A few weeks ago I wrote you Joe, about bringin KG to Jerzey. Boston did an ok job of getting KG but maybe at to high of cost. They are missing so many more pieces by getting him. Their next best big man is maaaaybe Michael Olowokandi. Their PG is Rajon Rondo WHOOOPPEEEE he is a C+ point guard that can't score. I really don't see a soph leading a team to the finals and 3 middle aged superstars won't cut it either.

Yeah Boston can buy a few decent players and maybe get Boykins And PJ but they are being led by DOC RIVERS!!! Great he won Coach of the Year in 2004 with an overacheiving Magic team in a weak Eastern Conference. Doc hasn't lead any team to the finals yet.

You have to be an incredible coach to get a team where half of the players are new to mesh and win a championship, and I don't think Doc is that man. How long does it take for Danny Ainge to pull a Pat Riley??? The Celts aren't very scary on defense and I would take Cavs, the Spurs, Mavs, the Suns or Detroit over Baastan in a heartbeat.

I think Rod Thorn will wait and see how the first half of the season pans out. The first 2 months on the Nets schedule are against playoff contenders so we will all see how Jerzey is. I don't think O'Neal will make it to NJ, the Pacers want Marcus Williams and Thorn won't sell the future for the slim chance of a Championship.

Look for a mid season trade if the Nets are below .500. Maybe Gasol, but what big time big man is going to come to the East now that KG is here and the balance of the NBA powers is starting to even out? Tough sell even if you for VC and JKidd. GO NETS 2008!!!
-Jay aka Heavy Duty , August 2, 2007

Jay:
I think the Nets will wait it out, but they won't have a choice, frankly. Close to being over the cap, with no players that anyone truly wants (would you trade a decent big for RJ? And I like RJ...), the Nets will be forced to see how it plays out with essentially Magloire replacing Collins (but for how long?), Antoine Wright being expected to take the Eddie House role (not likely, and don't think Robert Hite is ready to do that), and a the rest of the gang essentially intact.

I just don't see all of this as being enough, but maybe it's not even Boston that the Nets need to fear. It could Toronto, Detroit, Miami, Chicago, Cleveland or even Washington or Orlando. It's a bit more unpredictable in the East, so buckle in, stay tuned, and don't be surprised if the Nets get off to a mediocre start, and the panic begins...
-Joe

NJ Kobe
Joe:
What about trading for Kobe? A big 3 of Kidd, Kobe & Carter - I think Kobe would like the NY area life - he would be very dominant in the East - maybe square off more against his enemy Shaq. The Lakers might do well with a Jefferson, Collins & Williams - it would give the Lakers a starting 3 of Parker, Jefferson & Odom with a deep bench at C and PG.
-Christopher F., August 2, 2007

Christopher:
The Lakers aren't stupid, or worse, crazy...you don't really trade Kobe for anyone, frankly. So put the dreams away, ignore all the "Kobe's unhappy" talk for now, and see what happens come February.
- Joe

Come On In
Dear Joe:
I've visited your site and noticed that you're a big time Nets fan. I wanted to know if you wouldn't mind checking out and joining http://www.clubnetshoops.com/forums/ . We're a relatively new site but we're looking for Nets fans who want to discuss Nets issues and other NBA news. Check it out and sign up.
- NyCe101, August 2, 2007

NyCe101:
Go check it out, Netsfans - have a dialogue with your fellow fans in real time (not like Joe...)
- Joe

Why So Glum, Chum?
Joe:
I'm not as down on this team as you are. I really like Magloire, having watched him in Charlotte/NO. I am expecting much more out of Josh Boone too. The biggest IF in my mind is Nenad returning to form after the injury. With Magloire and Boone down low (and later in the year, Sean Williams, when he gets his knees under the desk, as they say in the UK), Nenad won't have to be relied on to rebound as much and can focus on shooting it and defending. Magloire also has a nice touch from 12 feet in, unlike the much maligned Jason Collins. Everyone is under-selling this acquisition. However, I think that he can be a very significant low post presence for this team. In addition, Jefferson was not himself for the entire year. If he comes back to form, and takes fewer jump shots!!!....Carter/Jefferson/Magloire are not far off the Allen/Pierce/Garnett trio (with the obvious Garnett-Magloire comparison being the weak link) and having the benefit of the magnificent Jason Kidd leading them, unlike Boston's PG situation (Troy Hudson? Really???).

Now for additional signings, and forget the cap and luxury tax.....it hurts my brain to try and figure it out.....I really like Brevin Knight as backup PG. (I think that Marcus Williams is 3-5 years away from getting it, if ever.) I'd also like for Rod to take a look at the recently Memphis dumpee, Alexander Johnson (a tough kid and terrific banger with decent size). If Dejuan Wagner has his stamina, he'd be an interesting guy at SG off the bench. I continue to have hope for Antoine Wright (a bad pick when chosen over Danny Granger, etc., but a good guy). If he could only maintain his confidence..... I'd also suggest considering Austin Croshere (although he's rumored to be going to GS and Nellie). It's not his fault that someone foolishly signed him to an exhorbitant contract beyond his value (can you say Juwan Howard?). I'd have signed it too. He can shoot and has some hops. Losing Hassan Adams was sad. Don't know if he'd ever be a star, but surely a rotation guy. James Posey is another shooter, but would probably cost too much. Now if Denver would just buy KMart out......:-), yeah and if Kerry Kittle's back was okay....and if my grandmother had balls.....
- Eric Dashman, August 3, 2007

Eric:
Well, unfortunately, most of this is old news. The Nets signed no one but Robert Hite, and are most likely waiting it out to see if any bargains drop in their laps. Would have loved to have Brevin Knight, but he got a good deal in LA. Too bad they can't get Hassan Adams back.
- Joe

Gimmee Three Steps
Joe:
1-Drop Antoine Wright add Abdul Mills
2-Trade Mile Ilic and Antoine Wright for Nazr Mohammed
3-Trade Josh Boone and Jason Collins for Tyson Chandler or DeSagana Diop - can't teach basketball to some but size does matter.

Bring in some guys (free agents) to push team at the next camp. Players that could help the bench. Melvin Ely, Sam Clancy, Brandon Bowman, Amal McCaskill, Wang Zhizhi, or Corliss Williamson.
- Eric Pitts, August 4, 2007

Eric:
All right, I admit it - I had to Google Abdul Mills to find out who he was. Sounds like he's potentially a cheaper Hassan Adams? Anyway, Detroit would have to be insane to take Ilic and Wright for Mohammed, and no way anyone takes Jason Collins, so those are pretty much moot points. Given everyone's hesitancy with the salary cap, guys like those you mentioned above aren't getting looks or offers right now. Be interesting to see how many of them get into the league this year. And in any case, likely none of them become Nets (even though a few from the list above could certainly help).
- Joe

The Team To Beat?
Joe:
I still think the Nets are the team to beat in the Atlantic. Boston is thin and have a raw point guard running things. How will Pierce and Allen coexist? The Nets wing players will eat up Rondo, Allen and Pierce. I think that Toronto is more of a challenge especially if Bargnani and Garabosa improve. Trades? Let's unite Kobe and Kidd in New Jersey! Seriously, I'd like to see one more big. Not a star, a complimentary, solid player who can defend, rebound, and post up once in a while.
- George Oliver, August 4, 2007

George:
All sound, rational thoughts I can argue with. The Celtics have the makings of being a beast, but only if there is enough ball to go round. If Pierce decides to surprise us all and NOT be a head case, well, look out Eastern Conference. Of course, one good injury and the Celts will be middle of the pack...as for the Nets, well, like I've said, they'll be in a dog fight now in the Atlantic, and don't look for any additional significant moves, unfortunately.
- Joe

Tip Of The O'Neal
Joe:
Personally I don't know why the Nets don't just trade for Jermaine O'Neal. We've seen a little bit of what he can do already, but imagine what could happen when you team up him with Kidd and VC. Just as we see year after year, big men, and at times point guards, but mostly big men, win championships! The closest thing we've ever had to a quality big man was Kenyon Martin but look how that turned out. This is Jermaine O'Neal we are talking about. It is easy to replace a Nenad or a Marcus, even a Richard, but not a Jermaine. Like Joe said, you gotta do what you gotta do. Rod Thorn you gotta pull the plug here bud. Or maybe we should just settle for 41-41 until Kidd and Carter retire. Stop worrying about your little NYC stadium and focus on winning. I'm just so sick of watching the New Jersey Nets lose year after year....
- Hotsauce, August 7, 2007

Hotsauce:
Unfortunately, sounds like that ship has already sailed. As much as we all might want Jermaine, the Pacers are committed to starting the season with him. So, we look elsewhere (or more likely, we wait for Pau Gasol or O'Neal to become available after the All Star break).
- Joe

RJ for Zach, Film At 11
Joe:
Why don't the Nets offer the Knicks RJ for Zach Randolph straight up. It's a trade that works in regards to salary context and would help both teams well, I'd think..... Thanks. Dig the site, btw.
- dl, August 9, 2007

dl:
Glad you dig the site. Can you imagine in this day and age, with the Knicks trying to regain the headlines in NYC from the Nets, that these two teams would trade? No way. Plus, the Knicks went mental trying to get Randolph, they wouldn't move him unless Kidd was thrown in (and the Nets agreed to take Marbury). That's crazy talk, man!
- Joe

Return To KVH
Joe:
Great site!! What would you think about the Nets going after and somehow luring Keith Van Horn back to NJ? I think he'd be a great asset to this team coming off the bench. He's only 32 and still has plenty of good years left in him. I know it would be tough to convince him to come out of retirement but I think coming back to the Nets would be very intriguing. Any thoughts?
- Jim, August 9, 2007

Jim:
Again, thanks for the kind words. KVH? Did I touch on him last time? I really liked Keith when he was here, at least at the beginning. I was probably his chief apologist. But he couldn't seem to put it together once the Nets got good, and he was used to get the Nets alleged weakness filled after the 2001 - 2002 season (remember VH and Todd MacCulloch were moved for Dikembe Mutombo, who just didn't fit with the Nets). What does he have left? He sat out last season after his mega contract expired, so perhaps he lacks passion. Doubtful that Rod Thorn would bring him back, but hey, you never know...
- Joe

Dear Rod
Joe:
DEAR Nets president Rod Thorn: Please look for a true center a finisher. Guards are nice but enough already trade for an old center-

PICK ONE CENTERS Zendon Hamilton, James Lang, Jahidi White, Loren Woods, Ben Handlogten, Ha Seung-Jim, Andrew DeClercq, Oliver Miller, Wang Zhizhi, Curtis Borchardt, Amal McCaskill, Vladimir Stepania, Nate Huffman, Peter Cornell, Ervin Johnson and let Collins go.
- Eric Pitts, August 19, 2007

Eric:
What, Jamaal Magloire isn't enough, in your opinion? Hate to say it, but most of these guys are stiffs (and you thought Collins was a stiff? Try a little Zendon or Oliver MIller on for size...really), although I could see a few of them fitting in as a role player. None of them would be as good as Collins is defensively, though, so why do it?
- Joe

Hassan, Where Have You Gone?
Joe:
I am still burned by the release of Hassan Adams, he was one of the few high energy, all out player the Nets had ( Moore was another). Is there any chance he would be invited to camp and signed again?
- Mo, August 21, 2007

Mo:
I'm guessing just on principle alone Adams would choose to go elsewhere...
- Joe