Cross River Expressway

So the Knicks went out and hired (i.e. overpayed) Mike D'Antoni to coach that mess of a team across the river.

Hey, you have to start somewhere. Unfortunately, what you do with the players Mike inherits is another story entirely.

The Suns loved to push the ball, catch the defense on its heels, and take the first open shot possible. Defense was secondary, if not altogether unimportant. Can you see that working with the Knicks, and Stephon Marbury leading the charge? Eddie Curry hustling up the court to beat the defense? I don't think so.

In fact, the only players on that roster who are possibly able to play that way would be Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson, Quentin Richardson (only because he once did, but he's damaged goods at this stage of the game), David Lee, and Wilson Pickett, or whatever that rookie's name is. That's not exactly a team to build around.

But maybe the Nets should take note that it'll be ok to run an offense in the East again. With all the slop that goes on in the East, it would actually be a refreshing change if the Knicks were able to bring the Suns style offense to New York.

As for the Nets, well, they can probably run that kind of offense better than the Knicks can right now, but they need to make sure they play defense. After all, no one wants them to regress any further than the 34 - 48 debacle we just witnessed.

But if the Nets are serious about rebuilding, and assuming they get stuck in the #10 spot in the draft that they currently inhabit (they apparently have a 1.1% chance of getting the top pick), they should seriously consider Kevin Love. While I'll get around to looking at the draft in the coming days ahead (JoeNetsfan.com's home base is getting set for a move, plus a new addition to the family, so things are really, really crazy in Joe's off-season right now), I'd love to say a few words about Love.

I think he'd be a great fit for the Nets. Let me lobby about that further, if they don't get a top three draft pick, then this guy ought to get serious consideration. Besides Rose and Beasley, what other game-breakers are in this draft? Excellent question, with a whole lot of different opinions for those who know. And if Tyler Hansbrough isn't coming out, then the Nets need some Love in their life.

Maybe things will perk up around here with D'Antoni in town. And while we feel sorry for Mark Jackson, who appears to have gotten a bit of a raw deal, we're actually glad that D'Antoni's coming east to the Big Apple to rebuild the cross river rivalry with a cross river expressway of an offense.

Let's just hope that Isiah Thomas' flawed pieces can be moved for some better ones.

Good luck, Donnie Walsh.

-Joe

Off Season Shenanigans

Yes, it's been a fun playoff season (albeit one without the Nets), but so much else is happening related to Netsland...

1) Richard Jefferson charged in Minnesota for choking a patron at a hotel (in a private party) back in the winter. He says the story is all wrong, he didn't choke anyone. Sounds like RJ's telling the truth on this one, and someone's looking for a quick payday, especially when the poor choking victim is claiming that RJ "grabbed the victim by the throat with both hands and began to choke him and the victim went unconscious for a small amount of time." RJ says the dude was drunk and he's got witnesses.

I'm with RJ on this one until proven otherwise. Jason Kidd he ain't...

2) The Rat got another hurdle out of the way when a higher court refused to dismiss a lower court ruling that essentially clears the way for condemnation to begin. Nice try by those rag-tag band of windmill tilters, but unfortunately, the Rat's got everyone in New York that matters on his side, and though the slowing economy and the lawsuits have hit him deeply in the pocketbooks, he's still got the wherewithal to pull it off. At least we think he does. Yes, it makes sense for the arena in Brooklyn to not be built, for the Nets to move to Newark, and all to be right with the universe. But at this point, no one wins that scenario, unless Ratner sells the damned team. Sure, things could change (hey, where was Jon Corzine's support when we needed it?), but don't hold your breath, Netsfans. And remember, when the Nets finally move to Brooklyn, I'm outta here.

3). Rod Thorn gave Kiki Vanderweighe more money, and a title that makes him the heir apparent today. Smart move, Kiki appears to know basketball talent (sure, the Russian kid whose name no one can spell was a mistake, but Rod's made a few doozies himself), seems willing to put in the work, and is motivated to rebuild the franchise. God bless 'em. Now get to work, Kiki!

4). Read with interest the other day how Gana Diop said he'd be willing to stick around if the offer were right. Well, don't hold your breath on that one - don't you think Mr. Desperate To Win A Title won't lure him back to Dallas with more money that Rod Thorn thinks is prudent? Of course, since Rod doesn't like to overpay (really, nor can he) any one of his bench players. Wonder if he and Boki will bolt when they get the expected insulting offers from the Nets. As long as we don't go back to 2004....

5). The Knicks need a new coach, and it appears that Donnie Walsh is getting vapor lock with all the possibilities. The front runner apparently remains Mark Jackson, local boy without a lick of coaching experience, but smart and savvy enough to motivate today's players to play the game the right way. But Mike (What Have You Done For Me Lately) D'Antoni is suddenly being fire saled in Phoenix, and Avery Johnson, fresh off two straight playoff collapses, is also looking for work, so suddenly there are two prime candidates the Knicks can overpay for 35 wins. Gonna take a lot of work to fix that mess...And won't it be ironic if the Knicks pick another candidate altogether (like Tom Thibodeau, who may have himself another month before he's available).

Go Byron Scott's Hornets - as much as I love to watch the boring same-ness of Tim Duncan, don't you want the Hornets to make it all the way to the Finals? It's been great basketball to watch.

OK, we're gonna look at the draft this weekend, no telling what we'll find there.

Back to your regularly scheduled off-season.

-Joe

Put It To Rest

We can finally put the Jason Kidd era to rest, Netsfans, after his team was soundly bounced by the team whose coach he once ran out of town, and a point guard who made him look so very old. Congrats go to Byron Scott, Chris Paul and the Hornets, who knocked the Kidd-led Mavs very easily out of the playoffs, Avery Johnson out of a job, and Mark Cuban out of his mind. Talk about a trade going bad.

Of course, the Nets got the better of the trade, with Devin Harris, Gana Diop, Trenton Hassell and Mo Ager, plus two first round picks, even if the Nets never even made it to the playoffs. They got younger, and a potential PG for the future in Harris, while the Mavs just got older and further over the salary cap. All of that for a first round exit.

Maybe the Mavs can build around Antoine Wright...

In any case, now there is closure in Netsland. A 35 year old savior to a franchise who didn't want to be in New Jersey anymore because the Nets didn't have enough talent to contend didn't fare much better with a team that did have talent. And now, looking older and slower and potentially without much talent on his team, the Kidd chance for a title appears all but dead. So if he couldn't win one in Jersey, and he can't win one in Dallas, then I'd say we have closure.

Kidd meant a ton to this franchise, gave it respect and something to watch night in and night out (even if not too many people actually did), and took the spotlight away from the wretched Knicks for at least 5 years. We owe him no small debt of thanks for making the Nets relevant, even if they look like they have the potential to slip back into irrelevance in the post-Kidd era.

Rod Thorn/Kiki Vanderweighe, it's all up to you to put this franchise back on the NBA map. A lot depends on what happens this off-season, and it's no guarantee that the Nets can improve behind Harris. But we're willing to take that chance, since Harris seems to want to be here, even if it means rebuilding.

As Kidd heads for yet another early vacation, let's thank him for the run, and then drop the matter entirely, at least for the summer months.

On to other matters, it's been a good start to this year's playoffs, exciting games even as some of the series are a bit one sided. Congrats to the Lakers, Spurs, Hornets and Magic, who have already closed out their series. It's likely to be major changes for the Nuggets, Suns and Mavs (and potentially the Raptors) for underperformance and some lack of unity amongst those teams. Looking like a Spurs/Lakers Western Conference Final at this point...

But how about those Hawks, who fell behind 2 - 0, then rallied to win both games in Atlanta against the mighty Celtics, who were all but anointed the Eastern Conference crown? It's been a great series, and great for the NBA, to see the lowest of the low hang tough with the high and mighty. While I don't think it will happen, I would love for the Celtics to breeze through the regular season, then go out in the first round. Wouldn't that expose Doc Rivers...

How do you explain the Pistons allowing the Sixers to be in their series? They fell down 2 - 1 before they woke up and decided to start playing, which is a bad omen for Piston fans. Could be we have a surprise or two in the East, with the Celtics sputtering and the Pistons not exactly up to form. If you expect the Magic (who are already in the next round) and the Cavs to advance as well (they blew a chance to close out the Wiz tonight), don't be surprised if the team that represents the East is not the favorite going into the playoffs. Lord help us, I hope it's not the Cavs again.

Congrats to Byron Scott and the Hornets, a fun, exciting team to watch (remind you of anything...).

Pat Riley's stepping down as Heat coach - something he should have done long ago. Oh wait, that's right, he threw a good coach, Stan Van Gundy, under the bus and took back the coaching job he had quit once before. Let's hope this time it sticks, because a 15 win season, chasing Shaq out of town after all he'd done for Riles, and going out scouting college when coaching is no longer interesting is not something I'd want in my coach.

And Avery Johnson got the boot today as well from Mark Cuban. This one appears to be even more deserved, since he's been outclassed in the coaching department for two straight playoffs, and seems to have motivated his players into wishing he were elsewhere. Perhaps Kidd most of all. For all the talk of the guy's ability to motivate his players, it turns out his bully pulpit wasn't nearly enough to save him when he was exposed as a bad game manager. Maybe Cuban will now go out and get a coach with some experience.

Of course, Johnson's name is already linked to the Knicks, which would be yet another delicious irony. I would think that Donnie Walsh isn't that stupid, but...

Where does that leave Lawrence Frank? He surely did just as good a job coaching as is Riley or Johnson this season, right? Well, aside from being on the hot seat (more like lukewarm, probably), Frank needs to figure out this off-season why he couldn't motivate his team to get on the same page, play defense, or at least pretend to. He also needs to figure out how to develop a younger player or two, and perhaps stop being so loyal to guys who don't hold up their end of the deal on the court. It will be interesting to hear what changes he's made, both to the Nets and his coaching style, when September rolls around.

We'll take a look at the draft prospects tomorrow, but for now, that's enough NBA.

-Joe

Last Laugh?

Well, that whole Jason Kidd thing sure is working out, huh Mark Cuban?

Just finished watching Chris Paul destroy Kidd and the Hornets - think Avery Johnson will have a job for long after this one? Never say never, but the Mavs look dead in the water, with a second straight first round exit awaiting them. Poor Dirk, he's searching desperately for help, and the guy with the best credentials for playoff stress is playing horribly.

Kind of hard to root for Byron Scott over Kidd, but hey, he's earned the delicious irony that is beating Kidd after Kidd ran him out of town...

In other playoff series, nice job of quitting while ahead by the Pistons on Sunday. Surprising Sixers continue to get it done without any superstars and well known faces.

The Lakers cruised, no surprise.

The Cavs are up 2- 0 over the Wiz, who are playing worse with the return of Gilbert Arenas from injury. Somehow, I don't think that's going to help his case (or Eddie Jordan's) when it comes to sticking around next season.

The Spurs won a marathon against the high scoring marathon experts, and how bizarre is it that Tim Duncan drops a three to send the game into 2OT? That Spurs team is the best at making something out of nothing, for about a decade now.

No real surprises in the Celtics win over the too young to understand Hawks. The balance that team shows is incredible.

The Jazz have the Rockets number. And you can write it down - Tracy McGrady, for all his talent, isn't a guy who wins a championship, or a guy you build a team around. He's like his cousin Vince Carter - good support player, comes up small when it really matters.

The Magic appear to be in firm control against the Raptors after a tight one point win tonight. The Raptors need to get rid of Sam Mitchell if they get bounced in the first round again, no excuses. Of course, deep down it's very satisfying to watch the collapse in the post season.

Overall, though - it's been a good start to the NBA postseason. Here's hoping it continues to keep my interest going, to distract all the sins that need correcting on the Nets roster this offseason.

-Joe

Final Grades For One And All

Well Netsfans, it's time for that time-honored tradition of handing out end of season grades - a process that comes far earlier than any other time we've done this since 2001. It was a shame the Nets didn't make the playoffs after such high expectations in training camp, but then again, we should have seen the signs early and often. Of course, we were hoping the Jason Kidd wanting to be traded angle was just a nasty rumor (like the one about RJ being gay last season), but alas, it was all true, and the season just turned out to be one big lie.

We'll get over it, of course, and move on with future Net endeavors, but not before putting the final nail in the coffin with the grades. I hope you approve.

Vince Carter: Grade - B
I hope you cut me (and Vince) a bit of slack here. He started off the season hurt, saw his averages drop dramatically, and seemed to have lost a step or three, and with it, the ability to challenge the defense. But he recovered nicely after healing (and I would say after Kidd took his mind games to Dallas), averaging some startlingly strong numbers in addition to scoring and showing some maturity on the court.

Richard Jefferson: Grade - B
Started off terrific but tailed towards the end, at least offensively. He found himself a Top 10 NBA scorer, but with that came a lack of defensive responsibility that seemed to more than outweigh his offensive contributions most nights. Without RJ shutting down the opponent's scorer, the Nets were often dead in the water since no one else played much defense either. He might be a goner, but that contract of his is pretty significant for a second or third banana.

Devin Harris: Grade - B
He wasn't around all season, so he didn't have the luxury of playing the game at full speed while knowing where his teammates could always been found on the court. Still, he's got burners on his legs, and he's a better shooter than anyone realized. He can create havoc on both sides of the ball, and he appears willing to initiate contact, which makes him that much more valuable. Just don't count on double digit assists nightly.

Josh Boone: Grade - B-
He wasn't expected to contribute much, and wound up being their best big man up front for much of the season. He was strong rebounding and finishing on the pick and roll, and he'll block a shot and play some defense. He still struggles with the better bigs, however, and he needs to get stronger and find a consistent jump shot. Maybe he's best coming off the bench, but if he's here and he's healthy, he's got a role next season.

Nenad Krstic: Grade- C-
He probably deserves an incomplete, because we didn't see much of the old Krstic. He struggled with his conditioning and his mental approach, so he came back and then disappeared for much of the season. His shot and footspeed needed work, but he lacked consistency because he couldn't put in the work he needed to until after the new year. He's a restricted free agent who could fit in next season, and be a godsend if he returns to his old form.

Boki Nachbar: Grade - C-
Boki was very inconsistent (or perhaps, consistent in his inconsistency, like the rest of the team) - when his shot was falling, or he was making things happen, he was good. But when the shot wasn't falling, he contributed next to nothing. Struggled with some injuries as well, but he was being counted on to be the lead scorer off the bench, and too often he was anything but. He's a free agent, but we'll see if the Nets can afford to bring him back.

Marcus Williams: Grade - D.
I'm probably going easy on Marcus, for all the mistakes and the glaring lack of defense that he plays, he may well deserve an F. He lost time to the injured foot at the start of the season, then seemed to forget anything he'd learned and wound up looking worse than in his rookie year. He's not a pass-first point, but too many times this season his shot selection was highly questionable, and when the shots didn't fall, his already non-existant defense got worse. He may not be around next season.

Gana Diop: Grade - C
He came in the Kidd trade, and he proved early on that he can rebound and defend the paint, something no one else seemed capable of doing this season. But he's no offensive whiz, and when he's in the game, often the Nets are playing 4 on 5 offensively. He does what he does pretty well, though, so he'll be highly regarded this off-season.

Sean Williams: Grade - C-
He's got the athleticism but not the head for the NBA game, yet. He found himself briefly a starter, and his energy was contageous, his shot blocking skills outrageous. But he couldn't seem to grasp what the Nets were trying to do, so by the end of the season, he was riding the pine. Although I ask, defensively, what Net was grasping what they were trying to do? He's got a lot more work ahead of him.

Darrell Armstrong: Grade - B
He gets a B for his enthusiasm alone. Great, positive influence as the third PG, he saw spot duty when he saw it at all, and he had a few moments in the sun. But he's going to be 40, and isn't going to stick around for the rebuilding unless he joins the coaching staff.

Stromile Swift: Grade - C-
What in the world does this package of athleticism do when he hits the court? He had some shining moments, but he's also one who disappears at times, or worse, finds himself on the bench or in the doghouse because his play doesn't match up to his skills. He's got a player option for 2008 left on his contract, so unless the Nets can move him or his mistakenly opts out, look for more Stro next season.

Trenton Hassell: Grade - D
Plays defense. And that's about it. For that, he's probably highly overpaid, and after a brief glimpse of him when he first arrived from Dallas, that's not someone the Nets need next season, guaranteed contract or not.

Mo Ager: Grade - D
What can he do? Shoot some? Play any defense? Not sure, since his playing time was extremely limited, and mostly to garbage time at that. The Nets don't really need him except for practice play.

Keith Van Horn: Grade - Inc.
You can't grade a ghost, even one who again hit the lottery...

Lawrence Frank: Grade - D
Perhaps that's harsh, but this group of Nets was never able to find any chemistry. That falls on Frank just as much as the stupid losses to horrible teams does. If his job is to motivate, well, he failed on all counts, because he never could get this team to play defense either. What's left is enough to build upon, but if he can't get the Nets back to the playoffs, or worse, off to a decent start, then he'll be trying to hook on with another team as an assistant next year.

Rod Thorn: Grade - C+
We like Rod, after all, he's the guy that built this team from loserville into a 6 time playoff participant. But, he's been spotty with his personnel moves of late, from signing Jamal Magloire to drafting Antoine Wright to bringing in Alonzo Mourning, but he redeemed himself by prying Harris away from the Mavs for Kidd. A very critical off-season will likely cement his legacy or condemn it.

Who Should Stay And Who Should Go

Wrapping up the season with a back-to-back Tuesday and Wednesday - first the Bobcats in the last home game of the season, and then the Celtics in a game that hardly matters for anyone except those on the end of the bench. Expect to see a lot of Brian Scalabrine (if he's active, or not hurt...).

See that Nets attendance is down 6% - hardly surprising what was served up on the court, and the never-ending storm of economic news to the bad. Oh, and a whole lot of mystery over whether the Brooklyn thing is going to happen any time soon...

But fear not, friends, soon you can slip on your flip flops and glide into summer, where expectations for the fall and winter and spring are hatched in the positive rays of the summer sunshine. Or so it seems...

With the off-season already here, no way to press onward through the playoffs, and a whole lot of necessary change in the offing, it's time to start talking about who should stay and who should go on the Nets' roster. It's clear that there is little chemistry with the current bunch, no toughness, and not enough shooting to get through a successful NBA season in 2008 - 2009. It's also pretty clear that there isn't enough difference in the games of Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter that doesn't make one (or who knows? both?) expendable. With Jason Kidd gone, the strengths of both RJ and VC are a bit of a duplication, and all that seems to have happened is RJ suddenly turned into a bad defensive player. Not good for any hopes of future success.

So with that in mind we'll start whacking around the roster and talk about who should be here next season. I've given it a lot of thought over the last week or so (and trust me, I've had a lot of time to think), and without going in to who should replace those going, what trades should be made or who should be drafted (we'll save that for after the regular season ends), here is what I've come up with:

Should stay a Net:

Vince Carter (because he's got a big contract and the owner loves him)
Devin Harris (you don't trade a legend for the kid and then not give him a chance to pilot the team over a full season)
Josh Boone (maybe he's not a starter, but a good energy/rebounder/pick and roll player off the bench)
Sean Williams (it's far too early to give up on him, unless there is something serious that we're missing)
Gana Diop (I think he brings something to the Nets that the need - interior defense, shot blocking and rebounding, plus he might bring some toughness)

Should NOT stay a Net:

Richard Jefferson (if you can move him with the rather large contract, he's probably the best asset the Nets have to get another player - Elton Brand?)
Marcus Williams (perhaps he needs another team/coach to bring out the best in him, but he's taken a step or three backwards this year)
Stromile Swift (maybe there's something here, but he just doesn't seem like a Lawrence Frank type of player, since you can't trust him to play defense consistently)
Trenton Hassell (I was all for him at first, since he actually plays defense, but now? Well, perhaps he's best moving on)
Mo Ager (Maybe there's something here, like a shooter, but the Nets can't afford to wait and find out unless they want to stash him as player #13)
Darrell Armstrong (retire, friend)
Keith Van Horn (stay in retirement, friend)

On the Bubble:

Nenad Krstic (he's proven to be slower to gain his old form, but then again, can we expect he'll ever get it back? He's a risk until proven otherwise, one dimensional on a team that is currently full of them. Without a Jason Collins to cover for him, I'm not sure the Nets can afford the luxury)
Boki Nachbar - (when he's on, he can be game-changing, but he's really inconsistent, which the Nets don't need. Willing to play hurt a plus, unless someone makes a large offer, they should probably keep him around)

Those are my thoughts. I'll get more into the hows and whys of my thinking over the course of the next week or so, and I'm open to anyone convincing me the error of my thinking ways. Drop me a line and let me know your thoughts, because this is the first time in seven years we're facing the challenge of rebuilding almost from the ground up.

-Joe

Done. Over. Finito. The End. Good Bye.

The Nets are out of the playoffs!

Frankly, I couldn't be happier for this season to end as quickly as possible. It's been painful to the point of not wanting to watch and report on anything going on. Think we all need a vacation.

I have not yet seen the game, but saw the final score - Raptors 113, Nets 85. I think when I turned it on in the third quarter it was something like Raptors 60, Nets 56, so it appears another complete second half collapse was the order of the day. That shows a team in total retreat, unable to stop it's spiral downward.

They say you have to hit bottom to start coming back up again. I think the Nets have 3 more games to do just that.

It will be an interesting off-season, one hopes a complete changeover is in order.

Blow it up, what could it hurt. Some different faces and playing styles (play fast and loose - oh, that's right - the coach can't allow that. Play young than - oh wait, that's a no-no too) might bring some joy back to a franchise that seems to have had it sucked out of it by Jason Kidd (and to be fair, he put the fun into it back in 2001).

I'll get the game review up tomorrow morning after I watch what I can stomach of the tape of the game. Just can't wait for Wednesday night, that's all I can say.

-Joe