by YoungKidd on Sun Sep 11, 2005 4:58 am
Net Advantage
With an entire season of Kidd-Carter-Jefferson to look foward to, it's hard not to be optimistic in New Jersey.
There are few things more delightful to watch in an NBA game than a perfectly executed fast break-a rebound, an outlet pass, one more pass up the court, a final dish to someone blazing up the sideline, and a finish, either as an easy layip or emphatic dunk. It is the kind f sight that should play itself out repeatedly this season with the New Jersey Nets, a team that boasts a powerful one-two-three combination that should be the envy of every other Eastern Conference squad.
Last year, the Nets season looked very doubtful of the playoffs, until former Net president Rod Thorn made a block buster trade to recieve Vince Carter from the Raptors. With that trade NJ fans were almost 100% postive that a Eastern Conferece appearance were there. Those plans were laid to waste by an injury that cost Jefferson almost the entire season. But this time around, with everyone healthy and seemingly mentally rejuvenated, the Nets can be counted on to revivr a run and gun offense that should more than make up for any defensive deficiencies they have.
*Newcomer Report*
In the last act of former President Rod Thorn he drafted a 6-7 swingman from Texas A&M, and a 7-1 Serbian. Antoine Wright is a6-7 swingman who is a pure shooter (50.1 fireld goal percentage last season at Texas A&M) and also very defensive-minded. He'll be effective off the bench, able to spell Richard Jefferson for long stretches. New Jersey's second round pick Serbian Mille Illc, is a 7-1 raw talent who will likely remain in the Adriatic League for another season before jumping to the NBA. The Nets also recieved backcourt depth with the acquistion of Jeff Mclnnis eho has had his share of troubles on other teams. He clashed with coaches in Cleveland, where he ended up a forgotten player. In New Jersey, however, he's surrounded by enough strong personalities thatr his antics won't be tolerated.Mclnnis should be able to spell Kidd long enough to keep teh league's best point guard healthy.
After working out a trade with Portland that would have brought Shareef Abdur-Rahiem to town for a draft pick, and a salary-cap trade exception, the Nets pulled out the deal the day it was to be announced after questions arose about Abdur-Rahiem's fitness following a physical. The veteran power foward was seen as a perfect complement to the Kidd-Carter-Jefferson triumvirate, but the Nets went to Plan B soon after they rescinded the deal, acquring 30-year old Marc Jackson from the 76ers for cash and future considerations. The 6-10 foward/center avgeraged 12 points and five rebounds rebounds in 81 games for Philly last season. "He's a good shooter he's a force down low and draws alot of fouls," new President Marcus Smith said of Jackson. We feel he's a player who can play in our rotation and help us.
*View from the President*
"If we're not the best team in the East, we aren't far from it. I think our biggest problem is going to be whether Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson can coexist in the halfcourt offense. Kidd will do a great job getting each of them the ball often enough, and Carter has always been willing to play a supplementary role if its needed. And Carter's passing skills have always been underrated. Another kid has caught my eye, Nenad Krstic. He has been working hard this offseason, working out almost every day. I can't wait to see what happens this season.
In closing the success for New Jersey will start and end with how Kidd Carter and Jefferson are able to mesh through an entire season together. there is no indication it won't work well. Coach Lawrence Frank knows enough not to mess with what his players want to do and seems willing to let Kidd run the show as he sees fit. If they can be successful and healthy throughout, the Nets will be one of the favorites to contend for another Eastern Conference title. Reguardless of how many games they win, though, it will be fun to watch those three racehorses get going on a nightly basis, enought fun to fill out a few highlight reels from October to April.