2010-11 Team previews: New Jersey Nets

jeffb · 10-17-2010, 11:39 AM

Last season: 12-70

Key Additions: Jordan Farmar, Derrick Favors, Anthony Morrow, Travis Outlaw, Troy Murphy,

Quote:

New jersey Nets new owner Mikhail Prokhorov talks big and thinks bigger. Upon taking over as owner of the Nets, the Russian billionaire vowed that his new team would win an NBA title in five years.

The jet-setting bachelor even quipped that he would get married if a title isn’t delivered in the promised time.

Talk about pressure.

Prokhorov wanted to make an immediate splash, but the Nets and everyone but Miami never got their feet wet during the free-agent pursuit of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

So while New jersey overpaid for some lower-level free agents, it never came close to breaking the bank.

Then, there has been the highly publicized pursuit of Nuggets star forward Carmelo Anthony—with a different twist in trade talks seemingly every day heading into training camp.

So for now—if the trade for Anthony doesn’t happen—the goal for the young Nets will be to show improvement, save some cap space and possibly attract a free agent next summer who can keep improving this team.

The good thing is that the Nets have nowhere to go but up coming off a 12-70 nightmare of a season.

Nothing seemed to go right last year for a team that had the worst possible mix of aging veterans and young players who, for the most part, weren’t ready.

An exception to that list is Brook Lopez, who has established himself as one of the bright young centers in the NBA. Having played all 82 games in each of his first two seasons, Lopez averaged 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots last year.

Lopez and one-time All-Star Devin Harris remain the cornerstones of the team—though Harris has been mentioned in the Anthony trade talks.

Courtney Lee was dealt in the summer to Houston, but it brought 6-11 forward Troy Murphy from Indiana as part of a four-team trade. The sharp-shooting Murphy, in the final year of his contract, averaged a double-double last year with the Pacers (14.6 ppg, 10.2 rpg) while shooting .384 from the top of the arc.

Terrence Williams enjoyed a strong showing in the Orlando summer league by averaging 18.8 points and five assists in five games, and could be among the team’s more improved players.

New Jersey’s most significant signing was coach Avery Johnson, whose no-nonsense style should set a good tone for this young team. Johnson was a proven winner as a player and in his previous coaching stint, taking the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2006. In three-plus seasons with Dallas, Johnson was 124 games over .500. That mark will be tested in New Jersey, but Johnson will be a major upgrade over Kiki Vandeweghe, who steered a sinking ship after taking over when Lawrence Frank was fired following a 0-16 start.

”Avery’s record speaks for itself,” assistant G.M. Bobby Marks said.

New jersey Nets: 2010-11 preview - NBA - Sporting News

Top 10
Harris
Lopez
Morrow
Murphy
Outlaw
Farmar
Favors
Williams
Petro
Humphries

My 2010-11 Prediction: 38-44

Chiggmo · 10-18-2010, 10:24 AM

Why don't you do the same thing as Mr. M (with the hockey stuff) and make these all in 1 topic rather than have 30 different ones lol

jeffb · 10-18-2010, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiggmo

Why don't you do the same thing as Mr. M (with the hockey stuff) and make these all in 1 topic rather than have 30 different ones lol

Lol yeah I thought about that after the 2nd one.

N64 · 10-18-2010, 12:12 PM

Isn't Murphy out indefinitely with a back injury? It's funny how he is a forward who can take outside shots but can still avg a double double, take notes Bargs

As for the nets, I think they'll do alright if Harris stays healthy and he role players they brought in will help

Bill Haverchuck · 10-18-2010, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nolimitz64

Isn't Murphy out indefinitely with a back injury? It's funny how he is a forward who can take outside shots but can still avg a double double, take notes Bargs

haha

+1

NaturallyStoned · 10-18-2010, 03:11 PM

I mean, if you want a guy who can get rebounds that would otherwise hit the floor , or steal them right out of his teammates' hands- then sure, take note Bargs.

If you want him to get contested rebounds, block out effectively or battle for offensive rebounds then no, please don't. Murphy padded his stats because his team ran at a ridiculously high pace, and made him the designated defensive rebounder off of missed shots because he's such a sloth getting up the floor, and has an effective trailer three.

Bill Haverchuck · 10-18-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaturallyStoned

I mean, if you want a guy who can get rebounds that would otherwise hit the floor , or steal them right out of his teammates' hands- then sure, take note Bargs.

Nah, Bargs probably has a binder full of those notes from observing Bosh. tee hee

Quote:

If you want him to get contested rebounds, block out effectively or battle for offensive rebounds then no, please don't. Murphy padded his stats because his team ran at a ridiculously high pace, and made him the designated defensive rebounder off of missed shots because he's such a sloth getting up the floor, and has an effective trailer three.

I agree with some of this. Yes, both the Warriors and Pacers played at a high pace. Yes, Murphy is a sloth who shoots trailer 3s. Yes, Murphy's rebounding stats are probably padded by 1.3-1.8 boards per. But Troy has always been a decent rebounder, no matter what level of play. He was an absolute beast in college. Put him on a team that plays at a slower pace with an offense structured mostly around half court sets and I still think he'll grab 8.7 - 9 boards a game. He's a solid rebounder for a guy under 7 feet.

The fact of the matter is, Bargs is so aweful at rebounding he could learn from more than half of the league. And that's part of what makes the Murphy comment so funny. Bargs could actually learn something from him. Heck, Bargs could learn something from Keith Van Horn. If Bargs ever grabs 7.5-8 boards, I'll organize the parade and pay for the beer.

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10-18-2010, 10:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Chiggmo is rootin for the eagles, boise state, the leafs, raps, and jays Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Halifax Posts: 4,505 Representing:	Why don't you do the same thing as Mr. M (with the hockey stuff) and make these all in 1 topic rather than have 30 different ones lol

10-18-2010, 12:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
N64 is only posting in gifs now Wildcard Bitches Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 7,058 Representing:	Isn't Murphy out indefinitely with a back injury? It's funny how he is a forward who can take outside shots but can still avg a double double, take notes Bargs As for the nets, I think they'll do alright if Harris stays healthy and he role players they brought in will help

10-18-2010, 03:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
NaturallyStoned is a Rhymenoceros Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ottawa Posts: 595 Representing:	I mean, if you want a guy who can get rebounds that would otherwise hit the floor , or steal them right out of his teammates' hands- then sure, take note Bargs. If you want him to get contested rebounds, block out effectively or battle for offensive rebounds then no, please don't. Murphy padded his stats because his team ran at a ridiculously high pace, and made him the designated defensive rebounder off of missed shots because he's such a sloth getting up the floor, and has an effective trailer three.