Sometime this week the site is going to change a bit. Nothing too big, but the site will have a new logo:
Pretty sweet huh? This was designed by DailyThunder.com reader Jacob Thompson. I just wanted to say thank you to him here. Also, if you guys have twitter, you should probably check his page out and follow him. You can find it here:
Again, thanks a ton Jacob!
With the economy at a downturn and the Brooklyn move on the horizon (I admittedly don’t know too much about the Brooklyn move other than it is still up in the air, Netsdaily has a lot of info on it), the Nets have been doing a lot to try and save money here and there. They have done stuff like fire employees, implementing summer hours at the facilities, giving the assistants pay-cuts. Now these moves suck, and as a Nets fan I would rather see them not do these things, but one can understand why they need to be made. The one money saving move that Bruce Ratner (I assume that he is the one who made this decision) has implemented this summer that I vehemently disagree with is the “split squad” for our summer league.
Finacially sharing a summer league roster with another team makes sense. However, from a basketball standpoint this is a stupid decision. There are so many basketball-related cons to this move, it is just plain silly. Lets look at them:
Easier To Scout
Many teams are private when it comes to practices. They usually don’t let media in until the end, and they sure as hell wouldn’t allow other teams to be involved and watch practices. So why is it ok during the summer league? Now granted we probably won’t be running our normal stuff, but Sixers’ coaches are going to be able to see Nets’ players who will be getting significant playing time (Terrence Williams & CDR) behind close doors. They are going to be able to pick up on little tendencies and weaknesses that might not be known to other coaches and scouts. Let’s say that when Terrence Williams dribbles to the left twice behind the three point line, he shoots it (This is not true, and is just an example). The Sixers’ staff will be able to pick up on this in our “joint” practice sessions and scrimmages, and then they can use this as an advantage during our regular season games.
Less Roster Flexibility:
Normally during the summer league, you see a fair amount of young pros mix with a couple of unsigned rookies to make up the squad. This year, the Nets only have 1 player who played for them last year on the roster. I would like to see players like Brook, C. Lee, Yi, and even Devin (If we had our own team, this would be 6 pros and 6 unsigned rookies) be able to play in the summer league so they can mesh, learn to play together and improve. I am most disappointed that Courtney Lee isn’t going to be there. This would give him an opportunity to play with some guys on the roster and allow him to get a headstart on learning the system.
Along the same lines, with a split squad we can’t really experiment playing different guys at different positions. For example, I (and I am assuming the coaches) want to see Terrence Williams play the point during these games to see if he can handle playing the point from time to time during the year. He won’t be playing much point though. Why? because Jrue Holiday, the Sixers’ first round pick will probably getting the most minutes at point.
You Lose An Advantage With Unsigned Rookies
Unsigned rookies have the ability to sign with any team they choose, so if you find a guy that you like and that you are thinking about signing, you want to make him feel special. During a summer league, that is when that happens. Your coaches teach and talk to the unsigned rookies and they become familiar with them. That way, when it comes down to signing with a team (whether it be a 1-year contract or a 10-day contract), they remember how well you treated them and they sign with you. With a “joint” roster, you have two sets of coaches.
Also, let’s say the Nets find a diamond in the rough, a unsigned rookie that just plays phenomenal (someone like Jeff Adrian comes to mind if he plays well this week). Guess what? The Sixers see this too, and they have immediate access to the player. Let’s say both teams love Adrian and want to sign him. It is a good possibility he could end up with the Sixers even though he was our invite.
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Am I making too much of a big deal about this? Maybe. Maybe I am overreacting and a week long summer league isn’t that important. But what if it is? What if the Sixers just absolutely frustrate us during the regular season because of something they picked up during the summer league? I am not saying it will happen, but it is possible.
I know the roster and schedule have been up for a while, but with the Orland league starting today, I figured I should get it on here. Remember, this is a split squad with the Sixers (I will be talking about this later today), so we got some Sixers on the roster.
Roster (big ups to Netsdaily who had the roster breakdown of invitees):
Schedule:
Now box scores and everything will be on the Orlando’s website. As for watching it live, I am not sure if it’s going to happen, but if you go to the Nets summer league center, there is a watch live link under each game. Nothing happens when you click it now, but it is worth a shot to try around game time.
Hey everyone, just wanted to wish those in the US a happy 4th of July. I know it isn’t until tomorrow, but I am leaving this afternoon to go celebrate. I probably won’t be posting anything of real significance until Sunday, but if something big happens tomorrow or Saturday, I will try to get to a PC so I can give you my thoughts.
Thanks for the continued support of NetsAreScorching.
I have been encouraging you guys to e-mail in questions/comments (well written of course) if you wanted to see them posted here. As of right now, I am posting them as I get them, but if more of you e-mail stuff in, this could be a weekly thing. It’s up to you guys. Anyway here is something from reader Sam S:
Trade idea from loyal netsarescortching reader (Sebastian – his words not mine) Sam S.
Boozer opted not to opt out for the coming year – so he has a one year $12.7mm contract. Bobby Simmons has a one year $11.24mm contract. A straight up trade works for economic purposes (salaries are wthin 25% of each other) and saves Utah $3mm ($1.5mm x 2 due to luxury tax). Boozer also is a toxic presence for Utah since he does not want to be there and they want to keep Milsap. For us, he is a huge upgrade at the 4 and we would presumably have an inside track at resigning him in 2010 if he proves that he is worth a big contract. While it would hurt our 2010 draft tanking strategy, it would show the fans that the team really wants to put the best team on the floor….. What do you think?
OK, before I answer this question I feel like I have to disclose the fact that I am not a big Boozer fan. On paper this works and makes sense, it gives the Jazz a little more cap space and they get to feature Milsap more. For the Nets, getting Boozer fills a gaping hole, and getting rid of Simmons clears up some some space at the SF position (since we do have a ton of players in that spot now). Carlos Boozer is a great player and his game fits our new style perfectly.
As for why I don’t like it, well acquiring Boozer hurts the development of Yi. I know I am in the minority, but I still think Yi can be a solid player for the Nets, but he just needs time. I am also not a big fan of his attitude, he is a selfish player (I formed this opinion through his previous actions regarding his contract) who seems to cause problems in the locker room. With a real young team, I don’t want someone like that in the locker room. Boozer is also very injury prone, and I don’t want to get stuck with paying his contract as he sits on the sidelines in a suit. Now if this deal happens, I won’t jump off the bridge because it would be a solid trade for us, but I wouldn’t be too excited about it.
Thanks for the question Sam. If others would like to chime in, write your response in the comments. And like I said before, if you have a question/comment that you want on the site. E-mail me at sebastian.pruiti@netsarescorching.com
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