The Trade That Changed Everything: In Thorn We Trust
Aug 17, 2009 Rod Thorn, Trades
While some might question whether or not the Nets have made roster moves this summer for team-building reasons or for strictly budgetary ones, NBA.com, in a review of some of the top trades of the past 20 years, reminds us of what was arguably the best trade ever in the franchise’s history when the Nets acquired Jason Kidd from Phoenix for Stephon Marbury. Kidd had the “character issues” tag when he was acquired, but back-to-back final trips later, I think most Nets fans forgot the assumed risks that came with Kidd. On days where I question the wisdom of team president Rod Thorn, I often come back to that trade and remember that we have one of the best minds in basketball running this ship. Nobody is perfect, but when you can pull off a move that good, you should be able to buy yourself a lot of good will.
Published by Mark Ginocchio
Youtube Of The Night: CDR Rookie Mix – And A Truehoop Network Note
Aug 17, 2009 Chris Douglas-Roberts, QueenCityHoops, Truehoop Network, Youtube of the night
CDR is always tweeting good stuff, and recently he hyped up a rookie mix of himself that popped up on youtube. I checked it out and it’s pretty solid. The first little part is all photos, but there is actual video, so don’t worry. Oh yeah, the lyrics to the music to the background is NSFW.
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A little Truehoop Network note, Brett Hainline over at Queen City Hoops runs a great statistical page for every NBA player in the league. He needs a little help though, and for your trouble you could win a $25.00 gift card for NBA.com. All you got to do is head over to the post I just linked above and in the comments post a player bio or a picture for any player. There is a gift card for both the bio and the picture, so be sure to help out and pick one for both. Good luck Nets’ fans, lets take it down!
Posted by Sebastian Pruiti
Nets Are Scorching Interview: Eyewitness Account of Yi in FIBA Asia Championship
Aug 17, 2009 Interviews, Yi
Despite Team China falling short in the finals against Iran in the FIBA Asian Championship this past weekend, Yi Jianlian turned some heads with his strong play during the tournament, where he averaged 18.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. The Nets have more or less declared that Yi will be the starting PF this coming season despite his disappointing finish last year, where he was eventually benched during the final month.
To get more insight into Yi’s performance in Asia this summer, and whether are not Nets fans should get excited about his potential this year, NAS talked with Wang Meng, a reporter from Titansports, the biggest sports newspaper in China. Wang has covered the NBA and the Houston Rockets for the past five seasons and was following Team China during the FIBA games.
Point, Counterpoint: Jerseys and Ownership
Aug 17, 2009 2009 Offseason, Opinion, Point Counterpoint
Mark’s Take: Own Who You Are Nets
For a team that’s supposed to be in the bottom of the league’s standings this coming season, the New Jersey Nets have certainly generated a lot of mainstream media buzz during an otherwise sleepy week in the summer off-season. And not for the right reasons.
First, they ruffled the feathers of a New Jersey legislator when the organization said they would be wearing new road uniforms this season – jerseys with the words “New Jersey” noticeably absent. Team officials said it’s another part of the “regionalization” of the franchise, but those who have followed owner Bruce Ratner’s quest to bring the Nets to Brooklyn as part of a larger and development, saw the move as a slap to the face to New Jersey.
Then, in an effort to boost ticket sales, the team announced a promotion where fans who bought tickets to 10 select games would receive “reversible jerseys” – with one side featuring Nets players like Devin Harris and Brook Lopez, and the reverse side featuring some of the top stars from other teams, like Lebron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett. The promotion has received mock and scorn on a national level and speaks volumes about how many tickets the team thinks it can sell by marketing around only Nets players in 2009-10.