Nets Are Scorching

As you guys probably guessed from all of the reports we have been putting out, NetsAreScorching was credentialed for last Thursday’s practice, and I just wanted to share with you some stuff I noticed while watching.

• The first thing that I noticed was who was working with big man guru (in my opinion), assistant coach Roy Rogers.  Brook was there of course, but the other person was Sean Williams.  In fact, Sean was one of the last people off of the practice court on Thursday.  Sean Williams has caught a lot of flack from Nets fans (myself included), but it is starting to look like he is embracing this final chance of his.  I am starting to think he could be this team’s spark of the bench this year, providing high energy minutes when the team looks out of whack (sort of like what happened during the Knicks’ game in the Garden).
• The other two guys that were left on the court with Sean were Devin Harris and Courtney Lee.  It is becoming clear that these two are really starting to create a bond, probably due to the fact that they are following similar career paths.  The two were joking around while finishing up shooting drills (Courtney Lee’s stroke looks so smooth up close), and they closed practice with a half-court shooting contest (Courtney won).  A bond like this between your PG and SG is very important because they rely on each other to provide scoring opportunities.  If they know where each other is going to be on the court, it just becomes easier to set each other up.
• Lawrence Frank is a really nice and engaging person.  I know I haven’t really been too fond of his coaching decisions, but I am starting to understand why the media and his team loves him.  When we were all gathered around for his post-practice interview, he was all smiles and cracking jokes.  When I asked him a question, he didn’t shoot me a snide “who is this kid” look, but he looked me in the eyes and answered my question.
• That being said, I still have to disagree with a few things he said during the conference.  As of Thursday, Frank didn’t sit down and discuss roles with his players one-on-one.  He did that on Sunday, “On Sunday guys got to know who’s going to be playing and who’s not.” That isn’t a smart move in my opinion.  I would have hoped that this would have been done before the final preseason game, because it would help simulate more situations they will be facing during the season.  With that being said though, it can be hard to do that with all of the injuries the Nets experienced this offseason.
• He also kind of dismissed the Knicks killing the Nets from the three point line.  ”They have good shooters,” Frank said.  I mean he did say the Nets could have defended the three better, “We also contributed to it…We struggled not getting into the ball…we got sucked in on penetration.”  Those are all things I agree with, but it still irks me because the Knicks weren’t good from 3 at all against anyone else but the Nets (38% from 3 vs. the Nets – 29% vs. everyone else).

At Nets practice on Thursday, I was able to pull Jarvis aside and ask him a few questions about the upcoming season and his role with the team.  Jarvis practiced in full on Thursday and then played on Friday where he had a solid game (11 points on 4-4 from the field).

Here is the interview in full, transcripts after the jump.

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When Vince left, one of the biggest concerns the fans had was who is going to be this team’s leader.  While your best player doesn’t necessarily have to be your leader, everyone, including myself, looked to Devin to fill this void.  And while Devin might lead by example, it is becoming obvious that Jarvis is going to be this team’s vocal leader, and he is embracing it.  Jarvis has been through a lot on the court this offseason, from injuries to dropping in the depth chart, but it seems that he isn’t sulking about it, which is very big of him and something you would expect from your leader.  Hayes is going to be a veteran presence off the bench to start the season, and his offense is going to be needed in that second unit.

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With the season being just one day away now (two for the Nets), the TrueHoop Network is starting to roll out our season preview.  First up are previews for every team, which have just been published across the network. Click the logos below for full team previews, complete with a team’s best Tweet, best clutch play, quote of the year, biggest contract nightmare and more.

TEAM	BLOGGERS SAY	WINS*
	Bret Lagree | Hoopinion “The Hawks have not built, nor do they appear to be building, a championship contender. … Joe Johnson is poised to be a free agent in the summer of 2010. Johnson is not a franchise player, yet he’s the Hawks’ best player.”	45
	Zach Lowe | CelticsHub “It seems reasonable to say anything short of an 18th championship would be a disappointment.”	58
	Brett Hainline | Queen City Hoops “Great defense + equally bad offense = average. With an improving division around them, that equation does not get them their first playoff berth. But at least they won’t suck.”	36
	Matt McHale | By the Horns “During the offseason, the Bulls lost free agent Ben Gordon, whom many people considered the team’s best or second-best player (after Derrick Rose). Memo to Chicago fans: Don’t sweat it. Seriously. Gordon will be replaced by John Salmons, who not only gave the Bulls almost as many points per game (18.3 versus 20.7) but was slightly more efficient in how he scored them.”	43
	John Krolik | Cavs the Blog “After last season’s playoff heartbreak, Danny Ferry has changed up the equation … However, Shaq could disrupt the delicate offensive and defensive chemistry the Cavaliers rode to 66 wins and the conference finals, despite the fact he will be the best player LeBron has ever played with if he continues to play like he did last season. The big question for the Cavs this seasons whether they overreacted to two clutch 3s by Rashard Lewis, or made the risk they needed to take to finally get LeBron a ring.”	61
	Rob Mahoney | The Two Man Game “’Rebuilding’ teams seek financial flexibility and the acquisition of young, productive assets. Quality squads amass veteran talent, no matter the cost, in pursuit of a title. Defying all logic, the Mavs have simultaneously moved in both directions.”	50
	Jeremy Wagner | Roundball Mining Company “The only players still on the roster who exceeded expectations in 2008-09 were Nene and Birdman. It is reasonable to expect every member of the Nuggets, other than thirty-something Chauncey Billups, to improve.”	53
	Dan Feldman | PistonPowered “However the minutes shake out between Chris Wilcox, Kwame Brown and Ben Wallace, they won’t be as good as Rasheed Wallace. But Sheed wasn’t that great last year. He looked old and disinterested, so the drop here won’t be too steep.”	36
	Rasheed Malek |Warriors World “Under the ownership of Chris Cohan, the Warriors have made the playoffs exactly one time and have gone through numerous coaches, players and executives. Going into this season, Larry Riley is the man in charge taking over for Chris Mullin.”	28
	Anup Shah and Brody Rollins | Rockets Buzz “The speed revolution has overtaken some of basketball’s peers, most notably football … Is basketball headed in the same direction? [Aaron] Brooks provides an excellent case study. Beginning the year as the Rockets number one threat on offense with Ron Artest’s departure and injuries to Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, Brooks will have every opportunity to prove that size really doesn’t matter.”	39
	Jared Wade | Eight Points, Nine Seconds “It’s hard to believe that anything short of the postseason will remove the dark cloud over Conseco. … Ultimately, it will come down to one thing: [Mike Jr.] Dunleavy’s knee.”	32
	Kevin Arnovitz | ClipperBlog “[Blake] Griffin and [Eric] Gordon may not be saviors, but they’re something. Griffin’s skills and his tenacious work ethic (the guy runs up sand dunes in his free time) will be a boon to a team desperate for cultural overhaul. Gordon offers an enticing combination of spot-up shooting and forays into the paint. He finished third in true shooting percentage among starting off guards in his rookie campaign, something that can only help a team that ranked dead last in offensive efficiency last season.”	32
	Kurt Helin | Forum Blue and Gold “God, is it good to be hated again.”	64
	Chip Crain | 3 Shades of Blue “The 2009-10 version of the Grizzlies have put together a starting five where every player scored 30 points or more in a game last year. The oldest starter is only 28 years old (Zach Randolph) and the youngest won’t turn 22 until after the start of the season (O.J. Mayo). They are young, talented and hungry for success. So why do most people focus on the two players not on a rookie contract this season?”	20
	Matthew Bunch | Hot Hot Hoops “38.6 minutes. 30.2 points. 49.1 percent shooting. Five rebounds. 7.5 assists. 2.2 steals. 1.3 blocks. That’s what [Dwyane] Wade averaged last season. You’re going to keep that guy out of the playoffs? Good luck.”	44
	Jeremy Schmidt | Bucksketball “If the Bucks get anything out of their three small forwards, if they can keep [Andrew] Bogut and [Michael] Redd healthy and if they get a season worthy of the number ten selection out of Brandon Jennings at the point, the playoffs will be within reach. But that’s a lot of ifs.”	29
	Patrick Hodgdon | Howlin’ T-Wolf “”Ever since his arrival, David Kahn has had seemingly one mission, other than to look like the smartest guy in the room at every turn, and that is to get as much cap space for next summer as he possibly can. … The obvious question lies in whether or not the Wolves will actually be able to lure one of the better free agent players to come to Minnesota.”	23
	Mark Ginocchio and Sebastian Priuti | Nets are Scorching “Lingering doubts about Brooklyn could spoil any chance the Nets have of landing a top free agent next summer.”	29
	Niall Doherty and Ryan Schwan | Hornets247 “Enter Emeka Okafor. He’s a near match to a healthy Chandler, is more durable, and doesn’t look like he’s having muscle spasms when making a post move.”	47
	Mike Kurylo | Knickerblogger “2010 could be New York’s return to winning.”	31
	Royce Young | Daily Thunder “The Thunder may not win more than half their games, but with over half the roster unable to get an alcoholic beverage still, steady improvement and progression is the name of the game.”	34
	Zach McCann | Orlando Magic Daily “Take away either Hedo Turkoglu or Courtney Lee and the Magic aren’t getting to face the Lakers in the Finals. No way. But does that mean the Magic were wrong to let them go? Were the Magic foolish to allow a borderline All-Star and a possible future All-Star leave the team when both clearly wanted to stay in Orlando? Absolutely not. I believe the Magic are an entirely better team than they were four months ago.”	59
	Carey R. Smith | Philadunkia “The travesty of a deal that Billy King gave to Samuel Dalembert remains easily one of the worst contracts in NBA history. Hopefully this season Dalembert, his inflated self-worth and his contract will be dealt for a couple of expiring contracts and some much-needed cap space.”	39
	Michael Schwartz | Valley of the Suns “Two years ago the Suns were chic championship picks. Last year, the Suns were (accurately) thought to be a fringe playoff team. This year there are almost no expectations outside of their locker room. … There will be no mistaking what the Suns are this season: a lightning-speed team that will score points in bunches and likely give them up almost as quickly while struggling badly on the boards. But they will once again be the most exciting team in basketball.”	46
	Max Handelman | Beyond Bowie “The Blazers effectively bumbled their way to a 54-win season despite a mediocre performance from Greg Oden, the loss of Martell Webster for the season, and at times starting three rookies. This team is only getting better, kids.”	53
	Zach Harper | Cowbell Kingdom “Enter Tyreke Evans — a bulldozer-sized menace who will test the strength of every team’s defense at its entry point. He immediately creates matchup problems against teams with traditional point guards and will look to have a similar impact as fellow Memphis alum, Derrick Rose.”	22
	Timothy Varner | 48 Minutes of Hell During the Celtics heyday, Red Auerbach boasted a winning percentage of .719. In the modern era, Pat Riley’s Showtime Lakers played to the tune of .733. Phil Jackson’s Jordan Bulls dominated the 90s with an otherworldly percentage of .771. Jackson’s three-peat Lakers? .735. In his 12 seasons with San Antonio, Gregg Popovich, whose cynical disdain for the regular season runs more than skin deep, has, nevertheless, posted a winning percentage of .707. That’s the company the Spurs keep. What should we expect this season? 58 wins and a run at the title. Same as every other year.”	55
	RaptorsRepublic “How is a rookie(ish) head coach going to integrate nine new players into a new system with two new assistant coaches?”	41
	Spencer Ryan Hall | Salt City Hoops “With young Wesley Matthews providing the good luck charm, Boozer in a contract year, Deron Williams with a chip on his shoulder, and a new longer-haired version of Andrei Kirilenko the Jazz have no reason to be anything other than beastly this season. And I mean that in a good way. Every prediction from the Jazz camp, however, comes with the ominous caveat ‘If we can stay healthy.’”	46
	Kyle Weidie | Truth About It “Flip Saunders has never gotten a team ‘there.’ That worn out cliché always runs rampant, plaguing almost every coach who hasn’t won … until they win. Red Auerbach (647), Larry Brown (1,900), and Dick Motta (738) all took their lumps before winning a championship (games coached before title season). Don’t be surprised when what you think is impossible becomes a reality. … 2010 is the Chinese Year of the Tiger. Factor in Gilbert Arenas’ stomach tattoo and the fact that the Wizards play their home games in D.C.’s Chinatown, and all the cards are in place.”	42
* As predicted by a consensus of all TrueHoop Network bloggers.

Last Year’s Record: 34-48

Crystal Ball
The consensus prediction of the TrueHoop Network bloggers … and the best hopes of NetsAreScorching.

Crowd Says: 29-53
NetsAreScorching Says: 35-47

Yes We Can!
The sun is out. The seas have parted. The basketball gods are shining upon us!

When it comes to building an NBA roster, the cornerstones of most teams are the point guard and the center. In Devin Harris and Brook Lopez, the Nets have two young affordable talents who make them the envy of most teams around the league. And that’s why the Nets are going to exceed expectations this season.

A lot of people wrote off the Nets in 2008-09. After disposing of two-thirds of their “big three” in Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, the Nets proceeded to win 34 games, hanging around in the Eastern Conference playoff race until the final six weeks.

The biggest roster change going into this season was the trade of Vince Carter, whom the Nets sent to the Orlando Magic for Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie. Carter’s offensive production will be difficult to replace, but by trading the aging star, the Nets managed to get a younger guard in Lee, who put together a solid rookie campaign, while also obtaining the expiring contracts of Alston and Battie, who can provide cap flexibility for the Nets headed in the 2010 offseason when a number of elite stars may hit the open market. Those expiring contracts, along with Bobby Simmons’ deal, could also make for attractive trade chips if the Nets are in a position to make a run for the playoffs this year. The Nets may also be in a better position to spend now. With Russia’s richest man, Mikhail Prokhorov, ready to take a majority stake in the franchise, the organization could soon have access to a wealth of resources.

While Lee has supposedly told buddy Dwight Howard that he’s still hurting afterleaving an NBA Finals team, he helps strengthen the Nets’ perimeter defense, which plagued the team at points last season. The Nets will also get help from lottery pick Terrence Williams, who may struggle initially without a true position or a great jump shot, but will likely get minutes if his collegiate defensive and passing games translate to the NBA.

Then there’s Yi, the x-factor. Yi packed on some bulk and had a strong run for Team China in the FIBA Asia Championship, posting a double-double in the tournament. The development of Yi is the key for the Nets building on their 34-win season and becoming a sleeper team in the Eastern Conference.

No You Can’t
A rousing dissent from a rival blogger.

Last season, Devin Harris said, “I knew we were going to be a playoff team.” The Nets won 34 games and finished 11th in the East. And without Vince Carter, they might not even be that good this season.

Matt McHale, By the Horns

All-A-Twitter
A 140-character insight into the soul of the team.

“In a tow truck w/a guy who looks like dustin Pedroia driving 100 miles. I’m living a movie. I’m w/my dog Tone Boogie so I’m half way good.”

- In mid-July, CDR’s tweet reflected a Coen Brothers’ movie when he was stranded in Stoudsburg, PA

On the Record
Single best quote concerning the team during the last 12 months.

“The feeling I get when I make a pass for an assist is like the one you’d get if you had a baby brother and every time he tried to walk, he fell down, until one time, he finally walked and you were there to see it. That’s the kind of happiness I get from seeing other guys score.”

- Terrence Williams on the feeling he gets when he makes a perfect pass.

The 2008-09 Almanac
Some key stats from last season.

New Jersey Nets
Offense: 16th
Defense: 24th
Pace: 23rd
Team Factor Strength(s): Turnovers (10th)
Team Factor Weakness(es): Free Throws Allowed (29th), Offensive Rebounding
(22nd), Shooting Allowed (22nd)

The Play
Down a single point with 9.2 seconds to play in a must-win game. What’s the play?

Without Vince Carter to dominate the ball in the final seconds, the Nets can run a pick and roll with Devin Harris and Brook Lopez at the high post on the right side. Spacing the court would be Courtney Lee on the ball-side wing and Yi in the ball-side corner a few steps in from the 3-point line. Coming off the screen, Harris would have plenty of options. He could attack the hole, take the jumper, hit Brook Lopez rolling, or find either Courtney Lee or Yi stepping in for a jumper if their defenders drop in to help on Devin coming off the screen.

The People’s Choice
The fan favorite the crowd will be chanting for to see some action.

Sean Williams’ game has never been the reason why he has been glued to the bench. Despite showing flashes his first two seasons, Williams has been marred with legal troubles. This athletic 4 has now been buried on the depth chart behind Yi, Battie and Eduardo Najera. If these three struggle fans could be clamoring for Sean Williams.

If You’re Watching the Bottom Line, You’re Watching This
The single biggest spreadsheet issue hanging over the team.

Is there anything looming larger for the Nets right now than their proposed move to Brooklyn? Years after first announcing their plans to move, ownership is still fighting legal battles and seeking financing to get ground broken for the Barclays Arena by the end of the year. The announcement that Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov intended to purchase a majority stake in the team could help get this project going, but any lingering doubts about Brooklyn could spoil any chance the Nets have of landing a top free agent next summer.

The biggest news out of practice yesterday was the return of Devin Harris. Ben Couch gets from color from the PNY Center which prove it.

Seth Pinsky, president of the New York City Economic Development Corp. calls the financing of the Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn “tricky,” but he remains optimistic.

It’s the Sunday before the start of the NBA season, which means the New York/New Jersey papers have their season previews ready to go. Read some features stories about the Nets at the Star-Ledger, Daily News,  New York Post and Newsday.

The 76ers were left quite impressed with Terrence Williams after his performance in the preseason finale Friday night.

The Akron Beacon Journal talks about the value of LeBron James, and what his potential loss would mean if he bolted for a team in the New York City-area.

Let’s try to catch you up with a busy Friday and Saturday for Nets news.

First on the Newark front, Nets officials say they will only facilitate a move to the Prudential Center, once construction has begun in Brooklyn. Meanwhile, NJ Democrats seem lukewarm to the idea of the Nets breaking their lease at the Izod Center.

On rookie options: Yes to Brook Lopez, Yi Jianlian and Courtney Lee. No to Sean Williams.

NBC sees Brook as a Most Improved Player candidate. ESPN mentions Courtney Lee as a candidate, and Rafer Alston as a Sixth Man candidate.

Slam’s Nets Preview.

Brook Lopez controls his temper.

Vince Carter is happy in his home base.

The last time the Nets gained a victory, in any shape, form or iteration, was an April 13, 91-87 victory against the Charlotte Bobcats at the Izod Center. In that time, the Lakers won the NBA Finals, Vince Carter was traded to the Magic, the King of Pop died, the U.S. Government officially began its debate on health care reform, a nation was hoodwinked by a reality TV crazed father who said his kid was stuck in a weather balloon, and the Nets lost a score of summer league and preseason games.  Yes, until last night’s wire-to-wire dominant 110-88 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers at Carneseca Arena in Queens, NY, it had been a long time since Nets players – and their fans- last saw what a victory looks like.

We certainly saw, and can remember, what the losses looked like. Key players, like Devin Harris, Courtney Lee Keyon Dooling and Jarvis Hayes on the sidelines in suits. Inconsistent play from young players like Yi Jianlian, Terrence Williams and Brook Lopez. Porous defense on the perimeter as teams – mainly the Knicks who played the Nets three times in the preseason – drained three after three. Failed opportunities by players like Courtney Lee, who were improbably in position to tie the game with seconds left, despite being down 5 points only a few seconds before.

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