Well, we’re officially in the busy season with rumors and speculation regarding free agency and the Nets GM vacancy, so here’s a round-up of the day’s news.
After some conflicting reports, Rod Thorn tells beat writing stalwart Dave D’Alessandro that it’s “time for me to go.” A replacement will be hired in a timely matter and should not impact free agency, Thorn said.
Mitch Lawrence mentions Raptors executive Maurizio Gherardini as a potential replacement for Thorn – sure to bring international flavor to the roster though if he had a hand in signing Hedo to that awful contract he has some ‘splainin to do. Dime runs down some other potential GM candidates.
Forget GMs. Henry Abbott and Marc Stein have separate pieces discussing the impact of good ownership on recruiting free agents. Both mention Mikhail Prokhorov as a major plus and lure for the Nets.
When discussing the Nets summer plans for recruitment, Al Iannazzone baits us all with this nugget: “There’s something else big that’s coming, too. Just wait.”
Goodnight and good luck to Keyon Dooling. A class guy all the way who was officially waived today.
For you summer basketball junkies, the Nets released their summer league roster today.
This is a continuing series spurred by this quote from Avery Johnson:
“More than anything, we are going to have a system. The system is going to be laid out from game one. How we play pick and rolls. How we function in transition defense. How we close out, and how we play the post. There isn’t going to be a gray area.”
Part 1: Pick And Roll Defense
Transition Defense
The Nets’ transition defense may have been the worst aspect of their defense last year. According to Synergy Sports, the Nets ranked 26th (the worst ranked aspect of their defense) in transition defense allowing 1.2 points per possession on 60.2% shooting. With how bad their transition defense is, there are going to be some changes that need to be made, and I think we can look at Avery Johnson’s Dallas Mavericks to see what those changes will be.
As the shot goes up, look at the rest of the Dallas Mavericks. They are all positioned on the perimeter, and instead of crashing the boards they decide that it is not worth it and they make sure to get back on defense. This is something the Nets didn’t do a ton of last year. You had guys like Courtney Lee or Terrence Williams crashing the offensive boards hard, even if there wasn’t a chance to get a rebound. This often lead to a lot of fastbreak opportunities. It seems like Avery Johnson doesn’t want that. I feel like he is going to tell his guys, “You got a chance to get the board? Great, go after it. If not, get back.”
Read more…
For the past two seasons, the Nets organization has blindly put their faith behind Yi Jianlian with very little to show for it in terms of statistical results. Now, as the front office gears up for one of the biggest off-seaons in the organization’s history, they are seemingly being punished for their belief in Yi. The Chinese import has no role in the future of this organization with the drafting of Derrick Favors and Damion James and the team’s reported desires to sign a top PF in free agency. Meanwhile, the $4 million and change they currently owe Yi for 2010-11 – because the front office just HAD to pick up his rookie option, sight unseen, despite two largely disappointing seasons to start his NBA career and reports that he’s a few years older than his birth certificate says – has proven to be an obstacle in their chase for two max salary free agents.
Read more…
Marc Stein is reporting after the Nets meet with LeBron, they’re recruiting contingent, which includes Mikhail Prokhorov, Jay-Z, Avery Johnson and Rod Thorn, will meet with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Dave D’Alessandro runs through some misconceptions headed into free agency, including Rod Thorn’s retirement status, the charm of Prokhorov, and whether Bosh or Rudy Gay are worth/will get max deals.
Is New Jersey a likely landing spot for David Lee?
Likely successors to Rod Thorn: Nets VP Bobby Marks, Thunder GM Sam Presti and Hornets GM Jeff Bower. Unlikely: fired Portland GM Kevin Pritchard and former Phoenix owner Jerry Colangelo.
