The Nets Will Make the Playoffs if (Part II)
After struggling with a 12 win season last year, Nets fans are feeling good about their current situation. A much improved roster, a successful coach, and an owner willing to spend has fans thinking about the playoffs. We here think that the playoffs are a possibility but not a guarantee. Over the next two weeks, we are going to look at four things that need to happen for the Nets to make the playoffs. This is part II.
The Nets Will Make The Playoffs If…TWill Develops Into the Player We Saw at the End of Last Season
Why Is It Important?
After a complete roster makeover this summer, Terrence Williams is one of four remaining Nets from last year’s roster. While some believe the trade of Courtney Lee opens the starting SG spot for sharpshooter Anthony Morrow, I personally believe with TWill’s diverse skillset, a permanent spot in the starting lineup is his for the taking. No player on the roster may be more linked to the Nets respectable finish to last season than Williams. After floundering for most of the season on the bench, even receiving a threat from the front office that he would be demoted to the D-League if he didn’t get his act together, TWill became a fixture in the Nets rotation for the season’s final six weeks. And TWill rewarded the team for its faith, averaging 14.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists in March and 14.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists in April. Without this boost in production from TWill, the Nets possibly end up with the worst record in NBA history. Instead, they won 4 of their last 11 games.
TWill’s playmaking ability and tenacious rebounding compliment the Nets starting five. While he’s not an effective scorer from the perimeter, he has an explosive first step and is a strong finisher at the basket. With Brook Lopez working the post, Travis Outlaw and Troy Murphy working the perimeter and Devin Harris being another threat to slash and score, TWill will likely be matched with defenders who will not be able to handle his combination of speed and strength.
Can It Happen?
Yes. TWill’s Summer League performance seems to be a mixed bag as some criticized him for not getting the ball to rookie Derrick Favors enough (Favors’ one good game came without TWill who was sitting with an injury). But Williams was also clearly the star of the Orlando Summer League, averaging 18.8 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. Yes, it’s only Summer League, against other first and second year players, but TWill looked poised and confident, and most importantly demonstrated that his ability to fill a stat sheet last March and April were no fluke. His game still has significant flaws: his outside shooting beyond the corner three is putrid and his turns the ball over too much for a playmaker – often trying to make the spectacular play instead of the smart one. But TWill potentially brings so much to the Nets when he’s focused and playing smart, that his evolution is essential to the Nets Playoff chances.
Not to get too far ahead of ourselves with comparisons, but just for fun, in Scottie Pippen’s sophomore season (age 23, like Williams) he put up 14.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists. We all know how his career worked out.
@hbj725:
I'm a nets fan. Have been for nearly a decade. I just find it annoying when people hype a team more than they should.
@People who disagreed with me:
Yes the Nets improved this year but you guys don't seem to realize that to change a 12 win team to a playoff contender takes more than signing one starter and a bunch of role players!! YES the Nets are going to win more than 12 games. NO they will not finish with a better record than 8 teams in the East.
Remember, the Nets doesn't need to beat the other teams in the east head to head (well it would help), but they have to do better against the rest of the league as well.
Lets see how the Nets improved since last year.
Petro (who?) as back up Center.
Farmar is not nearly as good as people make him.
Outlaw good rotation player.
Morrows, borderline starter, slight upgrade over Lee, mostly on the offensive end though.
Sean May.... :s
Murphy is the only signing which leads to a significant enough improvement to add wins. Farvor will be good, but when? Only rookies who really make a difference are rookies such as Lebron and Chris Paul. Look at New Orleans last year and Marcus Thornton, great stats, but he didn't win them games.
Jerome James will be a solid rotation player.
Coaching stuff: no question here, way better and will help.
Another year under the belt for Brook.
Ok so, an obvious improvement. But a couple rotation players, a starter and a half, and a new and much better coaching stuff is good for a solid foundation, but no where near enough to transform the second worst team in NBA history to a playoff contender.
As for playoffs spots, yes the Bobcats won't be as good, and obviously Cleveland won't be. But the Knicks are 10 times better. Detroit, while not good enough to make the playoffs have a much better roster than us and will be tough to beat. Washington is also up and coming, which might be treaky. And the Bucks will be even better than last year with a healthy Bogut, a second year Jennings and their new signings.
I'm a Nets fan. I really want my team, our team to win. I think the management is doing a terrific job with creating a solid young team and that the future definately looks bright.
I don't however think people should be writing about making the playoffs this year! I wrote this exact same last year, when people on this site were hyping up a team that didn't have much.
This is a better team. They'll do better, I wish them the best of luck, and I'll try to catch as many games live as I can (as I'm moving to NJ soon). And finally I hope that in April everyone will be able to come back to this post and say "You were wrong" to me.
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