Nets Are Scorching

I guess for old times sake, it’s time to dust this post off:

Thursday Jan. 13 Update: Fred Kerber is reporting with optimism that the originally proposed three-team trade between the Nets, Pistons and Nuggets, bringing Carmelo Anthony, Rip Hamilton and Chauncy Billups to NJ may happen “soon” and we’re talking this weekend.

Monday Afternoon Update: After Denver continued their waffling, Troy Murphy was “sick” and not at practice. Meanwhile, the media is not allowed to speak to anyone else in the rumored trade. I’m basing this on nothing but my gut, but I forsee this trade falling apart. If that’s the case, Billy King, Avery Johnson or somebody needs to step forward and say trade talks are over … for good. Letting this play out until the trade deadlines serves no one.

Monday Morning Update: Still no deal as of this morning, and Anthony made some cryptic comments after a game against the Hornets. But Nets and league officials are optimistic that something goes down and soon, or the Nets won’t be able to dress enough players for Wednesday’s game against Phoenix. In addition to Anthony, Richard Hamilton and Chauncy Billups to the Nets here’s the latest roll call from Fred Kerber:

The Nets essentially would gut their roster. Eight Nets would be headed out in the pre-snag scenario. Prized rookie Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, Anthony Morrow, Quinton Ross, Ben Uzoh and Stephen Graham and at least two first-round picks would go to Denver. The Nets would receive Shelden Williams and Anthony Carter from Denver to join the holdovers: Brook Lopez, Travis Outlaw, Kris Humphries, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar and Damion James.

Troy Murphy, who has a desirable expiring $11.9 million contract, and Johan Petro would be bound for Detroit. One holdup in the discussions regarded Petro after the Pistons balked at taking the 7-footer, whom the Nets signed for three years and $10 million over the summer. The Nets may also include a draft pick to Detroit.

For what it’s worth, I have’t heard anything further on the Billups would be bought out rumor that was circulating Saturday night.

Sunday Night Update: It’s getting real close folks. Expect something by tomorrow.

Consider this your ‘Melo open thread for the day. Despite some reports that Chauncy Billups wants nothing to do with New Jersey if he’s traded, Al Iannazzone is reporting the big three-team trade referred to yesterday, which would be the biggest in NBA history, is still in the works. Here’s the latest roll call from Al:

In the proposed three-team trade, first reported by The Record on Friday, the main players the Nets would get in return are Anthony and point guard Chauncey Billups from Denver and Detroit shooting guard Richard Hamilton.

The Nets would send Devin Harris, rookie power forward Derrick Favors, Anthony Morrow, Stephen Graham, Ben Uzoh and at least two first-round picks to Denver and Troy Murphy, Johan Petro and Quinton Ross to Detroit. The Nets also would receive big man Sheldon Williams from Denver and guard Terrico White from Detroit. Additional players would change teams to make the salaries match.

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Box Score – Valley of the Suns – Bright Side of the Sun

It’s hard to argue with the Nets effort and execution last night against the Suns, but the result is always what matters. They had a big lead in the third quarter and early in the fourth, but they couldn’t close and struggled offensively through parts of the final period. This was a tough loss against a team they should have beaten, but the one positive thing that should come out of this one is that the Nets need to bring this effort every night. They’ve shown they’re capable of it and they have to start doing it.

Sure I could have chosen a different picture to go with this game recap but it just seemed appropriate to give some props to the two Lopez brothers. It’s safe to say that Brook got the better of Robin in this game, but let’s be honest, Brook is just a better player. Robin has certainly developed his offensive game but Brook’s post moves are much more refined. He actually had a decent rebounding night as well, amazingly coming close to the 10 boards Avery Johnson says he dreams about him getting. However the lasting image of Brook in this game will be of him sitting on the bench, seemingly pouting over Avery’s decision not to play him, but I’ll touch on that more below.

One of the things I wanted to keep an eye on before this game was whether the Nets were distracted by all of the Carmelo Anthony trade rumors. Well they certainly didn’t act like it in the first quarter as they really came out ready to play. The Nets shot 52.4% in the 1st and scored 28 points. Devin Harris was also very aggressive from the start, scoring 7 early points and helping the Nets get out to an 18-10 lead. But with the fast-paced style that the Suns play, it was no surprise that Phoenix quickly came back and it was tied at the end of the quarter. I don’t think anyone can accuse the Nets of not being ready to play at the start of this one.

Speaking of Harris he played a very nice overall floor game in this one. He knew he had to set the tone for this team by scoring and it seemed like once he got the rest of the guys in the flow of the game, he became the facilitator and was able to finish with 15 assists. The Nets point guard had the best game of his career in this building two years ago when he scored 47 and while tonight wasn’t nearly that good, I thought he played a very solid game.

For the second Wednesday in a row (I’ll just chalk it up to a strange coincidence) the Nets had a tremendous third quarter. Last week against the Bulls they were able to build a big lead thanks to some zone defense and last night they executed well offensively, hit some big shots and outscored the Suns 27-18 in the 3rd. The best thing I saw throughout last night’s game was the Nets effort and hustle, which was clearly on display in this quarter. With the shot clock winding down and a loose ball heading towards half court, Quinton Ross hustled after it and saved it to Jordan Farmar. The backup point guard promptly buried a three to put the Nets up 11. Was Ross’ foot on the sideline when he saved that ball? It may have been but I still liked the hustle from him. Speaking of Ross he actually had a pretty good game against Phoenix and was able to make some wide open jumpers to help on offense.

But just like last week the Nets let the opponent back into the game. You can’t really be surprised last night though because it just seemed like a matter of time before the Suns made a run and started to hit some shots. So despite the double digit lead the Nets built at the end of the third quarter, before you knew it Phoenix had a 1-point lead late in the 4th quarter.

When you look at this game you have to give a lot of credit to the Nets bench. Starting with Kris Humphries and Sasha, and extending to Farmar and Ross, the team brought a ton of effort and scoring from the second unit. The “five-some” of Hump, Vujacic, Ross, Farmar and even Johan Petro combined for 59 points and really outplayed the Suns bench. Guys like Humphries and Vujacic have been pretty consistent off the bench but it was nice to see the other guys step up as well.

After 46 minutes of solid offensive basketball, this one was tied at 97 and came down to the final two minutes. The Nets got a real nice possession capped off by a great look from Farmar to Hump to take a 2-point lead. After two Dudley free throws the game was tied once again. But then Farmar took an awful three and then there was an awful call. Travis Outlaw and Humphries had Channing Frye pinned on the baseline when Outlaw was called for a foul he did not commit. Of course Frye promptly buried the free throws and gave Phoenix the lead. 

This is not the same Phoenix Suns team and after watching them for a full 48 minutes (well 53) for the first time all season I think it’s safe to say they’ve started their downslide. But Steve Nash is still remarkable at this point in his career. He was not good from the field (6-17), but he hit one of the biggest shots of the game on a scoop to the hoop with 23.1 seconds remaining and he also dished out 16 assists. 

So the Nets were down 2, with the ball and the shot clock off. And Avery went with the strategy of going early in case they missed. Hump was able to get open again down low, this time for a jam, and the Nets got the stop they needed when Channing Frye turned it over and we were all treated to some free basketball.

I know with the Suns going small to start the Overtime period, Avery had to match that. But leaving Brook on the bench in a close game? The Nets starting center could not have been happy with that. So then when he comes in midway through the OT period, he forces a shot the first time he touches the ball and misses. There were too many empty possessions for the Nets in the Overtime period, and it ended up costing them. Aside from a Vujacic three on the first possession, the team struggled to score while the Suns had no such trouble.

The most interesting part of this game may have come from the Nets bench area. After Brook forced the shot in OT that I previously mentioned, Avery took him out and put the rook Favors in. The cameras then caught Brook on the bench, arms crossed, not looking very happy at all. We’ll see if anything comes of this but the Nets starting center did not look like he was satisfied with the coaching decision.

The Nets played well enough to win this game but in the end they didn’t do enough in crunch time. They were outscored 15-6 in the Overtime period and a game that was very well played ended up being pretty anticlimactic. Tough loss, Brook isn’t happy, the trade rumors will continue and now the Nets go to LA-LA-Land to face the Lakers tomorrow night. Good luck.

The Nets haven’t played in four days but have been in the news nonstop, of course because of the Carmelo Anthony trade rumors. Who knows where this deal is now and frankly I’d like to either have something done or just forget it, but the team will have to try and put that aside tonight against the Suns. For any of you who have not been paying attention to the proceedings out West so far this season, this is not the same Phoenix Suns team of the past decade. They are six games under .500 and are 2-8 in their last 10 games. So the Nets should theoretically have a chance tonight, theoretically.

Distractions. This will easily be the biggest factor in tonight’s game if you ask me. Two-thirds of the roster have been rumored in trades over the past three days so you have to wonder what some of these players are thinking right now. Avery Johnson addressed the issue the other day and said he does not think any trade will happen during the team’s four-game road trip, but to think that this deal hovering over the team will not be a distraction is just naive.

The Brothers Lopez. Brook goes up against his brother Robin for the first time this season, and the two should be matched up at center for the majority of the game tonight. Brook’s rebounding struggles have been well documented, and I couldn’t help but laugh the other day when Avery said he doesn’t dream about getting Carmelo, he dreams about his center getting 10 boards. I know where you’re coming from there Coach, and I’d love to see the same thing.

Keep it Close and Give Yourself a Chance. Last week the Nets had what was probably their best win of the season over the Chicago Bulls, and then promptly got destroyed by the Wizards and Bucks on back-to-back nights. I realize the team’s floor leader Devin Harris did not play against Milwaukee, but the Nets were not even competitive without him in the lineup. Because of everything going on with this team, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see it get ugly tonight, but I hope I’m wrong and they have a chance to win in the 4th quarter.

For more of the Suns, check out TrueHoop affiliate Valley of the Suns.

Dear Mr. King,

I’ve obviously been keeping my ear on the ground regarding the possible Carmelo Anthony trade and I just have to ask… how do you do it? I sincerely give you props on your patience and persistence, and I imagine it can’t be easy if the reports are correct in that Mikhail Prokhorov is jonesing hard for Melo to join the team. You can’t fight the owner, right? Well, not if you want to keep your job. In any case, there are obvious benefits in the trade happening – great player to market, a star in the NBA, etc.

However, I just don’t believe the price to get him is worth sacrificing the future of the team. I wrote about it recently, actually. Feel free to read it, but there is obviously no obligation.

Mr. King, the Nuggets constant waffling has to be grating. The fact that they continue to ask for more on different occasions after parameters of a deal have been agreed upon is abhorrent. This is obvious posturing and the longer they keep Melo away from the Nets to help the Nets win games, the higher the Nets’ pick (which would become property of the Nuggets) will be in the 2011 NBA Draft. Also, if I may be frank, I hate that the team is giving up on its youth if the reported deal is true. I understand that the team isn’t performing as well as we’d all like, but they are young and we have to have faith in that Avery Johnson will help guide them.

The team has to believe before they can execute.

However, with these constant trade rumors, what is the front office really having the players believe in? To some degree, they have to be asking themselves, “Why should I commit to the Nets if they aren’t committing to me?” It’s only human. Show them faith, have them believe, and the execution will be so much better. And, props must be given to Derrick Favors. Imagine being the youngest player in the league and never really, wholly, and totally wanted by the team that drafted you… and still performing at a high level, all things considered. His attitude and seeming work ethic leads me to believe that he will be very successful in the league. Why give up on him for a player that seems to be “settling” by signing with the Nets?

Mr. King, there is no better time for you, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Prokhorov to walk away from the table and not receive a huge backlash from the fanbase. We are all reading the constant information from the internet and the Nuggets seem like the bad guy here. Most fans are already calling for the team to nix the deal. I will admit that I’ve never liked dealing for Melo at the price of Favors, and some combination of an expiring contract, Devin Harris, and multiple first-round picks. Regardless, this has gotten out of control and I admire your tenacity, but I suggest that your passion to building the Nets be towards a team and not one player (Melo) because to me, speaking frankly again, this deal is all about getting Melo at any cost, which is short-sighted.

This is your time to shine, Mr. King. Show the fanbase that the organization won’t play games and that you’re ready to commit to building the team one of the  right ways – developing your own players and through the draft. The five potential first round picks in the next two seasons are obviously huge and while the NYC area loves winners, they love underdogs just as much. But, they have to be lovable underdogs and that’s shown through their hard work and non-stop effort. The players don’t seem to be doing that and it’s probably because they don’t believe that the front office believes in them. Professionalism aside, everyone wants to be loved and respected.

Make a statement to the fans, the players, and the league, Mr. King. Walk away from this pendulous situation and move towards stability. Shape the team through the draft and build your legacy. The Nets’ legacy. I wish you nothing but luck.

Best regards,
DV

I’m a New Jersey Nets fan. I’m also a fan, and resident, of Brooklyn, NY. One doesn’t really have anything to do with the other, except in two years they will, when the Nets – or whatever they’ll be calling themselves by then – are expected to move into the Barclays Arena right smack in the middle of the borough I live in and love.

With that in mind, I’m coming to resent, and even be angered by the prospect that the Brooklyn “experiment” is still at risk to “fail.” This idea has been perpetuated with more fervor and panic in recent weeks regarding the Carmelo Anthony saga. The premise is the Nets will need a “star” to sell Brooklyn to fans. The prospect that the star the Nets have in mind could still end up playing for long-established team in the next borough over, the Knicks, has seemingly scared the logic out of a contingent of Nets fans and media writers. I understand that having a recognizable face to place on a billboard or on a television commercial can only help from a marketing standpoint, but the idea that the Nets will “fail” in Brooklyn without a superstar – a very specific superstar mind you – shows a complete lack of understanding of what Brooklyn is all about.

Detractors of Brooklyn dismiss it as “hype” or “hipster” elitism. Residents of Park Slope get mocked for bringing baby strollers into bars, while the youth in Williamsburg gets mocked for their beards and tight jeans. They still shoot the freak at Coney Island until further notice, and then go ride the Wonder Wheel or Cyclone. Neighborhoods like Greenpoint, Prospect Heights and Crown Heights are being gentrified, while communities in Sunset Park, Bay Ridge, Brighton Beach (and on and on and on) are already, or are evolving into their own cultural epicenters for Latinos, Chinese, Middle Easterners, Russians, Italians, Jews, etc. What unites this borough is that it’s not New York City – it’s Brooklyn. We live in Brooklyn. The only time we live in New York City is when Michael Bloomberg forgets to plow our streets.

I say this because anyone who understands Brooklyn knows that the star of Brooklyn itself will always shine brighter and longer than any athlete or owner. I always believed that NBA Commissioner David Stern was such a proponent of the Nets move to Brooklyn because he understood there was an embarrassment of riches to be tapped there. Brooklyn was going to be the draw for the NBA. The team that relocated there was practically irrelevant. That’s because Brooklyn is practically virgin soil – decades removed from when the Dodgers left town, here is the most populated borough in New York City where the majority of the residents identify with the concept of “Brooklyn,” rather than New York City. Forget an empire state of mind, we don’t sleep ‘till Brooklyn.

If the Nets fail to catch on in Brooklyn, it will not be because of Carmelo Anthony. It will be because they failed to create an organization that this unique community of people could rally around. Winning a few games helps too. With the never-ending rivalry between Brooklyn and Manhattan, I believe there’s nothing real, true-blue Brooklyn-based basketball fans would rather do then rally around an organization that’s competing with the guys who play in midtown Manhattan. Who in Brooklyn even goes to midtown unless it’s for work, or to entertain friends doubling as tourists. This is the same fan base that all but coined the phrase “wait until next year,” after losing year after year to the “elite” Yankees during the World Series. Yes, time and demographics have changed since then, but the idea that Brooklyn will always be different remains the same.

It’s the question that’s really been the focal point of these trade talks since day one, and it’s a little odd the media can’t get their reports straight by now. ESPN’s Chris Broussard thinks Anthony’s resistance could still be the biggest “snag” in the trade, while Adrian Wojnarowski said it’s a little more complicated than that:

Anthony has delivered mixed messages on his desire to sign a contract extension with the Nuggets. He’s told two teammates he would ultimately be fine joining the Nets, and pushed his agent, Leon Rose, to help construct a package of players to go to the Nets with him. Nevertheless, Anthony has been wildly back and forth on his willingness to compromise with the Nets over the Knicks.

Is the Little General worthy of attention?

Both Mark and I have made our opinions of Avery Johnson as coach of the Nets quite clear over the last few weeks, but we just couldn’t reconcile our differences. So we ruminated back and forth on the topic — because that’s what writers do. Here’s a transcript.

Danny Savitzky: There was no doubt one of the focal points of the Nets’ offseason was to find a solid head coach to right the ship after the team canned Lawrence Frank last December and proceeded with the Kiki Vandeweghe lethargy experiment for the remainder of the campaign. Among a field of candidates spanning from the likes of Mark Jackson to Phil Jackson, Avery ultimately emerged as the man for the job, at least in the eyes of the Nets’ front office.

Now that the team has started the season at a tortoise’s pace, questions are beginning to manifest themselves with regard to Avery’s qualifications for the position. For his persistence in discipline, his unflappable commitment to defense, his background of winning, and, of course, his hilarious voice. Avery Johnson should be the Nets’ long-term solution for the coaching slot.

Mark Ginocchio: Obviously Avery Johnson brings stability to the coaching seat, something the Nets were without all of last season, but I question thedirection of this franchise with Johnson as a long-term fixture. Obviously, the Nets are an improved team from a year ago — they play defense now, sometimes, which is something — but despite only retaining three players from a year ago and essentially handpicking this roster, the team has regressed in many areas under Avery, especially on the offensive end.

Brook Lopez is emerging as one of the more inefficient players in the league and despite the acquisition of some solid outside shooters in Anthony Morrow, Travis Outlaw and Jordan Farmar, they still can’t get enough space on the floor and the offense resembles a jumbled mess. Both Farmar and Devin Harris seem to be ignoring the pick and roll game completely. From my perspective, it’s not for lack of execution, but lack of direction. Meanwhile, two months in, what’s the identity of this Avery Johnson team? Besides “we play hard,” it’s hard for me to pinpoint what Avery is working with here. And with the front office looking to blow up the roster already, I worry how Avery is going to be able to shape a team of veterans, when he couldn’t even sufficiently shape a roster of youngsters.

Danny: To be honest, it’s hard to promote any definite direction with the roster as up in the air as it is. With the latest rumors suggesting that eight of the 12 players on the active roster could be on the move in a ‘Melo deal, there isn’t much to build around. While I agree with you that Avery’s offensive schemes are unimaginative and rudimentary, his attention to defense is what won him over 70 percent of his games in Dallas and would have won him an NBA title if Dwyane Wade hadn’t gone beast mode in the 2006 Finals.

As for Brook Lopez, he’s certainly struggling with double teams. With regard to the floor spacing, however, Anthony Morrow has been out — and let’s not delude ourselves with the suggestion that Travis Outlaw has fit the bill. As for being able to deal with veterans: again, he did that well in Dallas, handling a corps of players assembled by Don Nelson. Doesn’t his abrasive attitude lend itself better to controlling more mature players who are already used to the league?

Not only that, but such less players are a lot less likely to do things that irk him (e.g., repeatedly missing practice and thinking it’s okay). Moreover, I think we both know Avery is pulling some of the strings behind Billy King, and he’s not going to do anything he doesn’t think he can manage.

Mark: But this argument actually feeds into what rubs me the wrong way with Avery. By most accounts, this was a roster that Johnson worked with the previous administration (Rod Thorn) and the current one (Billy King) to put together, and Avery seems surprised by its limitations. Johnson has been on the record in saying he thought Outlaw would be more of an “energy” player, and there’s nothing in his career to suggest that. Favors was drafted with the understanding that he was going to be a work in progress, and Johnson has sounded disappointed that the rookie hasn’t forced his way into the Nets starting lineup until recently.

Then there are the players who get into Johnson’s “doghouse” and the subsequent moves that have occurred. We all know that Terrence Williams had some maturity issues, but there was undoubtedly some talent to be unearthed there, but rather than demonstrate patience, Johnson appeared to quickly dismiss T-Will as a lost cause. Then there’s the mercurial case of Troy Murphy, a double-double guy throughout his career who was injured for the beginning of the season and hasn’t been able to get into the rotation since. With this possible trade on the horizon, I’m starting to question if Johnson has the demeanor to get all kinds of players to play for him.

Danny: I don’t have a problem with identifying limitations for a team that is 10-27 and is sure lottery fodder for the fourth straight year. He might have made some mistakes in free agency, but then again, there is a minimum-salary threshold that the Nets had to meet by signing some players. No, giving Outlaw $35 million over 5 years isn’t, by any stretch of the imagination, a good deal, but Morrow’s and Farmar’s contracts weren’t bad. And every coach in the NBA will tell you that he wants his players to be energy guys. Isiah Thomas would have told you that about Eddy Curry four years ago. It doesn’t mean they actually believe it. Outlaw is also out of position playing at the 3 instead of as a stretch 4.

I also don’t think Avery has expressed disappointment with Favors, and he surely would have been in the starting lineup long ago had Kris “Please don’t exercise your player option” Humphries not vastly exceeded expectations this season. As for the doghouse cases, history will tell you that one bad apple can ruin the whole harvest. Johnson is a disciplinarian for sure, but there’s something to be said for that. You won’t see the Nets in the headlines drawing weapons on one another or fighting one another at practice. T-Will’s expression that he didn’t think being late for practice repeatedly was a big deal was a strong indicator his locker-room personality is questionable.

As for Murphy, I, too, was once wary of his total lack of minutes. But when he did get his shot a couple weeks ago, he blew it by missing jumpers that he has made easily throughout his career. If you want to develop Favors, there’s no reason to cut into his minutes with a player who doesn’t seem to be able to make good on his promise of shooting ability.

Mark: But there’s a difference between learning more about your players as they evolve as the season progresses versus miscasting them and watching them regress as the season chugs along. If Avery maybe had more of a pedigree in building a team from the ground floor, I would feel better about these oversights. But he inherited a team in Dallas that was already built to win and had an MVP candidate in Dirk Nowitzki.. While an argument could be made that the Mavs were jobbed out of a title in 2006, the team had a colossal collapse in the first round against the 8th-seeded Golden State Warriors the following year and then had their doors blown-off by NOLA in 2008 (after trading Devin Harris for Jason Kidd).

Yes, the West was stacked those years, but Avery was given a winning team to play around with and rather than grown and evolve, the team regressed every season until he was eventually fired. To expect him to be the main man in rebuilding the New Jersey Nets was a gamble when he was hired, and he’s shown me very little in his first few months to suggest he has the guile and patience to mold his players into a unit that goes out and competes every single night.

What do you think? We’d like to know.

In a move that should surprise nobody who’s been following this saga since the Fall, new reports late last night indicate that talks between the Nets, Nuggets and Pistons are moving further and further away from the goal line and a Carmelo Anthony to Nets trade is in jeopardy.

Perhaps the most curious of the news reports came from Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who said the Nuggets were apparently so upset with the Nets with leaks about the trade they “threatened” to turn around and trade him to the Knicks. Meanwhile, SI’s Chris Mannix thinks the Houston Rockets may be quietly prepping an offer for ‘Melo.

From my perspective, the problem is this has become a lose-lose proposition. With reports out there that Mikhail Prokhorov apparently wants ‘Melo at any cost, even suggesting he would forgo an extension, the Nuggets have the Nets over a barrel with no leverage. If the Nets end up having to take on a contract like Al Harrington’s, just to make this deal happen, it would be a terrible deal from a cap flexibility perspective, and it would make it increasingly more difficult for the Nets to get Chris Paul in 2012, which I think should be the ultimate end game here. But the Nets have also come too far to watch this deal collapses. With 8 players on the roster rumored to move, this team is surely all but mentally lost right now, and if this talks last until the deadline in mid-February, the toxicity around this organization gets worse and worse.

Then there are the fear mongerers around the legitimate media and blogging community who believe if Anthony ends up as a Knick then Brooklyn “fails.” For one, what is the definition of failure here? Is construction going to stop in Brooklyn and Daniel Goldstein going to get his condo back? Would David Stern, after sticking his neck for Brooklyn, then Prokhorov, going to contract the Nets if they don’t sell out every game for their first five seasons? It’s a paranoid argument being used by those to capitalize on the inferiority complex of a fan base. I, for one, will continue to support this team with or without ‘Melo, New Jersey or Brooklyn. I root for the New Jersey Nets, not the stock price of Forest City Ratner, or Prokhorov’s Onexim.