Nets Are Scorching

Generally, the media has been sour on the Nets retaining Deron Williams after next year. However, in the last 5-on-5 TrueHoop segment on ESPN.com, all five writers voted pro-New Jersey on D-Will’s best options.

The general consensus was that the Nets are no longer an unattractive option. In the summer of 2010, the Nets were still a New Jersey-based team coming off a 12-70 season. They were second-class citizens in the tri-state area. However, ownership has changed, cap space has changed, and once the Nets move to Brooklyn they will be in a larger market. Not many other teams can match that.

Of course, a lot of this depends on whether or not the Nets spend this money wisely. Obviously, the Nets can’t risk another Travis Outlaw (Thaddeus Young) and have to make sure that every player on the roster is a productive one.

Over at The Register Citizen, Justin DeFeo (of our site) wrote a piece on local Nets fans expectations of rookie Jordan Williams. In it, Justin cites Williams’ rebounding skills as a huge asset to the team and says that the team’s shortcomings in the frontcourt could provide “J-Will” with some solid playing time next season. He also says that Nets fans should exhibit patient with Williams; while his rebounding is stellar, his game is still very raw.

I’m a fan of the Williams pick, too. The Nets need rebounding presence and lack big bodies who can do dirty work and hustle hard. While I never expect Williams to be a star, I would hope that he could be a starter in the NBA at some point.

In a recent interview with Chris Broussard, Deron Williams talked about his move to Turkey, the Nets’ future, more.

D-Will said that he had been contemplating a move to Europe ever since the lockout became a serious issue. In terms of the injury risk, D-Will noted that injury could happen at any time, regardless of where he plays. He described Turkey as a new adventure for his family, but has never looked to it as a permanent option.

As for the Nets, he remained upbeat. As usual, he said he’s excited by the move to Brooklyn and praised the organization’s constant search for ways to become a better team. He sounded genuine, and I assume that he’s not just a good actor.

Many games in the NBA are decided by a small margin – less than three possessions can change the outcome of a game. In games like this, each possession becomes hyper-critical; therefore maximizing those possessions is something winning teams do.

A great way to maximize a possession is to grab an offense rebound, keeping the possession alive, thus allowing your team another potential chance at scoring.

A couple of factors dictate offensive rebounding. Typically, teams need to make a concerted effort to get to the offensive glass in order to be in position for missed shots, but a lot of that has to do with a coach’s philosophy and/or the opponent they are playing. Coaches that are more defensive-minded may prefer to send fewer people to the boards on shot attempts, conceding the rebound, but instead opting to have more players back in preparation to play transition defense.

Offensive-minded coaches don’t mind aggressively crashing the boards in hopes of getting offensive rebounds and more opportunities, submarining their transition defense in the process.

A great example of this is the NCAA Division III team Grinnell College. Grinnell is typically one of the highest scoring teams in the nation and they put a large emphasis on offensive rebounding, drilling it everyday. In fact, they don’t teach normal boxing out principles (getting inside position, driving your man out), instead they teach their players to start on the outside and push their man closer to the basket, putting themselves in better offensive rebounding position in the process.

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What would you do?

Whenever free agency starts, Billy King is going to have some decisions to make. We’re not sure what direction he’s going to go, but we have some ideas on what we’d do in his shoes.

1) You’re Billy King. What’s your first priority this offseason?

• Justin DeFeo: Priority one is ensuring I’m taking the necessary steps towards re-signing D-Will. That means making moves in free agency with our eyes on doing one of two things: 1) improving the roster, and 2) adding assets while still maintaining financial flexibility should a big fish (see: Dwight Howard) becomes available.
• Dennis Velasco: Keep Deron Williams happy. Granted King can’t contact D-Will because of the stupid lockout, but once the non-contact rule is lifted, King should immediately give D-Will a call and ask him what he wants King to do. Simple. It’s all about keeping a smile on D-Will’s face and despite everything pointing to him being happy with the organization, you can’t take anything for granted. And, it probably wouldn’t hurt to ask about signing an extension, but D-Will may wait to see what offseason moves go down. I wouldn’t blame him.
• Devin Kharpertian: You heard those two: Do whatever Deron Williams wishes. Yes, he’s slated to play in Turkey now, but once free agency is on, he’ll be back with New Jersey. It may not be worth risking the fine today, but make sure you are clear on his interests. If he wants David West, sign David West. If he wants Josh Smith, let’s make a deal. Hell, if he wants anybody, make it happen.

2) Okay, now what’s your second priority this offseason?

• Justin DeFeo: If the first priority is hitting a home run like acquiring Dwight Howard, then the second priority is looking to hit singles. Let’s see if there are any bargains in free agency that can add much-needed talent and depth to the roster.
• Dennis Velasco: Don’t overpay for any free agents or potential trade targets unless said player is Dwight Howard. The Nets are currently in a very good place in regards to the salary cap, but who knows what happens with the new CBA at this point. Regardless, if the Nets can’t trade for Howard now, they’ll need to be careful what they do before the season starts and at the very least, having money available when the 2012 free agency period hits with the obvious object of affection being Howard.
• Devin Kharpertian: Find a big man who will play help defense. The Nets were terrible at stopping the pick & roll and slashers last year, and that’s because none of the rotation bigs were particularly great at helping out. Humphries is a good man defender, but defense is a 5-on-5 proposition. Dwight Howard is the ideal candidate, but there are other options on the market.

3) Which big man (if any) should the Nets target in free agency?

• Justin DeFeo: I’m personally a Kris Humphries fan, so I would first see what kind of market value he is attracting. If the price is right, I’d look to re-sign him first. Avery Johnson has already come out and endorsed his pleasure in Hump, plus he’s shown that he is a good complement in the front court to Brook Lopez.
• Dennis Velasco: Yes, David West is a scorer and decent rebounder, but unless he comes under market value (doubtful), I wouldn’t want to sign him. The same goes for Kris Humphries. I love the hustle and all that, but as mentioned, the focus must be on getting Howard and keeping D-Will happy. That said, I may suggest the Nets overpay for Nene because of his ability on offense and defense. However that comes with the caveat that D-Will approves the move and would be a major factor (if not the deciding factor) to him re-signing with the Nets.
• Devin Kharpertian: Nene, if only because he has the fewest question marks. He’s on the right side of 30. He’s always been ridiculously efficient. He’s a capable (albeit unspectacular) defender. Although the rumors are that the Nets aren’t targeting him, I think they’re making a mistake. Unless Deron told them in private to stay away, he may end up becoming the best value grab in free agency.

4) Which wing player (if any) should the Nets target in free agency?

• Justin DeFeo: He may not be a wing in the most traditional sense, but I believe the Nets should target Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. He’s more of a four in today’s NBA, but he’s versatile enough to play the wing. He gives the Nets depth, rebounding, and athleticism, and he’s capable of guarding multiple positions.
• Dennis Velasco: I’m a huge Marcus Thornton fan, but the drafting of MarShon Brooks makes going for MT23 a moot point. Granted, it’s always better to have a player with NBA experience (although relatively limited in Thornton’s case) over a rookie, but a more traditional small forward and not another shooting guard should be the aim. That said, I’m not really sure I like any available wings that are available to take a shot on with the aforementioned cap space being important. However, if D-Will signs off on someone like Andrei Kirilenko, go for it. Do you get the picture yet that the most important thing this offseason is to keep D-Will happy?
• Devin Kharpertian: The Nets are set at the guard positions, but they’re in dire need of a small forward. Reports have indicated that the Nets are seeking a free agent through the trade market, so keep an eye on that. That leads me to my guy: Caron Butler. He was a target at the deadline, and as an unrestricted free agent could sign outright or perhaps be a piece of a sign-and-trade. If Dallas doesn’t want Butler, the Nets could seriously use his scoring punch at the 3. Just keep the contract relatively short and insured.

According to a report by Darren Rovell of CBS Sports, the Nets lost way more than just games during Bruce Ratner’s last two seasons as majority owner of the franchise. To be exact, the Nets lost 77.2 million dollars in those two seasons before Mikhail Prokhorov took over the team.

Now that we’ve gotten the insignificant news out of the way, we can finally discuss the real news! Apparently, Kris Humphries and his lovely fiancee Kim Kardashian are discussing getting a new reality TV show. The show will be similar to Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian’s series. However, for Kris, there is a speed-bump that he has to get by.

(I’ll try not to link Hollywood Life ever again.)

The team that signs Hump will have to agree to letting him have this show (as the Lakers have agreed with Odom). If Hump signed with the Nets, this could be a somewhat large post-lockout decision. If given the green light, Humphries would appear on the television screens of millions of Americans, giving he and the Nets a lot of publicity (don’t underestimate the potential here). However, the show could also become a distraction to the team as well as Hump. If Hump gets his own starring role, will he lose his attitude as a hardworking, bruising rebounder? Will he return back to tunnel vision Humphries?

What do you guys think? If the Nets had to decide whether or not to allow Humphries his spotlight, what would you want them to say?

Every week, the good folks over at HoopSpeak run a live video chat called HoopSpeak Live.

Today, I’ll be joining them to talk Nets basketball. The chat starts at 5 P.M. and I’ll be on shortly after. You can send in text and video questions, so be sure to come by and watch, listen, and chat.

Multiple news outlets in Turkey and the US are reporting that Deron Williams has come to an agreement with Turkish basketball club Besiktas, the club known for signing Allen Iverson last season. Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia will also join the team.

There is still no guarantee that he’ll play there, as he needs a letter of clearance from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). However, Deron shouldn’t have any issues getting that letter. The contract also comes with a guaranteed opt-out clause once the lockout has ended, another FIBA staple.

You guys up for Besiktas Are Scorching?

But seriously, am I supposed to be mad? I’m a big fan of this move. This means Deron will be spending his lockout time practicing and playing basketball, instead of sitting on his ass waiting for millionaires and billionaires to compromise on splitting a pot of BRI gold. A novel concept, I know. Plus, this gives us added incentive to watch Euroleague ball, now that two Nets players (D-Will and rookie Bojan Bogdanovic) will be lighting up scoreboards.

Could he get injured? Sure, but rust is an injury, too. Once the NBA is ready to go, Deron will be in tip-top shape, while Lamar Odom will be working off the effects of his candy addiction.

As Henry Abbott notes, it’s also a power move; there’s a lot of pressure on Mikhail Prokhorov to convince the owners to get this season rearing up as soon as possible. To Prokhorov, Williams is a valuable commodity – the most valuable Prokhorov has now – and now he’s one that’s put itself in immediate risk without any repercussions.

The lockout’s probably going to last through the beginning of the season. Most players have been gearing up for that possibility for months now. It’s nice to see one take the risk and go to Europe; it’s even nicer to see that the Nets’ superstar is the one leading the pack. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s not the only superstar to make the switch.