NetsAreScorching Podcast – Episode 6
Oct 5, 2009 2009 Offseason, Mikhail Prokhorov, Podcast
What’s going on guys, Mark and I are bringing the podcast back today and in this week’s edition we talk about the Prokhorov deal and some players that really impressed us during camp. Also, the podcast has officially shifted to Mondays, so now you can listen to us on your way to work Monday mornings…that should make the dreaded Monday more enjoyable…we hope…
Watch The Nets Workout TOMORROW AT 11
Sep 29, 2009 2009 Offseason, Updates
Quick Update #2:
NJnets.com is now stating that the webcast will be tomorrow at 11. Again NetsAreScorching will be watching and we will be giving you guys a breakdown of what we see. The site says: “Tune in tomorrow at 11 a.m. to see the Nets Training Camp live exclusively on njnets.com. We are experiencing technical difficulties, we are sorry for the inconvenience. “
Quick Update:
NJnets.com now says to tune in at 11:30 for live training camp video, so we got another 15 minutes or so…
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With the Nets canceling media day yesterday, we as Nets’ fans got deprived of some of the great quotes and other stuff that the other teams got. All we got is this video and some pictures of everyone in their jerseys. Stuff like this:
So as Nets fans, we are just left in the dark right? Wrong. We get to see the Nets first official workout live. Head over to NJnets.com at 11, and you see a link to watch it. I will be watching, and if anything of note happens, I will be able to report it to you guys.
The Nets Offseason: In Their Own Words
Sep 29, 2009 2009 Offseason, Barclays Arena, Brook Lopez, Brooklyn, Bruce Ratner, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Courtney Lee, Develop Don't Destroy, Devin Harris, Keyon Dooling, Kiki Vandeweghe, Lawrence Frank, Mikhail Prokhorov, Rafer Alston, Rod Thorn, Ryan Anderson, Terrence Williams, Vince Carter, Yi
While the Nets have only made a handful of roster moves since the end of the 2008-09 NBA season, their summer has certainly been an eventful one. With training camp kicking off this week, NAS is looking back at the events of the past three months, using the Nets own words to tell the tale.
June 25 – Rod Thorn on trading Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson (news release): “On behalf of Nets ownership and management, I want to wish Vince only the best as he moves on to the next phase of his NBA career. He was a true professional in his time with us, and we thank him for his efforts both on and off the court. Ryan worked extremely hard during his rookie season, and we thank him for his contributions last season and wish him well with his new team.”
June 25 – Terrence Williams on being drafted by the Nets (New York Post): “It shows you the direction where the team is trying to go. They’re putting more into me and Courtney Lee to fill what Mr. Carter has done. It shows the type of direction we’re going, as far as running. I think we can fill that spot, that void.”
Nets Renegotiate Deal With Warriors (Updated)
Sep 21, 2009 2009 Offseason, Golden State Warriors, Trades
UPDATE: So it turns out the Nets aren’t getting any second rounders…yet…Fred Kerber has the breakdown:
So the Warriors and Nets huddled and came up with a new solution. The Nets would receive Golden state’s first rounder in either 2012, ‘13 or 14. The first rounder is protected 1 through 7 in both 2012 and 2013, protected 1 through 6 in 2014. If the Warriors still stink worse than the American League Central in 2014, then the Nets would get two second rounders: in 2014 and 2016.
So as we originally thought, this deal was done basically to help the Warriors try and complete a deal. We get in return a far less protected pick in either 2012, 2013, or 2014. Whatever year we do get this pick, one thing is for sure, we are definitely getting the better end of the deal. This also strengthens my belief that the Nets aren’t making any moves before camp. Mainly because they have less definite picks than the original reports gave us, plus we won’t be likely to move our first rounder, especially if it is far less protected.
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According to Yahoo’s Marc J. Spears, the Golden State Warriors sent two future second round picks to delay the delivery of a the first round pick that they agreed to send the Nets in the Marcus Williams deal:
For agreeing to delay receiving the first-rounder from Golden State, the Nets will acquire two future second-round picks from the Warriors. The first-round pick originally was lottery protected in 2011. It now has lesser protection for 2012, though sources did not reveal in detail the exact level of protection.
The move allows the Warriors more time and flexibility to package their 2011 first-round pick in a deal, if they so choose. A source, however, said Golden State currently does not have any potential trades on the horizon – including anything involving disgruntled forward Jackson.
This deal works for both teams in my opinion. The Warriors can use their pick in a trade, and the Nets continue to stockpile picks, a smart move for a rebuilding team.
Now there are whispers that the Nets agreed to this move because they are looking to make a deal relatively soon. I am not really sure I agree…I have said it a number of times, I really do think that the Nets should (and will) stay put to start the season. With that being said, if we near the deadline and we can use one or both of these picks in a deal (Mark and I did mention in one of our podcasts that we think there is a chance the Nets add a big piece via a deadline deal this year instead of looking for one in free agency), I am all for it.
We should find out for sure by the end of this week though. Camp opens up soon, and you have got to think that if the Nets are going to make a deal, it will happen before then. If there is no deal, we are probably standing pat until at least the trading deadline.
JR Rider? Really?
Sep 11, 2009 2009 Offseason, Rumors
In a report that’s straight out of bizarro world, the Minneapolis Star Tribune is reporting that Isaiah JR Rider is looking to make a comeback in professional basketball this season and the Nets are one of the NBA teams interested in inviting him to training camp.
Rider, who hasn’t played in the NBA since passing through the Denver Nuggets during the 2001-02 season, currently has offers from the North Teaxas Fresh ABA organization and from a possible team overseas, according to the report. His agent, Joe Lee, acknowledges that the Nets aren’t likely to invite Rider to camp, but lists them as a potential destination regardless.
Rider is probably best known as the 1994 slam-dunk king in the NBA, whose between-the-legs dunk was poorly imitated by dumb suburban junior high kids on seven-foot-high basketball hoops (or was that just me?). He was also a member of the infamous “Jail-Blazers” Portland teams, racking up a number of arrests for drugs and other charges.
There are nine million reasons why JR Riders is not coming to the Nets, most notably there just isn’t any room on the roster for him with the max 15 guys already under contract. I guess I could sit here and speculate about the Nets maybe moving a point guard to Miami or buying out Tony Battie, as has been discussed around the web this summer, but there are really no scenarios out there where I can imagine the Nets making those moves to make roster space for a 38-year-old Rider. Still, I found great amusement from this report, which totally came out of left-field for me so I felt obligated to throw this up there.
Hope Springs …
Sep 8, 2009 2009 Offseason, Blast From The Past
The off-season in any major sport is usually one filled with hope and optimism. We hear about players losing weight and coming to camp “in the best shape of their lives.” Teams acquire players that are going to be missing pieces to the puzzle. Teams that are being doubted by the pundits, talk about their potential and how they’re going to surprise people.
It’s no different right now over in Nets-land as an open practice in early September has brought out many key members of the team who are feeling confident. Brook Lopez thinks playoffs are a real possibility, Jarvis Hayes is taking over the leadership mantle from the departed Vince Carter and Yi Jianlian is exciting coach Lawrence Frank after putting on some bulk and playing well in the FIBA Asia Championship.
However, this is the Nets we’re talking about, and this isn’t the first time fans have been told to get excited by coaches, players, the press, or a combination of all three. In slightly sadistic fashion, I compiled a short list to remind Nets fans of past seasons where the optimism was high and the vibes were good, but the end results ended up bad or worse.
1994 – Derrick Coleman is a “Nice Person”
From the day he was drafted with the #1 pick in 1990, Derrick Coleman was known for having a world of talent, but also a major ego problem. After making his first all-star game (with teammate Kenny Anderson) in the 93-94 season, Coleman was looking for a new contract and was making waves with the front office. But at the start of the preseason in 1994, DC was going for an image makeover, telling the press that his disagreements with past coaches were being taken out of context and any criticisms he levied towards his teammates were being misinterpreted. “I’m a nice person,” he told the New York Times. Later in the season, he caused a stir when he referred to Karl Malone as an “Uncle Tom” and he also became the Sports Illustrated cover boy for “prima donna” NBA ballers when he handed then-coach Butch Beard a blank check for all the fines he expected to incur for not following the team’s new dress code. He was finally traded the next season for the great Shawn Bradley.
Knicks Likely to Keep David Lee
Sep 4, 2009 2009 Offseason
For the portion of the fan base that thought there were still ways to upgrade the Nets at the PF/C position for theupcoming season, take David Lee off your wish list. ESPN is reporting the Knicks are expected to finalize a one-year deal for Lee next week. Despite some speculation that the Knicks could unload Lee in a sign-and-trade, team sources say such a deal is unlikely.
Recently, NAS explored the Nets bringing Lee into the fold. While all signs indicated that it wouldn’t happen, I still think he would have been an interesting fit for the team, which outside of Brook Lopez, is very thin on inside scoring and rebounding. However, with Lee only getting a one-year deal, Lee could become an option for the Nets again (or for the first time) next year, especially if some of the elite free agents stay with their respective teams.
NetsAreScorching Podcast – Episode 4
Sep 4, 2009 2009 Offseason, Brook Lopez, Brooklyn, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Courtney Lee, Dave D'Alessandro, Devils, Devin Harris, Jarvis Hayes, Podcast
In the fourth episode of the podcast (2nd with Mark), Mark and I sit down to discuss the guys getting in the gym early, the effects of that, and some Brooklyn/Devils stuff. Definitely worth the listen, and you can listen/download it here or get it on iTunes.
A quick note: Mark and I know the quality on this isn’t the best (Each one of us is only coming through one side of the speakers), but we are going to change up some things for the next one and we should be good. So don’t worry fellas!
Nets and Heat Talking Trade?
Sep 2, 2009 2009 Offseason, Keyon Dooling, Rafer Alston, Trades
The Miami Herlad is reporting this morning that the Nets and Heat have spoken about a possible trade involving either Rafer Alston or Keyon Dooling. “Nothing materialized, but the door was left open for further talks,” the Herald report said.
As Sebastian broke down last week, I think Rafer Alston is a good fit as backup to Devin Harris and I would hate to see him flipped in a trade so quickly. He could bring a stability to that backup PG spot this team has lacked for years. While Dooling played above and beyond my expectations last year, the Nets appear to have a little more depth on the bench at SG depending on what the team wants to do with Chris Douglas-Roberts. Then, of course, is the issue of what Miami is going t offer back in a trade, which will most certainly need to be some level of salary relief geared towards keeping the Nets well under the cap for next summer.
Summer Speculating: Carlos Boozer Edition
Sep 1, 2009 2009 Offseason, Carlos Boozer, Rumors
Steve Luhm and Ross Siler over at the Salt Lake Tribune recently launched a Carlos Boozer “Billboard Challenge,” after noticing that the Utah Jazz power forward, who was mentioned in trade rumors earlier this summer including some speculation that he could come to the Nets, wasn’t featured in any of the team’s roadside advertisements promoting season ticket plans. Obviously, Luhm and Siler are hinting that Boozer could still be on the move before the season starts. The Nets haven’t been linked to Boozer since late July, with the Mavs, Bulls, Heat and Pistons still a more likely destination. But I wouldn’t be shocked to see his name linked to the Nets a few more times before the start of the season.
And for those who were buying into the Mikki Moore to the Nets rumors earlier this summer, Moore signed with Golden State yesterday.