Nets Of the Round Table X: Melo, Shaq, Lottery No More
Aug 6, 2010 2010 Free Agents, 2010 Offseason, Free Agents, Nets of the Round Table
Obviously, this is a New Jersey Nets blog, however, the NAS crew absolutely love the NBA in general. So, every week, Sebastian, Mark, Devin, and myself will answer questions regarding the L.
1) The rumor goes that Carmelo Anthony won’t sign the $65 million extension offer from the Denver Nuggets and become an unrestricted free agent next year. Of the rumored teams and teams that will have cap space, which is the best fit for Melo?
Sebastian: I am going to be biased here and say the Nets. The Nuggets just aren’t going to give Carmelo away for expiring contracts like Eddy Curry (despite what Knicks fans will try to tell you). The Nets have the most tradeable young talent, and I can see the Nets sending over Devin Harris, Terrence Williams, and picks for Carmelo. This gives the Nets a real solid front court in Brook Lopez, Derrick Favors, and Carmelo Anthony. Not too shabby.
Mark: I’m going to let the NYC media influence me and say either the Knicks or the Nets. Unless Pat Riley found a way to create more cap room for talent in South Beach, both NY-area teams will have the cash on hand to make a big push for ‘Melo and as Brooklyn native, I can see him being sold on either franchise. That’s why I think it’s important for the Nets to become a functional franchise this season because as we learned this past summer, the all-stars aren’t just looking for money… they want a good shot of winning it all.
Devin: I’d love to see him on the Nets, obviously, but I doubt he comes to Newark. Personally, I think it’s between New York and Denver. He’s spent his entire career there and he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to just skip town like that, but if he was going anywhere it would be to the Garden with Amare and potentially Chris Paul.
DV: If the Denver Nuggets go the trade route, I’d say the New Jersey Nets because they’ll probably want Melo out of the conference and the Nets have some solid supply to meet the Nuggets’ demand. If it’s a free agency situation, the Knicks because they’ll have the money after Eddy Curry comes off the books. With the Knicks, Melo would get to play in a high-scoring offense again and have a high-caliber (albeit with an injury history) big man in Amare Stoudemire and a very good point guard in Raymond Felton. Melo would fit right in.
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Daily Link: The Kidd is Alright
Jun 15, 2010 Daily Link, Free Agents, Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd, never one to mince words, especially about former Nets owner Bruce Ratner, had some positive words about New Jersey and the Nets organization, according to Julian Garcia:
“I would first tell them to forget the record of what happened last year. You can’t look at that,” said Kidd. “The thing about playing in Jersey is it is a beautiful place; they have some great areas there. There’s the city you can go in and eat and they have everything there. You have to look at the upside, and then they may be a couple of years away from being a legitimate team.”
My opinions of Kidd post-Nets have always waffled. On one hand, he is probably the best player to wear the uniform since Dr. J. However, his exit from the team in 2008 wasn’t particularly graceful, which seems to be a trend for the guy throughout his career. However, I think it’s obvious that Kidd’s issues with the organization had more to do with Ratner, and I can’t blame him for that.
Speaking of free agents, the News-Herald in Ohio is reporting that the Nets have zero interest in Newark native Shaquille O’Neal.
Daily Link: Can Avery Lure Big Fish?
Jun 11, 2010 Avery Johnson, Daily Link, Free Agents
The Nets now have their head coach in Avery Johnson, a decision that has been praised by many so far. Now the team sets its sights on rebuilding their roster through the draft and free agency. Fred Kerber wonders if Johnson will be pivotal in trying to lure free agents to the Nets, including one who spends his summers in Akron, OH.
“A coach can help,” Thorn said, noting free agents look for “a city they can live in . . . a team that can be competitive . . . the monetary aspect . . . who am I going to play with? . . . Certainly a coach can have an effect, but a lot of other things go into it.”
I think it was very important that the Nets made their coaching decision before the draft and free agency, and that demonstration of stability and a plan will probably do more to convince free agents to come here than anything Johnson can text them about. With that said, it’s nice that for the summer of the Nets big push, they brought on a guy who is clearly charismatic and passionate about his job. I think Avery is going to be a lot of fun for Nets fans while the team is rebuilding itself. The griping probably won’t come until he coaches games that really matter in the postseason – and if we have postseason basketball in Newark next April, I think that’s a huge success right there.
Nets Of The Round Table III: LeBron, Hedo, and Franchise Player From The Finals
Jun 4, 2010 2010 Offseason, 2010 Playoffs, Chris Bosh, Free Agents, LeBron James, Nets of the Round Table
Obviously, this is a New Jersey Nets blog, however, the NAS crew absolutely love the NBA in general. So, every week, Sebastian, Mark, Devin, and myself will answer questions regarding the L.
Sebastian is off the table this week as he heads to Blogs with Balls in the Windy City. He’ll also be running a covert operation to ruin the Bulls’ chances of signing LeBron… oops, did I just write that?
1) LeBron James told CNN’s Larry King that the Cleveland Cavaliers have “the edge” to re-sign him. Does this make sense for LeBron or should he get away from that under-performing situation?
Mark:
I have thought, dating back to two summers ago when the summer of 2010 was first becoming something for Nets fans to look forward to, that it made too much sense for LeBron to stay in Cleveland. And while being bounced in the second round is a major disappointment, Boston took care of the Magic in similar fashion – so maybe their run has more to do with their pieces coming together at the right time (along with some great defensive schemes from Doc Rivers and Tom Thibodeau) rather than the Cavs underachieving. With Mike Brown now out of the picture, LeBron could hand pick his own coach while staying in his home state. The idea that he has to come to the NY area for more marketing exposure is a myth. No one is going to care about LeBron if he’s leading the Knicks to an 8 seed or helping the Nets rebuild. If he stays in Cleveland, he’s all but guaranteed to be playing for a title contender, even if it hasn’t worked out that way the past two springs.
Devin:
As a Nets fan who is infatuated with LeBron James, I’m obviously inclined to say, YES, YES, LEAVE. It also makes me inclined to say that the “edge” he is talking about is purely financial – the Cavs can re-sign him for more money than any other team can offer due to the nature of the free agent market. As a basketball fan, though, I’m not so sure it would be good for his legacy to leave. Look at the great players in the history of the NBA. Kobe will be a lifelong Laker. Magic too. Jordan was a lifetime Bull who never played anywhere else, ever, not even four years after he retired. Russell and Bird were Celtics their entire careers. If he shows loyalty to Cleveland, it could potentially be exactly what the doctor ordered – the FA cloud looms over them no more, the focus is finally on basketball, and a championship could be soon on the horizon.
However, LeBron, Harris, Lopez, and Favors/Cousins/Turner would be an awesome combo…
DV: Read the rest of this entry »
Previous to the Cavs getting tossed out of the playoffs by the Celtics, I thought LeBron would bolt Cleveland unless they won the championship. However, while the Cavs didn’t win the title, they lost in such a bad way and a lot earlier than expected, I quickly changed my train of thought. There was no way that LeBron would stand to leave his legacy in Cleveland after that horrible series where the team seemed to give up, LeBron was not being the attacking LeBron, and his leadership seemed to dissolve right before our eyes, both on the court and off. I thought at the very least, he would opt for the one-year in 2010-11 and become a free agent again after that season. That said, I do think he’ll re-sign with the Cavs and does make sense in a lot of ways – the team should contend again next season while teams like the Knicks and Nets won’t. The Bulls possibly could, but geting back to legacy, I don’t think he’ll want to be in the Land of Jordan. So, if he really believes what he’s saying about his hometown and the fans, as well as winning a title in that mix, he should re-sign. Plus the Cavs can offer him $30 million dollars more than any other team. Money always seems to talk.
Why Evan Turner Is The Number One Pick For The Nets
May 13, 2010 2010 Draft, 2010 Free Agents, 2010 Offseason, Brook Lopez, Carlos Boozer, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Courtney Lee, Devin Harris, Draft, Draft Lottery, Evan Turner, Free Agents, HOPE!, John Wall, Mikhail Prokhorov, Opinion, Rod Thorn, Terrence Williams
There is no questioning that John Wall is an excellent talent and NBA prospect. Ask anyone that watches basketball and they will tell you in no uncertain terms that he’s phenomenal, an athletic freak, and quite the dancer. My NAS colleague, Devin, praises Wall and makes excellent points about Wall’s game. However, if I were the New Jersey Nets, I’d select Evan Turner if the Nets’ luck is as good as a picture of a bikini-clad Jessica Alba and the team wins next week’s NBA Draft Lottery. Turner is as versatile as they come and many consider Wall and Turner, Pick 1A and 1B, but we’ll get down to Turner and his skill set a bit later. First, let’s peep the point guard that most people think is no longer in the Nets’ plans and seemingly expendable.
Oh, and for the record, the Nets have a 25% chance of winning the NBA Draft Lottery and receiving the first overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft and I have a -25% chance of gaining any attention from the aforementioned Alba. Snowball meet hell.
Nets on the Net: 4/12/10 Edition
Apr 12, 2010 Coaching Search, Courtney Lee, Devin Harris, Free Agents, Izod Center, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net
The NBA thus far has not commented on the newest accusation that an investment bank owned by Mikhail Prokhorov’s firm Onexim, did business with the U.S.-sanctioned Zimbabwe.
Devin Harris thanks the Meadowlands and the fans for all of the memories.
Larry Brown, who was there when the Meadowlands opened in 1980, will be coaching the Bobcats tonight in the last game there: One of the coaches who opened the Meadowlands in 1981, (first regular-season game Oct. 30, 1981), Larry Brown, will be on the sidelines for the last NBA game. He doesn’t really remember opening the joint and doesn’t recall it as a big deal. “Bruce Springsteen opened it [with six concerts], so you know that’s big,” Brown said.
Julian Garcia on the last game at the Meadowlands tonight: It is hard to imagine anyone shedding a tear over the Nets leaving an arena long considered one of the dreariest and most uncomfortable in sports. But not everyone is glad to see the Nets go, even if their fans will soon be treated to many of the same comforts that supporters of teams like the Mavericks have enjoyed for years.
Courtney Lee talking with his hometown Indy Star about his trade and season with the Nets: “It was a dagger at the beginning,” Lee said about the trade. “. . . I was in the Finals a year ago, it was an unbelievable run, and once you experience that, you want to get back to it. I can’t even describe how long ago that feels like.”
The New Britain Herald states the case for Tom Thibodeau, an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics, to be the next head coach for the Nets.
With its sincerest apologies to the Nets and Knicks, the Columbus Dispatch opines that LeBron James will be back in Cleveland next year.
Meanwhile, David Lee is playing what might be his last game with the Knicks tonight, especially if the Nets come a-calling this summer, Frank Isola reports.
Nets on the Net: 4/1/10 Edition
Apr 1, 2010 Free Agents, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net
Amare Stoudemire continues to sing the praises of the Nets with free agency looming: “I think this franchise is definitely going to turn things around here soon. New ownership is coming in. They’re looking to move to Brooklyn. All that is a factor,” Stoudemire said. “All those high draft picks, all that can help the situation. With that being said, it’s just a matter of waiting to see how it plays out.
Al Iannazzone is on the record in saying that Stoudemire should be the Nets target this summer: They have been looking for someone to replace Kenyon Martin since he left in 2004. That man may have been standing on their court last night. Again, imagine Lopez and Stoudemire on the same front line.
Ric Bucher meanwhile, in a video on ESPN, believes the Nets will make a strong opening bid for David Lee this summer.
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo on coaching for the Nets next year: “I don’t think so.”
John Schuhmann of NBA.com looks at where the Nets go from here, now that they have 10 wins.
George Kimball of the Irish Times talks Mikhail Prokhorov.
Nets on the Net: 3/31/10 Edition
Mar 31, 2010 Brett Yormark, Free Agents, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net
TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott on Mikhail Prokhorov: His strategic leadership alone would likely improve the Nets’ performance in the near term. But remember, this is the NBA team that has proved winning is not always the perfect medicine. This is the team that made it all the way to the NBA Finals, twice, and still somehow never became cool and never became the place to be. That’s why it matters that, in addition to business competence, Prokhorov brings the potential to be a bit flashy in a way that could go a long way to overhauling the team’s dreary image.
Sebastian, wearing his NBA Playbook hat, says the Nets may have created a blueprint for stopping Tim Duncan.
Al Iannazzone on the Nets need for a power forward: The Nets, who will have roughly $23 million in cap space, have little chance at Chris Bosh. Carlos Boozer will be high on their wish list, but he could stay in Utah. Stoudemire might be the best option for the Nets. They expressed interest in trying to acquire him from Phoenix the past two winters.
Kiki Vandeweghe on Steve Nash, as told to the great Ben Couch: “When I was in Dallas, he, Dirk (Nowitzki) and I for two years spent two hours every single evening shooting together, watching tape and doing different things, Vandeweghe explained. He’s a student of the game he’s studied (legendary Jazz PG) John Stockton a lot. He’s continued to work, continued to improve. But he’s also got a real drive to be good; he’s very competitive.
Dave D’Alessandro asks if too much winning is a bad things for the Nets. More on this from NAS later today.
Brett Yormark has lunch with the brown bag-wearing fan.
Nets on the Net: 3/10/10 Edition
Mar 10, 2010 Barclays Arena, Brooklyn, Devin Harris, Free Agents, LeBron James, Nets on the Net
Sebastian provides some of his expert insight of some mistakes the Nets made against the Grizzlies on Monday, over at his NBA Playbook site.
In a roundtable at SI.com, NBA writers discuss which downtrodden Eastern Conference team that would buy stock in if they had the opportunity, and naturally, the Nets are brought up.
Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com talks Brooklyn.
David Biderman of the Wall Street Journal kicks the Nets when they’re down, but then offers some support: By now you’ve realized that the New Jersey Nets aren’t just a sad-sack basketball team, they’re profoundly horrible. But even with a 7-56 record, there are several recent sports teams that were even worse.
Just how talented is Dallas? As Al Iannazzone notes, even without Jason Terry, Erick Dampier, Brendan Haywood and Tim Thomas expected to play tonight, they still have Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Caron Butler and Shawn Marion to lean on.
And that Jason Kidd fella is still a very productive PG, as Julian Garcia writes.
Brooklyn Paper with more on the designers of the Barclays Arena.
People are apparently buying Knicks season tickets at the fastest pace ever because they believe they’re going to sign LeBron James.
Nets on the Net: 3/9/10 Edition
Mar 9, 2010 Courtney Lee, Free Agents, Nets on the Net, Nets vs. 72-73 Sixers
With the Nets inching closer to all-time infamy, the Philadelphia Daily News gives a detailed look at the 72-73 Sixers. Fred Carter, the leading scorer of that team, wants to keep the record in Philadelphia.
Rudy Gay is quietly spreading the word that he would play in New Jersey, but the Memphis Grizzlies expect the restricted free agent to stick around: Grizzlies’ owner Michael Heisley told the Memphis Commercial Appeal, “I feel we’re going to sign him.”
Post columnist George Willis doesn’t blame David Lee for looking towards the Nets this summer.
Courtney Lee tells Al Iannazzone that he’s starting to regain that scorer’s mentality he had in college: “I was a scorer in college,” Lee said. “I went to the NBA and I had to switch my role. Just getting back into that scoring role like before, you have to be in tip-top shape and you have to definitely have your rhythm.