Nets Are Scorching

Ric Bucher’s ESPN chats always seem to provide an interesting tidbit about the Nets, and today’s was no exception. When asked a question about Deron Williams re-signing with New Jersey, Bucher responded with:

- Getting Dwight Howard would do a lot, but upgrading the roster in general will be the biggest factor. From what I hear, Deron’s family already has been out house-hunting and he regularly texts with Billy King about players that would be good to add to their team. That, at least, sounds like a guy looking to stay.

Huh. This, to me, seems more credible than sportswriters clinging to a silly narrative of a Russian oligarch hanging Deron out of the window of a G5.

I’ve had a nagging feeling recently that Deron hasn’t really become a part of this team yet, he’s more just a hired gun to lead a band of nobodies. But this sounds more like a guy who’s in tune with the franchise and preparing it for an overhaul. I know that last year we knew that the team would be facing a complete change in identity, but things like this coupled with the impending move to Brooklyn make me think that we may see an even bigger one in these next two years.

After beginning the season 2-0 against two decent teams, the Nets finally face their first mega-test of the season in taking on the Miami Heat. This is going to be a difficult one to win just due to the sheer talent on Miami’s squad. Still, here are a few things to look out for:

• Dominate the inside. One of the biggest weaknesses in this Miami team is their lack of a true post defender at the 5. Troy Murphy is still out, but Brook Lopez has looked dominant offensively in these first two games and could provide a huge boost if he shows off the arsenal he brought to the table in the first two games. Averaging 27 points after the first two victories, another big showing could be key in keeping this game close.
• Attack the basket. Devin Harris has played more like 2008-2009 Devin Harris than he ever did last year in these first two games. He has a definite quickness advantage over anyone Miami could throw at him at point – Mario Chalmers and Carlos Arroyo won’t be able to keep up with him. I hope to see a bunch of pick & rolls with him and the two big men on the floor, since that would utilize our biggest strengths (interior scoring & PG slashing) against their two biggest weaknesses (interior defense, play from PG’s).
• Push with the second unit. Jordan Farmar, Terrence Williams, and Derrick Favors are three excellent athletes who have been gelling in the first two games. When Miami’s starters sit, the Nets have to take advantage and push the tempo. There are a lot of easy baskets to be found – let’s hope they find them.
• The Big Three. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh. Duh. No explanation needed here.

Also, I’ll be chatting occasionally during the game over at ESPN’s Daily Dime Live. Come check it out, because really, what else do you have to do at 1 PM on a Sunday?

Brook Lopez has previously promoted himself as a comic book savant, so TrueHoop’s J.A. Adande put him to the test, showing him ESPN the Magazine’s NBA Preview issue, which features a different Marvel inspired comic book illustration for every team. For the Nets image, ESPN takes a page out of the Fantastic Four and features new owner Mikhail Prokhorov as Galactus, a God-like villain who devours entire planets for fuel. I guess you can see the similarities then?

Lopez, in no shock, nails a lot of the Marvel connections, despite being an admitted “DC” guy, and even nails Adande’s one curveball, an illustration of the Raptors based on Alpha Flight:

That was my best fastball (I had only learned of Alpha Flight’s identity in a briefing at ESPN headquarters the day before) and I couldn’t get it past him. Lopez had proven his worth as a legitimate comic maven, although I’m still trying to picture a 7-foot NBA player trying to navigate his way through Comic-Con.

“You have all those guys in costumes, it takes a little pressure off,” Lopez said.

And just so you know, there are limits to his devotion to comic books: “I haven’t worn a costume.”

Great little color piece, and as a big Marvel guy myself, I have to say I loved the artwork in the magazine. Probably tbe best illustration that wasn’t even mentioned was based on (a personal favorite cover) Amazing Spider-Man #50. The drawing was used for the Cavs and featured LeBron’s Cleveland jersey in the trash with James walking away and a headline “King James No More.” Wonderful, and sad, of course.

Meanwhile, I see the Prokhorov/Galactus comparisons, though I am waiting for the day when a Nets player is featured on something like this, not the owner. It’s a bit of a back-handed compliment that the national media finds the owner more interesting than the team.

ESPN is running a feature called NBA’s 65 in 65 where they have 65 NBA chats.  These chats will feature analysts, writers, and players.

This Saturday the NBA chat featured Devin Harris.  It is a little disappointed that I just found out this today (nice job advertising these ESPN – I kid…), I would have asked him some awesome questions.  You can find the whole chat here, but I picked out some excerpts that I found pretty interesting.

On the Nets’ losing atmosphere:

Yes, it bothers people. But it’s part of our job. You just try to turn a losing situation into a winning situation.

On whether or not the Nets should go after LeBron in free agency:

Definitely. For all sorts of reasons. He makes the team around you better. He’s definitely an unselfish superstar and he’ll attract other players. So he’s an all-around great pickup.

On the rooks:

They have such upside. Brook is definitely coming on. People got to see what he can do this season. He can really be a superstar. He’s a tremendous talent.

On the biggest shot of his life:

The buzzer-beater this year, probably. I also had a free throw in college to win a conference championship. So it’s a toss-up between those two.

On if he thinks he should be the MIP:

I do.

Now the stuff I took out and put here wasn’t even half of the chat, so you should go check out the rest.  It is an interesting read.