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**Karma** · 10-05-2009, 12:10 AM

COACH FRANK

STARTING FIVE

POINT GUARD - DEVIN HARRIS

TWO GUARD - COURTNEY LEE

SMALL FORWARD - YI JIANLIAN

THE FOUR SPOT - SEAN WILLIAMS

AT CENTER - BROOK LOPEZ

THE BENCH

THE GUARDS

RAFER ALSTON-------------------------------------------KEYON DOOLING

CHRIS DOUGLAS ROBERTS

ROOKIE ALERT

TERRENCE WILLIAMS

THE FORWARDS

BOBBY SIMMONS---------------------------------JARVIS HAYES

TRENTON HASSELL------------------------------EDUARDO NAJERA

THE CENTERS

TONY BATTIE--------------------------------------JOSH BOONE

SEASON PREVIEW - Courtesy of RealGM

2008-09 Record: 34-48, Tied-11th

2008-09 FIC Ranking: 22nd, -6.6 per game

Key Additions: Courtney Lee

Key Subtractions: Vince Carter, Ryan Anderson

Key Rookies: Terrence Williams

Probable Starters: Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Bobby Simmons, Yi Jianlian, Brook Lopez

Point Guard: There are a lot of doubts about the New Jersey Nets entering the 2009-10 season, but they do have one of the game’s best scorers Devin Harris. The former Maverick, who the Nets insisted on getting in return for Jason Kidd in their blockbuster trade with Dallas roughly 19 months ago, enjoyed a breakout campaign last year, averaging career-highs across the board -- 21.3 points, 6.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 69 games.

New Jersey was 4-9 in the 13 games that Harris missed, a winning percentage (.307) lower than their overall season mark (.414). He had 7.4 Win Shares last year, tied with Vince Carter for the most on the team, a percentage that represents nearly a quarter of the wins the Nets recorded. Harris also assisted on 34.4% of New Jersey’s baskets while on the floor, a very good number for a point guard on a below-average offensive team.

He’s just a touch older than the league’s top point guards (Chris Paul and Deron Williams), but is in the conversation with Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo and Jameer Nelson in that next tier. Harris is not as strong as Williams and isn’t a pure point guard like Paul. If he could become a more reliable three-point shooter while adding a few pounds to his frame, he’ll get closer to his contemporaries.

If the Nets want to be competitive this season, they’ll need Harris to be healthy. He gives his full effort anytime he’s on the floor, but doing so could actually be detrimental to the team if he keeps getting banged up. New Jersey will need more than the 69 games he appeared in last season. Keyon Dooling is a solid player, but there is a huge drop-off from Devin to Keyon. In addition, Rafer Alston, who would have been a very strong reserve, wants to be dealt. If the Nets are smart, they’ll ask for a guard in return. Unfortunately, Alston hasn’t put them in the best position to bargain.

Swingmen: If Vince Carter was still in New Jersey, the Nets would have had the talent to be strong contender for one of the East’s last few postseason berths. Instead, president Rod Thorn swung deal on the afternoon of the draft that sent Carter to Orlando for a package that New Jersey fans found unpleasantly underwhelming.

There is no hiding the fact that the swap gives the Nets a tremendous amount of cap relief, something Thorn has trumpeted often. The Nets currently have $29.1 million and $19.7 million tied up in salary over the next two years, respectively, and that number could decrease if they decline team options or qualifying offers for specific players.

The cap room is great, but in a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business, the presence of disappointing veterans (Bobby Simmons) and young guns (Courtney Lee and rookie Terrence Williams) on the wing could make for a long season. Lee played important minutes on a Magic team that won the Eastern Conference Championship, but I don’t see him as a starter yet. He’s skilled offensively, but needs to make improvements in his ball-handling and is best suited as the four option.

Williams is one of the most versatile players in his draft class, but we’ve yet to see what he is capable of at the professional level. Some have mentioned him as a perfect candidate for a point forward role in New Jersey, but using him in that capacity would take the ball out of the hands of Harris, something coach Lawrence Frank certainly doesn’t want to do.

New Jersey has a number of solid veteran options at the position, including Simmons, Jarvis Hayes, Eduardo Najera and Trenton Hassell. Najera is a nice player to have because he’ll leave his blood, sweat and tears on the floor, but there is no reason for Thorn to keep all of these similar players on the roster. They could package one or two of the aforementioned quartet in a trade involving Alston, but they are unlikely to part with the expiring deals of Hassell and Hayes.

Frontcourt: The Nets could have a promising frontcourt if Yi Jianlian is as improved as the team claims he is heading into the 2009-10 campaign. The seven-footer is entering just his third NBA season and he’ll be just 22 when the season begins, but expectations have placed a cloud over Yi’s head. No one can deny his quickness and impressive jumper, but he’ll need to become a more traditional big man and pose more of a threat on defense if New Jersey is going to pair him with Brook Lopez to form one of league’s better interior tandems.

With that said, the Nets will be strong in the paint no matter how Yi plays this season because of how good Lopez can be. His numbers were exemplary for a rookie, 13 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks, especially at a position in which the learning curve is greater than the four others spots on the floor. Spend a little time with him, or his brother Robin, and you’ll wonder whether he’s a character from either a cartoon or a Steven Spielberg movie, but there is no doubt that he has the potential to be a star in New Jersey.

He was better around the basket in his rookie season than many thought he would be and he’s already one of the NBA’s best rebounders. Lopez has the skills and size to beat more than just one opposing player to a ball off the glass. Combine that with Yi’s below average rebounding prowess, and there could be a rebounding title in his future. He grabbed 10.6% of the offensive rebounds he was on the floor for last year, good enough for ninth in the league. If he can improve his footwork, mainly to avoid fouls, he’ll have a chance to be Dwight Howard’s perennial All-Star backup.

There isn’t much behind Yi and Lopez, with Josh Boone, Tony Battie and Sean Williams picking up the time that New Jersey’s starting duo leaves behind. Williams was once thought of as a future shotblocking star in the NBA, but has struggled for a variety of seasons (both on and off the court). He’ll get on the occasional Sportscenter highlight with a great block, but his baggage and lack of an offensive game have him firmly planted on the bench. His net production per 100 possessions was -2.7 in 2008-09; worse than only Hassell in terms of New Jersey’s rotation players. Like it is at point guard, the drop off from starter to reserve is vast.

Forecast: The Nets have a budding tandem in Harris and Lopez, but more is needed in order to make a strong push towards the postseason. They’ll be competitive, if only because of their two best players, but another trip to the lottery appears likely. A rival general manager shared that assessment with me.

“[They are] probably a lottery even with a very talented point guard in Harris. But the future bodes well for the Nets with Harris, a terrific young center in Lopez and a nucleus player like Lee. They also have two first round picks in June’s draft and cap space in the future for their move to Brooklyn. It’s not going to happen this season or probably even next, but they are a team of the future with an All-Star in Harris and a future All-Star in Lopez,” the GM said.

They’ll likely finish with approximately 34 wins for the third straight season, with the potential for a few more (if Lee/Williams grow) or a few less (if either Harris or Lopez misses an extended period of time).

**Karma** · 10-05-2009, 12:15 AM

Another team focussed on cap space in the summer of 2010.However one advantage the Nets have is some young talent. Lopez and Harris already is a solid base with Lee, Jianlian and Terrence Williams also looking to cement themselves as genuine NBA talents. It will be an erratic season for the Nets playing through some youthful errors. I don't mind what they are doing but without a premier go to guy and poor home court advantage this season could fade fast.

31 wins

**camakazee** · 10-05-2009, 01:59 AM

Why is Terrence sniffing balls?

KB · 10-05-2009, 05:37 AM

I think Terrence Williams will be starting by the 2nd month of the season at the 3 with Yi sliding to the 4

**ChicagoCavFan** · 10-05-2009, 09:24 AM

32 sounds like a nice number. 32 wins it is.

bzim09 · 10-05-2009, 10:38 AM

I voted 41-45 wins. That's probably to generous, but these guys have some young players with potential. Always been a fan of Devin Harris and his game, just wish that he played for anyone else besides the Nets.

TheBigLeBronski · 10-05-2009, 03:25 PM

This team is going to be a punching bag. I only said 15-20 because they do have some home games against other punching bag teams. Really, I like thier starting guards but is Brooke Lopez gonna be able to anchor the team going against the traditional winners in the League for them to crack 20 wins?

Not to mention all of the outside distractions the team is going to face with the possible new owner, and trying to get a shovel in the ground in broklyn before 2010. You know if they dont start that new building before then, they lose thier sweet deal with the city, and basically make the team unsellable.

**crazedcav333** · 10-05-2009, 06:32 PM

31, big fan of Harris.

31 is not how many games they'll win, but how many fans will be attending each home game.

GilbertForPres · 10-05-2009, 09:26 PM

28 wins for Devin Harris and supporting cast.

doughboy90650 · 10-05-2009, 09:28 PM

best things about the Nets are the dancers .....

**Karma** · 04-02-2010, 11:45 PM

I will be grave digging these threads over the next week or two just to see how right or in this case wrong in our predictions.

This team went with Devin Harris. Not that he should shoulder the blame, but he regressed when the franchise needed him to take his game to the next level. Injury cruelled that.

With Brooklyn another year away summer of 2010 doesn't look took flash unless the lottery balls fall their way.

I went with 31 wins and missed by around 20.

**rabman_gold** · 04-02-2010, 11:49 PM

Never polled, but thought they'd be below 25 regardless... Just not this bad...

hoops23 · 04-03-2010, 01:41 AM

I never polled either..

I would have said 21-25 though. I don't think ANYBODY thought they'd win 11 games.

(of course, they could finish the season off hot and finish with 15 or so wins...

)

malus · 04-03-2010, 10:05 PM

So the Nets just blew out the Hornets by 28..

JaYp146 · 04-03-2010, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malus

So the Nets just blew out the Hornets by 28..

They mad.

View Poll Results: How many wins will the Nets record this season
Under 15	5	15.63%
15-20	1	3.13%
21-25	0	0%
26-30	7	21.88%
31-35	8	25.00%
36-40	4	12.50%
41-45	5	15.63%
46-50	0	0%
51-55	0	0%
Over 55	2	6.25%
Voters: 32. You may not vote on this poll

10-05-2009, 12:10 AM	#1
Karma Status: Bring it back Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 16,166 Fav Cav: Zydrunas Ilgauskas Past Fav: Brad Daugherty Thanks: 6,266 Thanked 5,070 Times in 1,695 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 2	RCF's Season Preview - New Jersey Nets COACH FRANK STARTING FIVE POINT GUARD - DEVIN HARRIS TWO GUARD - COURTNEY LEE SMALL FORWARD - YI JIANLIAN THE FOUR SPOT - SEAN WILLIAMS AT CENTER - BROOK LOPEZ THE BENCH THE GUARDS RAFER ALSTON-------------------------------------------KEYON DOOLING CHRIS DOUGLAS ROBERTS ROOKIE ALERT TERRENCE WILLIAMS THE FORWARDS BOBBY SIMMONS---------------------------------JARVIS HAYES TRENTON HASSELL------------------------------EDUARDO NAJERA THE CENTERS TONY BATTIE--------------------------------------JOSH BOONE SEASON PREVIEW - Courtesy of RealGM 2008-09 Record: 34-48, Tied-11th 2008-09 FIC Ranking: 22nd, -6.6 per game Key Additions: Courtney Lee Key Subtractions: Vince Carter, Ryan Anderson Key Rookies: Terrence Williams Probable Starters: Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Bobby Simmons, Yi Jianlian, Brook Lopez Point Guard: There are a lot of doubts about the New Jersey Nets entering the 2009-10 season, but they do have one of the game’s best scorers Devin Harris. The former Maverick, who the Nets insisted on getting in return for Jason Kidd in their blockbuster trade with Dallas roughly 19 months ago, enjoyed a breakout campaign last year, averaging career-highs across the board -- 21.3 points, 6.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 69 games. New Jersey was 4-9 in the 13 games that Harris missed, a winning percentage (.307) lower than their overall season mark (.414). He had 7.4 Win Shares last year, tied with Vince Carter for the most on the team, a percentage that represents nearly a quarter of the wins the Nets recorded. Harris also assisted on 34.4% of New Jersey’s baskets while on the floor, a very good number for a point guard on a below-average offensive team. He’s just a touch older than the league’s top point guards (Chris Paul and Deron Williams), but is in the conversation with Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo and Jameer Nelson in that next tier. Harris is not as strong as Williams and isn’t a pure point guard like Paul. If he could become a more reliable three-point shooter while adding a few pounds to his frame, he’ll get closer to his contemporaries. If the Nets want to be competitive this season, they’ll need Harris to be healthy. He gives his full effort anytime he’s on the floor, but doing so could actually be detrimental to the team if he keeps getting banged up. New Jersey will need more than the 69 games he appeared in last season. Keyon Dooling is a solid player, but there is a huge drop-off from Devin to Keyon. In addition, Rafer Alston, who would have been a very strong reserve, wants to be dealt. If the Nets are smart, they’ll ask for a guard in return. Unfortunately, Alston hasn’t put them in the best position to bargain. Swingmen: If Vince Carter was still in New Jersey, the Nets would have had the talent to be strong contender for one of the East’s last few postseason berths. Instead, president Rod Thorn swung deal on the afternoon of the draft that sent Carter to Orlando for a package that New Jersey fans found unpleasantly underwhelming. There is no hiding the fact that the swap gives the Nets a tremendous amount of cap relief, something Thorn has trumpeted often. The Nets currently have $29.1 million and $19.7 million tied up in salary over the next two years, respectively, and that number could decrease if they decline team options or qualifying offers for specific players. The cap room is great, but in a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business, the presence of disappointing veterans (Bobby Simmons) and young guns (Courtney Lee and rookie Terrence Williams) on the wing could make for a long season. Lee played important minutes on a Magic team that won the Eastern Conference Championship, but I don’t see him as a starter yet. He’s skilled offensively, but needs to make improvements in his ball-handling and is best suited as the four option. Williams is one of the most versatile players in his draft class, but we’ve yet to see what he is capable of at the professional level. Some have mentioned him as a perfect candidate for a point forward role in New Jersey, but using him in that capacity would take the ball out of the hands of Harris, something coach Lawrence Frank certainly doesn’t want to do. New Jersey has a number of solid veteran options at the position, including Simmons, Jarvis Hayes, Eduardo Najera and Trenton Hassell. Najera is a nice player to have because he’ll leave his blood, sweat and tears on the floor, but there is no reason for Thorn to keep all of these similar players on the roster. They could package one or two of the aforementioned quartet in a trade involving Alston, but they are unlikely to part with the expiring deals of Hassell and Hayes. Frontcourt: The Nets could have a promising frontcourt if Yi Jianlian is as improved as the team claims he is heading into the 2009-10 campaign. The seven-footer is entering just his third NBA season and he’ll be just 22 when the season begins, but expectations have placed a cloud over Yi’s head. No one can deny his quickness and impressive jumper, but he’ll need to become a more traditional big man and pose more of a threat on defense if New Jersey is going to pair him with Brook Lopez to form one of league’s better interior tandems. With that said, the Nets will be strong in the paint no matter how Yi plays this season because of how good Lopez can be. His numbers were exemplary for a rookie, 13 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks, especially at a position in which the learning curve is greater than the four others spots on the floor. Spend a little time with him, or his brother Robin, and you’ll wonder whether he’s a character from either a cartoon or a Steven Spielberg movie, but there is no doubt that he has the potential to be a star in New Jersey. He was better around the basket in his rookie season than many thought he would be and he’s already one of the NBA’s best rebounders. Lopez has the skills and size to beat more than just one opposing player to a ball off the glass. Combine that with Yi’s below average rebounding prowess, and there could be a rebounding title in his future. He grabbed 10.6% of the offensive rebounds he was on the floor for last year, good enough for ninth in the league. If he can improve his footwork, mainly to avoid fouls, he’ll have a chance to be Dwight Howard’s perennial All-Star backup. There isn’t much behind Yi and Lopez, with Josh Boone, Tony Battie and Sean Williams picking up the time that New Jersey’s starting duo leaves behind. Williams was once thought of as a future shotblocking star in the NBA, but has struggled for a variety of seasons (both on and off the court). He’ll get on the occasional Sportscenter highlight with a great block, but his baggage and lack of an offensive game have him firmly planted on the bench. His net production per 100 possessions was -2.7 in 2008-09; worse than only Hassell in terms of New Jersey’s rotation players. Like it is at point guard, the drop off from starter to reserve is vast. Forecast: The Nets have a budding tandem in Harris and Lopez, but more is needed in order to make a strong push towards the postseason. They’ll be competitive, if only because of their two best players, but another trip to the lottery appears likely. A rival general manager shared that assessment with me. “[They are] probably a lottery even with a very talented point guard in Harris. But the future bodes well for the Nets with Harris, a terrific young center in Lopez and a nucleus player like Lee. They also have two first round picks in June’s draft and cap space in the future for their move to Brooklyn. It’s not going to happen this season or probably even next, but they are a team of the future with an All-Star in Harris and a future All-Star in Lopez,” the GM said. They’ll likely finish with approximately 34 wins for the third straight season, with the potential for a few more (if Lee/Williams grow) or a few less (if either Harris or Lopez misses an extended period of time).

10-05-2009, 12:15 AM	#2
Karma Status: Bring it back Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 16,166 Fav Cav: Zydrunas Ilgauskas Past Fav: Brad Daugherty Thanks: 6,266 Thanked 5,070 Times in 1,695 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 2	Re: RCF's Season Preview - New Jersey Nets Another team focussed on cap space in the summer of 2010.However one advantage the Nets have is some young talent. Lopez and Harris already is a solid base with Lee, Jianlian and Terrence Williams also looking to cement themselves as genuine NBA talents. It will be an erratic season for the Nets playing through some youthful errors. I don't mind what they are doing but without a premier go to guy and poor home court advantage this season could fade fast. 31 wins Last edited by Karma; 10-05-2009 at 12:15 AM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

10-05-2009, 01:59 AM	#3
camakazee Status: numbersdont.com Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 6,261 Thanks: 5,593 Thanked 13,176 Times in 3,122 Posts	Re: RCF's Season Preview - New Jersey Nets Why is Terrence sniffing balls?

10-05-2009, 05:37 AM	#4
KB Status: Situational Stopper Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Columbus Posts: 472 Fav Cav: Delonte Past Fav: Price Thanks: 649 Thanked 459 Times in 164 Posts	Re: RCF's Season Preview - New Jersey Nets I think Terrence Williams will be starting by the 2nd month of the season at the 3 with Yi sliding to the 4

10-05-2009, 09:24 AM	#5
ChicagoCavFan Status: Sorry Z Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Grayslake, IL Posts: 5,647 Fav Cav: Moondog/Gilbert Past Fav: Price Thanks: 4,871 Thanked 3,681 Times in 1,324 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	Re: RCF's Season Preview - New Jersey Nets 32 sounds like a nice number. 32 wins it is. __________________ "My personal opinion is a lot of times when you lose and you leave, it sounds like a quitter. I would never want to leave without accomplishing the goal." - James Worthy

10-05-2009, 10:38 AM	#6
bzim09 Status: High as a kite Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Graytown, OH Posts: 81 Fav Cav: Boobie Gibson/d West Past Fav: Mark Price/ AC Thanks: 149 Thanked 29 Times in 16 Posts	Re: RCF's Season Preview - New Jersey Nets I voted 41-45 wins. That's probably to generous, but these guys have some young players with potential. Always been a fan of Devin Harris and his game, just wish that he played for anyone else besides the Nets. __________________

10-05-2009, 03:25 PM	#7
TheBigLeBronski Status: Future D-Leauger Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,287 Fav Cav: Maurice Williams Past Fav: Larry Nance Thanks: 649 Thanked 913 Times in 499 Posts	Re: RCF's Season Preview - New Jersey Nets This team is going to be a punching bag. I only said 15-20 because they do have some home games against other punching bag teams. Really, I like thier starting guards but is Brooke Lopez gonna be able to anchor the team going against the traditional winners in the League for them to crack 20 wins? Not to mention all of the outside distractions the team is going to face with the possible new owner, and trying to get a shovel in the ground in broklyn before 2010. You know if they dont start that new building before then, they lose thier sweet deal with the city, and basically make the team unsellable. __________________ I hope they launch an investigation to find the sniper who shot Varejao. -Scott Skiles you are not going to catch me doing the Stinky Leg. I ain’t doing no Stinky Leg. -Delonte West I could ask LeBron [James] to sign something. -Zeeeeee

10-05-2009, 06:32 PM	#8
crazedcav333 Status: Cleveland Rocks! Join Date: May 2006 Location: Green, OH Posts: 4,644 Fav Cav: LeBron James/Delonte West Past Fav: Ira Newble Thanks: 235 Thanked 239 Times in 145 Posts	Re: RCF's Season Preview - New Jersey Nets 31, big fan of Harris. 31 is not how many games they'll win, but how many fans will be attending each home game. __________________

10-05-2009, 09:26 PM	#9
GilbertForPres Status: Team Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,066 Fav Cav: Mo,JJ,Antawn Past Fav: Big Z Thanks: 2,487 Thanked 464 Times in 200 Posts	Re: RCF's Season Preview - New Jersey Nets 28 wins for Devin Harris and supporting cast.

10-05-2009, 09:28 PM	#10
doughboy90650 Status: Fisher for 3 ??? BANG Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: 11th and Fig Posts: 1,724 Thanks: 355 Thanked 926 Times in 376 Posts	Re: RCF's Season Preview - New Jersey Nets best things about the Nets are the dancers .....

04-02-2010, 11:45 PM	#11
Karma Status: Bring it back Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 16,166 Fav Cav: Zydrunas Ilgauskas Past Fav: Brad Daugherty Thanks: 6,266 Thanked 5,070 Times in 1,695 Posts Awards Showcase Total Awards: 2	Re: RCF's Season Preview - New Jersey Nets I will be grave digging these threads over the next week or two just to see how right or in this case wrong in our predictions. This team went with Devin Harris. Not that he should shoulder the blame, but he regressed when the franchise needed him to take his game to the next level. Injury cruelled that. With Brooklyn another year away summer of 2010 doesn't look took flash unless the lottery balls fall their way. I went with 31 wins and missed by around 20.

04-03-2010, 01:41 AM	#13
hoops23 Status: GOAT Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 725 Fav Cav: Antawn; JJ; Mo Past Fav: Mark Price; Brad Daugherty Thanks: 120 Thanked 560 Times in 215 Posts	Re: RCF's Season Preview - New Jersey Nets I never polled either.. I would have said 21-25 though. I don't think ANYBODY thought they'd win 11 games. (of course, they could finish the season off hot and finish with 15 or so wins...)

04-03-2010, 10:05 PM	#14
malus Status: Rather Dashing Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 393 Fav Cav: Zamison Thanks: 132 Thanked 123 Times in 68 Posts	Re: RCF's Season Preview - New Jersey Nets So the Nets just blew out the Hornets by 28.. __________________ *'15.The reason I talk to myself is because I’m the only one whose answers I accept"* - George Carlin