With all of the talk buzzing around the Nets lately, ya know, trading for a “core” player, bringing in Carmelo, CP3, even Andre Igudala, it’s all nonsense in my opinion. If you ask me the Nets are wasting there own time looking for a franchise player when they have one already, and he’s kind of hard to miss. 7′1 Center Brook Lopez, coming out of Stanford, was Jerseys best player by far last season, in which he produced all-star numbers, one category being the scoring leader of all centers in the NBA. Let’s think, who were the last second year big men to lead centers in scoring? (Shaq and Alonzo Mourning) So I think it’s safe to say that Lopez is in very good company, and on his way to being the top center in the League.
Now before everyone gets there panties in a bunch and shouts Pau’s name and Dwights Howard, and blah blah, let’s look at some numbers shall we?
Now with those numbers laid out, Howard looks to be the hands down top center, however, when you factor in Dwights FT percentage (.592) and put it up against Brook’s (.817), I’d about you but I’m taking the center that can make his free throws, and still handle business in the paint. Although Howard may come off a little more intimidating to opposing players, (nobody likes being elbowed, am i right?) Lopez has a higher scoring average from the floor, and hits almost double the amount of FT that Howard does.
If you ask me, forget about trading away our crucial sixth man in T-will, or our starting all-star guard in Devon Harris (seriously), We just got Anthony Morrow to hit the 3-ball, and Jordan Farmar to distribute and also make the occasional long ball in the clutch. Brook may not be the flashiest or the most vocal big man in the NBA, but I said it once and I’ll say it again, Brook Lopez is the NBA’s best center, so pay attention this year my friends.
It became obvious that the Nets are on the rise when the Pro Nets ad featuring Mikail Prokorav and Jay-Z appeared outside of Madison square garden. Not only was this the boldest of moves on Jersey’s part, but given the time it was done,(right before Lebrons decision) it really made the rest fo the league that the Nets were a serious contender in the off-season, and in-fact one of the big-time players in courting Lebron.
This year is a big turn around year for New Jersey, a year in which the playoffs are a must, not necessarily any certain round, but with only 12 wins last season, missing the playoffs would be a huge disappointment after being kind of let down in free agency. The Nets WILL make the post-season and here’s why:
Lets start with Brook Lopez. Hes a giant (7′1 265), He’s smart on and off the court (Standford educated), and possibly his most important quality, Lopez wont back down from ANYONE. Given how long he’s been in the league, His tenacity is that of am elite big man. In only his second season, Lopez averaged more PPG than any center in the NBA. Just an FYI, the last time a second year player did that was in 1994, a couple dudes by the names O’niel and Mourning.
Next there’s the stockpile of new, young talent now wearing Nets gear. Anthony Morrow, aquiered from Golden State, is a 6′5 two-guard with one of the most accurate three-point shots in the NBA. In two seasons, Morrow is 46 percent from downtown.
Travis Outlaw anyone? This guy is big, (6′9) and is a freakish athlete that can play both sides of the ball effectivley. Although injured, Outlaw averaged 13 PPG last year. He’s also a three-point threat and usually performs in the clutch and fourth qauter.
Of course one of the big names in Jersey this year is Jordan Farmar. He’ll surely be a reliable option, with a average PPG just over seven in 2009-2010. Farmar’s specialty is getting to the rim, which combined with Anthony Morrow waiting at the three-point line, and Brook Lopez down low, could create more than a few headaches around the League. Terrence Williams is also going to play a big role this year. His true potential was discovered toward the end of last season. Williams averaged 14 points, 7.8 boards, and just over 5 assists in about 30 minutes. He’s a dead-eye shooter from the floor and would without a doubt win any dunk contest he entered. T-Will should either start or bring one hell of a presence off the bench.
With the big 3, or 4, or 5, or however big you considered this summers elite free agent group, all signed, there are still a handful of very valuable players on the market. There’s a some choices out there, alot of teams seem hesitant to get older,but with the such a young roster as the Nets have, some veteran presence would be great. Don’t get me wrong, Jordan Farmar is jsut that, but I’m talking real, BIG, veteran players. That’s right, I’m saying let’s bring the big man to Jersey for the last 2 years of hs career, SHAQSTRODOMOUS. It’s almost like itwas meant to be. We need a big name, that of Shaq O’niel doesn’t get any bigger. He’s passed the point of his carreer where he’s going to play 30 minutes a game, let alonedemand to start. And here’s the kicker, He’se a Newark-boy born and raised.
So here’s the scene i’ll paint for you, the Nets are going to be in Newark for hte next 2 years, atleast, The Diesel wants a 2 year contract, MAYBE 3, whynot finish your career where it all began big man? We don’t neccasarily need the help at center, but with Yi gone, bringing Shaq in down low while Brook Lopez gets a rest will be quite a wrench in the gears of any team trying to get a decent low-post matchup against the Nets.
Next we have RJ, Richard Jefferson AKA Captain Coldfeet. Hes’ been here before, when we were at our best, he knows what it takes, he can vouch for the organizaton to the younger players. By turning down his 15 million dollar salary this upcoming season, it’s obvious that RJ is hungry for a payday, and the fact that he left the Spurs doesnt really shed to much light on whether or not he even wants to be on a contending team. I know, obviously everyone wants to be, but show me 5 other guys that will turn down 15 mill from the Spurs on a one year deal, exactly.
Although Jersey has a decent team to floor at the moment, how far will that go? Playoffs? If so, which round, how many games? Fact of the matter is, we need some help, a big name, someone to not only put up some points, but put fans in the seats of this new arena whenever that happens to be built. With that said, locking up a big now now, whether its through trade or free agency, is a must in order to the Nets to make any kind of progress.
At this point, Terrance Williams is an extra, there’s no way around it. With that said, he’s a VERY valuable extra in the sense that he’s trade bait, along with a mid round draft pick, for just about any star PF in the league. Except for the unlikely circumstance that Courtney Lee fell out of favor with the new regime, Twill probably wont be in the starting lineup. Jersey isn’t paying Travis Outlaw $35 million to be a sixth man, but with teams like Dallas, Boston, or even Utah, deep at forward, Williams could be a nice young fit on their rosters.
Personally, I’m still scratching my head as to why Richard Jefferson has yet to be made an offer.
I know what it sounds like, but I’m not remixing Kanye West’s “Stronger”. That’s the title I gave Mikail Prokarov’s 5-year plan for the Nets. Plan A was obviously go after the big 3 (Lebron Dwade and Bosh), but since that fell through, Prokarov is resorting to plan B, maybe even C or D, I heard he even has a plan E if things get real messy. Anyway, despite the free agent…situation, for lack of a better word, The Nets, in my opinion, got the best deal so far. I’ll give you a minute to badmouth that statement and say “what about the Heat”…..you good? Ok so here’s why I believe that: Yea we know what Miami’s roster looks like, but have we ever seen one like it? In retrospect it’s easy to name teams that rival hopeful success, but when the time comes, how will they perform? Your telling me 2 of the greatest players, who lead in some sort of scoring category every year, are going to put there ego’s aside and average 10 or so points, rather than 25 or 30? Realistically, no matter how good they are, they’re not dropping 200 points at any point, I can assure you that, this is the NBA and other teams are going to play JUST a little harder when Miami comes to town, they are now what the Lakers have been for the past 10 years.
New Jersey went out and signed some of the youngest, most skilled, and underrated players in the league. For starters, we’ve got a 3-point sniper in Anthony Morrow, who has a 3pt avg of .460. Next, we gave questionably big money to former 1st overall pick Travis Outlaw. With an average PPG of just over 9, Outlaw needs to prove his worth, and be given a little more responsibility. He’s basically taking over the duties of yi Jianlian, who had a better shooting touch from long range, but with Morrow there, Outlaw wont be needed to hit as many of those shots (even though he has a career avg of .363).
Than there’s the former LA Laker, Jordan Farmar. Farmar is without a doubt the most valuable asset acquired. Farmar brings NBA championship rings into the Nets locker room, and the ability to inspire the rest of the younger guys on the team, that it’s a very real goal. The best part about Jordan Farmar is, despite his average scoring ability in the regular season, his playoff percentages are almost double. Given the recent skid of missing the playoffs, New Jersey could use a reliable, experienced shooter when the time comes. When asked about his decision to change his address from 90210 to 08902, Farmar replied “In L.A., I came in at 19 and I was always ‘Little Jordy.’ Now I’m ‘Jordan Farmar, two-time champ’ – the person on this team with the most winning experience. It’s just a different view for me as a player and a person. It’s a chance to recreate myself and go at it again, from a different angle.” The Nets also signed bench player Johan Petro, from Denver. So far there isn’t much in place for him as a starter or sixth man.
3rd overall pick Derrick Favors, and 24th pick, Damien James, have been signed to the Nets roster today. As his last item of business, Rod Thorn signed the two NCAA standouts to multi-year deals. Favors, a power forward out of Georgia Tech, is scheduled to make 8.57 million in his first 2 years, with team options in the 3rd and 4th. The ACC rookie of the year averaged 12.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 36 games. There’s a good chance he could be our starter this season, but the Nets are actibley shopping another PF to ease the youngsters workload.
As for James, ( wish we were talking about that one) the Texas Longhorn, was also signed to a contract paying him a total of 2.39 million over the first 2 seasons. Other terms of the deal were undisclosed and probably don’t exceed the worth of the first couple of years. James’ numbers for his senior season were pretty impressive, day in and day out, Longhorns fans could count of the small forward to put up 18.0 pts and 10.1 boards per game.
Turns out that Anthony Morrow isnt being given and offer sheet until today, July 12th, giving Golden State until the 19th to match it, which Warriors sources say they will not do.
On the other hand, Nets signed center Johan Petro to a 3 yr 10 million dollar deal. If you ask me that’s a whole lot of cash for a guy who has been Denver’s 15th man. Petro is a 7-footer from Guadeloupe, and despite his size has great athleticism. Since entering the league in 05-06, Petro has an average of 5.1 PPG and 4.2 RPG. Given he fact that he is ONLY 24, Net’s president Rod Thorne hopes the team can develop his low-post abilities sooner rather than later.
Although the exact terms were not disclosed, Farmar’s deal is believed to be around 3 yrs at 12 million dollars. It doesn’t make sense to think that Farmar will start, even on the current Nets roster, but he’ll most certainly be a nice compliment to Devon Harris in the back court.
Along with his playing ability, Farmar brings a big game pedigree and a couple NBA championship rings with him as well, which is sure to be a morale boost to the rest of the locker room. Jordan Farmar was drafted 26th overall by LA, and averages 6.9 pts, and 2.1 assists per game in his four year NBA career. He appeared in all 82 games last season for the Lakers, while helping them win back to back championships in2008-2009 and 2009-2010.
Another notable name who is drawing a lot of interest is Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola, who is a restricted free agent. The Cavs haven’t made an offer to Scola, though sources close to the situation say the Nets are prepping a “big money” offer sheet for Scola. The Rockets however, have been stern in saying they will ,match any offer give to Scola.
The Nets signed sharpshooting guard Anthony Morrow to a 3 yr, 12 million dollar offer sheet. Given his restricted status, the Golden State Warriors will have one week to match or raise New Jersey’s offer to Morrow.
After going un-drafted out of Georgia tech in 2008, Morrow has made enormous improvements in his game. He averaged 13 points on .468 from the floor in his second year.
