Post by cashmoney on May 10, 2011 11:33:25 GMT -5
A new season brings new hope for many teams. For the Nets, the 2010 season marks the start of a new era for the franchise. The past few seasons have been rebuilding years, bringing in young talent via trades or draft. Last season's big moves were marked with the acquisition of SG Thabo Sefolosha and FC Marreese Speights.
Thabo was a pending FA at the time, but he re-upped with the Nets for 7 more years. "I like the direction the Nets franchise is going and I respect the fact that I am the key for the future success," Thabo was quoted saying. Indeed, the Nets GM is counting on Thabo again to be an important scorer and perimeter defender for the team.
As far as Speights goes, the Nets really like his size in the paint and his inside scoring. To give him more development time, Speights was sent down to the DLeague for his 2nd stint and did improve, mainly in defense and rebounding. "It was weird being traded from NY to NJ. However, I feel more stability here in NJ and the opportunity they gave me was much better then in NY," Speights told reporters. Speights will be asked to do the inside scoring this season.
This offseason was also extremely crucial for the Nets. They were guaranteed a top-5 pick and landed the #4 pick and also made a draft day trade with the Pacers for Blatche. With that pick, the Nets selected GF Evan Turner. He provides great versatility and work-ethic. His work-ethic has already shown as he showed improvements after the latest training camp. If the Nets find an upgrade to help put them over the top, Turner will be traded. If not, the Nets will gladly keep him and develop him into an all-around player that he's more then capable of being.
With Speights being more of an offensive oriented post-player, the Nets wanted a post opposite of him that would be great defensively and with rebounding. They hoped C Javale McGee would be that guy, but he never really developed into that type of player. With the Pacers looking to re-tool a bit, the Nets saw a perfect chance to trade for FC Andray Blatche, a player who plays physical defense and rebounds well. His shot-blocking will be very important this season and beyond. He also shows an ability to score, which is a plus as well.
The PG position was a bit of a question mark for the Nets heading into the offseason and in reality, is the the case. There was no PG worthy of drafting so the Nets GM hoped to sign one via FA. Harris was a nice MLE signing but he's mainly just a band-aid. After that, the Nets signed PG Kyle Lowry to a small multi-year deal. He did improve some in training camp but still holds major questions, especially if he's starting material. If it doesn't work out, he will be a nice back-up at worst. Rumors have the Nets looking for a PG via the trade market, but nothing has been done as of yet.
For their DLeague this season, the Nets selected C Solomon Alabi. He was drafted 21st overall in the last draft, and showed improvements in defense after the training camp. His skill-set is somewhat intriguing. The Nets will work on his offense, as they hope he can turn into a nice backup.
Of course, every team chases the Ship. However, you must keep it real. For the Nets this season, a playoff berth would be the goal. Getting past the 1st rd and beyond would be icing on the cake. If the Nets can find a legitimate PG and even SF, look out for them to be making noise not just this season, but many seasons to come.
Thabo was a pending FA at the time, but he re-upped with the Nets for 7 more years. "I like the direction the Nets franchise is going and I respect the fact that I am the key for the future success," Thabo was quoted saying. Indeed, the Nets GM is counting on Thabo again to be an important scorer and perimeter defender for the team.
Thabo is the Net's franchise player
As far as Speights goes, the Nets really like his size in the paint and his inside scoring. To give him more development time, Speights was sent down to the DLeague for his 2nd stint and did improve, mainly in defense and rebounding. "It was weird being traded from NY to NJ. However, I feel more stability here in NJ and the opportunity they gave me was much better then in NY," Speights told reporters. Speights will be asked to do the inside scoring this season.
Speight's inside scoring will be key for the Nets
This offseason was also extremely crucial for the Nets. They were guaranteed a top-5 pick and landed the #4 pick and also made a draft day trade with the Pacers for Blatche. With that pick, the Nets selected GF Evan Turner. He provides great versatility and work-ethic. His work-ethic has already shown as he showed improvements after the latest training camp. If the Nets find an upgrade to help put them over the top, Turner will be traded. If not, the Nets will gladly keep him and develop him into an all-around player that he's more then capable of being.
With Speights being more of an offensive oriented post-player, the Nets wanted a post opposite of him that would be great defensively and with rebounding. They hoped C Javale McGee would be that guy, but he never really developed into that type of player. With the Pacers looking to re-tool a bit, the Nets saw a perfect chance to trade for FC Andray Blatche, a player who plays physical defense and rebounds well. His shot-blocking will be very important this season and beyond. He also shows an ability to score, which is a plus as well.
The PG position was a bit of a question mark for the Nets heading into the offseason and in reality, is the the case. There was no PG worthy of drafting so the Nets GM hoped to sign one via FA. Harris was a nice MLE signing but he's mainly just a band-aid. After that, the Nets signed PG Kyle Lowry to a small multi-year deal. He did improve some in training camp but still holds major questions, especially if he's starting material. If it doesn't work out, he will be a nice back-up at worst. Rumors have the Nets looking for a PG via the trade market, but nothing has been done as of yet.
For their DLeague this season, the Nets selected C Solomon Alabi. He was drafted 21st overall in the last draft, and showed improvements in defense after the training camp. His skill-set is somewhat intriguing. The Nets will work on his offense, as they hope he can turn into a nice backup.
Of course, every team chases the Ship. However, you must keep it real. For the Nets this season, a playoff berth would be the goal. Getting past the 1st rd and beyond would be icing on the cake. If the Nets can find a legitimate PG and even SF, look out for them to be making noise not just this season, but many seasons to come.
