Hoops4Life.com - NBA Eastern Conference: Just How Good Are The New Jersey Nets?

NBA Eastern Conference: Just How Good Are The New Jersey Nets?

Written by Sean Stancill

Monday, 21 July 2008

NBA Eastern Conference: Just How Good Are The New Jersey Nets?

The NBA offseason is a time spent by front offices finding new ways and players to upgrade their respective teams.

Nets’ president Rod Thorn has kept himself occupied.

The busiest team in the East this offseason, other than the Miami Heat, has been the New Jersey Nets.

The Nets had three selections in the 2008 NBA Draft, taking two first rounders, were heavily rumored to be fishing for SF Carmelo Anthony, and pulled off one blockbuster trade, sending Richard Jefferson to the Bucks and gaining Yi Jianlian.

They also acquired PG Keyon Dooling from the Orlando Magic on Sunday.

Busy, busy, busy.

With all the new changes to their roster, here is how I view the New Jersey Nets' 2008-09 roster:

PG Devin Harris

2007-08 numbers: 14.8 PPG, 5.8 APG, 2.7 RPG

One of the fastest point guards in the league, Devin Harris is among the many floor generals of the future brimming with potential.

Harris has amazing speed, which he uses to his advantage consistently to score and exploit mismatches on the opposing team.

An All-Star berth might be in his future, if he is able to mature.

SG Vince Carter

2007-08 numbers: 21.3 PPG, 6 RPG, 5.1 APG

Vince has seen his share of ups and downs in New Jersey, from playoff berths to 40-loss seasons, and he also has dealt with trade rumors. At the February deadline, Carter was rumored to be swapped for PF/C Jermaine O'Neal.

Luckily for both parties, the trade never occurred.

Vince should be thrilled this season, now surrounded by talent taking the load off of his shoulders. Carter no longer needs to force up contested shots or attempt to come back from insurmountable deficits.

However, with injuries overlapping and a decade in the league, this might be Carter's last productive year at the NBA level.

SF Yi Jianlian

2007-08 numbers: 8.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 0.8 APG

With one full season under his belt, Jianlian will be unquestionably better this upcoming season. He's had ample time to adjust to the speed of the NBA game, and was given the time from season's end to improve his jump shot.

Playing alongside Vince Carter and Devin Harris will certainly benefit him as well.

Except Yi to fit in nicely amongst this squad.

PF Nenad Kristic

2007-08 numbers: 6.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 0.4 BPG

Kristic is a fighter and a good low-post defender, which Nets’ President Rod Thorn adores.

Nenad seems to be magnetically drawn to the ball at times, and is also a potent rebounder, mainly on the defensive side.

C Brook Lopez

2007-08 numbers (at Stanford): 19.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.1 BPG

Although they failed in their attempt to land Marcus Camby, Brook Lopez should still be a solid front court presence.

While Brook is very sluggish and isn't quite as athletic as brother Robin, he is able to pound opponents down low with his mammoth frame and block shots effortlessly.

B-Lo should average near a double-double in his rookie season. He possesses a great skill set—and he plays in the Eastern Conference.

Bench

SF/PF Eduardo Najera

2007-08 numbers: 5.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 36.1% 3PT

Nabbing the energetic hustle man from Denver was a big step in building the foundation of the Nets' bench.

Najera is a scrappy defender, a solid rebounder, and can spot up from anywhere behind the arc.

SG Chris Douglas-Roberts

2007-08 numbers (at Memphis): 18.1 PPG, 1.2 SPG, 41.3% 3PT

Douglas-Roberts should provide fantastic scoring all season long coming off the bench for the New Jersey Nets, and will some day develop into a starter.

Roberts is lanky, had good speed, is a great perimeter shooter, and has exceptional ball handling that will propel him past defenders come October.

Several teams could use the services of Chris, but his role on the Nets' is too invaluable for him to join another team.

PG Keyon Dooling

2007-08 Numbers: 8.1 PPG, 1.8 APG, 33.8% 3PT

The newly-acquired guard will see action replacing Devin Harris, as part of the team's second unit.

Dooling is primarily a three-point shooter, but is also very active in the passing lanes and a good one-on-one defender.

This looks to be the most promising team since Nets of 2001-03 that featured Jason Kidd and the highflying Kenyon Martin, who led them to consecutive NBA Finals appearances.

I believe this team now has enough firepower to take on the Boston Celtics and battle for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.