Boone Williams Yi Carter Harris I like how on D Williams and Yi are interchangeable, making a lineup like this work (much like KMart and KVH). -Petey
Think Yi is quick enough to guard the 2 or 3? If not that means Brook and Boone will pick up a lot of quick fouls in a majority of the games in that lineup. -Petey
Hayes, Simmons, or Najera will probably be the starting 3. The Nets really have a solid roster. I look at it this way: (1) Vince and Devin compare very well to the PG/top perimeter threat duos on all the competitive teams. (2) All teams have to have a fourth and fifth scoring option in their starting lineup whose job is just to play defense, do "the little things," and be able to score when given the opportunity, so they can't be completely ignored by the defense. One of those two players is often either the SG or the SF, whoever isn't considered the top perimeter threat. In that light, whichever one of Hayes, Simmons, or Najera starts at SF will be just as fine as most other teams. (3) The Nets' sixth through 13th players are competitive with those on other rosters: Dooling; two of Hayes/Simmons/Najera; Hassell; and four of the group consisting of Yi, Sean, Boone, and the three rookies. I think that is pretty good. There are some veterans, some rookies and sophmores, a lot of defense, and no one who is selfish. There's some intelligence there, too. One of Hayes/Simmons/Najera--whichever isn't starting--will probably turn into a pretty good sixth man. Maybe not the best sixth man in the league, but better than Boki, and better than probably 2/3 of the league, I figure. (4) for emergencies, the roster will be completed with some combination of Ager, Hodge, and Swift. I think Hodge could actually contribute something, but who knows if a spot will be available. Swift is a waste, and as for Ager, he could still develop into something useful, who knows. The only real weaknesses are the starting 4 and the starting 5. We obviously don't know who it is going to be. I think one of them will be Boone, who is decent enough when healthy. He could serve as a decent fourth option on offense, provide capable defense, and grab a bunch of offensive rebounds, which is important. He has some weaknesses, though--most notably his lack of range; his free-throw shooting; and his tendency to give up in the middle of a play if he screws up. He's still young and could improve, there, but the addition of Boone into the starting lineup would reduce this group from "elite" to maybe "contender." So that leaves the last big. If the Nets had, say, Elton Brand or Dirk to fill that spot, this team would be an absolute monster. Instead, we (probably) have one of Yi, Sean, Ryan Anderson, and Brook. All of whom are completely unproven, could be erratic on offense and a disaster on defense. One would guess that it would be Yi, and that Ryan has no chance, but who really knows how it will wash out. But really, that's it. When the analysts talk about how the Nets are "rebuilding" and just a 25-win team, they're just overemphasizing that one slot on the roster over the depth the nets have everywhere else. The nets are just one player away from being a contender, the way I see it. yes, that one player would have to be a star, but it reveals the depth and talent the team has everywhere else. As the season goes on, those four players will (hopefully) improve, and some number of other teams will suffer injuries to one of their starting big men, so that the starting Net at that spot won't be overmatched every night quite so much. And if one of them can develop into a league-average starter at the 4 or 5, then I think the Nets could be playoff bound. Last year, one could argue that from #4 on down the roster, the Knicks had a better team than the Nets did. Now that isn't true anymore. The Nets still have a hole or two, but they have FEWER holes than a year ago--they are just focused on the starting frontcourt.
First 2 months: Harris VC Simmons Yi Boone 2 months before Allstar: Harris VC Simmons (if he doesnt get back to form, hayes, CDR, and anderson might take spot.) Yi Lopez Agree with Petey. What I would like to see but doubt it happens: Harris VC Yi (Might not be able to guard SF, but it semi worked with KVH) S. Williams (as long as the D is there, whatever he gives offensively is a plus.) Lopez
As high as I am on Lopez, why are so many people picking him to start over Boone right off the bat? Think he'll make that much of an impact in pre-season? -Petey
just to follow up my somewhat off-topic post, if the Nets had a starting 5 of Devin, Vince, Najera/Simmons, Elton Brand, and Boone; with a bench of Dooling, Hayes, Najera/Simmons, Yi, CDR, Ryan Anderson, Sean Williams, and Brook Lopez, and I think the analysts would say that Boone is a little weak in the starting lineup; there's limited experience on the bench in the frontcourt, but that this could be a 50-55 win team if Devin, Vince, and Brand can stay healthy. Now pretend that Brand breaks his leg in training camp and will miss the season. Does this now go from a projected #3 to #5 seed to one of the worst five teams in the league? I just don't see it, to be honest. I really think that the team is better than that.
I think Lopez is the guy Frank will want to start, and Boone will have to beat him out. If Boone starts out shooting 45% from the line again, he won't play much. If he proves he's learned team defense, he'll play more.
I see this as one of three possible line-ups. The other two are: Harris, Carter, Simmons, Najera, Lopez Harris, Carter, Simmons, Yi, Boone I think the goal is to have Yi and Lopez in there by then end of the season and maybe even CDR at the 3.
I disagree with that premise. I mean, most predictions have the Sixers around 47 wins, and I'd say they have more talent and chemistry minus Brand than the Nets do.
I think the nets have more depth, and more potential among their bench players. Right now, the Sixers' bench consists of Louis Williams, Royal Ivey, Willie Green, Kareem Rush, Donyell Marshall, Reggie Evans, Jason Smith, Marresse Speights, Theo Ratliff, and Shav Randolph. Who among them would you take over Dooling, Hayes, Najera, or Simmons? remember, the Sixers started out something like 9-30 last year before developing that chemistry.
dooling hodge simmons anderson swift 82-0 but actually, everything that dumpy said, I agree with 100% . I just can't put it in words as good as he does you are really getting me excited, can't wait until october 9th.
I don't see CDR as an NBA 3 except for spot minutes. He doesn't have the frame or strength to deal with the pounding. On offense, CDR gets his points by exploiting seams and gaps. Against NBA defenses, there won't be as many of them and there will be much better athletes and smarter players closing them down.
I wouldn't take Reggie Evans, although by doing so you'd be taking advantage of the obvious weakness on the Nets' roster, the lack of experienced depth in the frontcourt. I perceive Evans as someone on the downside of his career. We agree that the stats don't tell the full story, and it is possible he was hurt last year, but he really wasn't very good. He shot 44% from the floor and 47% from the line. As a starter, his FG% was 43%. On a per-minute basis, his points, offensive rebounds, and total rebounds were all lower than they've been for several years. He could be beginning his decline. I would probably take Lou Williams, although one could argue that he is no better than Marcus Williams--both offensively AND defensively--and we know what happened there.
