Well, Thorn said he wanted size, shooting and toughness. A lot of that in the seven players he's added...particularly the shooting.
nobody is really questioning the good things najera brings on and off the court...the question is why do we need 10 players who can play the forward spots? but since najera is now a net, i will just concentrate on all those things he brings to the game...toughness, defense, shooting, hustle...all of which we need badly. $3M/yr for a guy like him is not overpaying (but no bargain either). he is the 10th most marketable player in the nba (9th is yi, 1st is lebron, all the others on the list are unobtainable). as a sidenote, this blogger thinks brook lopez is the 3rd most marketable of the 2008 rookies. his real name is brooklyn...another marketing coup.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (go nets @ Jul 11 2008, 04:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Guys these are 2 solid pickups. You cant argue with the Hayes signing and as far as the Najera deal i actually expected them to offer a 3yr $12million deal so we got an extra year from him for the same amount. I know right know these moves dont make too much sense but its obvious Thorn/Kiki are not done with roster transactions. This is all I expect for sure right now to be on the roster for next season harris VC/Hayes/CDR Simmons/Najera Yi/SWat/Anderson Lopez/Boone</div> let me touch up a couple things on this Harris VC/CDR/Carroll Simmions/Hayes/Anderson YI/Swat/Najera/Swift Boone/Lopez/Swift Hassel-Ager-Simmons could be a possible trade
The Nets had nobody with close to the heart Eddie plays with. A player like this is critical for the number of young bigs the Nets have that don't understand the NBA game.
Najera has such a tradeable contract that by 2010 he will most likely be an ex-net...Hayes contract ends by 2010 so there is no big deal there...realistically I don't see any problem stockpiling talented youth, draft picks and role players/fillers as potential trade assets for this upcoming season...
Everyone keeps saying "tradeable contract"....comparing it to Philly's situation with Carney. But the situations aren't the same because a) Stefanski didn't give out those contracts, so he was making up for sins past and b) it is not as crazy as a market as 2010 will be, where everyone wants cap space (even the Knicks are talking about it!). Also, the Sixers had to give up a first round pick as well. Is the temporary boost that Najera will give us worth a first round pick?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rory @ Jul 12 2008, 02:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Everyone keeps saying "tradeable contract"....comparing it to Philly's situation with Carney. But the situations aren't the same because a) Stefanski didn't give out those contracts, so he was making up for sins past and b) it is not as crazy as a market as 2010 will be, where everyone wants cap space (even the Knicks are talking about it!). Also, the Sixers had to give up a first round pick as well. Is the temporary boost that Najera will give us worth a first round pick?</div> With all of the young bigs on the Nets, Najera is definitely worth it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ Jul 12 2008, 02:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rory @ Jul 12 2008, 02:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Everyone keeps saying "tradeable contract"....comparing it to Philly's situation with Carney. But the situations aren't the same because a) Stefanski didn't give out those contracts, so he was making up for sins past and b) it is not as crazy as a market as 2010 will be, where everyone wants cap space (even the Knicks are talking about it!). Also, the Sixers had to give up a first round pick as well. Is the temporary boost that Najera will give us worth a first round pick?</div> With all of the young bigs on the Nets, Najera is definitely worth it. </div> I don't think there's anything he can teach them in 2010 that he can't in 2008 and 2009. Whatever, I've said my piece, and, call me crazy, but I don't like giving 4 year contracts to 32 year old role players, on a team trying to have capspace in two years, AND with no aspirations of competing for a title this year or next year, AND with a logjam already in the frontcourt, AND with 15 players already under contract. I guess I'm just bitter about the success Ed Stefanski is having in Philly. It's like running into an ex-girlfriend on the street and she has a hot new boyfriend with her. Meanwhile, your current girlfriend is nagging you about cutting costs and making yourself more marketable in Mexico. (OK, the analogy may need some work)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rory @ Jul 12 2008, 03:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ Jul 12 2008, 02:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rory @ Jul 12 2008, 02:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Everyone keeps saying "tradeable contract"....comparing it to Philly's situation with Carney. But the situations aren't the same because a) Stefanski didn't give out those contracts, so he was making up for sins past and b) it is not as crazy as a market as 2010 will be, where everyone wants cap space (even the Knicks are talking about it!). Also, the Sixers had to give up a first round pick as well. Is the temporary boost that Najera will give us worth a first round pick?</div> With all of the young bigs on the Nets, Najera is definitely worth it. </div> I don't think there's anything he can teach them in 2010 that he can't in 2008 and 2009. Whatever, I've said my piece, and, call me crazy, but I don't like giving 4 year contracts to 32 year old role players, on a team trying to have capspace in two years, AND with no aspirations of competing for a title this year or next year, AND with a logjam already in the frontcourt, AND with 15 players already under contract. I guess I'm just bitter about the success Ed Stefanski is having in Philly. It's like running into an ex-girlfriend on the street and she has a hot new boyfriend with her. Meanwhile, your current girlfriend is nagging you about cutting costs and making yourself more marketable in Mexico. (OK, the analogy may need some work) </div> My counter to you is I don't see how less than 3 million in a contract that summer is creating such a huge problem. Giving Eddie those extra 2 years to convince him to sign is a good move because he is everything the Nets need.
Rory stop flipping out, Kiki/Thorn are not done making roster moves yet. If its obvious to us that we have 15 under contract and a logjam of Bigs, its obvious to them as well. Were still looking to add a backup/combo gauard like Pargo or Dooling. For all those that dont like the Najera deal, just look at the bright side this pretty much ends all the Kwame Brown rumors
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rory @ Jul 12 2008, 03:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I guess I'm just bitter about the success Ed Stefanski is having in Philly.</div> The only successes in Philly are Billy King, who is now going to get another job, and Mo Cheeks, who still has one.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MarionBarberThe4th @ Jul 12 2008, 04:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Didnt Stefasnki sell Korver twice?</div> Yes, and now that team has an eerily similar weakness to the Nets when Stefanski was around in that there are no good 3 point shooters Try to figure that one out.
i actually like both the FA signings... we just need to get rid of hassel, swift, trade exempt and kvh's contract
Signing Najera is a good move for now and in the future. There are quite a few people here that want the Nets to play nothing but young players and collect draft picks. The problem is, Lebron James or any other FA for that mater, is not going to sign with a bottom feeding team. The Nets need to prove that they are competitive and only need a star to push them over the top.
It amazes me how much people think of the great player we are pursuing. He has never won a damn thing and never will. At best, he is enticing, a tease. At worse, he takes up space. Cap Space sucks...and I do not believe for one second that the cuts and decisions we are seeing have to do with Lebron James. Lebron James is the opiate of the masses, keeping people interested for the last two years the team is in New Jersey. This is about cutting expenses in a corporation that is losing an incredible amount of money, considering what its real value is. Lebron isn't coming to a team that sucks. As an Ohio writer noted the other day: "Logic makes it highly unlikely he'd exit his hometown team, a franchise that made the NBA Finals in 2007, to resurrect a squad that must wreck its roster to ink him."
NetIncome - are they really cutting costs? With all these signings plus the rookies, there are 16 players currently under contract (17 including Van Horn). It seems like they've haven't been really "dumping" salary - ala 2004 with Martin and Kittles. But you are better with the #s than me, so I'd be interested to see how the salary compares year over year. Again, the LeBron thing is all just speculation, and is almost as useless to talk about as the summer league is (almost), but if things stay the way they are, LeBron will be joining Vince Carter, Devin Harris, Yi, Sean Williams, the 3 rookies from 2008, and 3 first round picks from 2009 and 2010 (and Najera, I guess). On paper, that can be a very competitive team that LeBron can push over the top.
Why do the Nets have too many guys at PF: Yi, S-Will, StroShow, Boone, Brooke Lopez, Ryan Anderson, Najera, and Hayes. If they give Boone 25 mpg, and Lopez 23 mpg at the Center position. Devin plays at PG, with Marcus at backup. We assume Carter plays at SG for 35 mpg, and CDR plays 13 mpg behind Vince. At SF and PF. SF: Simmons, CDR, Hassell, Ager PF: Edwardo Najera, Yi Jian Lian, Sean Williams, Chuck Hayes, Stromile Swift, Ryan Anderson. Najera is 32 with knee problems I dont think he is quick enough at SF, S-Will and Hayes are better in the paint as defenders and dont have Js. Stro is a PF,C. Yi could play SF, but seems like he is more naturally a PF rather than chasing around regular sized SFs who are 6-7. I really hope they dont re-sign Boki and Krstic.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NetIncome @ Jul 13 2008, 05:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It amazes me how much people think of the great player we are pursuing. He has never won a damn thing and never will. At best, he is enticing, a tease. At worse, he takes up space. Cap Space sucks...and I do not believe for one second that the cuts and decisions we are seeing have to do with Lebron James. Lebron James is the opiate of the masses, keeping people interested for the last two years the team is in New Jersey. This is about cutting expenses in a corporation that is losing an incredible amount of money, considering what its real value is. Lebron isn't coming to a team that sucks. As an Ohio writer noted the other day: "Logic makes it highly unlikely he'd exit his hometown team, a franchise that made the NBA Finals in 2007, to resurrect a squad that must wreck its roster to ink him."</div> You may be right about the motivations for the moves, but I unhesitatingly believe next year's team will be better than last year's (barring significant injuries to Harris or VC, knock wood) and certainly much more pleasurable to watch. I wouldn't have been as confident saying that before summer league, but Lopez's shooting touch around the basket and out to 20 feet is a revelation. No matter what other problems he has as a rookie, he will instantly have a highly valuable skill that no other big has had in the entire time I've watched NJ (since VC trade). To go with that, the Nets have 2 young, mobile PFs that can space the floor and shoot out to three or put it down for the occasional drive; one of the league's best hustle and chemistry guys; servicable depth at the SF position; a highly competitive, multi-faceted rookie SG with big-time collegiate success and a chip on his shoulder a mild wide to keep him motivated; and a lightning fast point guard with decent vision and touch who is widely considered among the best defensive PGs in the league. The Nets had NONE of those things going into last year. Combine that with the excision of the Kidd cancer and the infusion of youthful enthusiasm, and you get a team that will have chemistry, coshesion, and consistency of effort that will far outpace what we had most of last year. I don't know whether it will translate into a playoff berth or not as so many factors influence that, not least the apparent improvement of several teams that finished in the 6-12 range in the east last year. But the Nets of 08-09 will be much more interesting than the stale collection of vets that started last year.
