<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NetsDaily)</div><div class='quotemain'>Ian Thomsen doesn’t much too much stock in the Nets’ plan " staying competitive while cutting expenses. In his early early look at 2008-09, the Sports Illustrated writer predicts the Nets will finish dead last in the East, just behind the Bobcats and Heat. He doesn’t explain his reasoning and admits it’s much too early. He also thinks the Knicks could be a surprise in the East.</div> An early look at what may be in store in 2008-09 - Ian Thomsen - Sports Illustrated Yup. Worse than the Knicks, Bobcats, Bucks, Bulls, Pacers...yup. And the Knicks will be a surprise. I love that. They're so much youthier. No further comment. EDIT: Hold on, there's more:<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>d. Sixth Man: Nate Robinson. Something tells me he is going to flourish off the bench in Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni's blurring offense.</div> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>b. Executive: Kevin Pritchard, Ed Stefanski, John Hammond (in order). Their three rookies could turn the Blazers into next season's darlings, earning recognition for Pritchard. Stefanski recruited Elton Brand to Philadelphia, though he still must re-sign restricted free agents Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams. The changes in the Bucks could be startling, thanks to Hammond's acquisitions of coach Scott Skiles and Richard Jefferson.</div> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>4. Dallas</div> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>8. Indiana 7. Cleveland 6. Toronto 5. Philadelphia 4. Washington</div> Okay, I think I'm done now.
No way will the Nets be in last, I see them fighting for a 7th or 8th spot towards the end of the season.
I don't feel as bad as the Bulls. We have young players and rebuilding, what's their excuse? Also, last is no worse than 9 thru 14 Edit: John Hammond as award winning executive? He drafted Joe Alexander for their "win now" mode Bucks... WTF?
I will be watching either way, I like seeing young players develop. I will be hoping for a post season run but I won't be upset with a high lottery pick.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (#1_War_Poet_ForLife @ Jul 26 2008, 03:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Dumpy should take this guy's job.</div> Thanks! . . . I think . . .
Hollinger actually wrote a very flattering piece about the nets recently, saying in effect that they are rebuilding the right way and may have a decent team this year.
In his defense, this is a hard team to get a sense of, and the Nets certainly have less "star power" than other teams in the conference--they just have Vince Carter and a bunch of questions. That said, I believe more and more that the number of "stars" don't set the good teams apart from the bad teams . . . hard to quantify things like consistency, discipline, team defense, and a team identity that everyone buys into (which is a part of discipline) are just as important. If the Nets have those things, they could be a 35-40 win team and fight for one of the last few playoff spots. It's unclear how much the kids will be able to contribute in those areas--and I'm referring to Yi, Hodge/Carroll, and Sean/Boone as much as the three rookies. I think it will be interesting to watch to see if it can all come together over the couerse of the season. It might be interesting to record a game fromt he first week of the season, a game in January, and a game in March to see how they've come together and developed, because this will be a season-long process. However, if Carter gets hurt, they will be totally screwed. If the Nets make the playoffs, though, we should certainly remind him of his "prediction" and insist that Frank gets support for coach of the year. You can't have it both ways.
It's really tough to say how this team will be next year. I expect to have our fair share of ups and downs but it really depends on how these young guys mesh and if they buy into Frank's system and learn to play together as a unit. Alot of our success this year and in the future for that matter clearly hinges on the play and growth of our plethura of youngsters and if they get off to a quick start in the growth process, we could be fighting for a playoff spot this season led by Vince and Devin. Hopefully Yi shows he was worth acquiring and even if we don't make it to the post-season, I am looking forward to seeing this team play tough, competitive basketball as we try to groom our youngsters to become a part of our future.
