LOL, kobimel, you and I agree most of the time. My attitudes are sort of like what yours would be if you were hopped up on the narcotic of over-optimism. I'm a little impatient because Vince is the reason I'm a Nets fan, and I've waited all his career to see him on a team that I REALLY felt good about, not just in terms of talent but in terms of likability of the personnel and the degree to which their games compliment his. I LIKE the guys on this team, I like the way they fit with him, I like the coach, I like the front office. And I want to see them really succeed while he is still likely to be a major factor, which may not be the case in two or three years. I'm just a little tongue in cheek when I suggest the Nets window is this season. In reality, I don't see them getting out of the east under any circumstances. But I do think that they could win the first round and, with a good trade, possibly win the second. Our youngsters need at least that full year of experience (including intense playoff experience) to be ready to make a big leap forward in year two together. And I do honestly believe that, with a good SF, this team could compete seriously for the conference in *08-09. If the move that gets them there comes available before this year's deadline, I don't want them to miss it because they were putting all their eggs in the FA basket of 2010. *ETA: that should have read 09-10
I agree, putting all the eggs in the 2010 basket is foolish now that this team has proved itself to be playoff worthy...this season! That's why I added a few unrestricted FAs in 2009 as well. In all probability, VC will be better next season than the one after. Add Ron Artest or Matt Barnes, plus another solid veteran or two off the bench, in the upcoming offseason, and you have a great team for the 09/10 season. Who would be against signing Barnes to 18 million dollars/3 years next offseason? Gives us a solid starting SF for 2009 and we still have money in 2010. I'm hoping for the best.
just for clarification, Josh Childress does have an opt out clause to come back to the nba after each season, right? what would it take to get him back over, I'm guessing more than the MLE or he would've probably stayed this season. Which also is another question, do standard cap rules apply to foreign players? Like, could they sign for more than the MLE to a team over the cap?
I really dont think we can expect much from him since he is coming off a injury that cost him three weeks of practice. I don't think hes going to be the answer this season. I think we'll be lucky if he averages 5 pts a game this season. I'll much rather go out and trade for a vet and let CDR average 10 mins a game this season and expand his role next season
In fact, we have three solid SFs: Simmons, Hassell, Hayes. As long as Frank knows how to utilize them, then we will be fine. Not to mention if CDR can be a good player.
Childress does have an opt out clause, but as long as the Hawks retain his rights he's a restricted FA. It would be complicated to bring him to NJ; a sign and trade with the Hawks would have to be worked out and the offer would have to be good enough to get him back from Greece. And I believe standard rules do apply to foreign players. It doesn't matter in this case, since Childress belongs to the Hawks right now.
If there's a realistic Marion trade out there that makes sense for us, I think Thorn would be crazy not to take it. He definitely has a rep as a malcontent, but he's one of the best defensive players in the league and a true complementary player on offense. That's what scares me about a guy like Wallace - between him, Carter and Harris, that's too many guys who need the ball in their hands to do damage. Plus, there's nothing that says we could work out a deal+extension, unless Marion's made some statements already about definitely playing the market next summer. I really do think that a Harris-Carter-Marion-Lopez core might be good enough to compete in the East, even for a championship, especially with guys like Dooling, Yi, Hayes and Anderson backing them up. I'd take that reality over a possibility of LeBron, although I gotta say - it's close.
hey if we can get artest back here near his hometown of NY... and have him play at SF... that would be dynamite but i am also for letting the guys develop... we dont need a 3 thats goin to take touches away from VC and harris... cant wait for cdr to play again!!!
The word is (according to what I've read) that Marion wants/expects a max contract. That's part of the reason Miami didn't extend him already. I can't imagine he'll actually get it, but that suggests he will not agree in advance of summer to any extension that isn't offering that kind of money. While I like him as a player, he's not worth that kind of money. He would definitely help us against a team like Cleveland or Boston, though, in guarding the LeBrons and Pierces out there.
If he thinks he is getting a max contract in an economic climate where even the Yankees are cutting costs, he is insane.
