Vince who? We dont need him, we got Rodney Buford lol. But seriously Rodney Buford since the reports of him possibly getting waived in the local newspaper, has really stepped up. Rodney Buford followed up a 16pt performance against the Bobcats with a 19pt, 5 assist performance against the Cleveland Cavs. And made some solid plays on both ends of the court. Granted most of this can be attributed to the fact that he is playing for his job right now. But I think a large part of it has to be the fact the Nets are finally playing a bit more up & down tempo. Buford is an athletic scorer, who needs to play in a fast pace, something we didnt do much of during the first 20+ games. So now that Kidd(despite tonights performance) is getting back to forcing an uptempo style, I think we can began to see more from Buford. Granted he wont give us 19 a game on a regular basis. But I think he can turn into a solid sub off the bench to keep some athletism on the floor when either RJ or VC is on the bench. I think in an open court style Buford can be a solid 8 to 9ppg player off the bench. So what are your feelings on Buford? I think he is a good fit for an uptempo Nets team. But I wonder can he continue a similar consistency with his shooting off the bench.
If anything, this is showing that Vince has to earn the starting position. Rodney has been playing well, a poor man's and streaky Rip Hamilton, if you will. If and when he does move to the bench (not because of play, but more so of politics), I hope he can be a spark off the bench for 10-15ppg cause the Nets need scoring in the worst way off the bench. Rodney has done well and played fairly well defense. I figure he could be better cause he's quick, but he does a good job in staying in the passing lanes. He still takes poor shots instead of passing it off, but he'll learn that in time.
I definately hope we keep Buford over Mercer because I have a strong feeling one of the two will probably be waived before long. There will be no playing time for one of the two cause Vince plays about 35 minutes a game once healthy. And RJ is carrying 45 minutes now, but probably will be reduced to 40 minutes a game soon as VC is able to carry some of the scoring load. That only means there will be about 20 minutes a game between the Small Forward & Shooting Guard position. I would like those minutes to go to Buford cause keeping Mercer can be risky. He has been suffering from the same knee problems for almost a year now, since getting releashed from San Antonio.
Rodney Buford is one of the NBA's most underrated players. While he was in Memphis he pretty much averaged about ten points per game in 21 starts. The thing that eventually got to him was his drug problem though. I heard he has been trying to work on his addictions ever since his last arrest. Does anyone know his status on that? I knew as a Heat he was busted like four times and was busted twice as a Grizzlie and then once or twice in Europe. You'd think he'd check himself into rehab.
I was watching a bit of that game and Rodney was killing in the first half. I knew he was having a great game but, it kind of got overshadowed by RJ's 42. This Buford guy has potential. If he can play like this all of the time he can be a great backup for Carter off the bench. Especially if Carter were to get injuried.
He's my kind of guy. Someone who wouldn't demand the ball, but will score once given the chance. He'll be like Lu like 2-3 seasons ago. A consistent scorer off the bench. I don't care if you have Kidd, Carter and Jefferson on the starting lineup, you should have a consistent scorer off the bench to succeed. Oh and for a moment there I thought you were serious about the Nets not needing Vince coz we have Buford.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">Rodney Buford is one of the NBA's most underrated players. While he was in Memphis he pretty much averaged about ten points per game in 21 starts. The thing that eventually got to him was his drug problem though. I heard he has been trying to work on his addictions ever since his last arrest. Does anyone know his status on that? I knew as a Heat he was busted like four times and was busted twice as a Grizzlie and then once or twice in Europe. You'd think he'd check himself into rehab.</div> I remember last year during a T-Wolves/Kings(when Buford was with the Kings) game they said that Rodney was seeking guidance from John Lucus, who fought thru several similar addictions. And also reached out to Eddie Griffin in the offseason. But honestly since Rodney joined the Nets they havent really spoke on his addiction. And InNetsWeTrust, I only used that title cause recently people have only being reading Vince Carter threads, so I had to lure the people in somehow lol.
VINCE WILL BE GREAT WITH KIDD AND RJ just think bout kidd runnin down with vc and rj on each side... who to oop ??
I was trying to find the article were I read about how Rod Thorn told Buford 1-1, when he signed him that all of this past problems would be forgotten and that he was start with a clear slate and that he would be given the oppurtunity to attain and maintain a good rep. Unfortunatly I was not able to find the article. I think that the Nets are going to keep both Buford and Mercer. I do not thing that both nessarily sub in for Carter, they can also sub in for Jefferson. Thus I think that the Nets - when Carter is not injured - have an effective second team: Best, Buford, Mercer. I personally think that the Nets shall waive Vaugn, because to me he seems to be the odd man out. I also do not think that VC will have to earn his job from Buford. The fans will be very angry to not see a healthy Carter play. No teams desires angry fans .
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting xpehbamxyu:</div><div class="quote_post">I was trying to find the article were I read about how Rod Thorn told Buford 1-1, when he signed him that all of this past problems would be forgotten and that he was start with a clear slate and that he would be given the oppurtunity to attain and maintain a good rep. Unfortunatly I was not able to find the article. I think that the Nets are going to keep both Buford and Mercer. I do not thing that both nessarily sub in for Carter, they can also sub in for Jefferson. Thus I think that the Nets - when Carter is not injured - have an effective second team: Best, Buford, Mercer. I personally think that the Nets shall waive Vaugn, because to me he seems to be the odd man out. I also do not think that VC will have to earn his job from Buford. The fans will be very angry to not see a healthy Carter play. No teams desires angry fans .</div> I know, the 20-25 minutes a game was between subing in for both Jefferson and Carter. Carter and Jefferson are both high minute players. And need to play alot of minutes to be effective. One of the biggest changes in the down fall of Vince in Toronto was the change in his minutes, the way they dropped off. I think if you expect to see a 19-20pt Vince Carter, he is going to have to be on the floor for 35-38 minutes a night. And Jefferson has always been a guy to play close to 40 minutes. And with his importance to the team I expect that trend to fully continue, so where is the minutes to play 2 wing players off the bench. I mean you can play them each about 10 minutes per, but neither would truely be effective splitting such limited minutes. It would be much smarter to decide on one and allow him to play 18-20 minutes a game. Plus the two point guard minutes when Best and Kidd(before the best injury) are in their together is effective because they both push ball. And it allows Best to be more of a scorer at the same time. And he is one of the better penetrators with scoring or getting to the free throw line in mind, on the team. And one of the better shooters as well. So Iam pretty sure that Coach Frank will use the 2 point guard backcourt at times.
I think the Nets should waive Vince instead I don't think Vince will have to earn the spot at all lol, but Buford isn't a bad player, he's athletic, can score and defend fairly well, but is a little wild at times lol. He's a good backup though, especially on a team that's going to run, and for the Nets I'd take him over Ron Mercer.
rodney is not no carter if you have carter in ur team he will definatley contribute every night and will also put fans the seats.
I think they should keep Rodney Buford, asides from him and the newly acquired Carter, I don't think there's anyone else on that team that can hit a 18 foot jumper as consistant as them. I don't think they can waive Mercer because he's still injured and recovering from surgery.
