So the Nets acquire Mr. Trent Hassell, an overpaid role player with limited offensive skill. Once upon a time, the Nets were forced to take another overpaid role player to complete a trade to acquire a different highly-desired player. They didn't want him, but the other team made the Nets take him in the deal. That role player remained on the team for several years and even at one point surpassed his talent level and became a fan favorite. He is now everyone's favorite minor Mark Twain character. Is Trent Hassell the next Lucius Harris?
Possibly. The diffence is If trenton is used correctly he isnt overpaid at all. If we use him like our designated defender off the bench, his bulldog like tenacity will be priceless. Just like Ruben Patterson he can be a right pain in any scorers ass and if we utilize him accordingly he will be a very important pickup come playoff time.
He was a full time starter in Minny so he has game. It's his will to play game in a game out that will get the fans on his side.
I certainly hope so, at this point it looks like he's a better investment than Stack who saves us a bit more but doesn't contribute to us at all.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NetIncome @ Feb 21 2008, 11:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>KVH was key to both trades too.</div> I know it won't happen, but how cool would it be if Van Horn actually looked good in workouts and by mid April was able to do for the Nets what Boki Nachbar was supposed to be able to do? Give about 12-15 minutes a game and hit a high percentage of open 3s. I haven't given up on Boki for the year, as he could still get a hot streak that would really boost his confidence and shooting aggression. But he's been a big disappointment thus far.
Hassell is a really great role player, but he is nowhere near as good a ballhandler or passer as Lucius was. Hassell is a better defender, though. People are making too big a deal of his offensive inabilities. When you watch him for a while, you'll see that is exaggerated. He is not a bad offensive player at all. He's not a guy you run plays for or rely on to create offense, but he can take advantage of what a defense gives him and he always keeps them honest. You absolutely have to guard him at all times. He's not even a guy (like Jamaal Tinsley or Carlos Arroyo) who the other team encourages to shoot. I've been a fan of this guy for a long time. I wasn't crying too much when the Nets were forced to take his contract, even if it is about double what it really should be. Devean George's game makes my eyes bleed, so watching him for the rest of the season would be a Malik Allen level exercise in torture. Now I get the sweet, mellow, pleasurable experience that is "The Capital" instead. Niiiiiice.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti @ Feb 22 2008, 01:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Devean George's game makes my eyes bleed, so watching him for the rest of the season would be a Malik Allen level exercise in torture. Now I get the sweet, mellow, pleasurable experience that is "The Capital" instead. Niiiiiice.</div> Man Devean George is very difficult to watch indeed... see Madsen; Mark or Scalabrine; Veal. Actually he is even harder to watch. Those guys are at least hustle players. It aint pretty but they do their best to get it done. George is a long range chucker who is allergic to rebounding. The only thing he does well is blow defensive assignments.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti @ Feb 22 2008, 01:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Hassell is a really great role player, but he is nowhere near as good a ballhandler or passer as Lucius was. Hassell is a better defender, though. People are making too big a deal of his offensive inabilities. When you watch him for a while, you'll see that is exaggerated. He is not a bad offensive player at all. He's not a guy you run plays for or rely on to create offense, but he can take advantage of what a defense gives him and he always keeps them honest. You absolutely have to guard him at all times. He's not even a guy (like Jamaal Tinsley or Carlos Arroyo) who the other team encourages to shoot. I've been a fan of this guy for a long time. I wasn't crying too much when the Nets were forced to take his contract, even if it is about double what it really should be. Devean George's game makes my eyes bleed, so watching him for the rest of the season would be a Malik Allen level exercise in torture. Now I get the sweet, mellow, pleasurable experience that is "The Capital" instead. Niiiiiice.</div> I agree... and while Hassell isn't that bad on offense I think Lucious was a better shooter from deep. Hassell is a better defender, not that Lucious was a slouch in that area. I hope Diop and Ager contribute more than Michael Cage and Don MacLean. Is Diop the new Todd Mac? Better shot blocker, hands not as good.
Oh, I don't doubt that Hassell and Lu Harris have/had different individual skills. I was just struck on how similar the circumstances surrounding their acquisition were. Lu Harris was given a big contract (for the mid-90s) after being a successful role player for Dallas. It may have been a seven-year deal with the salary rgadually escalating to $2.7 million. After he flopped in the first year of that deal, he was shipped out as part of the KVH deal. If I remember correctly, the Sixers demanded that the nets take Lu and Michael Cage off their hands to acquire Van horn, and the Nets agreed. It took a few years, but Harris became a reliable reserve and a major cog in the finals teams. It also turned out that, by the end, he wasn't overpaid at all. So, to recap: --looks overpaid --multi-year contract --expected to be a backup wing --plays solid defense --Not known as an offensive threat when acquired --forced to take on to acquire someone the nets coveted --becomes valuable member of rotation??? Now Hassell's deal isn't as long, but, like Lu, he looks overpaid. But why be so quick to get rid of him? The Nets have had such a miserable time finding even average-level reserve wings over the past few years, that if Hassell can contribute and be consistent, he'll be well worth the money.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dumpy @ Feb 22 2008, 10:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Oh, I don't doubt that Hassell and Lu Harris have/had different individual skills. I was just struck on how similar the circumstances surrounding their acquisition were. Lu Harris was given a big contract (for the mid-90s) after being a successful role player for Dallas. It may have been a seven-year deal with the salary rgadually escalating to $2.7 million. After he flopped in the first year of that deal, he was shipped out as part of the KVH deal. If I remember correctly, the Sixers demanded that the nets take Lu and Michael Cage off their hands to acquire Van horn, and the Nets agreed. It took a few years, but Harris became a reliable reserve and a major cog in the finals teams. It also turned out that, by the end, he wasn't overpaid at all. So, to recap: --looks overpaid --multi-year contract --expected to be a backup wing --plays solid defense --Not known as an offensive threat when acquired --forced to take on to acquire someone the nets coveted --becomes valuable member of rotation??? Now Hassell's deal isn't as long, but, like Lu, he looks overpaid. But why be so quick to get rid of him? The Nets have had such a miserable time finding even average-level reserve wings over the past few years, that if Hassell can contribute and be consistent, he'll be well worth the money.</div> I'm in no rush to get rid of him. I think he can be valuable on this team. Wish he made at least $1mm less a year, but he'll be a solid player.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J-HoAgZ @ Feb 22 2008, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Make Hassell wear the mask that Harris always wore and then I'll be fine with his playing time.</div> you know that was just for two or three months, right?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dumpy @ Feb 22 2008, 10:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J-HoAgZ @ Feb 22 2008, 10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Make Hassell wear the mask that Harris always wore and then I'll be fine with his playing time.</div> you know that was just for two or three months, right? </div> Unlike Rip Hamilton who thinks he's the Phantom of the Palace.
If Hassell gives them night in and night out what he did against Chicago, he will be worth his salary to the Nets for at least the rest of this season.
