Nets offseason free Agent push has begun: Offseason News & Notes Push to get Rahim: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Knowing that unrestricted Free Agent Shareef Abdur-Rahim will generate fierce competion at bargain basement price of roughly $ 5 million for next season, New Jersey took a proactive step at the first permissable moment. Nets coach Lawerance Frank, according to league sources, took a flight Thursday so he'd be able too see Abdur Rahim right after midnight.....and not just to reminise about their days together in Vancouver</div> Espn.com -------------------- Donyell Marshall News: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">While the Nets are certainly interested in the free agent sharp-shooter. Marshall's remarks illustrates how attractive the Nets have become in the eyes of quality veterans looking for a change of address </div> Nets Views on Stromile Swift <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"We have mixed feelings about him", one Nets official admitted "But he can block shots, he's lively and for the way we want to play, he'd fit, so he's a guy we have to look closely at."</div> Newark Star (article) (swift and Marshall stories.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NbaBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">hmmm if that doesnt work out then they might try to get Swift instead</div> Yeah I just edited it with an article on the Nets front office views about Swift, It seems as if he is more of a fall back options, rather then someone they are trying to pursue hard like Rahim. I think it has alot to do with the relationship that Shareef and Coach Frank have, anyway I have Swift #1 on my wish list as a fan then Rahim #2 and then Marshall. But I think that if we dont come away with one of those 3 then our offseason will be a failure because asided from trading away one of our big three there would be no way for our frontline to improve, if we happen to not land Swift, Rahim or Marshall. Nobody else in the free agent market other than those three, unless teams start dropping contracts of guys like maybe a Ratliff, makes our frontline better in my opinion.
Its hard to say which PF we should go for... Personally I'd like to see the Nets get Stro because reef and donyell aren't too athletic and are both getting pretty old. The Nets need an athletic guy like Swift to run with them and I just can't see the other two doing that as much. Also we need a shot blocker, and although donyell is decent, shareef is not a shot blocker. Lastly, shareef would not work as well in their offence as Stro or marshall would because he needs too many shots, whereas stro would be happy just getting easy fast-break dunks and offensive boards. Donyell would be my next choice b/c he would be more affordable than the other 2 and his offense would fit well with the nets... just stand at the 3 point line and let the big 3 slash and kick it out to him (he hit 13 in a game for TO). He's probably not as good at on the ball defending at the post as the other 2 but he has long arms and can block shots decently
They should go with swift all the way.. he fits right away in the nets offense and very athletic for a big man
I think two things in the Nets front office eyes are what gives Shareef the edge right now over a guy like Swift...... One, being the fact that he is a better option and weapon in the half-court then Swift. Nets front office probably feels that even if they dont add a power forward who can be devastating in the fastbreak aspect of the game, its ok because our fastbreak can is going to be gear toward our perimeter guys, anyway. It is more important to them to add a frontcourt option who can score down low when the game slows down. And Shareef clearly has the edge in that regard. I think the 2nd thing that gives Reef the edge is the fact that he is proven to be successful (at one time all-star caliber) player when given 30+ minutes a game in this league. And that is the type of minutes the Nets are going to need from which ever of the forwards they sign. Swift on the other hand is unproven on whether he can handle a expanded role on a team. Playing 30+ minutes on the Nets frontline is alot diffferent then playing spot duty behind Gasol in Memphis like he has been doing....You have to think about things like can he stay out of foul trouble consistently cause him getting into foul trouble in Memphis wasnt much of a factor due to their depth....but with a expanded role for a guy like Swift comes expanded questions about is game. And maybe a bit of uncertainty from the Nets front office if he is good enough to handle it. So I think Shareef's proven past ablities give him an edge as well. With our frontline the way it is now, Swift is a gamble that if it doesnt work out could really hurt & hamper the Nets for many years.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">I think two things in the Nets front office eyes are what gives Shareef the edge right now over a guy like Swift...... One, being the fact that he is a better option and weapon in the half-court then Swift. Nets front office probably feels that even if they dont add a power forward who can be devastating in the fastbreak aspect of the game, its ok because our fastbreak can is going to be gear toward our perimeter guys, anyway. It is more important to them to add a frontcourt option who can score down low when the game slows down. And Shareef clearly has the edge in that regard. I think the 2nd thing that gives Reef the edge is the fact that he is proven to be successful (at one time all-star caliber) player when given 30+ minutes a game in this league. And that is the type of minutes the Nets are going to need from which ever of the forwards they sign. Swift on the other hand is unproven on whether he can handle a expanded role on a team. Playing 30+ minutes on the Nets frontline is alot diffferent then playing spot duty behind Gasol in Memphis like he has been doing....You have to think about things like can he stay out of foul trouble consistently cause him getting into foul trouble in Memphis wasnt much of a factor due to their depth....but with a expanded role for a guy like Swift comes expanded questions about is game. And maybe a bit of uncertainty from the Nets front office if he is good enough to handle it. So I think Shareef's proven past ablities give him an edge as well. With our frontline the way it is now, Swift is a gamble that if it doesnt work out could really hurt & hamper the Nets for many years.</div> I totally agree with you, plus a i heard a lot of times that Swift can be a little lazy. Shareef is their first option but if they can't get him then they will go for Swift no matter what they think about him. By the way are the Nets interested in any other players besides Donyell Marshell
Nets make push for Keyon Dooling Keyon Dooling News: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Nets head coach Lawrence Frank flew to Miami to meet with Dooling on friday and the team is interested in signing him as a combo guard to play behind and beside Jason Kidd.</div> Article (must sign up to read) ------------------- I really liked Keyon Dooliong's game last season, I think he easily wins the backup point guard slot over Jacque Vaughn,if acquired. I think this also benefits the Nets future in the long term hofefully as Kidd gets older & older his role & minutes will become decreased maybe Dooling learning behind Kidd can bloom into a guy we can trust to take over a bigger role as Kidd starts to slow down. I dont think this move would effect whether the Nets land a guy like Swift or Rahim because those guys will be taking up the mid-level while a guy like Dooling will be taking up the low level exception. <font color="Red">PS. Sorry to those people who's post were lost in the other Keyon Dooling topic it was an error on my part. And my bad-Henacy</font>
wat about jay williams. are they plannin to get jay if it doesnt work out wit dooling. by are the nets lookin to try to get another shooting guard since i doubt they want to keep Mercer
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NbaBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">wat about jay williams. are they plannin to get jay if it doesnt work out wit dooling. by are the nets lookin to try to get another shooting guard since i doubt they want to keep Mercer</div> I think the steam of Jay Williams landing in Jersey has slowed down a bit. He might still end up here but I think that with Keyon Dooling & a few other quality guards out there. And the Nets front office no longer looking for a primary swingman off the bench, since the drafting of Wright, they are going to look for less of a gamble then Jay Williams. Will the Nets add another shooting guard? hmmm...I think they will definately have to get rid of Mercer first, as filler in a possible trade maybe. Then they might look to add a specialist like a Wesley Person, someone who can add a consistent perimeter jumper to all that athletism on the wings. But I dont think they have any attetions on adding anymore volume shooters/scorers. But I think the main focus is getting Shareef & possibly cheap bigbody as well. And then adding a guard to play behind Kidd.
if they get Rahim and a backup i really think they will be a very good team. perhaps a finals contender
I'd like to see Shareef before Stro. Stromile is more athletic and has room to grow, but JKidd doesn't have that kind of time like he did with Kenyon. Stro is athletic as kenyon, maybe even more so, but he doesn't have that winning attitude that Kmart brought to this team. He doesn't play smart and he averaged 3 fouls over 21 minutes last season. If he were to get double the minutes as a starter for us, he better learn how to tune that down. Memphis gets away with it because they have other quality fours/fives in Pau, Lorenzen, and even Brian Cardinal. We do not have that luxuary. There's just too many questions. I don't like Shareef cause he has never really won with any team he's on, but he is consistent and you know you'll get max effort from him every night. I like that he has a face up game and a consistent jumper which allows both him and Nenad to clear the lane for a Carter/Jefferson/Kidd drive. Not only that, Shareef is a pretty decent passer and he'll thrive in our system. Shareef is 28 years old, a little bit over a year older than Kenyon and he's still decent athletically. I say go for him and win now.The only knocks I see is that he won't be an intimidating low post defender, weak side shock blocker, and that he has never played in the post season...but with Jason, he could make anyone a winner.
I know the major knock on Reef is he isnt a winner but honestly you take alot of all-star level players and put them on the teams he played for over his career. And they wouldnt be winners either. He played basically for an exspansion grizzlies team, a Hawks team that hasnt had the comitment to winning since they traded Mutombo and had Blaylock & Steve Smith. And look at the disfunction that has gone on in Portland the last several years, so honestly alot of players wouldnt be winners in those stops around the league. I think what will make Shareef successful here, if we are able to acquire him, is the fact that he is option #4, in ATL and Vancouver he was the 1st option every year. He wont be that that here, I think playing alongside such talent around him in Jefferson/VC/Kidd will allow him to flourish as a team player. I dont think his indiviual # will be as strong as his Vancouver days or anything, but I think you will get to see that the winning effort and attuide does exist in his game.
which other teams are tryin to get Rahim?? It depends which team offers him what, but i think the Nets have a very good chance of signin him
Shareef Abdur-Rahim update Update: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">" Starting today, the Nets will indulge Shareef Abur-Rahim with red-carpet treatment in hopes of landing their top free agent target. Over Abdur-Rahim's two day stay in New Jersey, the Nets will attempt to persuade the 6-9 power forward to take either their $4.9 million mid level exception or $4.9 million trade exception" </div> NyDailyNews.com Rahim on Nets Situation: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Altought I like the situation, myself and Aaron[attorney Goldwin] will weigh all of my options, listen to everybody", continued Abdur-Rahim, who said the Spurs, Heat, Wizards, and Kings are courting him, "I dont want to lead anyone one"</div> Nypost.com Must Sign up to read this Article ----------------- Looks like we have some stiff competion in Miami and San Antonio, if being a contender is #1 on Reef's agenda. Those teams are closer to winning a championship then we are... Spurs being the defending champs and Miami being one game and a Wade injury away from the finals themselves last year, so it maybe hard to beat those guys out cause we cant offer him more money then them. The only thing which could be viotale is how big of a role does he want on a contender, Maimi with Shaq, Zo, Wayne Siemen, etc are pretty fully on their frontline(by the way does the courting of Shareef and the drafting of Siemen mean that they arent match Haslem's offers in the free agent market, I really like his game last year in the playoffs). San Antonio is pretty full on the frontline as well Duncan, Horry just resigned, Nazr and a healthy Rasho. In Maimi his role will not be a close to as big as it would be in New Jersey, Reef complained about his role & minutes in Portland.
Assist to Kidd in Shareef Bid <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Jason Kidd was as excited as a teenager ready to purchase his first car. Shopping for a new power forward can do that to an All-Star point guard. The Nets captain is enthusiastically trying to recruit Portland's Shareef Abdur-Rahim, a free agent he believes will help fill the power forward void left by Kenyon Martin last summer. "I hope we can get him," Kidd said yesterday as the Nets began a two-day pitch to Abdur-Rahim. "I think he would be a great addition to the team. He just wants to win. We need that intangible that he is hungry to win and he works extremely hard at his game. He definitely addresses a need that we have." That need is even greater with the likely departure of Brian Scalabrine. While the Nets entertained Abdur-Rahim yesterday, Scalabrine agreed to a five-year deal worth $15million with the Celtics, according to a league sources. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, teams cannot officially sign free agents until the end of the month. The Nets continued their full-court press on Abdur-Rahim last night when he arrived in New York and dined with Nets brass. He is expected to tour the team facility today and meet with owner Bruce Ratner and talk with Kidd.</div> Source With Jason Kidd working on SAR, I think the Nets have a great chance of signing him. A lot of players like playing with Kidd because he makes his teammates look good. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Nets would like to deal their trade exception to Portland in a sign-and-trade for Abdur-Rahim before it expires on July 29, which would allow them to use their mid-level on other free agents like Heat guard Keyon Dooling. </div> If the Nets can land both of those players, they'll be pushing for a top 4 seed. <font color="Red">I merged with the other offseason thread that deals with Rahim and the other key free agent targets</font>-Henacy
The Nets will definatly be a top team in the East if they get SAR and Keyon Dooling. SAR is going to be him self, getting near or maybe even 20 and 10 b/c Kidd will make him look great. Dooling was solid all year for the Heat, and would give the Nets instant spark off the bench with Antoine Wright. This could be a huge year for the Nets, this team (if all goes planned) will be much better than their team years before that got to the Finals.
all the things that the nets are doin are really good. i just really hope they all work out. nothin would wold make me happier than to see the nets win a championship.
If they get Rahim they win the Atlantic, he can make a huge difference for them, because he is hungry to win, and can score veery well. If they get Dooling, they have an even better chance of getting a top 4 seed.
