<div align="center"><div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Philadelphia- Ron Mercer knee there was something wrong with his left knee; he just didnt know what, so he got a second opinion yesterday. Turns out the doctors still arent sure what's wrong after two MRI exams. So on Monday the shooting guard will undergo exploratory athroscopic surgery, which is expected to knock him out at least one month.</div></div> Nypost.com <div align="center"><div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> "We have a list", Stefanski said "But we dont have a guy" That list could include Shandon Anderson, who was waived Wednesday by the Knicks. If the Sixers buyout the contract of Glenn Robinson, he could also find his way onto the list.</div> </div> Nytimes.com (Scroll to the bottom of Article) -------------------- Well this is what happens when you sign a player with a weak knee. Mercer had knee problems last year that was part of the reason the Spurs released him. Mercer didnt really provide us with much anyway, since the start of the regular season. I like the scrappiness of Rodney Buford more then Mercer. As far as the list of players to replace Mercer their really isnt anything overally out standing. But their are some guys I think can more then replace what Mercer was bringing. Here is the players in the order I would want them....... 1) Glenn Robinson- Yes the Big Dog is clearly #1 for me. I think he would be a good fit now that RJ is proving he can handle the 2 guard postion. We need some more perimeter scoring. And like Big Dog or not he can still fill it up. His lack of defense shouldnt be a problem because he will be sharing time with a defensive player in Eric Williams at the Small Forward. I think if Big Dog can come in and provide 13-14ppg that would really give a boost to us on the offensive end because RJ is carrying to much load on offense. 2) Brandon Armstrong- BA already knows our offensive system very well; he can shoot the basketball. And he is a good perimeter defender. He probably would love the opportunity to prove himself in a Nets uniform since we had him sitting over there on the bench for the entire Byron Scott years never using him. 3) Eddie Robinson- The list starts to get slim after 1 & 2, but Eddie Robinson comes in third because of the added athletism he can provide, which would really come in handy once Kidd comes back. 4) Shandon Anderson- Provide us with some added perimeter defense. But Iam not sure that he is what we need or that we are really what he needs in a time. I think Shandon Anderson needs to get away from the New York sports world and media, so he can get off to a new, fresh start. The rest of the list hasnt been that productive in the NBA, they are just a bunch of names that had college success Troy Bell, Matt Carroll (even tho he can shoot, which we need) etc. I dont see any of them really helping us that much, we need a wing player who can at least play 10-15mpg; none of them can really do that, I dont think.
If there is probably little to any chance Glenn Robinson is signing with New Jersey. It would be a plus if NJ acquired "Big Dog." Maybe sneak into the playoffs? Who knows?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">If there is probably little to any chance Glenn Robinson is signing with New Jersey. It would be a plus if NJ acquired "Big Dog." Maybe sneak into the playoffs? Who knows?</div> With Kidd healthy and Zo healthy along with RJ they are a contender as it stands right now.
The best player they could get to go with there system is probably Eddie Robinson, because when Kidd's back theres gonna be some high flying action with RJ and if E-Rob is in town more points and easier buckets.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Buckets:</div><div class="quote_post">The best player they could get to go with there system is probably Eddie Robinson, because when Kidd's back theres gonna be some high flying action with RJ and if E-Rob is in town more points and easier buckets.</div> Iam going to have to disagree with you there the Nets already have players that can get up in down the court with Kidd, Richard Jefferson, Rodney Buford. Everybody that was on this team last year knows how to get up & down the court with kidd. Even when Kidd comes back the Nets are going to have to find away to still generate half-cout points, that where a guy like Big Dog comes in handy. I think Big Dog's pluses are needed more then Eddie Robinson's pluses.
Big Dog would be an awesome addition to the team. But I'm surprised that after all those cost-cutting moves, Ratner is going to want his big contract.l
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobimel:</div><div class="quote_post">Big Dog would be an awesome addition to the team. But I'm surprised that after all those cost-cutting moves, Ratner is going to want his big contract.l</div> Once Philly lets him go, they have to eat most of his contract in a buyout not us. I think we sign him for the veteran minimum. By the way, Eddie Robinson's name is off the market, he is a knick, now. I really hoping for Big Dog. He will provide us with some much needed perimeter/mid-range shooting. And his offense will lighten the load on RJ. I think if Richard Jefferson didnt have to focus on scoring every trip down the court, he would be an even better playmaker thenhe already has shown.
Looks like Brandon Armstrong will be returning <div align="center"><div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"The Nets are expected to re-sign Brandon Armstrong, who played sparingly with them the last three seasons, to help at shooting guard"</div></div> Nytimes.com --------------- I think this is a solid signing Brandon Armstrong already knows the system, so it wont take him long to get back in the mix.And our backcourt is even more beat up, with Zoran Planinic & Rodney Buford trying to struggle thru some injuries with Kidd & Mercer already out. So we definately need the backcourt help. We finally get to see what B-Strong can bring to the table, cause he never got a legit chance playing behind Kittles & Harris during the B.Scott era. So know he'll get a shot. I remember him being an explosive scorer at Pepperdine. I'am not expecting that from Armstrong, nowadays, but hopefully, he can shoot the ball well from the perimeter cause we definately need some shooting help. And Armstrong is a quick defender, I remember that last year, Coach frank would use him in certain defensive situations. So I think he can help us out. But I still want the Nets to take a shot at Glenn Robinson once Philly lets him lose, so he can play the 3. And move RJ over to the 2-guard where he has had success already this year.
Nets still working out possible replacements for the injured Mercer <div align="center"><div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"With the Nets' starting shooting guard Ron Mercer out for six to eight weeks after having exploratory surgery on his left knee Monday, the Nets worked out guards Troy Bell and Matt Carroll pn Wednesday. The Nets will work out three forwards, Tremaine Fowlkes, Marcus Haislip and Britton Johnsen."</div></div> Nytimes.com -------------- I really like Tremaine Fowlkes, I never realized how hard he works during practice until I seen Real training camp with the New Orleans Hornets when he was trying to make their team at the start of the year. I dont think he has really got the opportunity to prove himself in this league, yet. He was playing behind Richardson & Maggette in LA. And the Pistons were a championship contender last year when he was there. They have a set rotation at their swingman position with Prince, Corliss Williamson(when he was there last season) & Darvin Ham. So I think all he needs is an opportunity. New Jersey would be a good chance at that legitimate shot. I like Marcus Haslip too. He is extremely athletic & can play both forward spots. His athletism can let us get some more points around the basket something we need. Matt Carroll was a great shooter in college but pretty much nothing done by him yet on the NBA level. I dont really see how Troy Bell can help us, he is a two-guard with point guard size. He doesnt really have a position, he can consistently play at this level. But he can score, so I guess at this point as bad as we are on offense it maybe worth a risk. I dont know that much about britton Johnsen, I remember he was on the Magic. And thats about it. But I would have to say Tremaine Fowlkes. And Marcus Haislip are definately the two strongest candiates.
Courtney Alexander????? Hey guys, this isnt any official rumor yet, But the Kings just released Courtney Alexander due to their overload in the backcourt. I think He would be a perfect replacement for Ron Mercer. He is a excellent scorer in both the half-cout and in the open court. And as we can see the Nets dont have that many people that excel in the open court anymore. He has never been a great percentage shooter. But the guy can give you about 10ppg easily. And having someone on the team that you can expect to get double digits out of besides RJ & Zo, is huge imo. I think he is the best wing player available for our needs. What do you guys think?
Apparently CA has been injured all through the season and I heard that Rick Aldeman got too tired of waiting for him. There is no doubt that Courtney can play and play well, but if he's going to be riding the injured list like Ron, then forget it. I'd still like to see if the Nets pick up Troy Bell and hopefully gain some athleticism back if they pick up Haislip.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting nextlevelgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Apparently CA has been injured all through the season and I heard that Rick Aldeman got too tired of waiting for him. There is no doubt that Courtney can play and play well, but if he's going to be riding the injured list like Ron, then forget it. I'd still like to see if the Nets pick up Troy Bell and hopefully gain some athleticism back if they pick up Haislip.</div> Yeah, thats the problem we already made a mistake once signing a player we knew had a bad knee, when we signed him in Mercer. I think if we were to do the Alexander route, he would clearly have to heal 1st. And pass the Nets pyshicals. Brandon Armstrong was surpose to get signed last week but he failed the pshyical. Rod Thorn said he probably ride out with the team we have now, until someone that can really help our team came available. Maybe they are still waiting to see what Philly is going to do with Glenn Robinson. But I doubt Philly decides to waive him, unless he really becomes a cancer to that team. But anyway, I rather wait for Courtney Alexander to heal completely. And then sign him after team doctors give the ok. I think he can help us alot more in the long run compared to all the names, that the Nets have brought in to work out. Haislip is nice in the frontcourt & can rebound. And Tremaine Fowlkes is a solid player in my opinion. I would take either of those additions. But the main thing we need is a scorer. We need another player who can get double figures given the minutes. Alexander is probably the only perimeter player available that can do that. I'am not sold that Troy Bell can be a scorer on the NBA level. PLus his size & style of players, doesnt allow him to have a real position at this level. He is to small to be a two guard. But doesnt really have the play making to be a lead guard.
I heard they were looking at Matt Carol a great one dimensional shooter. He played for the Knicks camp last year but, we really had no space for him and we had Layden. I think he will be a great fir in NJ. He reminds a little bit of Kyle Korver.
