The surprising new New Jersey Nets have sunrprised most of the basketball pundants and so called experts. This far into the season I think its time that we give the almost mid season grades for this team... The starters: Vince Carter. VC has showed much improvement over last year most likely because he is injury free. His leadership and team play has had a major role in this very young teams development. He has take a back seat to being the leading scorer, only to step up his game to make game winning shots over and over. He has become a complete basketball player. His defense has been the best i've seen it in years. Grade: A- Devin Harris: Devin has impressed me and just about everybody else. When the nets traded for this career 13pt per game PG they figured he be a lighter version of Jason Kidd. Since the nets got so much for Kidd nobody really cared if he was on the same plain as kidd. But my first impression was he was a servicable starting PG. Well, put into the right situtation he has really shined. His speed and good shooting has made him the leading scorer on the team and one of the top scorers in the league. He is a rising star and could possibly be the second net this year on the all star team. His defense is good on getting steals, but overall he is slightly above average. Could improve here, but his offense and speed more than make up for it. Grade B+ Brook Lopez: This lottery pick that fell to the nets at #10 has done everything the pundants said he couldn't do becasue he was too slow. Due to Boone's injury he started around game 10 of the season and has held on to the starting job since. He is big and strong and has a nice touch around the basket and decent 20 foot shot. He boards and most surprising is his defense leading all rookies in blocked shots and rebounds. He will be the nets starting center for the next decade. He is still a rookie and has yet to show any sign of hitting the imfamous rookie wall, but his improvement is continuing. He has some improvement to do, but his contributions are all a bonus for this young nets team. Grade A Simmons: Traded for in the Richard Jefferson trade he is what he is. A serviceable small forward who was the most improved player a few years back. Started off the season slow and showed some effects from the recent surgies he's had. But in the last 5 or 6 games he has picked up his game and is becoming a solid player. Not as good as RJ, but can score, and play some decent defence. Grade C+ Yi J. : Also traded in the RJ trade this unproven rookie has shown the nets he is indeed a work in progress. Given the starting spot at PF he has weaknesses in his game both in shooting consistency and any kind of defense. Seems to have a good game every 6 or 7 games. Could be good next year or may break out this year. Has not had the formal basketball training that most americans get, so this project could take some more time. I don't really expect him to live up to his expectation till year 3 at the earliest. Grade D Jarvis Hayes: This off season pick up has done very well. Its also the first year since comming out of Georgia that he has been injury free. He is now living up to his expectations, and become one of the nets most reliable role players off the bench. Defense is fine and his shot is sweet. Grade A Dooling: Another great pickup in the off season who is a type of player coach Frank loves. Defense first and is a lock down defender. Surprised me with his range and has turned out to be a fine shooter. His point guard skills are not as good as Harris, but like in last nights game he has proven he is a decent fill in for a starter in short periods of time. He is the best second string pt guard the nets have had in a very long time. Grade B+ Najera: another off season pick up that was supposed to show leadership and teach the youngsters how to toughen up for the nba game. So far he's missed most of the game due to many small injuries. Grade I ( incomplete ) Ryan Anderson: A great pick up in the first round at #21. Great shooting range and has a hihnessgh basketball IQ. Has a knack for the ball, and shows some toughness in the paint. He is a bit slow and like most rookies has a lot to learn, but i feel has a nice upside. Recent injuries to his back has slowed down his progress, but hasn't quite hit the rookie wall. Like Yi will need anohter year to fully develop. Grade: C Boone: Boone this year has been a pleasant surprise to me. During the summer i felt he had hit his limit for potential and at best was a servicable back up center. But he has improved again over the summer, and has done well not only as a starter, but in the back up center position as well. Good Rebounding, nice pick and rolls and more blocks this year. Showed me a toughness i've not seen before, and has developed a nice mid range shot. Foul shooting has improved a little and over time i feel he will break thru his mental block on that. Grade B CDR: Not much to say here been injured most of the season, and has played very little. Grade I ( incomplete ) Sean Williams: Showed flashes of greatness last year but very raw and immature. This year he seems to have trouble after kidd left, and has trouble understanding the new offense and defense instilled by frank. Put in D league and most likely won't be with the nets past the trade deadline. Grade D- Swift: injured most of the season, and showed some good games when he played, but he is what he is. Low bb IQ. Very athletic but not much more. Grade I ( incomplete ) Ager: Not much to say here but who cares. Grade: F Coach Frank: I have no problems with frank or his development of the young players Grade B+ you thoughts please:
