Question Nets fans

As Nets Fans know our to all-stars Kenyon Martin & Jason Kidd returned to the lineup last night(thank goodness). Last night they came off the bench.And played 21 minutes. But as we all know our all-stars will be back into the starting lineup in a game or 2. So now we have a few question that we can discuss about our lineup. One question that comes to mind is should we or better yet can we get away with starting a small frontline?

By that I mean can we put Jason Collins on the bench? And start K-Mart at the Center spot, so Rodney Rodgers can stay in the starting lineup as the power forward.

I know Rodney Rodgers has been an excellent 6 man over his career with other teams Clippers, Suns, Celtics. But he has not worked off the bench his 2 seasons with the Nets. But He has played very well everytime he has been asked to fill in as a starter. So maybe he needs to stay in the starting lineup.

Sometimes as players get older they need to be in the linup earlier to get lose inorder to be productive. Maybe that is what is happening to Debo as he gets older. But what ever the case maybe the Nets will need major production from RR, if they are going to win the East again. So we need to do what ever it takes to keep his confidence & shooting touch going.

I know saying or asking if Martin should play Center might seem crazy at first.
But lets remember that this is the EASTwe are talking about. Which means we wont have to play to many overpowering bigmen in the playoffs. Lets take a look at our road thru the Eastern Conference playoffs IF all the higher seeds win in the 1st round etc.

In the 1st round we would play either the Knicks or Celtics.

Knicks start Nazr Mohammod at center. He has good size but he doesnt really use it on the offense end. He isnt an overpowering type of Low post player. Kenyon Martin can more that handle him on both ends of the court. And the Knicks start Kurt Thomas at power forward. Kurt Thomas is a scoring threat but not really in the low block. He is more of a mid-range bigman. He is good on the board. But Rodney did a good job when matched up with him last week. He had 20pts and 7 rebs. He took Thomas to the 3pt line where Kurt couldnt handle him. So both players would have their advantages in that type of matchup.

Celtics, They start Mark Blount at the center. He is really a 7-0 power forward playing center. Good rebounder. So Martin would have to work to keep him off the boards since he would be giving away some size to Blount.
But Martin often gives up alot of size on the boards, yet he still fins away to dominate the rebounding matchups. Boston has been starting Brandon Hunter at PF lately, he is a 6-7 wide body. He gets by more on body wieght & strenght then height similiar to Rodney Rodgers(minus Rodney's shooting range.

So neither Boston or the Knicks who have an edge in the piant if we went with a smaller lineup. The Knicks have Mutombo off the bench but when he comes in we can insert JC or Aaron Williams.

2nd Round: Would likely be the Pistons.

Now this is where we might give up something. Ben Wallace isnt a scoring threat but top notch rebounder. Playing an undersized frontline might allow him to control the backboards. But then again he would control the boards even with JC at the center. So if Kenyon can just at least match Ben Wallace's intensity on the boards the Nets should be ok. Both players rebound more off of positioning then they do hieght.

The matchup that would cost us would be at the PF spot. Rasheed can take Debo in the low block anytime he wants.And shoot over the top of him. So against the Pistons Iam thinking we start the game with Rodney on Ben Wallace. And hope that he can use his wide body to keep him off the boards. And let K-Mart deal with Rasheed.

One advantage that I see of starting Rodney over JC against the Wallace boys, is that Rodney shooting range will take one of the Wallace out of the paint on the offense end of the court. Rodney shooting willl stretch their defense. With Collins in the lineup, both Ben & Rasheed will both be able to hold down the paint. But with Rodney they will have to respect his shooting touch from the outside. Which means K-mart will get space to operate down low. There will be more driving lanes for RJ & Kidd. Having Rodney knocking down jumpers from that PF spot could disrrupt their defense.

The jury is still out on whether playing K-mart & Rodney together against the Pistons because of what we could possibly give up on the boards. It has its advantages & disadvantages.

Eastern Conference Finals: Would be the Pacers
one matchup would be K-mart vs JOneal. Well that usually the matchup the Nets always go to anyway. And K-mart has done an excellent job on him over the years. Jeff Foster is at the other bigman position. He is a solid rebounder at over 7rbg. But he is more or less a scrappy type of player. Rodney should be able to contain him.

So what do you guys think. Can we get away with playing such an undersized frontline in the playoffs?

Out of all our possible playoff matchups the Pistons are the only team that will give us match problems. But they are going to give us problems no matter who we play on our frontline. So we have to find away to create a few problems againt them. And maybe Rodney making 3's as a power forward can cause them some problems.

Opions Nets Fans

 

I'm not a Nets fan, But may I?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><u>Celtics</u>, They start Mark Blount at the center. <font color="Red">He is really a 7-0 power forward playing center.</font> Good rebounder. So Martin would have to work to keep him off the boards since he would be giving away some size to Blount.
But Martin often gives up alot of size on the boards, yet he still fins away to dominate the rebounding matchups. <font color="Blue">Boston has been starting Brandon Hunter at PF lately, he is a 6-7 wide body. He gets by more on body wieght & strenght then height similiar to Rodney Rodgers(minus Rodney's shooting range.</font></div>

<font color="Red">I disagree. Blount is definetely a Center trying to play Center. Doesn't have the footwork or mobility to play the 4</font>

<font color="Blue">Hunter hasn't started (or even played much for that matter) in weeks. It's a big source of tension among C's fans, particularly since we're getting it handed to us on the boards.</font>

I don't relish the thought of meeting a healthy Nets team in the first round. With Kidd potentially being out for the first round when reports of his knee injury were first released, Celtics fans were screaming for Boston to get to the 7th spot so we could face the Nets. I guess with him back, the salivation for that matchup should be quelched.

I would love to see Hunter get the opportunity to bang with Martin in the Post. That would be something to behold, as neither would back down and both are physical guys who lke to stay in the paint area.

Regardless, I hope I didn't offend anyone by putting my 2 cents in and best wishes to Nets fans in the Playoffs.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not a Nets fan, But may I?



<font color="Red">I disagree. Blount is definetely a Center trying to play Center. Doesn't have the footwork or mobility to play the 4</font>

<font color="Blue">Hunter hasn't started (or even played much for that matter) in weeks. It's a big source of tension among C's fans, particularly since we're getting it handed to us on the boards.</font>

I don't relish the thought of meeting a healthy Nets team in the first round. With Kidd potentially being out for the first round when reports of his knee injury were first released, Celtics fans were screaming for Boston to get to the 7th spot so we could face the Nets. I guess with him back, the salivation for that matchup should be quelched.

I would love to see Hunter get the opportunity to bang with Martin in the Post. That would be something to behold, as neither would back down and both are physical guys who lke to stay in the paint area.

Regardless, I hope I didn't offend anyone by putting my 2 cents in and best wishes to Nets fans in the Playoffs.</div>

Naw you didnt offend anybody. The Nets Forum & this topic is open for debate between everyone. Especially if I mentioned one of your favorite teams. You have the right to disagree & state your opinion. You follow the Celtics much closer than I do.

The Mark Bount comment was basically to state that Bount has alot of size but he isnt an over dominate type of center. He is an excellent rebounder. But nothing that K-mart(if we played him at center) couldnt handle.

And I hadnt really noticed that Brandon Hunter's role had been reduced by such measures. I noticed he hadnt started against the Nets last week but I figured it was due to a light injury or something. Since the Celtics & their Fans were so high on him. But with Walter starting than the Nets can most def get away with a small front court against the Celtics.

My bad if I excluded anyone by naming the topic"Question for Nets Fans". Its open to everyone with an opinion on the topic.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Blount has alot of size but he isnt an over dominate type of center.</div>

You're absolutely correct on that one and Martin should be able to handle him straight up and still provide help defense to his teammates. (A thought which which really sucks from a Celtic fans P.O.V.)

The Hunter issue isn't really something that people outside the team realize. Celtics fans are really high on the guy and want to see him play more (particularly because Waltah's getting his minutes right now). He was actually starting up until a half dozen games ago, but he was getting pulled after about 5-8 mins and not getting back in, so it's actually worse than it appears.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">My bad if I excluded anyone by naming the topic"Question for Nets Fans".</div> NO problem, I understood where you were coming from. I'm still prety new around here and am trying to not step on anyones toes just yet, so I figured I'd ask.

Thanks

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post">
NO problem, I understood where you were coming from. I'm still prety new around here and am trying to not step on anyones toes just yet, so I figured I'd ask.

Thanks</div>

As long as your points are legit. And intelligent then they should be stated even if it doesnt agree with what another person says. People will respect you for it.

 

HHHmm...Now that is a thought. KMart showed that he doesn't back down from anybody no matter how tall the guy is. He did a great job against JO and did a decent job defensively against TD last season. I have a few concerns though.

1. KMart would have to do the rebounding/boxing out pretty much by himself. Eventhough Twin isn't that great rebounding wise, the opposing rebounders are always forced to take care of his as well coz he's tall. Besides, Twin boxes out as well and keeps the ball alive by tapping the ball to a teammate.

2. KMart would sometimes be forced to take unnecessary fouls. He'd guard the Center and be forced to help Rogers out. If he guards Nazr, Rogers would have to guard Thomas which is more active offensively and he'll run rings around Rogers. When they play the Pistons, Rogers wouldn't be able to guard Sheed if KMart guards Ben. Sheed usually plays the perimeter and KMart has the mobility to extend his defense. Besides, Twin has the leeway to give up some fouls. KMart doesn't.

3. We need a spark OFF the bench. I know some of you may say Lu. But during the time wherein KMart has to rest, we need a scoring forward off the bench. Rogers can provide that.

4. Twin does a good job in the Princeton offense that we're running. Although it doesn't show in the stats, he can pass well for a C.

I'll post again later. My head hurts coz of lack of sleep and I can't think that much.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting InNETSweTrust:</div><div class="quote_post">HHHmm...Now that is a thought. KMart showed that he doesn't back down from anybody no matter how tall the guy is. He did a great job against JO and did a decent job defensively against TD last season. I have a few concerns though.

1. KMart would have to do the rebounding/boxing out pretty much by himself. Eventhough Twin isn't that great rebounding wise, the opposing rebounders are always forced to take care of his as well coz he's tall. Besides, Twin boxes out as well and keeps the ball alive by tapping the ball to a teammate.

2. KMart would sometimes be forced to take unnecessary fouls. He'd guard the Center and be forced to help Rogers out. If he guards Nazr, Rogers would have to guard Thomas which is more active offensively and he'll run rings around Rogers. When they play the Pistons, Rogers wouldn't be able to guard Sheed if KMart guards Ben. Sheed usually plays the perimeter and KMart has the mobility to extend his defense. Besides, Twin has the leeway to give up some fouls. KMart doesn't.

3. We need a spark OFF the bench. I know some of you may say Lu. But during the time wherein KMart has to rest, we need a scoring forward off the bench. Rogers can provide that.

4. Twin does a good job in the Princeton offense that we're running. Although it doesn't show in the stats, he can pass well for a C.

I'll post again later. My head hurts coz of lack of sleep and I can't think that much.</div>

I wasnt thinking that Rodney would play the entire 1st quarter. Maybe the 1st 5 or 6 minutes. So he can get his shooting touch & confidence going early, like he has been doing as a start in the absence of K-mart.

After 5 or 6 minutes we rotate in JC. So we wouldnt be giving up that much size for a long period of time. And Rodney Rodgers has been doing an excellent job of rebouding as of late. He has averaged 8.5 rebounds per game in his last 5 games.

Rodney can hold his own on the boards against most teams. So K-mart would still have help on the boards.

Your right JC is an excellent passer out of the high post. But if K-mart is at the high post playing Center he can distribute the rock to teams on back door cuts as well.

 

I think that's the problem of Rogers and Lu. Confidence. Last season, they had a string of great games. Especially Lu when he still had that face mask. His confidence was too great that it went on and on. I sure hope it's still the case this time. After a string of great games, they should be on a roll.

Hmmm...5 to 6 minutes? Now that's an idea. But we can't afford to do that in the playoffs where every minute counts. Maybe they can try it the next games to see if they can work around it.

Oh and how about last game. KMart and Kidd insisted that Rogers and Lu keep their starter roles for a while as respect to what the two bench players have done in their absence. Now that's all-star players right there.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting InNETSweTrust:</div><div class="quote_post">

Hmmm...5 to 6 minutes? Now that's an idea. But we can't afford to do that in the playoffs where every minute counts. Maybe they can try it the next games to see if they can work around it.
</div>

Yeah we would need to test it out before the Playoffs start. The Pacers game on friday would be a great game to test it out because we will probably end up playing them some where down the line the Playoffs.