"The Experience Awaits" l New Jersey Nets Basketball

[Against All Odds]

The New Jersey Nets 2007-2008 In Review

After coming off a season that involved a playoff run, and the draft day pick of PF/C Sean Williams, a shot blocking master, fans were excited to see the 2007=2008 team. Nenad Krstic, who had been injured all of the previous season, was again injured early on. 2007-2008 was also a down year for the face of the franchise, Vince Carter. Straight from the get-go, Carter was hampered by an ankle injury that seemed to stick around. Carter was also called out by numerous basketball analysts for having game on the decline. His chronic knee troubles were hampering his game, and he was no longer the high flier he once was.

There were grumbles of trade rumors about Carter, who had just signed a 4 year 61.8 million dollar extension the summer before. Stuck with an injured superstar, the Nets still had 2 others to fall back on, Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson. But Kidd wanted out, and soon became a distraction for an already bad Nets team.

The Trade

On February 14, Jason Kidd's remarkable run as a net ended suddenly, as he finally got his wish and was traded away to a contender. Kidd was old, and he too was not as good as he used to be. In return the Nets received Devin Harris and Maurice Ager along with Desagna Diop and Trenton Hassell. It was a new look Nets team.

The team stumbled on, and finished the season at 34-48.

The Off-Season

This off-season was more change, which ran side by side with the theme of the presidential election. The 2nd part of the big 3 was traded away in Richard Jefferson, who now has a home in Milwaukee. In return the Nets received Yi Jianlan and Bobby Simmons. The draft brought in a top 10 pick, as well as a 21st pick, and a high 2nd rounder. The Nets drafted beautifully, picking up C Brook Lopez, as well as SF/PF Ryan Andersen and SG Chris Douglas Roberts. This team went from a savvy group of veterans to a hungry group of youngsters hoping to return the Nets to their winning ways.

[Against All Odds]

New Jersey Nets 2008-2009 Strengths/Weaknesses

Strengths

This is a young team trying to find its identity, but it still has veteran pressence. Obviously Vince Carter is the rock of this team, and will routinely drop 20-30 points on any given night. But what this team has to build on for the future is their point guard, Devin Harris. Brought over in the Kidd trade, he has not yet hit his peak and can already defend any point guard on any team. This kid is going to be a stud, he just needs time to progress. The Nets also have a lot of young talent up front, with Yi, Sean Williams, Brook Lopez, Josh Boone, and Stromile Swift all battling for playing time. They will always be fresh, which could lead to an advantage on the rebounding side of the ball.

Weaknesses

The same argument of having a lot of young guys up front could end up hurting the Nets. Yes they all have potential, but they have no dominating force down low. Their guards are set, but 3,4,5 could all be upgraded. But the route I see the Nets taking this year is just to develop potential as they draw closer and closer to the Lebron James sweepstakes. If the Nets want to have any shot at winning, Lawrence Frank will have to mix and match his front men well, and the entire team will have to play solid defense.

[ProfessaPackMan]

As a Nets Fan, I'll definitely be following this to see how things are going.