Five Key Players That Control The Fate Of The Nets This Season

Steven Merriam

Correspondent Written on October 24, 2009

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - MARCH 27: Devin Harris #34 of the New Jersey Nets drives against Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game on March 27, 2009 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledge

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

The 2009-2010 NBA season may be a year Nets fans want to forget.

The Nets have been picked to finish last in the Atlantic Division by basically every basketball expert. This was also predicted last year but the Nets suprised everyone and ended up getting third in the Atlantic Division behind the Celtics and 76ers.

For the Nets to surprise everyone again this year I believe there are five key players that control there fate this year.

Here are the five players that control the fate of the Nets this year.

Yi Jianlian

When Yi was drafted by the Bucks he was expected to become a future NBA star. The Bucks clearly did not like something about him because they traded him the next year along with Bobby Simmons for Richard Jefferson.

Yi played well at one point last year but suffered a injury shortly after.Yi will be the starting PF for the Nets this season. Yi is probably the most important player to the Nets orginization. If he has a good year I believe there season can be a sucess.

Yi averaged 8.6 points per game with 5.3 rebounds last year.

Rafer Alston

Alston was acquired from the Magic in the Vince Carter deal this offseason. Alston was acquired by the Magic at the trade deadline last year and started all but one game when he was a member of the team.

Alston will not be the starter for the Nets but expect to see him a lot due to the fact that the Nets All-Star PG Devin Harris is currently injured.

Alston averaged 11.7 points per game last year with 5.3 assists per game.

Chris Douglas-Roberts

Douglas-Roberts' was in his rookie season last season. Douglas-Roberts was injured some of the season.

Douglas-Roberts has had a great preseason. Douglas-Roberts will have a much bigger impact on the Nets this season. Last season Douglas-Roberts' averaged 4.9 points per game in 44 games.

Brook Lopez

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 25: Brook Loopez #11 of the New Jersey Nets rests during a break in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 25, 2008 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 120-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

Lopez was along with Douglas-Roberts in his rookie year last season. Lopez was third in Rookie of the Year voting and made the NBA's All-Rookie First Team.

Lopez started in 75 of the 82 games last season. Lopez averaged 13 points per game with 8.1 rebounds per game last season. Lopez will have an even bigger impact this year due to the fact that the Nets star, Devin Harris is currently injured.

Expect Lopez to be a top five center this year.

Devin Harris

Harris was acquired in the Jason Kidd deal two years ago. Harris was very underrated coming into the season but was later named an All-Star.

I believe Harris is one of the top five PGs in the NBA now. He will most likely be an all-Star this year if he can stay healthy. He is currently injured. Last season Harris averaged21.3 points per game with 6.9 assists per game.

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