Bleacher Report - Articles by Joe Nelson

Lawson a Possibility For The Nets?

Joe Nelson — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:37:40 -0400

The big knock on point guard Ty Lawson is he is too short. Standing at 5'11, many believe Lawson will be ineffective on the big stage. The Nets seem to disagree with that statement.

Lawson worked out with the Nets Wednesday along with Jrue Holiday of UCLA and Gerald Henderson of Duke. Lawson impressed New Jersey, but is it worth it to draft a third point guard with the number 11 pick? The Nets have more glaring need with already having an all-star guard in Devin Harris.

New Jersey needs an athletic big that can bang down low, grab some boards, and score on occasion. Recent reports are saying that Lawson's teammate, Tyler Hansbrough, and Louisville forwards Earl Clark and Terrance Williams are climbing up the Nets draft boards.

If the Nets decide to gamble and pick Lawson, they could have the fastest back court in the league. Devin Harris is easily the fastest Point Guard in the league, and Lawson dominated College with his speed and quickness.

If the Nets are set on taking Lawson, they may want to trade back in the draft. Maybe a swap with Chicago sending the number 11 pick and Bobby Simmons to Chicago for their 16th and 26th pick.

Rod Thorn seems to like a lot of players in this draft and needs to see how the draft is playing out before making his decision. My prediction: New Jersey selects Earl Clark with the Number 11 pick in next Thursdays draft.

LeBron James: Cleveland, the Garden, or Brooklyn?

Joe Nelson — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:19:17 -0400

In the summer of 2010, LeBron James has some choices to make.

Should he stay in Cleveland, with a set-in stone team with veterans, but no real other scoring threat?

Should he go to New York City and play in the greatest sports arena in the world? Or go to his favorite borough in NYC, Brooklyn?

Cleveland

Positives

1. Cleveland is LeBron's hometown, and he has been playing in Ohio since he was born.

2. The Cavs are already a playoff experienced squad. They made the NBA Finals in the '06-'07 season, and this year, made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.

3. Chinese investors bought 15 percent ownership of Cleveland. This move could grant LeBron's wish and make him a worldwide icon.

Negatives

1. LeBron has limited help.

With Big Z being 34, LeBron's big man may soon be gone. Also, Ben Wallace is rumored to be contemplating retirement. That would be a loss of two important big men for the Cavs.

With the way Mo Williams played during the conference finals, there is no one to take the scoring load off LeBron.

2. If the Cavs couldn't win it this year, what makes you think they can win it at all?

With a depleted Boston team and no other team that looked like a legit threat, the Cavs were the odds-on favorite to cruise to the NBA Finals.

Once again, LeBron's teammates let him down, and they were sent home packing and watching the rest of the playoffs on their couches instead of being in L.A. right now for Games One and Two.

New York

Positives

1. LeBron in a Knicks uniform would bring back more excitement than when New York drafted Patrick Ewing with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft.

Not to mention, playing in the greatest sports arena ever built, LeBron would be talked about more in New York than Wall Street.

2. Money, Money, Money. With an incentive-laden Nike contract, LeBron will add to his huge salary by playing in one of the three major cities—New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

I'm sure LeBron wouldn't mind making his pocket a little fatter by playing in New York.

3. The Knicks are rumored to be in love with stand-out guard Steph Curry. LeBron is one of Curry's biggest fans. He was seen cheering Steph on during this year's Davidson vs. N.C. State game.

If the Knicks draft Curry, don't be surprised if it is a lure to get James.

Negatives

1. LeBron wants to win. The Knicks have not been to the playoffs since 2004, where they were swept by the Nets. If LeBron wants to win, and win now, he better hope New York makes a big splash or gets a post guy for LeBron to rely on.

Brooklyn

Positives

1. Sean "Jay-Z" Carter has part ownership of the New Jersey—maybe Brooklyn—Nets. It is well-known that LeBron and Jay-Z are best of friends. "Jigga Man" is known to attend LeBron's games in Cleveland occasionally during the season.

Come on now, they even have their own hand shake! Jay-Z just might reel LeBron into Brooklyn.

2. When asked what his favorite borough in New York City was, LeBron's answer was, "Brooklyn."

If the Nets could finally get this arena started, LeBron could be the face of Brooklyn, and soon enough, the Nets could be the most talked about team in New York.

3. Unlike New York and Cleveland, New Jersey has a rising-star in Devin Harris and a soon-to-be star big man in Brook Lopez. This could be intriguing for James, to play with a great ball handler and scorer and a solid low post presence by his side.

Negatives

1. The Nets may not move to Brooklyn. It has been reported that if the team cannot complete the deal to move to Brooklyn, the team will most likely go up for sale. Seattle and Kansas City are rumored to be the most likely destinations.

That would flush any hope of getting LeBron right down the tubes.

If you ask me, if the Nets can complete the move to Brooklyn, he will end up there. If not, I don't think James will want to stay in Cleveland if they fail to win it all next year and will land with the Knicks.

It should be interesting to see what LeBron will do, and the whole basketball world will be awaiting the outcome.

New Jersey Nets: Interest in Iverson?

Joe Nelson — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:25:46 -0400

Sam Amico, of Probasketballnews.com is reporting that the New Jersey Nets has expressed interest in crafty veteran, Allen Iverson. Yes, you read that right, ALLEN IVERSON.

Iverson is 33, and will be 34 in three days. Why would the Nets want a one-time superstar and now a washed-up player in the league?

You'll have to ask Rod Thorn that question. AI averaged only 17.5 points a game and five assists for the Pistons. He had one of the worst years in his career, and even came off the bench at times this year for Detroit.

This is not the Iverson of old who single handily led Philadelphia to the NBA Finals while averaging 31 points a game. Allen Iverson has had a great career and is one of the toughest the NBA has had, but he is most definitely not the right move for the Nets to make.

New Jersey needs to focus on the front court, not the back court. Devin Harris is slowly becoming a superstar, and many have written off Vince Carter, but I am one of the few who firmly believe VC still has it. With a solid up and coming Center in Brook Lopez, the Nets need a solid, good scoring power forward to be along side the youngster.

A perfect fit would be Carlos Boozer, who reportedly has told some close friends of his that he intends to opt out of his deal with the Jazz and sign with New Jersey or Detroit. If Boozer is not the solution, they may have to draft someone at number 11, like Dejuan Blair of Pittsburgh or James Johnson of Wake Forest.

Whatever moves the Nets decide to make, they should do themselves a favor and stay away from AI. Iverson's nickname is "The Answer", but he is for sure is not "The Answer" for the Nets.

Boozer In a Nets Uniform?

Joe Nelson — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:38:48 -0400

According to Peter Vecsey, Utah star Carlos Boozer is unsure whether he'll return to the team or opt out of his deal to become a free agent. Who is on Boozer's radar? The New Jersey Nets and the Detroit Pistons is what Boozer was telling his close friends, according to Vecsey.

Boozer would be a welcome addition to the Nets' frontline and in my mind would make them immediate contenders in the East. With a young crop of players including rising stars, Devin Harris and Brook Lopez, along with two standout players, Vince Carter and Boozer, the Nets will be a tough team to stop offensively. With the departure of Boozer, more playing time and exposure will come for Paul Millsap, a young, talented player who came off the bench for the Jazz and averaged almost 14 points and nine boards a game.

Vecsey, from the New York Post also believes the only way for the Nets to get Boozer would be a sign and trade. In my mind, a perfect deal for both teams would be the Nets' first round pick along with second year player Ryan Anderson, who showed off some offensive skill even though only averaging 7.4 points a game, he still showed promise. If that didn't do it for Utah, I would substitute Anderson with a more skilled offensive player like Bobby Simmons.

No matter how the Nets do this, they have to make a move on Boozer. This could be the piece that completes the puzzle. They will be well balanced with outside scorers (Carter and Harris) and frontline scorers and rebounders (Boozer and Lopez). As well as a solid scoring bench with Keyon Dooling and Chris "CDR" Douglas-Roberts.

It should be exciting to see if New Jersey will fill their holes through free agency, or the NBA Draft, which takes place June 25. Rod Thorn has decisions to make, and he better make up his mind soon.

If you want more Nets or other NJ/NY team updates visit, njnysports.blogspot.com.

LeBron, Cavs Can't Get It Done in Game Six

Joe Nelson — Sun, 31 May 2009 23:39:03 -0400

LeBron James had his worst game of the series, and the Magic sent him and the Cavs home. James averaged over 38 points in the series, but couldn't get it done last night in Orlando. LeBron only managed to score 25 points. Many might look at the box score and say, 25 points, that's a good night.

What they will fail to see is that James went scoreless in the second quarter, and that is when Orlando put the lead to a whopping 18 points. Big time players can't afford to disappear in the biggest games of their career. Now, we can't put all the blame on LeBron. Mo Williams did a disappearing act in the series. He shot only 37 percent all series and played poorly throughout.

With the 103-90 victory, Dwight Howard and Orlando advances to the NBA Finals to face off with the best player in the NBA with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. It will be tough for Los Angeles to guard Howard inside who exploded for 40 points and 14 rebounds. It will be equally as difficult for Orlando to keep up with Kobe. It will most definitely be a entertaining NBA Finals. If you asked me to pick a winner, I would have to go with the Lakers in six.

New Jersey Nets Draft Possibilities

Joe Nelson — Sat, 23 May 2009 12:48:41 -0400

It was a rough year for the New Jersey Nets, who finished 34-48 on the season. They were pleasantly surprised with the way Brooke Lopez performed, averaging 13 points 8 rebounds a game, but still lacked bulk inside.

Many experts predict the Nets going after a power forward or a good shooting guard from the perimeter. Picking at 11, there are some good possibilities depending on who is still available.

Averaging 15 points and 8 boards a game at Wake Forest, James Johnson seems like a perfect fit at 6 foot 8 inches and around 250 pounds. Johnson would give the nets some toughness and energy they need inside.

Another possible pick for the Nets is the beast from Pittsburgh, Dejuan Blair. He is measured at about 6'7 but plays much taller. He put out a double double almost every game at Pitt and would be a great fit.

There were some questions about Blair's weight but he answered those critics quickly by losing 15 pounds. Blair along side Lopez, could be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

As for guards, Wayne Ellington, a dead eye shooter from the National Championship team at North Carolina could be a great compliment to the team with his 3 point shooting. He was the key to the Tar Heels championship run and should be an average pro with great shooting ability.

So it brings us to this, do the Nets go with a power forward or shooting guard? In my opinion the Nets need some bulk and toughness on their front line to be able to compete with the elite in the Eastern Conference.

New Jersey has a good core of players with Harris, Carter and Lopez, but they need one more player to fill the role of a banger to play defense and grab rebounds.

If I was Rod Thorn, and Dejuan Blair was available at eleven, I am picking him with no questions asked.

It should be interesting what the Nets decide to do, so I guess we'll see on June 25.

Also available at http://njnysports.blogspot.com/ Great Articles, Great info. Be sure to check it out.

New Jersey Nets Draft Possibilities

Joe Nelson — Sat, 23 May 2009 12:20:05 -0400

It was a rough year for the New Jersey Nets, who finished 34-48 on the season. They were pleasantly surprised with the way Brooke Lopez performed, averaging 13 points eight rebounds a game, but still lacked bulk inside.

For that reason, many experts predict the Nets going after a power foward or a good shooting guard from the perimeter in the NBA Draft next month. Picking at 11, there are some good possibilities depending on who is still available.

Averaging 15 points and eight boards a game at Wake Forest, James Johnson seems like a perfect fit at 6'8" and around 250 pounds. Johnson would give the Nets the toughness and energy they need inside.

Another possible pick for the Nets is the beast from Pittsburg, Dejuan Blair. He is measured at about 6'7" but plays much taller. He put out a double-double almost every game at Pitt and would be a great fit. There were some questions about Blair's weight, but he answered those critics quickly by losing 15 pounds. Blair, alongside Lopez, could be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

As for guards, Wayne Ellington, a dead-eye shooter from the National Championship team at North Carolina, could be a great complement to the team with his three-point shooting. He was the key to the Tar Heels' championship run and should be an average pro with great shooting ability.

So it brings us to this: Do the Nets go with a power foward or shooting guard? In my opinion, the Nets need some bulk and toughness on their front line to be able to compete with the elite in the Eastern Conference. New Jersey has a good core of players with Harris, Carter, and Lopez, but they need one more player to fill the role of a banger to play defense and grab rebounds.

If I was Rod Thorn, and Dejuan Blair was available at 11, I am picking him with no questions asked.

It should be interesting what the Nets decide to do, so I guess we'll see on June 25.