NBA: New Jersey Nets Midseason Report Card

How the heck do you grade the Nets based on what we’ve seen so far in the first half of this season? Seriously. They’ve had enough injuries to fill a hospital, signed so many players they’re now scouting pickup games in Newark and penciled in so many different starting lineups (14) they’re running out of lead.

How do you grade that? Who knows, but we’ll give it a shot using the Nets latest starting lineup to get going. 

DeShawn Stevenson—D

Stevenson has failed to live up to even the low expectations Nets fans had for him when he was signed from the world champion Dallas Mavericks in the offseason. He’s averaging 2.6 points and 1.4 rebounds this year after averaging 5.3 points and 1.5 boards for the Mavericks last year in fewer minutes (16.1) than he’s getting with the Nets (17.4). Stevenson wasn’t supposed to be LeBron. But he was supposed to be better than this. 

Kris Humphries—B+

If I were Humphries, I would never want to leave New Jersey. It’s been too good to him. First, he’s away from Hollywood and the Kim Kardashian nightmare. Second, in two years with the Nets, he’s never played better. Humphries is averaging a career-high 13.2 points and team leading 10.2 rebounds this year, which is just off his career high of 10.4 boards set last year. He’s shooting 50 percent from the field and has started every game he’s played in this year. Not bad for someone who was back page fodder for the New York tabloids a few months ago.

Shelden Williams—C

Williams is doing what Williams does every year—he’s averaging around 4 points and 5 boards per game. The problem is, he’s playing more minutes this year (20.7) than he has at any time in his career and is still averaging those paltry numbers. While his stats this year haven’t dipped from last year or any year in his career, Williams is still at best an average player, which is the reason for his average grade. 

MarShon Brooks—B

Brooks has been one of the most pleasant surprises for the Nets this year. The rookie, who was drafted by the Celtics with the 25th pick and traded to the Nets, is averaging 13.9 points, 4.2 boards and a steal a game. He is also one of the few players exciting the fans. He’s got a smooth shooting stroke and good mid-range game to go along with his natural athletic ability. The only thing holding his grade back is all the games he missed.

Deron Williams—C+

Williams was supposed to be the franchise savior. But since his arrival late last year, all he’s proven is that one player can’t turn around a franchise. This year his assists, rebounds and steals are down from last season. Most disturbing, he’s shooting a career-low 41 percent from the floor. Sure, he’s averaging a career-tying high 21.3 points so far. But he’s also ripped the Nets home court and refused to sign a contract extension until the Nets prove they’re a winning franchise. Eh, that could be a while. 

The Bench—B-

For all their struggles, the Nets have actually have gotten some quality production off the bench at the guard position. Jordan Farmar is averaging a career high 10.8 points to go along with 3 assist and just under 2 boards and Anthony Morrow is averaging a career high 13.7 points. Sure, both have started games this year—who hasn’t on the Nets? But they’re providing a spark off the bench now. The Nets biggest issue is they don’t have depth in the frontcourt. 

Avery Johnson—C

It’s hard, if not impossible, to blame Johnson for all of the Nets struggles. His best big man (Brook Lopez) has been out all year and literally every player on the team has missed at least one game this year. Johnson has had to juggle his lineup more than any other coach in the NBA and the Nets are still dealing with injuries. But there can’t be any questioning that the Nets have played terrible defense (giving up around 100 points per game) and lackluster offense (92.6 points). That has to fall on the coach at some point.