New Jersey Nets (09-10) Team Preview

The Nets are in full rebuilding mode as they traded away franchise star Vince Carter in the offseason and will look to their young players in Harris, Lopez and Lee to provide them with key pieces for years to come. Head Coach Lawrence Frank will again implement a defense first type team that will be allowed to run on offense with young athletic players such a Harris, Lee, Douglas Roberts and Williams waiting to fill it up. Questions will arise if this team’s potential for the future will be enough to win enough games now to keep fans in the seats every night. Another question is where will offseason addition Rafer Alston fit as he will challenge for the backup PG position with Dooling , as he complained about minutes with Orlando last season and will surely see a reduced role this season. How will Jianlian far this season as he approaches his third season in the league? And will he be able to provide the Nets with a glimpse of the potential he has shown or has he already peaked as a player? Where will young players like Douglas-Roberts and Terrence Williams find minutes with many veterans on this team? Will they regret letting a go to scorer go for young studs of the future, only time will tell as they embark on a lowly season of potential and question marks.

Starting Lineup:

PG – Devin Harris – Devin really came into his own last season as he was voted to his first all star game and led the team with a career high in points per game (21.3) and assists per game (6.9) and remained a focal point for the franchise to build around for years to come. Devin also is a very good defender (1.2 steals per game) and uses his quickness and unique ball handling skills to often facilitate the offense as well as his own shot when getting into the lane.

SG – Courtney Lee – Lee is a key part of the trade that sent Vince Carter to Orlando as he was a starter on the Magic last season as they made their run to the finals. Lee is a very athletic player who specializes in defense and is a very capable scorer on offense who will look to fill the void of Carter along with Douglas Roberts at the SG spot for years to come. Lee shot a very respectable 45% from the field and 40% from three last season and will have plenty of chances as the third option this season to improve his scoring average of 8.4 points per game and lead a powerful young backcourt duo with Harris.

SF – Bobby Simmons –  Simmons split time as a starter last season with Hayes and will look to do so this season. Simmons was 5^th in the league in three point percentage (.447%) and will look to improve on those numbers as instant offense off the bench this season. Simmons is also a decent defender who will look to bring toughness and hustle to the rotation at SF and SG.

PF – Yi Jianlian –  Many questions surround Yi and if he will be able to become a presence on offense or has he already peaked (8.2 points per game in two seasons in the league). Yi is a good outside shooter (34percent from three last season) who relies on his jumper too often as he is not very physical down low due to his lanky frame. Yi must improve his rebounding and conditioning if he wants to remain a starter for the full season and quickly develop a array of post moves to compliment Lopez on the block for the Nets to challenge for a playoff spot.

C – Brook Lopez – Played very well last season as a rookie (13.0 Points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game) and will look to improve his numbers this season as the full time starter and second option on offense. Lopez brings a tough inside presence that will challenge defensively on a nightly basis (1.8 blocks per game).

Bench:

F – Jarvis Hayes – Hayes was a spot starter last season often splitting minutes with Simmons, he will look to training camp to take the starting role. Jarvis is a very good athlete who is often outplayed Simmons last season and even filled in at PF when the Nets played small. Hayes posted career highs in three point percentage (38%) and Field goal percentage (44%) and will provide a spark again if pushed to 6^th man in camp.

F – Eduardo Najera –  Najera is coming back this season healthy and looking to be a key defender off the bench at PF and will look to add toughness and hustle to a severely limited front line. Najera will provide many game changing plays that don’t show up in the box score and will be a leader by example with his strong approach to rebounding and defense and should receive valuable minutes at backup PF.

F – Sean Williams – Sean is a promising yet deeply troubled F/C who has loads of potential but who has yet to put it all together. Sean played in a career low 33 games last season (his 2^nd) and was relegated to the d-league for help on his attitude and to better his game and possibly gauge his trade value but he did not live up to the hype there either and was quickly called back up. Sean is a freakish Athletic presence especially on the defense side of the ball with the ability to change the game with blocks and hustle plays and this season he must find a way to put those skills together if he wants to stick in the league.

F – Terrence Williams – Terrence is a bright rookie out of Louisville who will look to crack the rotation at both the SF and SG spots. Terrence is an exceptional defender and play maker and will look to fit into the role as a versatile option off the bench with his hustle and exceptional athletic ability around the rim.

F – Tony Battie – Tony is a rugged post defender who played for the Magic last season and will look to provide tough defense and rebounding to a thin front line this season. Battie also has a very reliable jump shot out to 15 feet that will allow the defense to remain honest, he will look to backup both Pf and C this season.

C – Josh Boone -  Boone is more of a defensive option as he has a limited jump shot and does not look to score much down low (4.2 points per game last season). Boone lost his starting job to Lopez last season and will look to be a strong defender and rebounder with minutes at backup C this season.

G – Chris Douglas-Roberts –  Second year player who will look to breakout as injuries limited his production last season. Chris is very good defender and able to make hustle plays to keep his self on the floor when he is not contributing on offense. Chris is a good shooter as well though he often attacks the basket to get his points but has said to have improved his outside shot drastically this season. Chris will look to battle Lee and Williams for major minutes in the backcourt.

G – Trenton Hassell –  Trenton is a key Defender who will look to provide toughness and lock down defense in spot minutes off the bench. Trenton will also be a key locker room presence who will help tutor Lee and Douglas Roberts along with rookie Williams.

G – Rafer Alston – Much Controversy surrounds Alston as he joins the Nets this season after the much publicized debate with Stan Van Gundy in Orlando during the Finals over playing time. Alston is a legendary ball handler and key outside shooter who will look to spark the offense off the bench with his outside shooting and also look to be a key playmaker in the offense. Rafer will have to battle Dooling for minutes at the PG spot during training camp and will have a lot to prove as a former starter at PG.

G – Keyon Dooling – Keyon is a combo guard who has a great knack for putting the ball in the hoop, he will look to be instant offense again this season coming off the bench. Keyon will battle newly acquired Rafer Alston for the backup PG role and will on occasion backup Courtney Lee at SG. Spectators believe the loser between Alston and Dooling will be traded as neither is accustomed to a bench role.

Projected Finish: 33-49 and 13th in Eastern Conference