30 Teams In 30 Days: New Jersey Nets

2007-2008 In Review

Record: 34-48
Eastern Conference Seed: 10

Summer Of 2008

Key Additions: Yi Jianlian (via trade), Brook Lopez (via draft), Keyon Dooling (via free agency), Bobby Simmons (via trade), Eduardo Najera (via free agency), Jarvis Hayes (via free agency), Ryan Anderson (via draft), Chris Douglas-Roberts (via draft).

Key Losses: Richard Jefferson (via trade), Nenad Krstic (via free agency – left for Europe), Bostjan Nachbar (via free agency – left for Europe), Marcus Williams (via trade), DeSagana Diop (via free agency), Darrell Armstrong (via free agency/retirement?).

The countdown to 2010 is officially in progress.

As a follow-up to February’s Jason Kidd divorce, the Nets decided to continue the blow-up movement on draft night, dealing '07-08 leading scorer Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee in exchange for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons—whose contract conveniently comes off the books in 2010.

Financially, the move was a no-brainer if they are truly intent on making a run at the likes of LeBron James two summers from now. Should that plan fail to pan out, this deal cannot be fairly evaluated until the jury reaches a verdict on Jianlian—which may not be for a few more years.

In the draft, however, New Jersey made out like bandits. At tenth overall, the team was fortunate enough to find Stanford center Brook Lopez on the board, and they pounced on that opportunity without even thinking about it.

Nearly all pre-draft boards had the better of the Lopez twins going in the top five, and even as high as third overall to Minnesota. However, for whatever reason, the multitalented center fell into New Jersey’s lap.

Not a bad replacement for the loss of Nenad Krstic, who decided to join the club of internationally-born NBA players heading back overseas.

At 21st overall, the Nets took another frontcourt player—Ryan Anderson of Cal, who gives the team a different look.  Anderson is a forward who can help stretch the floor with his shooting. In addition to that, the 6’10’’ four-man pulled down 9.9 rebounds per game throughout his sophomore year, in a very tough Pac-10 conference.

New Jersey’s biggest draft-night steal, however, may have been in the second round, where they selected swingman Chris Douglas-Roberts with the 40th pick.

Personally, I wouldn’t have been mad at a team for taking “CDR” in the top 20, so when I saw the Nets nab him 10 picks into the second round, I was shocked. This is a 6’7’’ athlete who is fairly long, plays terrific defense, can finish at the rim, and has an unorthodox yet effective midrange game—which seems to be a lost art in the NBA nowadays. Coming away with this All-American at 40 is a steal and a half.

After losing Krstic and Bostjan Nachbar to the European dollar, the Nets were also active in the free-agent market.

Their biggest veteran acquisition was that of combo guard Keyon Dooling, who should be a terrific replacement for the traded Marcus Williams. The 6’3’’ assassin gives New Jersey a look off the bench that they haven’t had in quite some time—a long, athletic defensive specialist who can push the ball, provide energy, and knock down a three.

Dooling isn’t your prototypical pass-first point guard, but he’s certainly well-rounded—and gives head coach Lawrence Frank quite a bit of flexibility with small lineups.

To add excess wing depth, the Nets also inked Jarvis Hayes to a two-year deal worth approximately $4 million. The former lottery pick (10th overall, 2003) has failed to live up to his college hype, but can erratically score in bunches and provide decent insurance at both wing positions in case of injury.

On the same day, the New Jersey made their curveball move of the summer by signing Eduardo Najera to a shocking four-year contract worth roughly $12 million. Why a rebuilding club would go against their own financial goals (freeing space up for 2010) and bring in a hustle guy who will only hinder the development of their young bigs is beyond me.

On the whole, however, the Nets set themselves up for a much brighter-looking future this past summer.

Depth Chart

C: Brook Lopez / Josh Boone / Stromile Swift
PF: Yi Jianlian / Sean Williams / Ryan Anderson
SF: Bobby Simmons / Eduardo Najera / Jarvis Hayes
SG: Vince Carter / Chris Douglas-Roberts / Trenton Hassell / Mo Ager
PG: Devin Harris / Keyon Dooling

Biggest Strength: Frontcourt Depth

Brook Lopez and Yi Jianlian are a far cry from the “Twin Towers,” but New Jersey’s interior cast is loaded with young talent. Though unproven, the frontcourt cast is deep.

Perhaps the biggest name of them all is Yi Jianlian, who was highly touted before being selected sixth-overall by Milwaukee a year ago, but hit the “rookie wall” midway through his inaugural NBA season.

Prior to the All-Star break, however, the seven-foot product of China was holding respectable averages of roughly 10 points, six rebounds, and a block per game, while putting his beautiful shooting touch on display. Injuries and fatigue held him back from going out with a bang, but the upside hasn’t gone anywhere.

Josh Boone put together a terrific sophomore campaign this past year, as his grit, hustle, and length served him well inside. The former UConn Husky held season averages of 8.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, and performed at an even higher rate as a starter (9.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG). Boone remains limited to garbage buckets offensively, and is undoubtedly one of the poorest free-throw shooters in the game, but he goes balls to the wall every second he’s out there.

Another intriguing prospect is Sean Williams, who New Jersey selected 17th overall in last year’s draft. Williams possesses astonishing athletic ability and is a ferocious shot blocker, but he too is virtually limited to slams and assisted buckets offensively.

However, the former Boston College Eagle has a chance to become an excellent defensive presence. The word out of Nets training camp is that Williams has taken large steps forward in his development, and has outplayed the majority of the team. Keep your eye on this bubble player.

Also be sure to pay attention to New Jersey’s first-round draft picks. Tenth-overall pick Lopez possesses many skills necessary to become an outstanding center on both ends of the floor, and can likely contribute from the get-go. Then you’ve got 21st-overall pick Anderson, who can help stretch the floor and may very well turn out to be one of the sleepers of the 2008 draft class.

Even newly-acquired veteran Eduardo Najera can help show these youngsters the ropes, and lead by example with his tenacity and hard work both in games and practice.

Stromile Swift...well, we won’t spend much time there.

Biggest Weakness: Offensive Structure

Lawrence Frank seems to have taken a page out of Mike Brown’s offensive playbook—the only page, I might add. If you’ve seen one offensive set by New Jersey, you’ve seen them all, as the majority of them seem to conclude with an isolation play.

A post option may help take down the swelling—and they may have found that in Brook Lopez—but it’s going to take a hell of a lot more off-ball movement from the perimeter players to establish a threatening offense. They’ve got the talent and tools, but are lacking structure.

X-Factor: Brook Lopez

Sure, Lopez is only a rookie, but he’s also the only two-way post threat that the Nets have on their roster. His rebounding and polished post game should highly benefit the team right away, and in time, there is no reason why the long seven-footer can’t become a serviceable [at worst] post defender.

Furthermore, Lopez tends to play off instinct, which is rare for a 20-year-old big to do effectively. 

For the first time in a while, the Nets have a legitimate center on their hands.

What to Expect In 2008-2009

All the Nets have got going for them right now is promise and the possibilities of the 2010 free-agent class. For the time being, expect more downs than ups, and don’t be surprised if the 2009 New Jersey Nets are one of the worst teams in basketball.

Rocky roads are ahead—but sooner or later, things will smooth out.

Predicted Standings

26-56
Fourth in Atlantic Division
14th in Eastern Conference

Coming Soon: New Orleans Hornets