NBA Draft 2011 Results : Why New Jersey Nets May Be on the Rise
The New Jersey Nets haven't finished with a .500 record since the 2006-2007 season, and even then they were 41-41.
So when someone says the Nets are on the rise, as the Nets' front office has tried to convince its loyal followers, it tends to make Nets fans cringe.
Because, given the past, there's not much to indicate the front office is telling the truth.
But I'm here to tell Nets fans that the franchise is indeed on the rise, and, unlike Nets executives, I'm not just trying to sell tickets.
In addition to the acquisition of All-Star point guard Deron Williams last season, the Nets have just come out of the 2011 NBA Draft feeling good about themselves.
Except, this time, they have reason to be happy.
The Nets moved up two spots in the first round of the draft to select Providence guard Marshon Brooks at No. 25 overall, who some are calling a huge sleeper.
I'm not going to start comparing him to a young Kobe Bryant, as some have, but there's no question he's one of the most explosive scorers in this year's draft. He may not be Kobe, but it appears, given some of the moves he's exhibited on the floor, that he's modeled his game after the Los Angeles Lakers great.
Brooks averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks last season with the Friars, as a 6'5" guard.
With Brooks, you have an explosive scorer who can develop chemistry with Williams. And if Williams decides to depart New Jersey after next season via free agency, Brooks has the capability to become a point guard.
But beyond possibly landing the second-best steal of the draft in Brooks (No. 1 for me was Kenneth Faried at No. 22), the Nets also bought the No. 31 pick in the draft, Bojan Bogdanovic, from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Not much is known about Bogdanovic, given he's been playing overseas and he likely won't make it to the NBA for another three years. But if he was available to play in the league right now, he probably could have been a lottery pick. He was the second-leading scorer in the Euroleague last season, and he's a very versatile, complete player. He could pay huge dividends down the line.
And finally, the Nets selected Maryland center Jordan Williams with the 36th overall pick, a possible first-round draft pick who slid because of conditioning concerns.
Well, Williams has completely transformed his body since his sophomore season with the Terrapins. He was one of the best rebounders in college basketball last season, averaging 11.8 boards and showing a physicality down low that the Nets need.
I loved every one of the Nets' moves on draft day.
The scary thing is, they still have the money to go out and get a high-impact free agent this offseason or next.
