Chad Ford's Thoughts On Our Picks

[NJNetz]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">22 New Jersey (via Clippers) Marcus Williams 6-3 215 PG Connecticut
Great pick for the Nets. I think they preferred Rajon Rondo, but they end up getting the best pure point guard in the draft -- a guy who can play 15 to 20 minutes a night given Jason Kidd some much-needed rest. This was really a no-brainer for the Nets. Williams may be disappointed he didn't go higher, but it was his own fault. He was out of shape and had a sketchy background. But he ended up landing in an excellent situation.


23 New Jersey Josh Boone 6-10 237 C Connecticut
I'm not a huge fan of Josh Boone. However, he does have the skills the Nets want. He runs the floor, is active on the boards and blocks shots. But does he have the heart to help the Nets? That's the big question. His workouts were horrible, with numerous scouts saying he didn't really compete. If his attitude changes, he'll be a good pick. If it doesn't, I think the Nets made a big mistake passing on Alexander Johnson here.

24(54) New Jersey Hassan Adams 6-4 212 SG Arizona
Nice pickup for the Nets. They thought about taking Adams with the No. 23 pick. He's an elite athlete and very tough. Doesn't have much of a perimeter game but will add some toughness to their perimeter game. </div>

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[Next Level Game]

Boone better prove me wrong. I would've taken Kyle Lowry over Williams because of toughness and heart, but Marcus Williams has more potential. Hopefully Kidd works wonders with the two of them. Adams has the ability to be Desmond Mason if he refines that shot...I hope he does.

 

[bbwSwish]

The Nets had a great draft.

 

[playmaker15]

I'm pleased with the nets draft. Marcus could turn out to be a special player and a great replacement for Kidd. I think Boone will be able to contribute right away and give us a better low post presence. As for Adams, if VC decides to leave next season I think he could fill in right away for him.

 

[Buckets]

The nets arguably had the best draft of anyone picking up Marcus Williams that late and getting Hot Sauce Adams in the second round. I really like what they did but now during Free Agency they have to worry more about getting bigs, I thought they were going to take Alexander Johnson and Josh Boone before the draft but seeing how they went they came out with some very, very talented players.

 

[P.A.P.]

The Nets helped their depth with these 3 picks. Boone can help contribute right away with his size and athleticsm fitting in with the Nets. He'll also help Krstic in the front court, and give the lacking front court a big boost. Marcus Williams was an excellent pick. It was a no brainer when he silpped to them. He's already a very good true PG, and Kidd will just groom him to be a better one. I don't think this draft could of worked out better for Marcus (contracts aside) in terms of the role, situation and team hes going to. This reminds me of Jameer Nelson slipping to 20 two years ago. Hassan Adams was also a steal at 55. With Carter and Jefferson, Hassan Adams will be able to improve steadily and make a impact off the bench right away, as he learns from two of the best wings in the game.

 

[giftedvisionz]

We'll see how the Josh Boone pick pans out. I'm very anxious to see this team in action, and hopefully, unlike last year, they won't dissapoint.

 

[Henacy]

I think that Chad Ford did a good job of explaining why Boone is the right pick for us. I dont think Boone would fit in well with alot of other teams but for us, he definately has the potential to fill in needs we havent had for a while, we havent had a weaksid shot blocker since we gave up Zo 2 seasons ago and we havent had a big that can run the floor since K-Mart, so he address both those needs. Of course he isnt someone we can dump the ball down in the post to in the half-court, but I think that with the perimeter we have built with virturally 4 potential playmakers of course Kidd, Carter, Jefferson and now Williams in the 2nd unit, they are going to create so many easy opportunites for him to score 2 and three feet from the basket that his lack of offense shouldnt be a problem, all he has to be is a finisher around the basket....you cant count the countless plays that Collins and Krstic couldnt finish around the basket because they didnt have the elevation or lift in their games this kid has the lift needed to finish those type of plays. And that is what gives me the hope that Kidd, and the rest of the playmakers can make him better on that end of the floor.

And defensively believe it or not I think he will make Kidd and Jefferson particuraly, more effective defensively....Kidd and Jeff are now going to hopefully be able to get up in guys chest once again like when they had K-Mart playing behind them, last year you could tell that they played defense with the fear of not giving up penetration because they had no shot blocking pressence behind, that why they struggle defending the three at times because they didnt want to give up the penetration, look no further then the way they guard Dwade in the playoffs last month.

Williams pick was easy, dude has Kidd replacement spelled all over him. And its settting up nicely because just like when people was throwing Kidd under the bus after his off-court incident in 2001, the front office took a chance reaching out with the Marbury-Kidd deal. And it brought life back to our franchise, now I have the feeling that once again taking the same risk on this kid, when everybody is writting him off will carry our franchise for the next 10 years hopefully.

2nd round, I dont know, Iam not as big on this pick as some of you guys, my thinking is if you go guard why not address our shooting need especially with Allan Ray out there, grant it, he cant do the all round offensive things like create extra possessions on the offensive glass and such that Adams can. but honeslty our perimeter is so complete that their is nothing Adams brings that we dont already have in Jeff, Carter or Kidd, the one thing we dont have in that mix is a shooter Ray could have been that guy. You put Ray coming of screens or in catch and shoot sitautions alonside Carter and Jefferson's ablity off the dribble, it creates open looks for Ray and he can bury those all day.

 

[Next Level Game]

The thing about Allan Ray is that he defines streaky. He's either hot or cold, and if he's cold, it's 100 below zero. He has a lot of talent and heart, put the problem is that he cannot do much if he's not scoring and I'm not sure how good and affective he is off the bench. Being a 6-2 scoring gaurd is also a problem. I root for him cause I love all those Villanova guys, but I can see we went with Adams. He has a more legit NBA body and he rebounds so well. Not to mention being athletic as anybody in the league.

I dont really agree with your assessment on Boone. Don't get your hopes up. He has lottery talent written all over him, but he has never played big. He let Jai Lewis man handle him and so many times he doesn't rotate right. I liked Hilton better of the two.

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting nextlevelgame:</div><div class="quote_post">The thing about Allan Ray is that he defines streaky. He's either hot or cold, and if he's cold, it's 100 below zero. He has a lot of talent and heart, put the problem is that he cannot do much if he's not scoring and I'm not sure how good and affective he is off the bench. Being a 6-2 scoring gaurd is also a problem. I root for him cause I love all those Villanova guys, but I can see we went with Adams. He has a more legit NBA body and he rebounds so well. Not to mention being athletic as anybody in the league.</div>

I definately dont disagree with anything you have said in this paragragh Ray is a streaky shooter but he still fits a need he is a shooter, now we will have to look for one in the free agent market, when we should be using the little we have to address the need for size on the frontline. Yes, their is no doubt Adams is better but will he ever be a starter in this league probably not at best he would be a Fred Jones type player, so why not address a need is my point. also another plus that Ray has is the fact that he knows how to playoff and with other perimeter stars because of the guys he played with in Villi.

We dont need guards/perimeter guys that rebound well Richard Jefferson is arguably the best rebounding wing/small forward in the league after Shawn Marion and Kidd is one of the best at his position and has been the best over the last decade. If its anybody that doesnt live of to the rebound standards compared to what they should be getting it would be Vince but even he is solid in the general since, so the things Adams brings arent anything that we are lacking, Ray even streaky would be our most consistent perimeter shooter especially with the looks that the big three could create for him.




<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont really agree with your assessment on Boone. Don't get your hopes up. He has lottery talent written all over him, but he has never played big. He let Jai Lewis man handle him and so many times he doesn't rotate right. I liked Hilton better of the two.</div>

In the general since is Boone that great not really, that is why I started my statement off by letting it be known that I dont think he fits in well with alot of other teams. But here, things will be alot more simple, that is what playing alongside a guy like Kidd does for you, especially young guys. Alot of Boone's problem was that he would think about things too much and that would lead to confusion and then he would get down on himself and that takes him out of the game. But Jason Kidd, explains things and like I said makes them simple, so I think you will be able to see a difference in Boone's court pressence. Honestly, do you think a guy like Krstic would have pick things up as fast as he did in the 2nd half of the 04-05 season, if Kidd would have missed as many games after the all-star break as he did before the break that year? Kidd made the game easier for him from febuary thru April that is a big part of the reason for the big difference in play from one half of the season compared to the other for Krstic.....Boone will have the same benefits. Its simple play the boards and run the floor Kidd will find you. Nobody is expecting him to be a great one on one player on either side of the court.

Jai Lewis gave several cats the business during the tornament, it is what it is, dude has a NFL body, if Iam not correct doesnt he have a few Nfl try-out offers, he is unbelievably strong, their arent that many 2nd unit bigs that are as strong as him(Lewis) to be honest. Boone will clearly mainly be in there against 2nd teir bigs for his rookie year. And yeah Hilton Armstrong is better that is why he went before Boone in the draft. But when you are picking for a big after the lottery, the picking is slim. And Boone is the best guy for our situation, if we didnt take Williams at #22 we probably take Johnson instead of Boone. But Thorn probably feels that drafting Boone and Williams to play together makes the situation alot more comfortable for both players.