How can the Team Get Back on Track?

[kobimel]

Well, basically, we're 3rd in the weakest division in the league, have a 9-14 record, VC is struggling lately and RJ hasn't been himself all season long. The only player doing well is J-Kidd, and he obviously can't carry the team alone at his age. So the question is: what can the management do to fix things up? Do we trade Kidd and let Carter walk and start rebuilding with Marcus Williams and Hassan Adams? Do we continue with the same lineup and hope things go right? Or do we finally trade for a decent 10/10 big man to replace Collins, even if it means trading a pick or two, and try to win now?

Here's a breakdown on some of the possible scenarios:

<u>Scenario #1: Trade for a Big Man</u>

Why do it?
This is obviously the choice everyone wants most, because if the team adds a 10/10 big man who'll rebound and play interior defense, the road to the Finals will open up again. There are many options out there, such as Brendan Haywood, Melvin Ely, and Anderson Varejao, who have been mentioned in numerous rumors.

Why not do it?

Not many teams are willing to trade a big man like the one the Nets are looking for, and those that are won't trade one for peanuts. A deal including a draft pick is pretty much unavoidable, and the Nets have been hesitant regarding their picks.

End Result: If the Nets can a deal done for one of the three big men mentioned or one similar to them, they'll instantly become eastern conference contenders again.

Probability this Scenario will Become a Reality: Decent

<u>Scenario #2: Rebuilding</u>

Why do it?

If Rod Thorn, Ed Stefanski and Co. decide to throw in the towel and give up on the current lineup and start rebuilding for the future, it'll mean the end of the Big Three. Jason Kidd would probably be traded to a contender for a couple of picks, or a combination of young players and expiring contracts. Vince Carter would be traded or, more probably, leave at the end of his contract. Then, a young and talented core of Marcus Williams, Hassan Adams, Richard Jefferson and Nenad Krstic would be left for the Nets, with other developing youngsters like Josh Boone and Antoine Wright getting major minutes off the bench. The Nets would probably end the season in the cellar and maybe even get a shot at Greg Oden or Joakim Noah. Then, in a few years, the Nets would be a great team and have a shot at contention.

Why not do it?

Nobody knows how guys like Wright, Adams and Boone will turn out, or how much more Nenad Krstic and Richard Jefferson will improve. Starting a rebuilding process would be a big gamble on the management's part and it might leave the Nets down and out for a while and just not work out. Also, many believe that the current lineup is better than what the team will achieve in a few years by rebuilding.

End Result: Either the Nets become big in a few years or flop around for a long time.

Probability this Scenario will Become a Reality: Slim

<u>Scenario #3: Trade for KG</u>

Why do it?

Umm...do I really need to explain?

Why not do it?

There's really no reason not to, even if it means trading a big piece of the future (Krstic, for example) and RJ/VC. The only big wall stopping this deal is Minnesota agreeing to it.

End Result: Instant contention, a window of opportunity to win the title that'll be open for at least 2 seasons.

Probability this Scenario will Become a Reality: Slim

There are many different scenarios that can happen. Discuss! Maybe we'll get some more action in this forum.

 

[Ma3oxuct]

Nice overview....I personally think that this season is still young...the Nets will get to a point where they'll have a team meeting, after which we will see a long winning streak. Trust me, Kidd will not let anyone down. He wants to win a championship, and will get Carter, RJ, Krstic, and everyone else playing hard when it counts.

 

[NJNetz]

The season is still young, but we can't keep on playing like this. Basically if the season continues like this, and we can't trade for a good big man, then rebuilding would be the best choice. I mean what more can we do?

Basically we should trade Kidd, to a perhaps good team, because he deserves it. Like you said Carter will walk, and we can build around our young core.

Of course we should wait a while longer before making huge moves.

 

[Legacy]

We should just wait a few more games to see what we need. Possibly trading one of the big three for a good big man.

 

[thedude9990]

i think maybe a trade deadline trade will happen where we get like a "rental player", i say we trade nachbar and wright for like ely

 

[thedude9990]

actually i think it shold be like eddie house and nacbar

 

[Chutney]

1 and 2 go hand in hand, IMO. You trade away one of your star guards for picks, cap space, or young forwards. A talented post player doesn't just fall in your lap, you have to give up something for it. VC will you net you something substantial in return. However, I don't give away Kidd. He's the kind of point guard that any team needs and he would provide a good veteran presence for a young, rebuilding team.

 

[NJNetz]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He's the kind of point guard that any team needs and he would provide a good veteran presence for a young, rebuilding team</div>

Agreed, but he might go Iverson style and want a trade.

 

[kobimel]

After the Nets beat the Warriors with a small lineup yesterday, maybe the Nets should try playing with a 2005 like Suns lineup? I mean, RJ can play PF, with Adams/Wright starting, and Collins on the bench. It might just work out.

 

[Fitch4Delk00]

^^ I agree but only if Adams was starting and wrights starting so it doesnt really make that much difference to me, Collins is a defensive big and Wright is a defensive guard. Adams would be better to start in a smaller lineup since he plays better in an uptempo style maybe frank will realize that. Even if Frank doesnt decide to go small i think moore should be starting over Collins.

 

[AMS_ICE]

Kidd has done his part. I don't think the management is doing theirs. I don't think anyone will hate Kidd if he chooses to leave. I want to see Kidd win a ring in Jersey. But that's something I don't see anymore. The Nets has to move now. I don't think we can afford to wait a few more games. The Nets barely wins against struggling teams and is being hammered by the top teams. If they choose to rebuild, I'd say trade Kidd to a team that can win and exchange for youth. To win now, Trade Carter or Jefferson for a big man A.S.A.P. and let Kidd lead. I think it's time to replace Lawrence. He has done all he can for the team. He did a good job when Scott was taken out. But I think he's time is up. The Nets need to make one to two big moves now.

 

[Flow]

I think that it smells for a 3 team trade. I think that NJ needs to trade Kidd, Carter AND RJ.

They should get a superstar bigman and a good guard out of that trade. KG and... I don't who ! ;D

 

[kobimel]

I don't agree with trading all three of the Big 3. We should leave at LEAST one (Jefferson if we want to rebuild, Kidd if we want to win now).

Now that Krstic is injured, how can the team fill in for him? Should Frank go small with RJ/Adams at PF, or should he put Mikki Moore or Boone in the starting lineup and hope for the best?

 

[Legacy]

Small ball is working with the Warriors and Don Nelson. I guess we should give it a try.

 

[Shapecity]

Ever since KMart, the Nets have been searching for an athletic big man to run the floor with the Trio. The Nets don't have an intimidating presence in the post any longer, and it's really catching up to them this season.

The Nets have to some how break up the trio and get what they can for Vince Carter. There's obviously a lot of teams who could use Vince to help win or help sell tickets, and the longer the Nets wait, the less they will get for him. As the season progresses, teams who want Vince are more likely to gamble on him during free agency, because they won't have to trade any pieces and simply outbid for his services.

The other alternative is completely committing to rebuilding and trading Jason Kidd for expiring contracts, draft picks, and cheap young talent.

The East is so wide open right now and the Atlantic Divsion is still up for grabs. I think the best direction the franchise should make is trying one more time to win with the trio, by adding a decent PF.

 

[NJNetz]

Ok so I'm watching the Suns vs Dallas. How amazing are these two teams? They entertain you, while playing great basketball. They go at each other on everyone play with such intensity.

Then I start thinking about how the Nets play. That's when I lower my head. Nets don't seem to have the intensity nor energy. Honestly, Martin took the energy with him when he left.

It's just sad to watch my favorite team play like crap when they should be an elite team.

 

[kobimel]

So, it looks like the team has decided not to rebuild, and a big trade seems some way off. But we've been great in 2007, and finally have a .500 record, the first to reach on in our division (not that that's such a great accomplishment).

What do you guys think? Can the Nets keep up their current streak, or will we break apart again on the annual western road trip?

 

[NJNetz]

Well the western road trip will show us whether we can match up with the more elite teams, or if we are still that weak eastern conference team. With Krstic and RJ out, it will be much more difficult for us, but everybody on the team will need to step onto an even higher level of play, in order for us to succeed.

Who will need to step up the most? Of course Vince. He will need to play smarter basketball, because if he ends up taking jumpshots, we will be done. That's not the style of play that we need from him, because that doesn't help us. For every stupid shot we take, the elite western conference team will take attention of our mistakes.

Sure, we aren't facing the very best western conference teams like Spurs or Dallas, but teams like Clippers,Warriors, Kings, Nuggets etc are still hard as it is.

 

[Legacy]

This road trip will be a great test to see if we are capable of being a top team like we were last year. Kidd needs to continue playing the way he is but some more scoring and Vince needs to attack the basket if we want any chance of winning. The bench must step up also. Without Jefferson and Krstic, the bench will be the X-factor for us. If they play good and Kidd scores more and if VC stops taking jump shots all the time, I think we will do fine.