Iannazzone: Forget the Bull, Nets Still Better

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NJNetz

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<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">For the past week, the talk of the NBA has been the electrifying series of moves the Bulls have made, first in the draft, then in free agency, most recently on the trading block. But Al Iannazzone says it's too early to annoint a team without a go-to man as the Beast of the East. The Pistons have lost their center, the Heat could get old quickly and never, says the Record beat writer, undervalue the role chemistry plays in winning championships...particularly when you have the Big Three.</div>

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You can't get much from a biased article. He does have some legit points though. We can be contenders if some of our rookies can come in and produce immediately and we make some moves during the offseason.
 
Writes for the YES network what do you expect him to say? I know my opinion is not any better since I am a Bulls fan, but I think the Bulls are better than the Nets. The Nets need some serious help in the frontcourt Vince Carter, RJ, and Kidd are a nice trio, but will not get you far in the playoffs by themselves. Krstic made huge strides this year, but the Nets need more. They are targeting Chris Wilcox from what I hear so that would be a nice start.
 
The addition of Ben Wallace is great for the Bulls but I just feel, that they are still too young to do the damage they are capable of. They will be a deadly team in the near future, but I still feel like the Nets have the upper hand in this situation, at least right now.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NbaBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">The addition of Ben Wallace is great for the Bulls but I just feel, that they are still too young to do the damage they are capable of. They will be a deadly team in the near future, but I still feel like the Nets have the upper hand in this situation, at least right now.</div>
If the Nets had a frontcourt I might agree with you, but as of this point, I cannot. The Bulls have arguably the best defensive frontcourt in the league in Ben Wallace and PJ Brown. Krstic, who is the only true frontcourt option for the Nets, will struggle when being guarded by either of those people. Also although our team is very young it is also filled with winners, and guys who know who to play on the big stage. In other words, they do not choke often. Ben Gordon won a national championship, Nocioni won a gold medal, Hinrich played in two final fours, and Deng/Duhon come from the Duke program which deals out nothing, but winners.

I love the trio of Kidd, VC, and RJ I will give you guys that. Your backcourt size is something that few teams in the league can match up with, and the ability of Jefferson to play point guard from the small forward position is a great option to have. However, over the last two years this trio has shown it cannot carry the Nets come playoff time. Every year they have that wait until next year approach when they lost the first season Carter was there the quotes where ?let VC and RJ get a full season under their belt? now it?s ?with a full season under there belt they will only get better?. The organization and the media needs to realize that if the Nets don?t bring in a front court star they are only getting worst, because of Kidd?s age.
 
i'd still take the heat to be honest. Wade is a playoff monster, and they are the returning champs. Nets vs Bulls is close. The bulls backcourt is young and undersized (not a big deal, but worth mentioning) and the nets are very experienced, but have no frontcourt. I think in a series, the nets would win because no one can hurt the nets froncourt on the bulls team. But both against the Heat, i'd go with the bulls to win over the nets.
 
Your picking Bulls because they have Wallace that can contain Shaq? That's wrong because Jason Collins was the best defender in the playoffs against Shaq. Shaq didn't struggle as much as he did against Collins.

If that's not why your are picking Bulls over the Nets, then why? What advantage do they have? Neither can stop Wade. When it comes to scoring, the Nets are better. Bulls are very undersized in the backcourt while Nets are bigger and stronger.
 
^^I think that the bulls wil be a better defensive team, so could contain wade and shaq better as a team, not individually. Both will be fun to watch.
 
It's a tough call. I'm not exactly sure who's the better team, I think we all have to wait and see how the Bulls play with Wallace added, they should be better though. I agree with you guys that it should be a close, close series, it all depends whoever is hotter.
 
The bulls is a strong team but young. I feel that they will come together by midseason. the nets on the other hand does have some holes like a legitimate PF at the 4 spot dont really need a scorer at that spot just a rebshot blockerand sometimes an inside scorer (this is where we miss Kmart). If they can that type of player and move collins to the bench we would have a very sold team as long as marcus williams can blossom quick and hassan adams can provide 5-10 points a night relieving carter and wright can get some type shot going so that he has a touch. Then we have robinson, collins and boone off the bench we will be straight. But that is all up in the air right now. Still need to see the rookies play in the summer league hopefully
 
The Bulls have a great frontcourt, but against the Nets, they don't have a chance. Wallace is a liability on offense, and PJ Brown isn't much either. So, even though the Nets do have frontcourt problems, the Bulls can't take advantge of that on offense because their lack of big men who can score.

As for the backcourts, I think everybody agrees that the Nets have the much better backcourt. So basically, in a series, I'd take the Nets.

As for who's the better team overall, it's close, because the Bulls with play with 3 and a half players on offense (without Wallace and with half a player in Brown) agaisnt 5, and their defensive power in Nocioni, Wallace and Brown doesn't make up for that. But, the Bulls will still be a very tough team to score on, so that's a big advantage for them. As for the Nets, the Big Three are basically unstoppable: if you focus on one, there are 2 more, and if you manage to contain 2, there's always the 3rd. Plus, Krstic is one of the best up and coming scoring centers in the league. That means that they're much better than the Bulls on offense. Their defense is ok, with Kidd and Jefferson both capable of stopping star players, and Collins also capable himself. But, Krstic is nearly as much a liability on defense as Big Ben is on offense, and Carter is average as best (usually). So the Bulls take the defensive side.

That means that there's a tie: the Nets are better on offense, and the Bulls are better on defense. So I'll add something else to the equation: experience. The Bulls are mostly young and inexperienced (college doesn't count, because it's a whole 'nother ballgame). Only Wallace has been to the Finals before, and PJ Brown has been in the league for a while, so obviously they add a lot of veteran experience to the team. But the rest of the team is very young and unpolished: Smith, Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Thomas...nearly the whole team other than Wallace and Brown are under the age of 25 and in the league from 0-3 seasons.

The Nets, on the other hand, are full of experienced veterans: Kidd, Jefferson and Collins were all on the Nets team that reached the Finals in 2001 and 2002, Cliff Robinson, who's been in the league for 17 seasons, and Vince Carter, who's been in the league for 8. Their bench is young, and so is Krstic, but the 5 mentioned above add much much more to a team, experience wise, than Wallace and Brown.

Ultimately, it's a close call, but IMO the Nets are a better team than the Bulls.
 
Robinson isn't with the Nets anymore, is he? Bulls also had the 2nd highest scoring bench points last season.
 
Until the Bulls play 1 single game in the season, they are worse then the Nets. EVerybody is saying how good they are WHEN THEY HAVENT PLAYED A SINGLE GAME WITH THEIR ADDITIONS! You cant just assume stuff nowadays, in the league that is the NBA.
 
^^That's also true. I think the Nets are better because they will just outscore Chicago. Also, the Nets frontcourt should get better if they do get Wilcox.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker15:</div><div class="quote_post">^^That's also true. I think the Nets are better because they will just outscore Chicago.</div>Not necessarily. We've been one of the weaker teams in the past couple of years when it came to point production, but it's our defense that's winning us games.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting giftedvisionz:</div><div class="quote_post">Not necessarily. We've been one of the weaker teams in the past couple of years when it came to point production, but it's our defense that's winning us games.</div>

I would place the Nets in the top 5 overall defensive teams, with that said, we don't need the nets to score 100+ point every night. Plus, once Vince Carter dunks over anyone, they feel embarassed to continue the game.
 
Why do people say the bulls are Too young. They were old enough to make a great sereies against the Heat. After the first win for the nets they basically got swept. And if the Bulls faced the Nets in the first round the Bulls woulve won. Chicago basically made a bluprint for the nets to beat the Heat and they couldnt carry it past game1. If the bulls were better last season, they are definatly better this season.

GL Nets
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NbaBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Your picking Bulls because they have Wallace that can contain Shaq? That's wrong because Jason Collins was the best defender in the playoffs against Shaq. Shaq didn't struggle as much as he did against Collins.
</div>

At this stage I don't think Shaq will be much more of a factor anymore.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting michiganave17:</div><div class="quote_post">Why do people say the bulls are Too young. They were old enough to make a great sereies against the Heat. After the first win for the nets they basically got swept. And if the Bulls faced the Nets in the first round the Bulls woulve won. Chicago basically made a bluprint for the nets to beat the Heat and they couldnt carry it past game1. If the bulls were better last season, they are definatly better this season.

GL Nets</div>

What blueprint? Bulls better than Nets last season? Bulls didn't even get to the second round...or have a better regular season record. If they were so much better, they could of taken the Heat out of the playoffs but they didn't. Why didn't Chicago follow their own "blueprint" and beat the Heat?
 
First and foremost, there's too much to quote in here so I'm just gonna reply like this. First, to whoever said the Bulls can't stop DWade...he had his worst round in the playoffs against the Bulls. Beyond that, the bulls shut him down to a tune of 9/37 FGs, for an average of 12.33 ppg during the regular season. I'd say, if any team in the NBA can shut him down, it's the Bulls.

Secondly, Shaq is showing his age. He didn't dominate at all during the playoffs with the exclusion of the deciding game against the Bulls. I think he's going to continue to decline and be less of a threat this year once again. You also have to wonder if he can stay healthy, which is going to be a question mark for him for the rest of his career.

Next, the Bulls won't have the best offensive starting five, but not only should they have the best defensive team in general next year, but they'll also have probably the best bench in basketball. This team is even deeper than what they were last year, so while they won't get a lot from the starting five because of Ben Wallace, the team is going to get a ton from their bench, with people like Nocioni coming off.

On the note of the bench, this has a huge advanatage over most teams in the NBA because of their ability to 10, 11, maybe even 12 deep. They don't have to play their starters in extended minutes, keeping them fresh for a lot longer than those teams with starting fives logging 40minutes or so per game.

Now, as to why I think they'll be better than the Nets, but maybe not the Heat. First and foremost is balance. They'll probably have at least 4 players averaging in double figures next year (Gordon, Deng, Noc, Hinrich), maybe even more depending on how much JR Smith plays and how well PJ Brown plays. Plus, you throw in Chris Duhon, and while he may not be the best scorer, he can still score.

Next is the depth of the team. The Nets bench isn't all that deep...while the Bulls aren't afraid to go 10 or 11 deep. Outside of their starting five, they have Duhon, Noc, Mallik Allen, Smith, Tyrus, Sweetney, and maybe even Songaila if he returns. That's some insane depth right there, and that's always good to have, that way you don't have to wear your starters down throughout the year.

Plus, last season, the Bulls won 2 out of 3 last year, with the only loss coming by one point and at the beginning of the season when the Bulls weren't playing well. This year, the Bulls are even better, while the biggest acqusition for the Nets so far has been Marcus Williams.

All in all, the Bulls are deeper, better defensively, and have plenty of offensive firepower, so in my opinion, there's no reason as to why they can't be better than the Nets.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NbaBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">What blueprint? Bulls better than Nets last season? Bulls didn't even get to the second round...or have a better regular season record. If they were so much better, they could of taken the Heat out of the playoffs but they didn't. Why didn't Chicago follow their own "blueprint" and beat the Heat?</div>

The Bulls exposed the Heats inability to stop penetration. And with Jefferson, Kidd, and carter people thought it was gonna be a ruff series for the Heat. But after game 1 the Nets dropped 4 in a row.

In regular season play the bulls beat the Nets in that series of games.

My question to you is "did you or did you not think the nets would be able to exploit antoine walker and Jason williams mismatches more often?"

In my opinion the Bulls have a far greater mental toughness than the Nets do. we won games against the heat with every mismatch in the heats favor.
 
Until I see the Bulls play next season, I am not saying that they are a better team than the Nets. Who plays better, has a better record, and gets farther in the playoffs will determine which team is truely better. A full season, and playoffs will show the better team. Bulls may look like a better team on paper, but that doesn't they will be.

The Bulls exposed the Heats inability to stop penetration. And with Jefferson, Kidd, and carter people thought it was gonna be a ruff series for the Heat. But after game 1 the Nets dropped 4 in a row.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In regular season play the bulls beat the Nets in that series of games.

My question to you is "did you or did you not think the nets would be able to exploit antoine walker and Jason williams mismatches more often?"

In my opinion the Bulls have a far greater mental toughness than the Nets do. we won games against the heat with every mismatch in the heats favor.</div>

Why does it matter? You didn't beat them and get farther in the playoffs, you put up a fight just like the others and you lost. You can say that you lost better than us, because it doesn't make sense.

As for regular season games, you won 2-3 which is good but playoffs are different. Nets play on a different level and you can't just determine they would lose to the Bulls. Nets were whoopin the Heat in the regular season, but in the playoffs things changed.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NbaBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Until I see the Bulls play next season, I am not saying that they are a better team than the Nets. Who plays better, has a better record, and gets farther in the playoffs will determine which team is truely better. A full season, and playoffs will show the better team. Bulls may look like a better team on paper, but that doesn't they will be.</div>


I argued the fact that the Bulls would beat the Nets in a series. They beat the nets in regular season and had a better series versus the Heat. Okay you made it to the second round beating the Pacers? that makes the nets better? So your saying if the Bulls PLayed the Pacers in the first round and won. and the Nets played the Heat in the first round and loss the Bulls would be better?

To end this, if the bulls were even close to the Nets Last year this year they are better. therefore they are better.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting michiganave17:</div><div class="quote_post">I argued the fact that the Bulls would beat the Nets in a series. They beat the nets in regular season and had a better series versus the Heat. Okay you made it to the second round beating the Pacers? that makes the nets better? So your saying if the Bulls PLayed the Pacers in the first round and won. and the Nets played the Heat in the first round and loss the Bulls would be better?

To end this, if the bulls were even close to the Nets Last year this year they are better. therefore they are better.</div>


Ok your saying that the Bulls would beat that Nets in a series? How do you know that? Is it because Bulls won the regular season meetings? Playoffs are different and teams play on a higher level. Once again Nets were whoppin Heat during the regular season but that changed during the playoffs. Why? Because they starting playing on a higher level. You just can't say the Nets would of lost to the Bulls in series, because you don't know that for sure.
 
Hard to say, but I'm going with the Nets being the better team being more experienced and having the best trio in the league right now. The Bulls are looking dangerous with the acquisition of Ben Wallace, but the Nets still have Kidd, a player who I still regard as the best point guard in the league (yes, over Nash). Vince Carter while shooting a mediocre 43% from the field last season is still amongst the league's top players of potent scorers. When he puts his mind to it he's one of the few players who are simply unstoppable. Jefferson is a consistent all-around player who is more than capable of handling the scoring load. He also rebounds well and plays solid defense. The addition of the Nets' rookies will make them more dangerous. Marcus Williams won't see too many minutes at point, but he'll be a solid backup for Kidd and Boone will just add more on the interior defense. The Nets were the sixth best defensive team in terms of points allowed per game and even with the addition of Ben Wallace, the Bulls won't be that much better than the Nets, if better at all.

The Bulls could very well be a better team than the Nets next season, but as of now I'm reluctant to rate them higher than the Nets who have already proven themselves.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting michiganave17:</div><div class="quote_post">I argued the fact that the Bulls would beat the Nets in a series. They beat the nets in regular season and had a better series versus the Heat. Okay you made it to the second round beating the Pacers? that makes the nets better? So your saying if the Bulls PLayed the Pacers in the first round and won. and the Nets played the Heat in the first round and loss the Bulls would be better?

To end this, if the bulls were even close to the Nets Last year this year they are better. therefore they are better.</div>
Beating a team during the regular season and beating them in the postseason are two different things, so you can't assume a team that won in the regular season will replicate that same success in the playoffs. And because the Bulls did better than the Nets doesn't mean they are a better team either. The Bulls might match up better against the Heat, but that doesn't mean they are better.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">


Beating a team during the regular season and beating them in the postseason are two different things, so you can't assume a team that won in the regular season will replicate that same success in the playoffs. And because the Bulls did better than the Nets doesn't mean they are a better team either. The Bulls might match up better against the Heat, but that doesn't mean they are better.</div>


Thats my point the bulls didnt match up to the heat well or even better. we were out matched and out sized in every position. The Nets were more equiped to beat the heat. Thats what makes chicago a better team they are tuffer than the Nets. Explain how the bulls matched up better than the Nets?
I believe that 90 percent of JBB would say that the nets matched up better than any team if compared to the bulls.

Okay you had advantages all over the place.
1.) Kidd is a far superior guard than Williams.
2,) Vince cant be held by anyone when he want to be agressive.
3.) Posey cant hold Jefferson.


What im saying here is that you guys shoulve won more than 1 game.
Chicago won 2 in a row while being outmatched at every position. Its not always the names or talent that makes a team better its your determination and mental tuffness. And that is why chicago is a better team. We were out matched at every position and gave one of the second or third best series to watch in the entire playoffs.
 
The Nets have thrre things that the Bulls don't have and that is, the best PG in the game today, a shooting guard who is unstoppable when on fire (ask the Heat), and they have a small forward who I believe is currently the best player in the league who was'nt been an all-star yet. The Bulls guards are'nt big enough or strong enough to contain Kidd and Carter. Jason Collins is a great post defender. Krstic is young and will still develop to be one of the best big men in the game today.

The bottomline is that Chicago might have a better frontline but the Nets have a much better backcourt and more experince in the playoffs then the Bulls.
 
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting michiganave17:</div><div class="quote_post">Okay you had advantages all over the place.
1.) Kidd is a far superior guard than Williams.
2,) Vince cant be held by anyone when he want to be agressive.
3.) Posey cant hold Jefferson.</div>The fact was that we did not have many advantages. Numbers one and three are fair, but Wade at this stage can be considered superior to Vince. What else? We had less depth, less firepower, less frontcourt help, and arguably less experience. The reason we won only one game was because the Nets had a horrendous offensive showing during the series.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting michiganave17:</div><div class="quote_post">What im saying here is that you guys shoulve won more than 1 game. Chicago won 2 in a row while being outmatched at every position. Its not always the names or talent that makes a team better its your determination and mental tuffness. And that is why chicago is a better team. We were out matched at every position and gave one of the second or third best series to watch in the entire playoffs.</div>By your logic, you're saying that last season the Bulls were just as good a team as the Pistons, because both series went to six games. You also seem to forgot that the Heat were only starting to put the pieces together and mesh during their playoff run. They were improving, looking sharper and stronger as each game passed by. You can also say the Heat were more prepared for the Nets, while the Bulls caught them off guard.

The Big Ben signing and the draft choices makes me slightly lean toward the Bulls. However, there's no doubt that the Nets were the better team this past season.
 

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