<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jirohkanzaki @ Jun 27 2008, 05:17 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>that is also true though i feel differently...without a 2nd threat (no rj), a proven low-post presence (i hope lopez proves me wrong real quick) and still no shooters...vc will have difficulty with all the defense focused on him...especially with his advancing age...</div>
It's fine to have a differing opinion and I can see where you're coming from but I respectfully disagree.
VC had all the attention on him last season and he handled it just fine, even with the injuries he wracked up all season. RJ's increased scoring totals were a byproduct of that attention (no curly and Kidd's offensive ineptitude were also factors) no doubt. Now instead of VC finding one other guy he now has multiple options. While none may be a 20 PPG scorer on their own, everyone we have acquired so far this summer is a predominantly offensive player with size, athleticism, and hustle.
I point to all of the pick and roll lobs VC and Boone hooked up with and Josh is not exactly an offensive machine, imagine what he can do with two guys like Yi and Brook who can go inside and out.
Devin Harris is our second option. His unselfishness in pushing the tempo and attacking the basket is key and, while he may not be ready for it, this is a great opportunity to see if he's up to the task. Devin will never be the leader of this team, but he can try out the role as a number 2 option because of having Vince alongside of him. VC's play making allows Devin to play how he does best, as recipient as much as an initiator, and deep down I think he has shades of Tony Parker in him. If the Wally trade were to happen and Devin is the only guy who's running the show he'll never get a chance to try and find that dimension.
We have shooters (while no one is going to be confused for Peja Stojakovic) in Marcus, Devin, VC, Andersen, and Simmons all have range and we do have time to add another piece. Our 2 new bigmen have good jumpers and allow our slashers room to slash. I think we're getting all of the right kind of pieces but without having that player who can command a double team on a nightly basis their growth will take longer for these kids, as they are complimentary guys now, to find their potential or possibly kill the chance of them ever reaching it.
While you can point to VC's age and say he only has so much left in the tank, that's true with any player at this point in their careers, VC is playing smarter than his competition on a near nightly basis and he now has a chance to help build an ensemble team that could help him sustain it that much longer.
VC chose to stay in NJ, and now he's gonna earn that paycheck. The RJ move was the financial move and this was the basketball move, or non-move if you will.
The Road Not Travelled - Dave D'Alessandro - Nets Blast</div>
