Nets' Point Guard search Continues

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"...the Nets, given Kidd's health and possible lingering unhappiness over offseason developements, are checking out alternative point guards, including already auditioned Travis Best. And Boston's second-year greyhound Marcus Banks.

The Nets, who have also considered Speedy Claxton, Dajuan Wagner, and Darrell Armstrong as possibilities to explore in deals, have two trade exceptions, recieved when they gave away Kenyon Martin and Kerry Kittles."</div>

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Well here is my opinion on each, order based on my want for them to join our squad..

1) Marcus Banks- I really like Banks he would be my 1st choice, he is a nice defender on the perimeter. And he is good off the dribble getting to the hoop. It would be nice to have a breakdown guy in the backcourt until Kidd return's. But what puts him over the edge for me is that I think he could be apart of the Nets long term plans, past this season. He seems to have fell out of graces with Danny Boy, after some complaints when he was almost ship to LA for GP, so he maybe on the market.

2) Speedy Claxton- great fill in guy, he always plays well when he has to step into the starting lineup of a team for a period of time, he did it for Parker in San Antonio, and last year for Van Exel. And he really knows how to push the ball in the open court, which would help to hold down our fast break game till Kidd returns. And then once Kidd returns he would be a very productive backup for the rest of this season. And probably next or until Zoran show's he can handle the job. Might be unlikely, I cant see G-State going to war with Fisher as their only pg, unless they are higher on Luis Flores then others were on draft night.

3) Darrell Armstrong- extremely use to being a starter, so the role wont be knew to him. has always been known as one of the league's best team leaders. And can have etremely productive offensive night's from time to time. And the Defensive effort is always there from D-strong. But he is another unlikely one, he seem to be the perfect insurance for a injury prone Baron Davis last season, I see no reason for the Hornets to cash out there insurance policy now.

4) Travis Best- While he is not Darrell Armstrong, he still bring similar attributies but to a lesser degree. He is a notable playmaker, who can create his own offense. As well as create for others. Can contribute solidly on offense, more than Vaughn. But Best is coming off a season where he sat at the end of Dallas' bench which leaves some concern of him taking over the main floor general job till Kidd returns. But make no mistake I rather see Best than Vaughn playing big minutes. Best also seems to be the most likely to join the squad.

5) Dajuan Wagner- poor shot selection, selfish tendenacy, and a unwilling-ness in the past to make the adjustments needed to play point lands Wagner at the bottom of my list. But he is probably very available seeing as Cleveland has been trying to get rid of him for a while. Wagner will bring much more to the table in the indiviual stats department compared to current pg option Vaughn, but may lead to a down grade in overall team play due to the selfish characteristics in his game.

Wagner does have some pluses for the team, one him being for the New Jersey/ New York tri-state area, having the former high school star will muster up some interest in the Nets lost over the summer in the local area. Especially since some people feel he still has a long-term successful future in this league. And another plus would be that once Kidd returns he is the one point guard on this list who could play some combo guard to make up for the loss of Lu, a week ago.

So Nets fans which PG would you like to see the squad work hard to bring in? Do you want to use a trade exemption on any of the guys, who needs to be used on(probably everyone except Best)? What your feelings?

 

[Next Level Game]

I'd take Speedy Claxton first. He's young, suited for the fast game and has a solid jumper. He's veteran savy and we could definitely use that. He's solid and consistent, and the only thing holding him back is his injury history.

I'd take Darrell Armstrong next. He has range, which the Nets seem to have lost in the trading of Kerry and Lucious. Secondly, he's a scrappy player willing to do the dirty work and he gets the job done and does it efficiently.

Wagner is interesting. I'd take him if Kidd returns. He and Wagner can be like a Snow+Iverson mix, however Kidd has more capabilities though Wagner is far from Iverson himself. I wouldn't take him to play point though. Too much responsibility and he's too young and inexperienced.

Not too sure about Banks though. He's a good pressure defender and a good slasher, but a horrible shooter, which fits with the rest of the Nets. The Nets have no outside shooting and so teams can pack it in and clog the driving lanes which would limit his slashing. However, if we can get him, I'd say go for it.

My wildcard would be trading for Chris Duhon or Frank Williams. The Bulls definitely could use the cap relief to sign Tyson Chandler/Eddy Curry or an extension and clearing room for Hinrich as well. The Bulls already have several point gaurds in Hinrich, Duhon, Williams, and Ben Gordan who can play some. With Duhon you have an intelligent college vet who can play the traditional point gaurd role. Secondly, he knows what he's capable of and how to lead a team. However, his scoring is an anonomly which might cause problems. I like Frank Williams cause he can flat out score and get to the net. His point gaurd skills is shaky, but I think he has a bright future. I wouldn't rest on this kid.

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Not too sure about Banks though. He's a good pressure defender and a good slasher, but a horrible shooter, which fits with the rest of the Nets. The Nets have no outside shooting and so teams can pack it in and clog the driving lanes which would limit his slashing. However, if we can get him, I'd say go for it.</div>

I agree with you on Banks poor shooting, I had even talked about before in the Boston forum, But my thinking was more or less about when he becomes Kidd's understudy in the future, he can learn things that can make up for his lack of shooting. And hopefully his shooting will grow with time because he is only 22. I think he has the biggest room for groth and would be an affective member of the Nets alot longer than everybody on this list. I dont see Best, or Darrell Armstrong being nothing more than pg help for this season. Banks could end up being here for a while.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">My wildcard would be trading for Chris Duhon or Frank Williams. The Bulls definitely could use the cap relief to sign Tyson Chandler/Eddy Curry or an extension and clearing room for Hinrich as well. The Bulls already have several point gaurds in Hinrich, Duhon, Williams, and Ben Gordan who can play some. With Duhon you have an intelligent college vet who can play the traditional point gaurd role. Secondly, he knows what he's capable of and how to lead a team. However, his scoring is an anonomly which might cause problems. I like Frank Williams cause he can flat out score and get to the net. His point gaurd skills is shaky, but I think he has a bright future. I wouldn't rest on this kid.</div>

I would take either of these guys. Duhon hasnt even signed with the Bulls yet, so once he does he wont be able to be traded till December 15, I think. So he isnt an option for the Nets at this time. But your right he is a great floor leader despite the fact he never really put up over the top stats at Duke. He was on the Nets radar during Draft time before we decided to trade away our 1st round pick.

Frank Will is probably the most likely of the two. I would really like to see Frank get a legit chance to prove himself, because he never really got that with the Knicks. And I dont think he will get that in that guard heavy backcourt in Chi-town. But there is some questions, on Williams' point guard instincts. So to throw him in as the starter right now till Kidd comes back might worry me a bit.

 

[Next Level Game]

Duhon hasn't been signed so his rights could be traded, if I remember correctly.

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting nextlevelgame:</div><div class="quote_post">Duhon hasn't been signed so his rights could be traded, if I remember correctly.</div>

You know what? your probably right, I was only thinking about after he got signed, my bad. That may be an option that Rod Thorn can explore.

 

[jbbReal Deal]

Come on guys, I know you want Chucky Atkins...

Anyways, yeah...Claxton would be nice, and Duhon also. And yes, Duhon's rights can be traded up until he's signed...

 

[B.e.]

Its hard to say but if I was the Nets I would want all of those guys that Henacy listed,thye arent the greatest PG"s in thw world but they are solid and coupld be a pretty big help in NJ.

But if I had to choose, my first choice would have to be Speedy Claxton he has been a pretty solid PG from some years now backing up some great players.I wouldnt really want him start though,because his whole career he has been coming off the bench and thats where I think he fits the best.Claxton is a smaller guy but he can run the floor and shoot and isnt exactly a bad defender for his size,he also brings tons of energy to games coming off the bench.

Darrel Armstong might be an ok canidate for the Nets hole at the PG spot but I wouldnt count on him to do a whole lot statitically,he is a guy that is going to come into a game and hustle and be a role model to other players on the team,he is a great true PG and defines the term leader.

Dajuan Wagner had so much potential,he was a really good player his rookie year espically offensivley.Even though he seems to lack worth ethic these days he still has time to come back from his huge sophmore slump.But the thing is he really isnt the player the Nets want on their team,they probably want a PG who is a true and will run the offense and all that stuff,Wagner on the other hand will most likely try to score more then he will pass.But I would encourage the Nets to go after him because the Cavs are very dissapointed in him and would probably trade him for nothing,and its never bad to have anothr scorer in you lineup.

 

[P.A.P.]

The most reasonable choice would be getting someone like Marcus Banks who's clearly on the market. He's young and still improving. He needs to learn to be more of a point though, but thats not a big problem.

I would prefer Armstrong, but the Nets would have to give up alot, and they don't have much to give for him to the Hornets, since BD and Wesley have their fare share of injuries.

How about a point from the Bulls? Frank Williams, Chris Duhon or Moochie Norris? What about Jannerro Pargo? He was red hot last year with the Bulls, not sure about his contract situation though.

 

[Courtking]

Speedy would be nice, he is quick and can run the Nets uptempo style. Marcus Banks would be good also, a young player that plays great D. Speedy and Banks would be my top picks in that order, then probably Wagner or Armstrong.

 

[P.A.P.]

I hope you guys realize that it's going to be really really hard to get Speedy Claxton. He'll be the starting point most likely for the Warriors, so it's gonna be really hard to get him. The only way I can see NJ getting him, is if they give up A-Train in some package, which isn't going to happen.

 

[B.e.]

I would think D.Fish would get the star in Golden State though,but the easiest player to get right now would be Dajuan Wagner,I bet the Nets could trade draft picks for him and the Cavs would trade him because they are disapointed in his recent work ethic ect...so the Nets could trade a couple of those picks they have from the Martin and Kittles trade,for Wagner but they would likely have to give a player also.

But maybe they could have traded Lu Haris for him since the Cavs are likely going to sign him.

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Banks:</div><div class="quote_post">I hope you guys realize that it's going to be really really hard to get Speedy Claxton. He'll be the starting point most likely for the Warriors, so it's gonna be really hard to get him. The only way I can see NJ getting him, is if they give up A-Train in some package, which isn't going to happen.</div>

Yeah, I know Speedy going to be extremely hard to acquire because in my opinion Derek Fisher is not a go to point guard on any team except the old Lakers that played off Shaq. In my opinion Derek Fisher doesnt have much point guard skills. He isnt good off the dribble, doesnt create much for others. And in LA he never had to run the offense because in the triangle, the offense is ran thru the post. So G-State would be stupid to give up Speedy Claxton, now.

I think the most likely is the Nets will probably just end up signing Travis Best, who was in to work out for the team 2 weeks ago. I hope we can get Banks tho.. because it seems like he may drop to thrid on the point guard depth Charts in Boston behind GP, & Dalonte West. I think the Celtics are waiting till GP makes up his decision before they decide what to do with Banks. But he seems to be on the market.