Players Not Ready to Call It a Season

[Shapecity]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Success is all Richard Jefferson has known since he came into the league with the Nets in 2001.

He began his career with back-to-back trips to the Finals and has been in the playoffs every year. His team has captured four Atlantic Division titles in the last five years.

So perhaps there's a reason he remains his "insanely optimistic" self despite the Nets' worst start (11-18) since the 2004-05 season. That also happens to be the year the Nets went 16-5 down the stretch to clinch a playoff berth on the final day of the season.

"Honestly, do I have anything to go on but success?" Jefferson replied when asked how he stays positive. "Regardless of the way the situation is right now. We're struggling and it's funny but we're two games out of the division with (53) games to go. Optimistic? Always optimistic."

The weak division may be the only thing keeping their hopes up with the team in Miami tonight to take on the Heat. Having lost four straight and six of their last eight, their play certainly has left much to be desired.

The leading scorer in a 96-71 embarrassing loss to the Rockets Wednesday? Here's a hint: his initials weren't V.C. Rookie Hassan Adams had 13 points.

Vince Carter has yet to find his game and, at times, has looked like the court is the last place he wants to be. He knows he has to play better but he's not the only one. With center Nenad Krstic going down for the season with a torn ACL in his left knee last Friday, they can't afford any more lifeless nights.

Carter gave his state of the team address following Wednesday's loss, admitting to hearing the boos from fans and even going so far as to say the team may have forgotten how to win:

"We just have to keep fighting and keep playing regardless of boos or what people have to say," Carter said. "We have to find a way to do it together. It's not going to be one guy, two guys. It's going to be 15 guys (minus castaway Jeff McInnis).

"You have a job to do on the court and we're not getting it done. We understand that but collectively we have to keep our heads up and motivate each other. It's not about looking for motivation anywhere else but the guys that put the uniforms on night in and night out. I believe we can get out of this. We just have to keep playing and keep sticking together."

The Nets won 49 games last season year with the same starting lineup and they have a stronger bench this season, leaving most fans puzzled at their performance.

Captain Jason Kidd said the team just needs to be "consistent."

"That's what we're fighting for (and) understanding each others' roles," Kidd said. "Sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way. It could be disheartening but as a professional, you have to keep fighting through it. Right now we're in a bad way but this will test our character to see where we are as a team and individually." </div>

Source

 

[NJNetz]

Well I guess rebuilding is out of the question, but a trade isn't. If the Nets don't become consistent, Thorn will look to bring a player who will be. The question is who and how is he going to get him?

 

[Legacy]

We must play consistent to win games at this stage of the season. It still may be pretty early, but we still have to play good to be in good playoff position. I hope Vince steps up, cause when he plays bad, the whole team plays bad.

 

[The Legend]

<div class="quote_poster">Carter Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">We must play consistent to win games at this stage of the season. It still may be pretty early, but we still have to play good to be in good playoff position. I hope Vince steps up, cause when he plays bad, the whole team plays bad.</div>

i doubt it.. The nets will be lucky if they get 7th or 8th.. its better if they start from scratch

 

[Next Level Game]

Anyone think we can swing a deal for Troy Murphy? He's been having a bad year and doesn't get Nelson's system...any shot we get him?

 

[Legacy]

<div class="quote_poster">nextlevelgame Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Anyone think we can swing a deal for Troy Murphy? He's been having a bad year and doesn't get Nelson's system...any shot we get him?</div>

No. I hate Murphy. He is a horrible post player and a jump shooting big man.

 

[NJNetz]

<div class="quote_poster">Carter Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">No. I hate Murphy. He is a horrible post play and a jump shooting big man.</div>

We do need to stretch the defense so he wouldn't be that bad. I mean he doesn't have any post skills, but he's a better jump shooter than Nenad, from what I remember.

If he's available, then Thorn might ponder about getting him.

 

[Skiptomylue11]

Thorn is a cheapie, I doubt he would want to take on Murphy's contract. I think Murphy makes close to 9-10 mill a year with 4 or 5 years left on his contract.

Also who would the Nets offer? I would think the Warriors would probably accept a deal composed of mainly expiring contracts.

 

[Next Level Game]

<div class="quote_poster">Carter Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">No. I hate Murphy. He is a horrible post player and a jump shooting big man.</div>

I see your point. Trpy does take an aweful amount of jumpers and is like a career low 40% shooter which is bad for a gaurd, even worse for a big man. Inconsistent effort too. But he does get at the boards as well as anybody in the league. He's had a lot of double-double years in league and, I think that Troy can play the same role Nenad/Cliff does in popping out on drives, or screen and pops that make the opposing team's bigman step out of the lane to free up things for Vince/RJ/Kidd. He also gets a good deal of offensive boards which is good.

I think at this point getting a good post player without sacrificing the big three would be hard. Troy's stock is a low cause he's been injury plagued and hasn't figured out Don Nelson's system. Just my thought.

 

[AMS_ICE]

I really don't think Thorn cares what happens to the rest of the season. Win or lose, Thorn couldn't care less. I don't expect any movements come the trade deadline. It's really up to the players if they want to win or not.

 

[Next Level Game]

Thorn is a great GM. Don't doubt him. You might be confused with Ratner.

 

[AMS_ICE]

<div class="quote_poster">nextlevelgame Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Thorn is a great GM. Don't doubt him. You might be confused with Ratner.</div>

I agree with you. Thorn brought Kidd and Carter. He is part of the Nets' success. Thorn right now, in my opinion, is looking at Brooklyn. Maybe 3 or 5 years down the line, he's action will be justified. It's just that I'm looking at this from a fans perspective, where I want immediate action. I'm looking at the Nets lineup and I see contenders. I really think that they are 1 piece away from making the finals. At the beginning of the season, New Jersey was a serious contender. And where are we now? 13 and 18. I don't think that it's safe to say that the season is still early. Not for the Nets it's not. We can't wait for another 10 game run from them. It's not a habit that they should keep. I saw the Nets win at least 50 games this season. If no major actions will be done, the Nets will be lucky to win 40 games. New Jersey is in a good postion to win this season. I think the front office should deal with the season at hand. They owe it to the players and the fans. Hopefully come the trade deadline, something positive will come out. If not, I think it's safe to say to kiss the season goodbye.

 

[Next Level Game]

Immediate change will affects wins and losses. The possiblity of losing more is more probable than winning. We got to face it, other than Carter, there is no chance we get equal value for any of our parts. Look at it:

Jason Kidd - still an All Star. Still on the bubble of MVP considerations. But also well into his 30s with a fat contract. No one is going to trade us expirers and youth for him, and if we do that's look towards Brooklyn then.

Richard Jefferson- borderline All-Star. On the brink of entering his prime...but realistically, other than Nets fans, he's sorely undervalued. I used to think we can get Carlos Boozer for him, but we definitely cannot now. I doubt we can even get Chris Wilcox for him. Just won't happen.

Nenad - hurt this season. ACLs are tough to get back from.

Rest of the bench: nothing. Rookies are hard to trade and nobody wants Uncle Cliff, Mikki Moore, or Jason Collins.

Immediate trade is a lot harder than you give credit for. That magical KG deal will only come if KG publically asks for a trade...ANd even so, Nenad going down just hurt our chances of getting him.


You said you look at this Nets lineup and see contenders...a bit ambitious and I see ECF contenders, but I like that. Changing it up now, when we just gained a momentum of a winning our first back to back and Jefferson finally saying he's healthy might change a lot. It's a better chance we'll have at winning immediately than making a big change that will take time to adjust (ie. trading one of the big three, coaching change). Just be patient.

Thorn is not one of Ratner's minions. He's smart and calculated. Takes cautious steps, but the right ones. Doesn't panic, something I greatly admire. Donnie Walsh is the same and he built a terrific team in Indiana. Joe Dumars as well.

 

[AMS_ICE]

<div class="quote_poster">nextlevelgame Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You said you look at this Nets lineup and see contenders...a bit ambitious and I see ECF contenders, but I like that. Changing it up now, when we just gained a momentum of a winning our first back to back and Jefferson finally saying he's healthy might change a lot. It's a better chance we'll have at winning immediately than making a big change that will take time to adjust (ie. trading one of the big three, coaching change). Just be patient.

</div>

I've been patient for the past 3 years. And I wouldn't think much of the "back to back" wins if I were you. It was against a Shaq, Wade-less Heat and a 14-15 Wolves. Don't get me wrong, I really hope that the Nets can get back on track.

 

[Next Level Game]

Um, even the Nets as a title team wouldn't beat the last three champions...a bit ambitious, maybe? You could make an arguement for the Pistons, but they were as injured as we were.