Playoff Blueprint by Kdub

[kdub]

Well I wouldn't give up on the playoffs yet, considering their relatively easy schedule that's still ahead of them. Yes I was disgusted by the orlando game, but let's look at it this way:

The Nets current record is 26-34 <font color="Red">42-40</font>
The Nets have 22 games left.
41 win will probably get you into the playoffs, 42 a guarantee.

So they need to go at least 15-7 the rest of the way.
14 of those teams are .500 or higher
Only 2 of those 14 are elite teams, .576 or higher (San Antonio, Miami)
5 of those teams are .400 teams
3 of those teams are just .300 teams (Charlotte, New Orleans, Utah)

If the Nets:
lose against the 2 elite teams (0-2) <font color="Red">0-2</font>
win more against the .500 teams (8-4) <font color="Red">8-4</font>
win most against the .400 teams (4-1) <font color="Red">5-0</font>
win all against .300 teams (3-0) <font color="Red">3-0</font>

then the Nets will be a needed 15-7 the rest of the way. <font color="Red">16-6</font>

It's not impossible, and also likely, but the hardest challenge will be going 7-1 against the .400 teams. But 4 of those teams (LAC, Toronto, and New York) have an equal or worse record, and should be definite wins (last game vs toronto not withstanding).

The Nets also play division rivals 6 times, all in the crucial last month of april, and those games could be key to a playoff berth as well.

So 15 is the magic number, and it's also Vince Carter's number. If he can lead the Nets through the next 22 games, and win the right games, Nets are in the playoffs.

However, this is aiming for the 8th seed, which would mean a 7 game series with the Miami Heat. The Nets should really try to avoid this, either by capturing the 7th seed (anyone ready for another new jersey/detroit battle?) or winning the division. Wins against Indiana (currently 8th) and Chicago (7th) are key to this. The Nets play Indiana 3 times, and Chicago 1 time.

 

[kobimel]

I would say that we really shouldn't try to make the playoffs this season. If we do, it doesn't really help us much. Look at it this way:

If we make the playoffs:

1)We don't have a lottery pick
2)We get kicked out in the 1st round by Miami/Detroit, easily
3)We get mostly nothing out of the series, other than just risking an injury to one of our players.

If we don't make the playoffs:

1)We have a good chance at a top 10 pick, where we can get a good, young big man to help us out inside.
2)Kidd and Carter can get more rest in the summer, which is key.

I think we really shouldn't try to make the playoffs, since we don't really have a chance to win anything, so I don't see how it helps us IMO. But that's just me.

 

[Next Level Game]

I rather see the Nets get that lotto pick than to have to face the Heat in the first round. I think we could give Detroit trouble as we always find a way to play very hard against them, but not win in a seven game series. Maybe in the past if it was a 5 game, but I don't see it happening in 7 games. Rest for Carter and Kidd for the summer will allow us to regroup and come back with new fervor in the new season.

 

[Henacy]

Kdub pretty decent logic but the NBA changes so much from game to game, week to week its pretty hard to predict what will happen over the next month & a half. If we run into a couple of lesser teams during their short hot streak period then it all pretty much goes down the drain. If we could win the division and get into the playoffs then Iam all for it cause we would avoid the Eastern Conference teams with alot of size in the frontcourt notably Maimi and Detriot since they both will be divisional winners as well, that gives us at least a chnace at getting out of the first round. And maybe gaining some momentum as the playoffs goes on. But to back into the playoffs in the 8th seed, probably wont do much besides cost us a lottory pick which we are going to need to draft the best big available. Iam all for making the playoffs if it makes sense in the grand scheme of things, I never been a person who feels like a team should just call it quits during a playoff race. But if the Nets miss out on the playoffs I wouldnt be as upset as the Nets venturing into rebuilding land at the start of the season.

 

[Mr. J]

The Nets aren't as bad as many think. Next year, they still have RJ who will autmoatically help this team. Kidd, RJ, Carter a yonug Kristic who will continue getting better, plus an MVP candidate in Jason Collins should be good enough. In the draft you could get some help, but this team wasn't even supposed to be in the lottery in the first place so it's not a huge concern.

 

[VC #15]

I think we shouldn't rely on making the playoff, how are we going to benefit from it. i believe we can catch indiana not boston, so if we did we are going to face miami heat and will perhaps loose badly. so wut's the point of making the playoff this years. it's just waste of time and good draft picks. jason kidd shouldn't be playing alot a minutes like he does now neither does vince. because they might get injured especially vince. we cant affored that many injuries now especially with jefferson out now. we want to start next season healthier and with a complete roster. then it'll be easy for us to make the playoff and do something there. espacially with the trio we have jason, carter, jefferson.

 

[kdub]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting VC #15:</div><div class="quote_post">I think we shouldn't rely on making the playoff, how are we going to benefit from it. i believe we can catch indiana not boston, so if we did we are going to face miami heat and will perhaps loose badly. so wut's the point of making the playoff this years. it's just waste of time and good draft picks. jason kidd shouldn't be playing alot a minutes like he does now neither does vince. because they might get injured especially vince. we cant affored that many injuries now especially with jefferson out now. we want to start next season healthier and with a complete roster. then it'll be easy for us to make the playoff and do something there. espacially with the trio we have jason, carter, jefferson.</div>

Yeah, I wouln't mind not making the playoffs, but i'm also against trashing the season. If we played hard every game here on out and kept our respect around the league, but lost every one of those games, i'm all for it.

 

[DragonKid]

Sure, I prefer Nets have the lotto pick up...
although, I don't want to see Kidd and Carter play so badly,
that really harms my idols' image....
Why is Richard Jefferson injured and out of this season...
If not, we can try to get in playoffs.

 

[kdub]

I'll try and continue to update the records, and how much the Nets are following the above plan as the rest of the season goes along.

Loss to the Spurs... so far everything is going well according to the plan

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">The Nets aren't as bad as many think. Next year, they still have RJ who will autmoatically help this team. Kidd, RJ, Carter a yonug Kristic who will continue getting better, plus an MVP candidate in Jason Collins should be good enough. In the draft you could get some help, but this team wasn't even supposed to be in the lottery in the first place so it's not a huge concern.</div>

That joke almost slipped past me, I love how you knick fans love to slip in a quick cheap shot here & there, anyway.


Players I would definately love to keep besides the obivious guys who are locked up in the franchise. I would love for Rodney Buford, Jacque Vaughn as well (since he probably has a slightly stronger game left in him then Travis Best. And we wont have to address the backup point guard situation immediately during the offseason), Jabari Smith can be our 4th or 5th big coming off the bench after Krstic, Collins & the quality bigs we hope to aquire during the offseason. But other then those guys I dont really see any other role players I would keep beyond this year. Cliff Robinson, Ron Mercer, even Scalibrine can all leave if you ask me. I like Scali but it just hasnt been a strong showing from him in a contract year, I know he has been hampered by injury, but that is how the cookie crumbles. I just cant see giving him a 4 year extension or anything that my be close to long term. Zoran will probably be back as well, but he still hasnt established if he is a 1, 2, or 3 in this league, so if a team would be willing to give up a nice pick in the upcoming draft, maybe late 1st rounder(very unlikely), I would be mad at Rod for making such a deal on draft day.

 

[kdub]

rough win over NO

 

[kdub]

i know hope and confidence is falling fast for the Nets (mine is definitely), but for those who still want them to make the playoffs, everything is falling into place.

 

[Henacy]

Big win against Orlando tonight so I guess that moves us to 2-2 under your blueprint k-dub, it felt good to get that quality victory after yesterday's embrassment against Miami. We still havent established a consistent 3rd scorer behind Kidd & Carter. And that will probably eventually be our major downfall as the race for 8 continues. But tonight we got a strong preformance from JV. Jacque really set ther tone early knocking down an abudance of mid range jumpers in that 1st quarter, when the Magic were looking to double up on our go to guys. And he made some key hustle plays on defense as well. I think our perimeter both bench and starters played well. And that neutralized the effectiveness of Francis & Nelson. Travis Best had an excellent game as well.

But what really put us over the edge was when we went exclusively all most to the zone in the 3rd quarter. It kept their guards out of the lane. And also created opportunites to get the ball up the floor quickly to take advantage of our stops, good decision by Coach Franks to go to the zone look cause it had to throw Orlando off. In the last match the zone look is what Orlando threw at us to open the game up in their favor.

 

[LakeTown]

the nets need to go on at least 9 game winning streak now, they are in the east, where it should be easier, carter and kidd have to average at least 25 ppg each, kidd needs to go into 12apg mode right now, and they need at least 3 more players hit double digits every night.

 

[j_a_d_e]

i thnk we'll still make it to the playoffs...and i'll feel bad if we don't...I know this is whack but first things first...The post-season will come first and the offseason will come after that...So why concentrate on the offseason and not the upcoming playoffs?

 

[kdub]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LakeTown:</div><div class="quote_post">the nets need to go on at least 9 game winning streak now, they are in the east, where it should be easier, carter and kidd have to average at least 25 ppg each, kidd needs to go into 12apg mode right now, and they need at least 3 more players hit double digits every night.</div>

Kidd isn't a guy who can average 25ppg, nor is he a guy you want to (because it'll take him so many shots to get to 25). What the Nets need are guys who can make the open jumper and cut for layups when kidd finds them. Today is one example, with Vaughn finding his groove. If the Nets can find a consistent 3rd or 4th option for a group of guys, then they have a chance.

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LakeTown:</div><div class="quote_post">the nets need to go on at least 9 game winning streak now, they are in the east, where it should be easier, carter and kidd have to average at least 25 ppg each, kidd needs to go into 12apg mode right now, and they need at least 3 more players hit double digits every night.</div>

Like Kdub said Kidd isnt going to average 25ppg over a extend 9 or 10 game period. Also this current Nets roster isnt capable of such a long extended win streak even in the East. Their play changes so dramatically from game to game, you really have not seen any signs of consistency from them all year. Other then Kidd & Carter, there isnt another player who will bring it every single night to obtain such a streak. A four or five game streak yes, maybe they could obtain. But when you are talking 9 or 10 game streaks, it is a bit unrealistic in my mind.

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">That joke almost slipped past me, I love how you knick fans love to slip in a quick cheap shot here & there, anyway.</div>
I didn't put any smiley's there or anything so it could be as if I was serious. I remember I caught someone the other day when I said the Knicks should resign Tim Thomas to a 7 year 100 million dollar contract.

Yeah, we do that a lot. After many dissapointing games watching the Knicks, that's the only thing that can cheer us up. Jason Collins and Tim Thomas are the players I like to clown the most from the Knicks and Nets.

 

[15vinsane]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobimel:</div><div class="quote_post">I would say that we really shouldn't try to make the playoffs this season. If we do, it doesn't really help us much. Look at it this way:

If we make the playoffs:

1)We don't have a lottery pick
2)We get kicked out in the 1st round by Miami/Detroit, easily
3)We get mostly nothing out of the series, other than just risking an injury to one of our players.

If we don't make the playoffs:

1)We have a good chance at a top 10 pick, where we can get a good, young big man to help us out inside.
2)Kidd and Carter can get more rest in the summer, which is key.

I think we really shouldn't try to make the playoffs, since we don't really have a chance to win anything, so I don't see how it helps us IMO. But that's just me.</div>


Your point is good but do you think that if NJ do not make playoffs, getting good trades next year is going to be harder as less quality players will want to join us.
Although with jefferson back and carter settled in next year should be the one that we concentrate more. I was thinking about garnnett and if he might want to come to NJ, as kidd said that he would like to play with him. I'm just not sure what will happen?

 

[DragonKid]

Krstic Garnett Jefferson Carter Kidd... OH MY GOD...
but it is not possible to happend because the salary cap is too high.

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 15vinsane:</div><div class="quote_post">Your point is good but do you think that if NJ do not make playoffs, getting good trades next year is going to be harder as less quality players will want to join us.
Although with jefferson back and carter settled in next year should be the one that we concentrate more. I was thinking about garnnett and if he might want to come to NJ, as kidd said that he would like to play with him. I'm just not sure what will happen?</div>

Nah, I dont think making or not making the playoffs this year will effect what trades or free agent signings are made during the offseason cause everybody around the league knows that when healthy a trio of Kidd/Carter/Jefferson is going to be special, so that would be the selling point that Rod Thorn will be able to use to try to convince the high priced bigs to take less money to come here to NJ. Its more of a look at what we will be capable of doing in the upcoming years rather then trying to sell the point of making 4 straight playoff expereinces(if we make it this year) to lure a key free agent or two.


And no KG is not possible, Minny is not looking to give him up ever, he isnt going to ask for a trade cause the Wolves are going to get a new cast around him during the offseason, so come training camp he will be happy again. And even if KG was on the move it would take a heck of alot to get him & we really wouldnt hasve enuff to offer. But he isnt going anywhere.

 

[j_a_d_e]

Ok so we just won tonight...Against the Bulls...Vince nearly had a triple-double..Now all we gotta do is get an 11-6 w/l record...

 

[Henacy]

We pretty much dominated the pace of play against the Bulls tonight, we went back to the same type of zone action on defense that we used against Orlando in the win against the Magic, I guess Coach Frank sees something in that defensive look as well. I like it from several standpoints, 1) Of course it makes up for the fact that we are slow footed, but it also gives us more opportunites to create turnovers. And get out in a running style in the open court, something that has been lacking in our game plan all year. Also I think the Zone defense helps to keep our bigs out of serious foul trouble, Krstic, Collins especially are extremely foul prone, so the less they have to guard on ball in man to man situations in the half-court low post the better. So Iam really hoping that the Zone look continues to be successful as the season winds down.

 

[kdub]

not bad contributions from all around, good thing kidd had a pretty good game. Vince was hot in spurts, but when he wasn't shooting he was finding teammates. I loved the hustle from Uncle Cliffy, and Zoran had a good 8 minutes. Kidd found scalabrine for a couple baskets (I refuse to call him Veal, i've always thought it to be disgusting).

3 highlights from vince and another notch in the W column, i'm happy. playoff blueprint updated.

 

[VC #15]

Can new jersey nets grab #8 spot?

Few games left and the nets seem to not be out of playoff picture
They are two and half game behind orlando. Do you think we have a chance of catching orlando? cuz the last few games they've been playing bad

 

[Ma3oxuct]

2 and a half games out of the playoffs; its hard to argue that they can't make the playoffs, however, it does not look to me that philly or Indiana want to lose - and they do seem to have a firm grip on thier spots. The Nets will have to keeping wining and rely on some luck to get in.

As for Orlando, Orlando no longer holds the eight spot. And they are on a loosing streak, so the Nets have no problem passing them.

 

[Henacy]

Kdub has made an excelllent thread for all general playoff talk, I have renamed the thread. And it will be stickied at the top of the Nets Forum, so please do not start any other general playoff threads about the Nets making or not making the big show. This thread will be stickied until the Nets are out of the playoff race so please use it for all discussions, thanks-Henacy, JBB Mod

 

[Mr. J]

Yeah, they can. Anyone within decent striking distance can. The Knicks, Nets, Bucks, Pacers etc. It's wide open the question is watch them in the playoffs for a couple of weeks, or have a nice young talent to develop with.

 

[kdub]

Indiana has been keeping the last two spots, but they've been only been winning against bad teams to stay in their spot. The rest of their schedule is harder than the Nets' schedule, and I can't see them keeping their lead on the Nets as long as the Nets win the right games, especially with Jermaine O'Neal out.

Orlando has been slipping and slipping fast. GM Weisbrod fired coach Johnny Davis, but that won't turn this club around because Davis wasn't the problem. He should have fired francis instead (ok ok, traded him) then they'll get somewhere. Davis had them winning earlier in the season, he shouldn't be fired off a silly losing streak.

Philadelphia has a similar schedule to the Nets in terms of difficulty, but hasn't lived up to expectations after the trade. Philly still needs to go through a break-in period with webber before they can even think of having a fearsome duo with Allen Iverson. Fortunately for the Nets, Webber's lack of regular playing time is hampering this process and Nets seem to have already finished their break-in period with everyone knowing their roles and Kidd and VC co-teaching a class on chemistry.

New Jersey should now try to aim for the 7th spot, and if they can edge by these very passable teams, it's theirs. Personally I'd love for the Nets to claim the 6th spot and kick Boston's green behind, grilling into their heads who the real Atlantic power is.
<font size="1">
(thanks for the props henacy)</font>

 

[Ma3oxuct]

I agree with you ingeneral kdub, but I do not think that the Nets will be able to edge out Philly. Philly is getting better every game and they will not let-up. When the Nets got Carter there was an adjustment period of about 10-15 games before the Nets were able to mount a win-streak. I think that philly will start winning game after game in about 5 games from now.

I would not be suprised if Chicago falls out of the playoffs, btw. They seem to be starting on a loosing streak simular to the large ones they had earlier.