Preseason Wrap Up

[Henacy]

This year the Nets came into the Preseason with questions & problems that where not seen since the year of 2000 B.K.(Before Kidd). Thje Nets need to see what direction the franchise was going. And who was going to be apart of the team that was going there. The Nets had players battling for starting positions left vacant by former team staples who have departed from the swamp. Plenty of knew faces to get adjust to the motion offense. So now that the preseason is behind us. And the Nets have finished a solid 4-4 in preseason play, it seems we have a much better feel for this team will be like come November 3rd. While we truely wont know how bad or how good this team is capable until the game start to really mean something. Here are some major questions/concerns that the Nets had going into the preseason and training camp. And what was discovered/learned as a solution to those questions:


<font color="Navy">What will the Nets do about the Point Guard position until Kidd returns at the end of the month of November/ Early December?. </font>

Solution/Answer learned in the Preason/training camp: Coach frank seems to be using a three point guard rotation of Zoran Planinc, Jacque Vaughn and Travis Best. Zoran Planinic seems to be the most likely starter out of the three come opening night. But Vaughn will still play a big role as the veteran back up. Best is more of the insurance policy, if Planinc or Vaughn doesnt workout or is struggling at the position. But right now the position is Planinic's to lose

<font color="Navy">Can the Nets fastbreak without Kidd? </font>

Solution/Answer learned in Preseason/Training Camp: Yes they can but of course not to the same degree. Kidd made the Nets fastbreak run so smoothy not only with his open court passing and being able to push the ball in the open court. But also with his ablity to defensively rebund the ball. When you have a point guard who can go get the balll off the backboard himself, it eliminates things that my slow a fastbreak down like poor outlet pass etc.

But the Nets should still be able to run to a certain extent. Zoran, Jacque, & Travis all have the ablity to push the ball in the open court. And the Nets still have athletic players on the wing ,Richard Jefferson, Rodney Buford, Ron Mercer who can all get up & down the court. But like always the Nets fastbreak starts. And ends with the effort they are willing to give on the defensive end. You cant consisent run, if you are not stoping people.

<font color="Navy">Now that both Lu & Kerry are gone what are the Nets going to do at the 2? </font>

Answer/Solution learned in Preseason/training camp: Ron Mercer seems to have locked up his job as the starting shooting guard,barring injury. But Rodney Buford has shown that he will be right there putting pressure all season on Mercer for that starting spot. Both seem to be looking at their chance with the Nets as a opporunity to re-new some of the partial success they have had in this league. And while they wont be able to replace the shooting that departed with Kittles & Harris. They may be able to replace the overall scoring/ offense.


<font color="Navy">Well, what does the perimeter shooting for the Nets look like? Are they a better shooting team then many gave them credit for going into the Preseason?</font>

Answer/Solution learned in preseason/training Camp: No, the experts where right the Nets are a horrible form the perimeter, mainly from behind the arc. Darius Rice making the team would have been a slight seemblance of help with the 3pt shooting. But he wasnt ready ,overall, to play at this level. That leaves the Nets with only Brian Scalabrine as the Nets shoooter from behind the arc. Best case scenerio for the Nets shooting wise, is that they become a fairly decent mid-range shooting team.

Richard Jefferson has seemed to shakin off his horrible dream team shooting, And has made the 15-18 shot with some consistent. He is even trying to incorpraite the turn around mid-range game into his arsenial. Ron Mercer & Rodney Buford have both been able to knock down the 20 footer. And the mid-range game has always been a part of Eric Williams' style. Jason Collins at the Center has also shown more confidence in his favorite shot the free throw line jumper. So the potenial for the Nets to be a solid/moderately successful team in the 15-20 foot shooting range is there.

<font color="Navy">What about the 4 spot with Kenyon gone, How will the Nets get by?</font>

Answer/Soution learned in the Perseason/Training Camp: There will be no set starter at the Power forward to start the season. Depending on matchup, both Brain Scalabrine & Eric Williams will get there opportunities to start. The only thing set at the power forward is that the Nets will be undersized and outplayed almost every night at the position no matter who starts. On bright sign for the Nets, that will affect the power forward spot is the return of Alonzo Mouring. Once Zo becomes comfortable with the role of playing 19 or 20 minutes on a regular basis backing up Jason Collins at Center. Then Aaron Williams can shift over to the 4 and help be a staple. Give the 4 spot a little more size and scoring on the low block.

<font color="Navy">Who will be the teams biggest suprise this year?</font>

Answer/Solution learned from Preseason/training camp: Right now, I'd have to say it will be Rodney Buford. I like what I have seen from him, so far...he is showing so of the athletism on defense that he showed with Philly in 2001. He has a fair amount of offensive skills and he uses his athletism well on the backboards. When Kidd comes back and the Nets really get into full fastbreak mode during the 2nd half of the season. Buford could be a big part of the puzzle if we are trying to fight for Alantic Division crown or one of those bottom playoff spots in the east.

<font color="Navy">So is this team good enuff to make the playoffs?</font>

Answer: Honestly, I still cant tell. Kidd is so much a big part of the make up of the Nets that you cant really answer that question a 100% until kidd & his knee returns to the team. Iam still trying to figure out how much to exactly expect from Zo. It wont be until at least the end of November until his body gets into full NBA condition. I will say that if the Nets dont fall out of the race early then they will be in the hunt for a spot during the 2nd half of the season once everyone is healthy. And all the new parts get adjusted. And old parts must adjust as well, guys arent use to not playing on a Nets team that isnt a championship contender. The only players left from the truely horrible Nets days is Aaron Williams. So once the Nets get it together, they will be their strongest after the all-star break.

The Preseason didnt anwer all our questions but they did give us a feel for some.....

What did you notice or would like to add on what you seen from the Nets this preseason.

 

[kobimel]

The Nets have had a decent overall preseason, at 4-4. It could have been a lot worse when you look at their roster. But some of the players that people weren't expecting much from have proven that they can be very helpful. Let's take a look at some of those players:

Rodney Buford

<u>Preseason Averages</u>: 10.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.3 apg, 0.13 bpg, 1.38 spg

Rodney Buford surprised a lot of spectators in the preseason. He had a couple of pretty high scoring games, and started in 1/2 of the games in the preseason. His scoring effort helped the team a lot, and so did his rebounding. His effort on defense has been pretty good too, and his near 1.5 steals per game show it.

<u>My Expected 04-05 Averages</u>: 11.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.42 spg, 0.24 bpg

Zoran Planinic

<u>Preseason Averages</u>: 7.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.1 apg, 0.13 bpg, 0.63 spg

Nobody expected too much from Zoran this year. That's why NJ signed Travis Best and Jacque Vaughn. But Zoran played some great games this preseason, and his jump shot and passing skills have definently improved. It looks like he'll start this year until Kidd comes back, and he has been filling the starter roll nicely so far. Let's just hope he can continue like that.

<u>My Expected 04-05 Averages</u>: 11.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.9 apg, 0.11 bpg, 0.72 spg

Jabari Smith

<u>Preseason Averages</u>: 4.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.14 bpg, 0.14 spg

Nothing was expected from Jabari, really. Only to help out a little with the scoring and defense this season and add some depth to the C spot. But Smith has helped more than expected. Averaging almost 5 points per game, he was a big help for Jason Collins. His rebounding hasn't been too great, and neither has his defense, but they didn't really need that from him. Even though his time will mostly be spent on the IR this season because of Alonzo's comeback, expect him to play at least 30 games this season.

<u>My Expected 04-05 Averages</u>: 4.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.81 bpg, 0.10 spg


Those are 3 players that have done better than most people thought they would, and let's see if they can continue their success this season.

Alonzo's comeback was good news for the Nets, and if he can contribute 8 points and 4 rebounds per game and 15-20 minutes, he'll be a great help to this team that lacks veteran leadership inside.

Richard Jefferson is going to have a lot of responsibility this season, but I think he can handle that. I expect his ppg to exceed 20 points this season, maybe at 20.5 ppg. Also, his jump shot has improved and his range is farther this season. If he can play well, he may be the temporary answer to the Nets this season, until Kidd comes back. Then, I think Richard's scoring will improve even more.

Jason Collins has also improved considerably this season, and pushing his range beyond the free throw line, but not too far. His rebounding has improved, and so has his defense. With help from Aaron Williams and Mourning, the C spot for the Nets can be pretty strong after all.

 

[Henacy]

Well said, I agree I think our frontline will be alot more productive then people give them credit for if(a big if Zo can stay moderately healthy). If Zo can play in close two 60 games tis year. And contribute those 20 minutes on a regular basis, then we have have a little verstality along our frontline. We would have Eric Williams who can play both forward spots depending on matchup, Brian Scalabrine can play both forward spot depending on matchups. Aaron Williams can shift back & forth from the Power Forward position and Center. Zo is probably more stable at the 5 because he said he feels most comfortable at the position. But he can move over to power forward from time to time as well. And Jason Collins was orginally surpose to be a big forward when he was drafted out of Standford, but has become the Center more out of need then comfort. So we have alot of guys that can shift positions and move around in the rotation for Coach Franks.