Ron Mercer will sign with the Nets

[Next Level Game]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Mercer will sign with Nets for two seasons, agent says

Tuesday, August 10, 2004

By STEVE ADAMEK
STAFF WRITER



Ron Mercer will be a Net by the middle of the week, his Englewood-based agent, Andy Miller, said Monday.

The 28-year-old veteran guard will sign a reported two-year deal worth more than $3 million and become one of the candidates to replace Kerry Kittles as the Nets' starting shooting guard.

Miller would not confirm the specifics of the deal, but said the only thing left to seal it is for the 6-foot-7 Mercer, who averaged 5.0 points in 39 games for San Antonio last season, to pass a physical. An ankle injury kept Mercer from signing with another team after the Spurs waived him Feb. 28, according to Miller, who says the ankle is now fine.

A career 13.9-point scorer who averaged double figures his first five seasons in the league, Mercer joins fellow free agent signee Rodney Buford as a possible replacement for Kittles. Long-time backup Lucious Harris is also on the roster, but the Nets are expected to exercise the $1 million buyout on his contract for next season rather than pay him $2.5 million to remain.

- Steve Adamek
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Decent signing.

 

[Henacy]

Yeah decent signing, hopefully Ron as gotten rid of some of that "me 1st personality" that has held his career back so far. Hopefully him getting cut by the Spurs, has made him reality that the NBA isnt promised and he has to work hard to stay in this league. And have a positvie attuide while doing it. He now has a chance to prove himself once again. And probably as a starter since Lucious Harris will most likely be part of a trade or a buyout so the Nets can save some more money. If Mercer has his head on straight and is starting, I see no reason why he cant average double-figures with this current Nets crop. But we shall see, its all about effort with Mercer.

 

[RetroBaller23]

It will be nice to see Ron Mercer play for the New Jersey Nets.. Ron used to be 20 ppg scorer.. This time, he's a solid player and have a pretty defense..

 

[jbbNJNetz]

Every week this team is looking more and more solid wish we had these players cuase our bench would look really deep more versatile. But like i said i like the moves they are making. They are making a very cost effective team good job Thorn

 

[jbbNJNetz]

I just thought we should have picked up chris anderson from denver since he was a free agent and was pretty much let go by denver after acquiring KMart


<font color="Red">Please, use the editing button to prevent double posting, not just NJNets but everyone, thanks guys-Henacy</font>

 

[bbwAce]

it definitely gives the Nets another scorer...thats really all Mercer is good for...I wonder if he'll start because if he gets the minutes I'm sure he could be very productive...

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tripl3:</div><div class="quote_post">it definitely gives the Nets another scorer...thats really all Mercer is good for...I wonder if he'll start because if he gets the minutes I'm sure he could be very productive...</div>

I think he going to start because the Nets are reportedly going to buyout Lu. Rodney Buford in no way, shape or form would even come close to being a starter. He's going to struggle to find a spot in the everyday rotation. And Eric Williams is going to be the veteran anchor of the 2nd unit, he will probably spend a good amount of minutes backing up at 3 different positions, so I doubt they use him as a starter. So that really only leaves Mercer to be the starter at the off guard. I am really hoping that he steps up nicely and proves that he belongs in this league.

 

[Ed!]

He can fill it up on offense, but lacks defense, and has too big of an ego. However, i like this signing for the Nets, he comes cheap, and is fresh off being released, which may have slapped some sense into him. I like this signing for the Nets, and I was surprised that NJ didn't sign him when he was released last year, they could've used his scoring in the playoffs. He could've been the X-Factor for Jersey.

 

[InNETSweTrust]

When they gave up Kittles and KMart, they lost a whole load of defense. Mercer's defense (or lack thereof) esp. in the perimeter will create a lot of troubles for them. Esp. now that Kidd's coming off an injury.

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ObieCent:</div><div class="quote_post">He can fill it up on offense, but lacks defense, and has too big of an ego. However, i like this signing for the Nets, he comes cheap, and is fresh off being released, which may have slapped some sense into him. I like this signing for the Nets, and I was surprised that NJ didn't sign him when he was released last year, they could've used his scoring in the playoffs. He could've been the X-Factor for Jersey.</div>

Ron Mercer suffered a injury shortly after getting released by the Spurs, thats what prevented him from getting picked up by another team during the 2nd half of last year.

BTW, the good thing is that we can somewhat hide Mercer on Defense because Richard Jefferson can guard the opposing teams best wing player. And when Eric Williams is in the game he can also contain top perimeter off-guards & wing players. So Mercer will never really have to guard the top wing players,so we can hide him when need be.

 

[Netsfan501]

I think this is a very good pickup, now they ahve 2 good shooting guards (haris and mercer) but if what you say is true about luj being bought out thaT WOULD be too stupid. he is a reliabe scorer, and his defnese is good too.