Truly Conflicted

[Dumpy]

I'm embarassed to say that I'm truly conflicted over what I hope the rest of the season will hold.

I think you generally always have to root for your team to make the playoffs. As the Giants showed, once you're there, anything can happen. Now, especially, it would be pretty tremendous if the Nets rallied together now that Kidd is gone and not only made the playoffs, but knocked off Boston, Detoit, or Orlando--or all three. What a statement that would make! However, it this case, there will be a large difference in the Nets' draft pick if they are a lottery or playoff team. A LARGE difference. Make the playoffs and you get the #15-17 pick. Miss the playoffs and you get the #7-11 pick. The Nets have done pretty well recently finding gold in the third quarter of the draft, but there could be a fundamental difference between a player selected #9 and one selected #16. Might well be worth the pain of two crummy months.

Similarly, I don't know whether to root for Dallas to do well. I think I'd prefer to see them flop and miss the playoffs, even though the Nets wouldn't get their pick for another year. On the other hand, the Nets could probably parlay the #8 and #22 picks into something pretty special if given the opportunity.

Obviously, we have no impact on what happens on the court. What will happen will happen. But I don't know what to root for--and it is driving me nuts. How about you?

 

[ghoti]

I always root for the Nets to win, and I want the Nets to get the extra picks in 2008 and 2010.

 

[Jizzy]

we need dallas to make the playoffs for there pick, the 8th seed preferably, and i want to make the playoffs so marcus and such can get some xtra experience

 

[soul driver]

of course I want the Nets to make the playoffs. Can they? I believe so. Can they knock off a big time team? Heck, it's possible. We've got improved defense now..not much of an upgrade in shooting, but Marcus has been looking good lately, plus Devin will help us out in that department. We should be good.

 

[Black Republican]

I want the Nets to make the playoffs,and i want the Mavs to miss it.How about that, kidd?

 

[NJNetz]

I want the Nets to make the playoffs. Sure the pick won't be as high, but I can't accept knowing that the Nets decided to tank, or whatever. As long NJ tries, I won't be as angry if they do miss the playoffs.

As for the Mavs, I think it's pretty obvious as to what I want.

 

[Universe]

I root for the Nets to win and would like to see Kidd get a ring.

With that being said, I'd rather be higher in the draft and come out swinging next year then get trampled by the Pistons.

 

[NJNetz]

The thing that I don't understand is some of you want to retire Kidd's jersey, but yet at the same time you really want him to fail with the Mavs.

 

[BrooklynBound]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Joker @ Feb 24 2008, 08:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I want the Nets to make the playoffs. Sure the pick won't be as high, but I can't accept knowing that the Nets decided to tank, or whatever. As long NJ tries, I won't be as angry if they do miss the playoffs.

As for the Mavs, I think it's pretty obvious as to what I want.</div>
I don't want the Nets to tank. They should try their hardest. However, it's much better for them to be in the lottery than getting bounced in the first round. It's pointless.

 

[Black Republican]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Joker @ Feb 24 2008, 08:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The thing that I don't understand is some of you want to retire Kidd's jersey, but yet at the same time you really want him to fail with the Mavs.</div>
They gon retire his jersey,but i want him to fail with the Mavs,cuz he quited on the Nets.

 

[User01]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Joker @ Feb 24 2008, 08:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The thing that I don't understand is some of you want to retire Kidd's jersey, but yet at the same time you really want him to fail with the Mavs.</div>

they liked him on the court, but not off it.

I'm conflicted too. I think I'd rather the Mavs miss, if they don't make the playoffs this year, I think they'd have a decent chance of missing it next year as well, and I'd have to say I'd rather have an extra lottery pick later than a late pick now.

For the Nets, I'm almost hoping they miss the playoffs as well, because it'd be great to have an early pick, I think we could really use one to help build around, but then again we'd have to play worse than at least 3 other teams under .500, and that would make me more nervous for the future, and about the pieces we have now.

 

[NJNetz]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Republican @ Feb 24 2008, 09:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Joker @ Feb 24 2008, 08:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The thing that I don't understand is some of you want to retire Kidd's jersey, but yet at the same time you really want him to fail with the Mavs.</div>
They gon retire his jersey,but i want him to fail with the Mavs,cuz he quited on the Nets.
</div>


So, you're going to stay bitter about it just like Toronto fans are when it comes to Vince Carter? That happened four years ago, and they still can't get over it. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt since it has been only a week or so.

 

[ghoti]

I'm surprised so many people don't want the extra first rounder this year.

 

[Dumpy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Joker @ Feb 24 2008, 08:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The thing that I don't understand is some of you want to retire Kidd's jersey, but yet at the same time you really want him to fail with the Mavs.</div>

I'm into poetic justice.

Regardless, though, the nets will be directly impacted by the Mav's success through the draft pick.

 

[Black Republican]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Joker @ Feb 24 2008, 09:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Republican @ Feb 24 2008, 09:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Joker @ Feb 24 2008, 08:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The thing that I don't understand is some of you want to retire Kidd's jersey, but yet at the same time you really want him to fail with the Mavs.</div>
They gon retire his jersey,but i want him to fail with the Mavs,cuz he quited on the Nets.
</div>


So, you're going to stay bitter about it just like Toronto fans are when it comes to Vince Carter? That happened four years ago, and they still can't get over it. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt since it has been only a week or so.
</div>
No,im not bitter.Im just tellin' it like it is.

 

[soul driver]

that's the exciting part about this season- it's so tight in the east and the west, although it's at opposite spectrums, the east teams suck and the west teams are great.

with that said, I'd love for the Nets to make it to the playoffs for the 7th or 8th year in a row. it'd show that they worked hard to obtain that spot, even if they don't have a good record. and when the playoffs comes, who knows? the best thing is that all of our players on the roster except sean (and swift I think) have playoff experience, and we even have a few with finals experience too.

wishful thinking, but when life isn't too great otherwise, that's the best thing you can do.

 

[AGGiE]

Kidd with 17 assist today.

 

[Real]

I'd love for the Nets to make the playoffs with this group. The streak is important to me, and there's certainly a sense of accomplishment when you can make the playoffs without a guy like Jason Kidd who was the staple of this franchise for so many years.

As for the Mavs, I hope they make the playoffs, because I honestly can't see them beating San Antonio, Phoenix, or the Lakers if they can get Andrew Bynum back healthy.

 

[Joey FistPump]

If the Mavericks miss the playoffs then we lose the pick this season, but gain a pick for 2009 which would be even lower and in 2011 a pick that in my opinon will likely be a top 10 pick.

 

[Petey]

I voted for option 3.

-Petey

 

[Balla 15]

I would like for the Nets to make the playoffs. Washington isn't that far ahead and who knows, if they go on a run like they did last year they could come up with the 6th seed. That way they would avoid playing the 2 power houses in the first round. As for the Mavs, that's undecided for me right now.

 

[FOMW]

I want both teams to make the playoffs this year. While I don't doubt that we'd get a better pick at, say, #10 than at 16, I think it's equally important to get meaningful playoff experience for your younger players and to instill in them the confidence that -- right now -- they are part of a playoff team. Krstic, Boone, Marcus, Sean, and even Devin need all the playoff seasoning they can get if they are going to produce in a couple of years when the team might be ready to seriously contend again.

I want Dallas to make it this year because I want the immediate pick. I also want them to make the playoffs next year, after one more flurry of off-season moves to try to get them over the hump. And then I want the whole house of cards to crash in on them in 09-10, just in time for the Nets to get their lottery pick and position themselves to acquire LeBron James. Sweet.

 

[ghoti]

The Giants have taught us that if you play hard all the time, even if you don't have to, good things will happen.

 

[Black Republican]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti @ Feb 24 2008, 10:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Giants have taught us that if you play hard all the time, even if you don't have to, good things will happen.</div>

 

[GMJ]

I want that extra pick, so I want the Mavs to make it.

I want the Nets to make it so they can prove something to themselves in the post-Kidd era. For a pretty young team that confidence can go along way. Plus at this rate if we don't make the playoffs we'll be right around the 9th seed, and I don't see us getting that high in the lottery.

 

[GMJ]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ghoti @ Feb 24 2008, 10:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Giants have taught us that if you play hard all the time, even if you don't have to, good things will happen.</div>

"That's the gayest shit I've ever heard" -Dave Chappelle

Source (could only find the audio)

 

[jirohkanzaki]

i hope the nets miss the playoffs since the difference between the picks would be great...you have to miss the playoffs sometimes to get a chance to hopefully pick up that franchise player who will play for you in his rookie contract years and this is the year to do it with all that's been going on...also, the giants is a good underdog story but that is so much harder to duplicate in the nba where you will have to go through 4 best-of-7 series. unless all of the other playoff teams' superstars get injured there is almost no chance for the nets to win it all...

i want the mavs to miss the playoffs as well because i want the 2009/2011 UNPROTECTED picks...if the mavs make the playoffs then our pick will be near the bottom for sure...if they don't who knows what will happen to them next year? a little bad luck and they might crash and burn and the pick is UNPROTECTED! if they don't then we'll pick in the same range as 2008 anyway with the mavs making the playoffs...also the longer we have the picks the longer we can use it as an asset if a nice trade opportunity comes along...

 

[GMJ]

Really? I was under the impression that if the Mavs didn't make the playoffs that protected pick means we lost it forever.

 

[SportsTicker]

Right now, you would have to say that Sean Williams, taken at #17, was worthy of a lottery pick. Those who cover the 2007 Draft Class for ESPN, SI and NBA.com put him in top 5 every week. He has had some problems the last week. No big deal. He would not escape the top 5.

You would also have to say that Josh Boone and probably Marcus Williams, taken at #23 and #22, were worthy of lottery picks...and if you don't think so, take a look at the middle of the first round in the 2006 draft...Bust-o-rama. Boone has 9 double doubles this season, second only to LaMarcus Aldridge and is improving his shot-blocking and free throw shooting. He would probably go top 5 to 10 right now, Williams probably 10 to 15. (Maurice Ager, are you the next Net redemption from that draft??)

Being in the lottery doesn't guarantee lottery-level talent and vice versa.

As for Dallas, if you're a Net fan, you should root for or against based on whether you think the 2008 or 2009 draft class will be stronger. If you think the 2008 class is stronger, root for them to make the playoffs. If you think the 2009 class is going to be stronger (and it may be), then root for the Mavs to miss the playoffs.

I don't think Mark Cuban will let the Mavs fall so far that they will be in the lottery in 2010. The guy is worth $8 billion. So don't get your hopes up.

 

[cpawfan]

I'm pragmatic and I want Nets management to understand that they are still far away from competing for a championship. I also want the Nets to get in the lottery because a chance at top 3 pick is better than not having one.

However, I can't root for the Nets to lose, so I'm left to also root for the other Eastern Conference teams to pass the Nets in the standings.

As for the Mavs, I want them to make the playoffs because I want the Nets to have the asset of an extra draft pick this June because it opens up more trading options.