Versatile Bigs Giving Nets Hope

[pegs]

<div class="entry">

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The drafting of Sean Williams and the free agent signings of Jamaal Magloire and Malik Allen didn&rsquo;t win the Nets the accolades that the Celtics garnered with their two monster trades or even what the Knicks got for dumping Stevie Francis for Zach Randolph. But their preseason success has the Nets hopeful. In fact, Peter Vecsey of the Post thinks the team could wind up in the Finals because: &ldquo;they can beat you on the break, they beat you in the half court, they can beat you up.&rdquo;</p>
</div>

'Big' picture tricky for Nets - Dave D'Alessandro - Star-Ledger

Nets Start Out Healthy, Deep - Fred Kerber - New York Post

Peter Vecsey's Nets Preview (Video) - Peter Vecsey - New York Post

Nets confident with healthy Jefferson, Krstic - Ken Berger - New York Newsday</div></p>

courtest of Netsdaily.</p>

</p>

IMO most important part of Dave's article:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>There were two guys who once again showed they're ready to crash the rotation for good, and no longer can the coach regard Jamaal Magloire and Sean Williams as convenient, supplemental pieces.</p>

"Well, it's going to be interesting," Frank said yesterday, when he gave his team the day off following their rout of the Knicks Friday night. "Magloire has put together two very, very good games, so let's see how the matchups work out. And Sean brings an element of athleticism that we don't have. In spite of him being a rookie, if he continues to progress, we have to find minutes for him."
-----------</p>

"Jamaal has made really good progress," Frank confirmed. "And he's going to be one of those guys who, because of his work ethic, he'll continue to make gains even if it takes a long time to learn a new system. With Sean, he obviously has a huge upside. It comes down to his daily commitment to working. Aside from that one time he was late (for shootaround), he's done very well. Give him that."</div>Frank is actually saying he'll give Sean good minutes, if he deserves them. I hope he really follows through on that.</p>

</p>

Kerb points out the importance of Krstic and Jefferson being healthy/uninjured, which is constantly being overlooked by intelligent NBA writers such as the ones on ESPN.com and over at SI. Silly us, to think that our 3rd and 4th best player being healthy would make our team better.</p>

 

[pegs]

From Berg's article:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>With the team on schedule for a move to Brooklyn in 2009-10, the Nets had to decide whether to stay competitive while still in the Meadowlands or reload for a triumphant christening of their new digs.

As it turns out, they've positioned themselves to do both. Barring another major injury, the Nets should be at least a credible threat to the Celtics, Cavs, Heat, Pistons and Raptors. Plus, with only about $40 million in current salary commitments stretching into 2009-10, the Nets will be in decent shape to walk into their new building with a major free agent in tow.

Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Bryant - if he stays with the Lakers and opts out after next season - will be fielding offers in 2009. Any one of them would jump at the chance to win a championship in the New York City limits - if not with the Knicks, then at their expense.</div></p>

Wow. Haven't really thought about the future, with all that. It's a very, very big longshot, but imagine if we could get one of those three in a Nets uni??</p>

 

[zєяσ]

What about Malik allen? Once he comes back he should get minutes as well imo.</p>

 

[pegs]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (L)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

What about Malik allen? Once he comes back he should get minutes as well imo.</p>

</div></p>

</p>

Oh, he is surely not left out:</p>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p>

"He's done well, and he gives a good effort," Frank said of his only rookie. "And the other thing is, the guy who has played as well as anyone in camp was Malik Allen (sidelined with a sore foot), which throws a monkey wrench into everything. If you were to rank all the bigs, he'd be in the top three based on performance.</div></p>

 

[zєяσ]

I wonder with a fully healthy frontcourt how Frank will play with the minutes.</p>