How Bad Will The NJ Nets Be?

[TripleOT]

Let's look at this roster before we dismiss this team, because we might end up seeing them in the first round (remember, this is the east):

Harris / Dooling
Carter / Harris
Simmons / Hayes
Jianlian / Williams
Boone / Lopez

They have a very solid back court, probably rated better than ours by most accounts. Harris is very good, the Dooling signing will allow him to play off the ball for stretches, and Carter is a perennial all-star.

They should be fine at small forward, with Simmons providing solid defense and replacing about 70% of Jefferson's scoring. Hayes is a decent backup, and CDR has some upside.

The front court is where things get interesting. They have some offensive options with Jianlian and Lopez, and defensive options with Boone (Better numbers than Perk last season, in equal time) and Williams. I think coach Frank will probably get them all around 24 minutes per night until one group emerges. Najera and Swift seem completely redundant, but might get some  burn if the young guys stink.

With a very good back court and solid small forward, this team will win as many games as their young front court lets them. I predict between 32-38 wins next season.

SF  Simmons/Hayes   This is the most substandard SF duo in the league.  These guys are #3 SFs on a real roster (if they manages to stay healthy), not starters.   

The centers are untested and limited.  The PFs are untested too.  One has no offense and the other has no defense.  Vince Carter is a front running slug.  How many games before this guy goes off the reservation (or conveniently gets injured)this season?  I give it 30.

I guess there's a chance that this team might win 30 games, but more likely it will implode. 

[cdif911]

and so the BJ Mullins sweepstakes begins...

[Celtic Justice]

I think they had a very good/to outstanding draft with lopez, anderson and douglas/roberts....got a steal (harris and 2 #1s) in the kidd trade and are heading in the right direction....also picked up a #1 for m williams....now if they get rid of that dog carter, they'll be strong when they get to brooklyn

oh yes....forgot to mention, despite my positive vibes, anytime any ny/nj team plays, i root against them

I like the CDR pick in the 2nd round, but i really really think that Lopez is going to be a huge bust

[dark_lord]

the main question involving the nets this year will be, how long will it take before carter demands a trade.

[cdif911]

the main question involving the nets this year will be, how long will it take before carter demands a trade.

or til he starts "tanking" on the court