Prokhorov is crazy

[kozlodoev]

I agree. While they look pretty good on paper, that team is old and slow. These guys can't play big minutes anymore. I see one or two of them getting hurt. This years NJ pick might not be a top pick but next year I'd bet on it being a lottery.

Unlike the Boston Celtics, "these guys" can comfortably be the 4th and 5th option in the Nets' starting lineup.

Unless, of course, you were calling Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, or Brook Lopez old. This team is ridiculously loaded, and is likely an automatic 1A in the East.

How is this team loaded?

Williams/? Taylor?
Johnson/Terry
Pierce/?
KG/Evans
Lopez/? Plumlee?

they have a solid on paper starting 5 but whats happens when they fall into their love of iso like we saw all of last season? Who is going to play the other 20 minutes in place of KG? Loaded yet old starting 5 maybe... Loaded overall? I dont think so. No way they are better than the Heat Bulls or Pacers.

How is it not?

They have Terry as the primary backup guard, and will soon have Korver as the primary backup wing. They have Evans as their primary backup big (he played 24 mpg last season, by the way).

So the real question is who's their 10-mpg fifth guard, and who's playing the 10 remaining minutes behind Lopez. Also, that's without introducing Blatche or any of their young talent into the discussion.

[rondoallaturca]

He's not crazy.

He's a guy with no basketball knowledge with a big checkbook trying to buy a championship.

[Snakehead]

I expect nothing less than an ECF appearance from the Nets this year.  They are legit title contenders.

Yeah.  If they are relatively healthy, they are possibly the best team in the east, or at least right up there with the Heat.

They are not as good as Miami.  Their bench is very weak, all they have for now is Plumlee (??) and Reggie Evans and it sounds like they'll get Korver.  Otherwise? and the fact that you have to say "relatively healthy" says a lot too.

How is their bench weak? They have Korver, Terry, and Evans, plus some promising young talent in Plumlee, Teletovic, and Shengelia.

That's not a weak bench, that's a pretty good bench -- especially given how loaded the starting lineup is.

I guess we don't agree that Evans, Korver, Terry is a good bench.  I don't like it that much.  There's shooting and a rebounder there, but they need something else.  Defensive specialist, slasher, something.  They do have Blatche.... yeah.  I'm done listening to talk of him coming around any season now.

It's not that bad but it's not as good as Miami's bench and the team overall isn't as good either.

(Lets not also forget that Terry was a joke all year around here, he did turn it on for a few playoff games but there was a whole season and he was a disappointment.  He also is not a backup PG, even in a pinch)

[kozlodoev]

I expect nothing less than an ECF appearance from the Nets this year.  They are legit title contenders.

Yeah.  If they are relatively healthy, they are possibly the best team in the east, or at least right up there with the Heat.

They are not as good as Miami.  Their bench is very weak, all they have for now is Plumlee (??) and Reggie Evans and it sounds like they'll get Korver.  Otherwise? and the fact that you have to say "relatively healthy" says a lot too.

How is their bench weak? They have Korver, Terry, and Evans, plus some promising young talent in Plumlee, Teletovic, and Shengelia.

That's not a weak bench, that's a pretty good bench -- especially given how loaded the starting lineup is.

I guess we don't agree that Evans, Korver, Terry is a good bench.  I don't like it that much.  There's shooting and a rebounder there, but they need something else.  Defensive specialist, slasher, something.  They do have Blatche.... yeah.  I'm done listening to talk of him coming around any season now.

It's not that bad but it's not as good as Miami's bench and the team overall isn't as good either.

Blatche doesn't need to come around. With this team, he needs to contribute 10 solid minutes, and be available when there are injuries or rest games for Garnett.

I agree they can use a defensive guard, but they already have three guards who can create their own shot in the starting lineup.

In any case, I think this team is much better than the current thread gives them credit for.

[Who]

They will be vulnerable defensively to teams that can stretch the floor and dribble penetrate.  They could really use a guy like Kenyon Martin to plug into a defensive line-up with KG at the 5.

Oh yeah, Kenyon Martin would be fantastic. That is a great idea.

They are Kenyon's old team (Nets) too. A coming home party (of sorts - Brooklyn vs New Jersey). Former star player on two teams that went to the NBA Finals comes back as support player, bench player, for new title bid. Nice way to finish off his career.

[Who]

I wonder if they would be better off signing a top defensive wing and bringing one of Pierce or JJ off the bench. There aren't enough shots to go around for B.Lopez, Deron, JJ and Pierce. Plus KG. Somebody is going to go hungry (offensively). Might as well bring in a superior defender/rebounder instead. Let the other one enjoy a sixth man role.

PG - Deron, Jason Terry
SG - Tony Allen, Joe Johnson
SF - Paul Pierce, Joe Johnson
PF - Kevin Garnett, Kenyon Martin
C  - Brook Lopez, Andray Blatche

I think Tony Allen would be great on that team.

[CelticSooner]

It was a desperate trade by the Russian. I could see them finishing 3rd behind Miami and Chicago but that's as high as they get.

[LGC88]

Indeed they might finish 3rd or 4th at the end of the season but when playoffs start, that will be a different team. I say they win next season, if no injuries.

[slamdunk]

He's the new Tom Yawkey.

[bleedGREENdon]

I wonder if they would be better off signing a top defensive wing and bringing one of Pierce or JJ off the bench. There aren't enough shots to go around for B.Lopez, Deron, JJ and Pierce. Plus KG. Somebody is going to go hungry (offensively). Might as well bring in a superior defender/rebounder instead. Let the other one enjoy a sixth man role.

PG - Deron, Jason Terry
SG - Tony Allen, Joe Johnson
SF - Paul Pierce, Joe Johnson
PF - Kevin Garnett, Kenyon Martin
C  - Brook Lopez, Andray Blatche

I think Tony Allen would be great on that team.

Thats a championship team. IMO

[317]

dont know if they get Tony Allen but i will be back to say i told you so when Kiralinko signs for the mini mid level. only 1 reason he opted out of $10 million, and its not money.

[eugen]

Prokhorov is crazy ... DA is smart...

[LooseCannon]

dont know if they get Tony Allen but i will be back to say i told you so when Kiralinko signs for the mini mid level. only 1 reason he opted out of $10 million, and its not money.

The Spurs are reportedly strong suitors of Kirilenko, but it's also been reported that he feels this is his last opportunity to cash in for a big contract at his age.

[ThaPreacher]

It was a desperate trade by the Russian. I could see them finishing 3rd behind Miami and Chicago but that's as high as they get.

Two years ago they were the NJ Nets.   They were lousy. 
If Boston had acquired Deron, Lopez and Joe Johnson,we would be talking about winning it all.
Instead, we are simply jealous.  Brooklyn is built to win it all.  They can add a couple more small pieces.
JJ and Pierce will be lethal.  After all they played together in Boston.
Gonna be fun.  One defensive athlete away.

[rondoallaturca]

ESPN's Raj Sharan on Twitter: "Sorry for the delay, was multitasking. Looks like Kings considering offering Iguodala a max contract. Don't expect them to match Evans."

Leave it to the Sacramento Kings to make Prokorov look like a savvy, NBA-smart genius of an owner.