...and it get's worse for the Nets

[mmmmm]

the injury bug - hopefully the Hawks will suck just as bad

sucks for the Truth, but long term wise - it benefits the Celtics

Pierce being injured and the Nets struggling doesn't benefit the Celtics at all unless the Hawks also suck just as bad.

[LooseCannon]

the real reason they have been losing is because Lopez and Deron have been hurt.  When those guys get healthy, they'll make the playoffs.

Looking at how bad the East is I still think its unbelievable they wouldn't make the playoffs as long as those two guys get healthy.

But it is quite believable that one or both of those guys might be plagued with injury all season, for a net result of it being believable that they miss the playoffs.

[LarBrd33]

the injury bug - hopefully the Hawks will suck just as bad

sucks for the Truth, but long term wise - it benefits the Celtics

Pierce being injured and the Nets struggling doesn't benefit the Celtics at all unless the Hawks also suck just as bad.

I'm still holding out hope that the Nets have such a terrible season that Pierce leaves via free agency in the summer.  Sign him here for the MLE.    Then I'd like to see KG retire and become our big man coach... or force the Nets to buy him out so he can come back to Boston.

[Snakehead]

the real reason they have been losing is because Lopez and Deron have been hurt.  When those guys get healthy, they'll make the playoffs.

Looking at how bad the East is I still think its unbelievable they wouldn't make the playoffs as long as those two guys get healthy.

But it is quite believable that one or both of those guys might be plagued with injury all season, for a net result of it being believable that they miss the playoffs.

Maybe?  I still think if one of them is healthy they have a definite shot and can still turn this around.  The East is still really bad overall.

[hwangjini_1]

given how abysmal the eastern conference is this year, i cannot believe that atlanta will NOT make the playoffs - barring a tsunami of injuries.

the question is where their draft pick will fall. they may be in the playoffs, but their win-loss record may be among the worst among playoff teams. it is possible all 8 playoff teams in the west may have better records.

that means the atlanta pick is LIKELY (no sure thing) to be anywhere from the mid-high teens to the very, very low twenties.

not bad. there will be a good player for ainge to choose from in that group.

[erisred]

I think both the Hawks and Nets make the playoffs this year and which ever pick we get from them will be in the 18 to 22 range.

However, I also think this year is a fair warning that the Nets might be in the lottery in one of more of the next few years. Danny *could* hang on to those picks, but with a general league-wide expectation that the Nets will be bad those future picks become trading gold!

Say Danny offers our pick this year...let's say 8...plus the Nets pick next year for pick 4,5 or 6? Might a GM go for that?

Not sure if I'd make that offer if I was Danny and really did expect the Nets to collapse, but if he has someone targeted that is just out of reach...maybe he does.

[sofutomygaha]

Is it just me, or is this an extremely bad week to be a hand?

[Smokeeye123]

I wonder if the Raptors decide to contend this year and make a move. They can easily win this division and be a 4 seed.

[2short]

feel bad for paul
i don't expect nets to be healthy this year
we all know kg has been playing through pain since his injury, expect he and pp to be out of brooklyn one way or the other after this year
kg retire, paul come home is my guess

lopez is one of the most talented big centers in nba they need him 100% and some parts as well to make a run
if rondo is back does he make us better than nj and ny ? 

[satch]

I would not be the least bit surprised if this actually helps the Nets.  They need a shakeup bad.  They need something to rally behind.  And they weren't doing very well with Pierce.

agree....

[Tr1boy]

hope it heals but a Edited for profanity.  Please do not do it again.ly part of me is also happy about this news.  With his age, he probably won't be back until 4 weeks plus

He hasn't been great this year but still dangerous when playing.

Kg is also out with some minor injury.

Lucky for nets Lopez is back. Not sure if he can carry the team himself without everyone playing healthy

[JBcat]

given how abysmal the eastern conference is this year, i cannot believe that atlanta will NOT make the playoffs - barring a tsunami of injuries.

the question is where their draft pick will fall. they may be in the playoffs, but their win-loss record may be among the worst among playoff teams. it is possible all 8 playoff teams in the west may have better records.

that means the atlanta pick is LIKELY (no sure thing) to be anywhere from the mid-high teens to the very, very low twenties.

not bad. there will be a good player for ainge to choose from in that group.

I still think the Hawks are a fragile team, and a little top heavy sort of like a better version of the 76'rs.   If one of Hortford, Millsap, or Teague happens to miss say 15 games this season they could go something like 3 and 12 in a hurry.   Korver has over 50% FG and 50% from 3.   I doubt he can keep that up.  They have some fringe players getting rotation minutes Demarre Carroll, Mike Scott, Cartier Martin, Shelvin Mack, and Gustavo Ayon.   

i see teams like the Magic with Harris and Davis maybe not as top heavy in talent but has more depth to withstand injuries.

It's a long, long season so we shall see. 

[MVPPierceNoJoke]

Sucks for Paul and the Nets. He was on pace to hit 25,000 points this season. Maybe not now if he misses 8-12 games.

[SHAQATTACK]

the real reason they have been losing is because Lopez and Deron have been hurt.  When those guys get healthy, they'll make the playoffs.

This is exactly correct.    Especially Lopez.....!

DWill and Lopez ,  With a healthy Joe Johnson and KG is plenty to overtake the Hawks .

Pierce will be back when they need him,  the question is what type of NBA shape for a guy that old.

Main thing is to fire Kidd.  ASAP

[Yb2]

How about doing the nets a solid. We take PP out of their hands for BB CL and JC. PP is a huge expiring and it increases our chances of being worse, therefore having higher chances of landing a top pick.