To all my loyal readers, please excuse the shortage of posts over the past few weeks. With trade rumors surfacing and a recent surge in play, the New Jersey Nets are not short of news by any means.
With the New Year, comes a fresh start. I’ve decided to change blogging platforms and make the move from Blogger to WordPress. I’m in the process of redesigning the website, which should be completed over the next week. Then, I’ll be kicking it back into full gear with an endless array of NBA news and quips.
Forwarding address to come… Thanks for your patience!
Happy Holidays and New Year!
Brooklyn is one of the most blogged-about boroughs in America. Not a day goes by without an onslaught of news, no matter how pertinent or seemingly insignificant. Whether there is a new bodega opening, a condo for sale or a mysterious car parked on the street (I kid you not, take a look), Brooklyn bloggers don’t miss a beat. A first snowfall is as momentous as a child’s first steps in Dumbo.
A day in Brooklyn would not be the same without some news concerning the Atlantic Yards project and the new Nets arena. Everybody has something to say about the project. Over the past few years, the argument against AY has become so stretched and so overanalyzed that somehow a recent decrease in Nets ticket sales this season has been portrayed by AY blogger opponents as a bad omen and further proof that an arena should not be built in Brooklyn. If you’re scratching your head right now, you’re as confused as me. Call me a simpleton, but here I thought that a decrease in attendance translated to a team playing poorly in an undesirable East Rutherford arena location. Spending the night at the Swamplands sounds enticing, doesn’t it?
Is it an obsession with news itself or a fear of change that news subsequently can bring that propels Brooklyn community members to report on every little development in their neighborhood? One would think a borough that prides itself on its diverse creative palette would embrace a more colorful Brooklyn architecturally as it does culturally. Substitute the red rose for a glass-clad tower and we got ourselves a modern day “Pleasantville” in peril.
Unlike the movie where Reese and Tobey go home and the picture eventually fades to black, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight for Brooklyn. Opponents of the Atlantic Yards project refuse to concede. Everyday they continue to scrutinize every last detail and what-if. The question that is at the core of the debate between both sides: as a developer, do you effortlessly try to blend into a neighborhood or do you inspire change by pushing the envelope to break from the spell of mundane life?
The brownstone is the norm. But, perhaps, there is no right house in Brooklyn. How high is too high? Should Brooklyn’s architecture follow a canon of precedents or embrace a chronicle of progress? If people are constantly changing, doesn’t it seem natural for neighborhoods to evolve also?
Some feel that the lively juxtaposition of streetscapes, the mixture of old historic architecture with tasteful contemporary, is what makes a city so surreal and spectacular. While others counter that Gehry’s contemporary design is inapt, sharply contrasting with the current Brooklyn streetscape.
With one debate after another, the development plan slowly creeps along. Much like the red rose was a symbol for liberalism in the movie “Pleasantville,” AY opponents have now embraced a new angle by portraying Miss Brooklyn as an emblem for terrorism. Critics are claiming that the height and close proximity of Gehry’s arena to residential streets and a major transit hub make it a wanton terrorist target like the World Trade Center towers.
This claim is dangerous and a bit extreme on par with Nick Saban’s over-the-top post-game comments comparing an upset in football to the catastrophic Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Both comparisons, although not to be taken literally, are misguided and veil their purpose, which is to convey a simple emotion, disappointment or fear about a sports event or neighborhood-altering development project.
The terrorism concern over the Atlantic Yards project comes at the heels of news surrounding Newark’s new Prudential Center and the recently mandated street closings during events. Despite claims by the ESDC that the NYPD has thoroughly reviewed the AY plan, critics continue to blog about their fear of security with a glass façade and the arena’s susceptibility to terrorism being only 20 feet away from the busy Atlantic and Flatbush avenues.
AY supporters could turn this latest argument on its head claiming that we are living in “co-existing ages,” a period as much defined by green consciousness and energy reduction as is defined by terrorism. The Hearst Corporation’s new 46-story headquarters in Manhattan boasts over one mile of glass office fronts. Yet, this building, with its reinforced blast-resistant glass, is being praised as a new “green” wonder with its use of natural light and sensor-control lighting.
It’s all a matter of how you spin it. Positive preventive security checks and proper planning are important, but using talks of terrorism to create a heightened sense of panic among residents does not encourage healthy discussion. Are we supposed to embrace a no building buildings policy in the 21st century? This recent argument is as transparent as Gehry’s glass-clad arena. With this neverending wave of debate, the AY development project remains in a perpetual state of suspension. With any luck, the Nets will move into their new arena by 2020.
Let’s hope these talks of terrorism are dispelled quickly…
There’s the good. There’s the bad. And then, there’s the ugly. After losing six straight games, the Nets are on the brink of ugly. They just suffered a huge blow against the Jazz, and given their track record out West, the next three away games against Portland, Seattle and the Lakers don’t look very promising.
It’s déjà vu all over again. The Nets started the season solidly with a 4-1 record. Just when things started looking up, Nets fans must helplessly witness yet another early-season collapse. The question is how low will they go.
At this point, I don’t know what’s worse – losing what should have been a sure-fire win against the Heat by a mere four points or suffering a demoralizing defeat by 20 plus points against the Jazz. Talk about embarrassing. So much so, that a disgusted Jason Kidd took a vow of silence for two games prior to their road trip. It’s hard to believe the Nets were only down by seven in the second quarter before Utah ran away with the game.
Some credit their collapse to an injured Vince Carter who is out with a sprained right ankle. Carter is normally the offensive spark for the Nets. With Carter sidelined, the Nets have been struggling tenfold. But, Kidd is less optimistic and doesn’t think their despondent situation is that simple. After a 102-75 loss to the Jazz, Kidd commented, “Right now there is no light at the end of the tunnel. And healthy, we’re the same team.” Even with a fully limber Carter, the Nets still lost by a whopping 37 points against Toronto earlier this season.
The Jazz may be one of the most skilled offensive teams in the NBA, but losing by 27 points is just awful. Will the Nets be able to shake off this bad run and get back on track? Weirder things have happened. After all, the Jets did pull out a miraculous win against the Steelers in OT this past Sunday.
In order to turn things around, the Nets need to start taking care of the ball and find an offensive spark. Their defense is holding them on by a thread, while their shooting percentage and turnovers are costing them sorely needed points. Right now, the Nets are the lowest-scoring team in the league and are shooting only 39.4% from the field as a team. Aside from their few close losses, the Nets are making it a habit to fall to their opponents by 20 points or more.
The usually insurmountable triple-double Kidd was even bitten by the shooting bug last night only scoring two points and going 1-for-9 from the field against the Jazz. When Kidd is down and out, then you know the situation is code red.
One thing remains certain. A team cannot fold to this extreme when one starter is out with an injury or having an off night. Kidd and Jefferson can’t carry the team alone. An off night for either player cannot be the deal breaker. Jefferson has been a consistent contributor and may have led the scorer’s with 22 points against the Jazz, but he disappeared in the second half against Miami and his missed lay up to tie the game arguably cost them the win. Kidd has been diligently putting up triple-double figures, but only scored a mere two points against the Jazz; this figure is laughable next to the 20 points that fellow point guard Deron Williams put up for Utah.
I won’t even waste my breath touching upon the Miami game and Kidd’s pass underneath to Collins. Why Coach Frank saw Collins as a fourth-quarter clutch player in a tight game against the Heat is beyond my comprehension. Just for the record, a missed lay up and missed free throws with 28.2 seconds left are inexcusable regardless of a player’s defensive assets.
The only person who has stepped up to the challenge is rookie Sean Williams. He had 22 points and 8 rebounds against the Heat. Williams has been a triple threat in the paint putting up the much needed points, rebounds and blocks. The rookie seems to have good chemistry with Kidd and provides invaluable energy and poise in the paint.
Portland and Seattle are young, so hopefully the Nets can take advantage of these next two games to boost their confidence level. Kidd needs to take the lead and capitalize on their inexperience. Carter may be returning to the game soon, but we can’t expect big minutes and numbers from him right away. It’s obvious that Kidd is growing impatient waiting for a turnaround. Could a massive shake up be in the works?
After losing two embarrassing defeats to Cleveland and Indiana, the Jazz were able to pick themselves up and wipe the slate clean. Now 4-7, will the Nets be able to do the same? Will they find a cure for their sloppiness and carelessness? With their talent, the Nets should not be losing so badly to their opponents. Portland is green and Seattle is one of the worst teams in the league, so they better find a quick fix and some inspiration pronto.
The Nets just inked a sports sponsorship deal with Jones Soda last week. All of the terms of the deal haven’t been disclosed yet, but apparently Pepsi got the boot. Jones will become the exclusive soft drink and bottled water provider in the Barclays Center when the Nets head across the river to Brooklyn for the 2009-10 season. In addition to theme packaging, Jones Soda will create customized flavors for the arena’s branded soda shop. Fans will even have a chance to put their pictures on the actual bottles.
Much to my surprise, this deal is a hot topic of controversy. Some Brooklynites are up in arms over this deal because of the company’s Seattle-based roots. Who knew there were so many avid Coke and Pepsi drinkers in Brooklyn? You have to admire such a strong nostalgic sentiment for beverages in an era of fickle consumerism. Forget urban redevelopment, Bruce Ratner should redirect his efforts to alleviating Brooklyn’s fierce addiction to high fructose corn syrup.
The controversy surrounding this sponsorship seems a little overdone; an argument for argument’s sake. I don’t see the big deal over the Nets deciding to give sponsorship rights to a lesser-known soda brand as a means to boost their profile in the market. Not to mention, Jones Soda tastes great and is a healthier alternative to Pepsi with its pure cane sugar.
Adding a roster of boutique brands to the arena is more in sync with the Nets underdog image. Amid all this talk about changing the Nets name, with a sponsor like Pepsi, the Nets could just end up being The Nets One or the Nets Max. Nets Turkey and Gravy is so much cooler. Where is the sense of adventure these days?
Personally, I’m excited to see what kind of crazy Nets-inspired concoctions Jones will create. The creative bar was set high in Seattle with flavors for the Seahawks that include dirt, natural field turf, sports cream and perspiration. The Nets will need to step it up a notch in order to capture the true urban grit of New York. My vote is for lacquered hardwood floor, shock-absorbing polyurethane midsole, and for those extra daring individuals, baller’s breath. That would totally quench my thirst during a typical Nets nailbitter.
It’s wicked awesome to be a Boston fan these days. The Sox are the World Series champions. The Pats are the Super Bowl favorites. And, the Celtics morphed overnight into an undefeated basketball sensation of Teen Wolf proportions.
If I sound bitter it’s because, well, I am. Wouldn’t you be as a die-hard fan of the biggest choke artists in the MLB and one of the worst teams in the NFL? As a Mets/Jets fan, I’m at an all-time Will Ferrell funeral-crashing state of lowliness.
My one glimmer of hope resides over the river and through the parking lot to the hardwood floors of the IZOD arena. With the exception of their embarrassment against Toronto, the Nets are off to a fair start this season with a 4-1 record.
A win tonight against the Celtics would be huge for the Nets; not to mention, it would bring a halt to Boston’s invincibility. Beating the big green machine will be no easy feat though, thanks to the addition of perennial All-Stars Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. The undefeated Celtics squad has a 4-0 record, proving to be the most formidable foe in the East.
There has been a lot of buzz leading up to the game tonight. It’s only game 6 but many fans are making wild claims that this game will be a window into who will be crowned the Eastern conference champ in months to come.
Talk about pressure.
But, Cool Hand Frank refuses to submit to the mass hype. When asked about the highly anticipated game, Lawrence Frank responded, “It’s a division game, it’s the next game on our schedule… I don’t think this early in the season you make it a playoff game, because it’s not.”
A stone-cold bluff?
There’s no question that the Nets need to bring their A-game tonight if they want any chance at the pot. Coach Frank’s vow to treat every opponent the same is an honorable one so long as last Friday’s play isn’t the standard.
The Nets need to forgo their late-surge, catch-up mentality. Consistency and poise from the tip-off to the final buzzer are a must for them to pull off a win. Bad habits die hard in New Jersey, so fans better pray for a streak-free Vince and a hotter than hot Jefferson to combat the sharp-shooting Allen, the penetrating Pierce, and the all-around monster effort of KG.
New Jersey may have the better point guard with Jason Kidd at the helm, but Boston has a more dominant inside force. Containment will be crucial. Kevin Garnett is extremely dangerous in the paint. On any given night, you can expect him to wreak havoc under the hoop. In last night’s game against Atlanta, KG single-handedly contributed 27 points, 19 rebounds and 6 assists. Jason Collins and Jamaal Magloire are going to have their hands full trying to restrain this green giant.
Another key to winning for the Nets will be defense. New Jersey needs to embrace a defensive mindset in order to limit Boston’s offensive firepower. Only four games into the regular season, Boston’s point differential is at an impressive plus-18. Paul Pierce is a fierce penetrator who knows how to slash and draw fouls, while Ray Allen knows how to stick ‘em from the outside with his deadly jump shot. Richard Jefferson really needs to stick tight on these two tonight.
Last but certainly not least, the Nets need a more evenly distributed team contribution in order to beat the talent-bloated Celtics. Vince has shown some signs of life this week and will hopefully be more of an offensive threat this evening, because Jefferson can’t carry the team alone. Kidd also needs to take charge over the greener Rondo and control the pace of the game right from the start. There can’t be any 20-point holes and the expectation that they can just rally back for the win like they did against the Wizards.
Tonight’s match will be a fierce game of east coast pride. My ego needs a serious boost, so let’s hope the Nets pull through.
Championship rings. Gold medals. Olympic world records. Why wouldn’t a brand want to associate itself with the distinction and ubiquity of a winning sports organization?
But is there such a thing as too much corporate sponsorship in sports?
The movie Talladega Nights poked fun at the world of NASCAR and its slew of corporate sponsors. In a somewhat similar vein, a recent post on Atlantic Yards Report called out the Nets management for having too many sponsors on their website. Instead of using sponsor prayers at the dinner table like Ricky Bobby, the post defended this claim by including screen grabs of other NBA team sites that had visibly less sponsorship.
I say, what’s the big deal? As long as it’s an upstanding corporation (ahem, not Enron), then what’s the problem? Talladega Nights may have been poking fun at the corporate infiltration at NASCAR, but everyone knows that sport sponsorship funds the very events that allow us eager fans to be entertained each week.
Sport sponsorship isn’t a new phenomenon. Some argue that its origins date as far back as ancient Rome and the gladiator spectacles. That’s why I think the charges against Nets management for online corporate vanity are unwarranted. As President Bush would say, “It’s, uh, baseless gossip.”
We are a generation of consumer junkies that do not see the relationship between entertainment and corporate culture as a big deal. So, in my opinion, this accusation seems a little over-the-top. It reminded me of that scene in the movie Wayne’s World when Mike Myers vehemently states that he will not bow to any sponsor as he conspicuously flashes a Doritos bag next to a Reebok-clad Dana Carvey. The use of sponsors is prevalent in all of entertainment no matter how you try to spin it.
Sure there are personal motives involved in corporate sponsorship. Madonna said it back in 1985 - we live in a material world. If Brett Yormark lived in Wayne’s world, the Nets would be playing in his basement and games would only be seen on public access television. Professional sports are a business and management has to think like businessmen. Heck, even bloggers themselves are seduced by sponsors to offset the upkeep of their site.
But it’s important to remember that there are also genuine goals behind sport sponsorship. Let’s not forget all the Nets community involvement that sponsorships enable. There has to be a balance between commercial aspirations and the traditions and dignity of the franchise. As far as I’m concerned, some extra ads on a site are no big deal. The culture of the Nets is still alive and well. If anything, this increased sponsorship speaks well of the Nets and is a testament that the team is a worthwhile investment.
Not for nothing, if sponsorships benefit all parties, the Knicks could use some upstanding sponsors after the Isiah scandal…
In the spirit of the Nets pre-season opener tomorrow and with their first home game just twenty days away, it only seems fitting to jumpstart the day with my Nets season preview and NBA league predictions for the 2007-08 season.
You can see my season preview on Dennis Velasco’s Basketball Blog on About.com:
1. What can the Nets learn from the 2006-07 season to help them improve their 2007-08 campaign?
To be, or not to be: that is the question that us Nets fans must ask ourselves as we mentally prepare for and get ready to embark upon the journey of the NBA 2007-08 season. This off-season was interesting because Nets management had to contemplate whether the Big Three factored into the equation of the future franchise.
Is there such thing as “outrageous fortune,” something that is too good to be true? This adage is especially applicable to the Nets triumvirate that consists of Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson. When the Big Three united in Jersey back in 2004, they had NBA Finals written all over them. Three seasons later, they are without a ring. To this day, the Nets have one of the best backcourt in the NBA. So, what’s the problem? If the Nets have three key pieces, why do they continually fall short?
Lesson number one: carpe diem. The Nets have to seize the days, minutes and seconds. Time is of the essence. Jason Kidd isn’t getting any younger; at age 34, there’s speculation over how much gas he has left in his tank. Kidd just had one of the best seasons of his career, so the team needs to ride this momentum straight into the start of the season. With a stronger Atlantic division, the Nets can’t rest on their laurels and just expect to land in the top tier of the Eastern Conference. They barely made the playoff cut last season and were knocked from the Atlantic division throne by Toronto. The relaxed second-half mentality this team has adopted is not a winning frame of mind. They suffer spells of inconsistency and sometimes play on autopilot, lacking intensity and self-awareness. Last season, the Nets had many disappointing losses that came down to a point or two in the final seconds. As a fan, I was pulling my hair out and screaming aloud, “What are they waiting for?”
Lesson number two: there can’t be any on or off-court distractions. Trading rumors have now quieted. Players must focus and leave all the dirty laundry in the locker room. Jason Kidd is a prime exemplar of this attitude. He had one of the best seasons of his career while going through an ugly divorce. With the suspense of free agency over, let’s hope Carter is focused and plays more consistent ball, proving he’s worth a four-year $60 million-dollar deal.
Lesson number three: the Nets need a back-up plan. The health of the Big Three is critical to their success, and a risky gamble when placing bets on their NBA Finals potential. Last season, the Nets were ravaged by an unexpected run of injuries. They didn’t have Jefferson for 27 games, which really hurt them. This was already on top of an early exit from Nenad Krstic and the months-long hiatuses of Eddie House and Josh Boone. The Nets need to be in prime physical condition and listen to their bodies, especially Krstic who will be returning from knee surgery. These injuries teach an important lesson. No matter how prepared you are the unexpected can strike at any time; in this type of situation, you can feel damned and curse your luck or come equipped with a back-up plan. The Nets players and coaches need to adopt the mantra: “you’re only as good as the next player behind you.” Lawrence Frank has to embrace a preventative strategy and be open to braving the risk of inserting the bench. With that said, Josh Boone, Antoine Wright and Robert Hite need to be ready to step up to the challenge and not jeopardize the team with silly errors and mild play.
Lesson number four: the Nets cannot rely solely on their perimeter game. The Nets can’t run and gun their way to the NBA Finals and need to hone their half-court game. A good half-court game is especially important in the post-season. Last season, the Nets were in desperate need of a starting big man – an offensive and defensive presence in the paint to grab rebounds. In the playoffs, the Cavaliers crushed them on the boards. With the return of Krstic and the addition of Jamaal Magloire, the Nets need to take the ball to the hoop more and be a more fearsome offensive and defensive threat under the hoop. Speed is a cause for concern with Magloire, but the Nets need to utilize his strength and muscle for some much needed inside scoring and rebounding.
2. What was the Nets’ best and/or worst move during the off-season, either by free agency, trade, or draft?
Last season, the Nets suffered in the frontcourt without a dominant inside scoring and shot-blocking presence. This was even more obvious when they lost Krstic to a torn ACL. In his absence, the Nets were forced to rely on Jason Collins and Mikki Moore, solid players but second-string at best, and Bostjan Nachbar, who is still defining his role and developing his game as a European import.
The Nets management knew they had to act quickly to fill this interior hole. They were smart and didn’t overspend to retain Mikki Moore. When Moore walked, they signed free agent Jamaal Magloire. This goes down as their best off-season move from a strictly need standpoint in my book. The Nets needed a big man and they got one. Jamaal has to work on his speed and agility, but he is a solid addition to the roster based on sheer size and strength. Krstic is more of a finesse player whereas Jamaal is a real bruiser who will hit the boards, throw some elbows and bring fear to opponents in the paint.
Sean Williams was a great draft pick. This shot-blocking extraordinaire will get minutes here and there to relieve Jamaal and Krstic. As much as I might be tempted to say that this draft selection was one of the best off-season moves, the reality is that he’s raw and will not likely be a real and immediate contributor for a team that isn’t in rebuilding mode and needs production now.
The resigning of Vince Carter could also be another contending best off-season move for the Nets. Carter is a tremendous player and it would be tough to fill his shoes, especially since the team doesn’t have a reliable backup swingman in Antoine Wright. The Nets would have taken a big hit offensively without him on the roster, but I’m still with the belief that the Nets need to begin rebuilding and his $60 million-dollar deal is a hindrance if you embrace this mentality.
That leads into my defense of their worst off-season move. Sometimes the worst move can be not doing enough. The Nets definitely don’t embrace the “championship or bust” philosophy. I’m not trying to be a cynical New Yorker, but the Nets management seems to be risk averse to a fault. They are a team plagued by near misses, from playoffs to trades. Sure, injuries have played a role in their stunted success, but it has become clear that something is off after three seasons with the best backcourt in the league and still no ring.
Sometimes there comes a time when you just have to cut your losses. Enough with patching the leak; the Nets should have made a splashier trade for a big man or got a new lining altogether. Management toyed with the idea of dismantling the Big Three and then flirted with the possibility of acquiring Jermaine O’Neal and Kevin Garnett, but in the end, it was just a big tease. Although the decision to grab Magloire was a wise one, it was also safe; he’s big physically but did not produce big in Portland. The Nets have definitely improved from last season, but are still only a second-round playoff team at best. It’s not easy to disassemble arguably one of the best starting trios in the league, but the Nets management has to set a deadline for delivery. That, or they are just wasting money and time that could have been used for rebuilding. After years of trying to assemble the best pieces, it’s anticlimactic to have to face reality, cash in your chips and try all over again.
The Nets management has to ask this question: is the terrifying thought of what will happen to the Nets in the afterlife of the Big Three reason enough to endure the hardship and risk of coming up short now? I would love nothing more than to be proven wrong and see a comeback year, but I don’t think it’s in the cards for them to go all the way.
3. Who is the Most Important Player on the Nets? The MIP is not necessarily the most talented, but the one that makes the biggest difference in the Nets doing well each game.
Hands down, I have to go with Jason Kidd. The guy is a stud. At age 34, he just had one of the best years of his career and is still inarguably one of the best point guards in the game (let alone NBA history). Kidd’s like the energizer bunny. He keeps going and going and going. Even after knee surgery, the man is a well-oiled machine; he plays through any ailment including cracked ribs and a bad back. His dedication and mental toughness is what makes him such a great player. Kidd is the heart and soul of the team. As the veteran PG, he provides leadership and inspiration to a bench full of youngsters.
Kidd can do it all. He can shoot, rebound and steal. However, it is his fierce defense and selfless passing that make him the complete ball player. His overall value far exceeds his numbers. Kidd may not be the best shooter, but it’s his consistency and versatile package of skill sets that make him the MIP. Never one to buckle under pressure, he is a regular triple-double threat in both the regular season and playoffs. This past season, he had a career-high 12 triple-doubles. Kidd is the type of player that every coach wants under him and every player wants to play alongside. He distributes the ball and commands the court flawlessly.
His decision to play for USA was a noble one and shows his selfless commitment to ball. However, the non-stop play leaves Nets fans wary; the battery has to run out sometime. The key to his longevity and effectiveness this season is reduced minutes. The wisdom and guidance that he can provide to the back-up PG’s is invaluable.
4. What needs to go right for the Nets to succeed this coming season? Please give at least three points for success.
The Nets need health and the Big Three, the core nucleus, to remain intact. Players better have been training hard and eating their Wheaties this off-season, because the team cannot afford any more injuries. New Jersey is one of the unluckiest team in the NBA after suffering from an onslaught of injuries last season with Nenad Krstic, Richard Jefferson, Eddie House and Josh Boone all out for months at a time. Just when the clouds are about to disappear, the rain sets in again; it was just released this week that Marcus Williams is out of commission until November. The Nets can’t control their unexpected ill-fate, but players can make sure that they come in peak physical condition to preseason. Those returning from injuries need to listen to their bodies and take heed of their aches and pains. The management doesn’t want to encourage a team of hypochondriacs and softies, but it’s important that the recovered players don’t rush back too hard and too soon. It is critical to New Jersey’s success that a healthy and fully-recovered Nenad Krstic and Richard Jefferson return to the court. They were only two games away from the Eastern Conference Finals last season despite not having these two star players. A more even distribution of playing time would also give the starters some much needed rest, which would also be very effective in reducing the amount of injuries.
The Nets need a more balanced contribution across the board and a ready bench for increased help. The Cavaliers couldn’t beat the Spurs with their one-man show and the same goes for the Nets. It can’t be the Vince Carter show. If Carter has an off night, which is not unusual, the Nets can’t just burn up in flames. Like Lebron, Kidd bears the burden of having to carry the team on his back. Kidd is not 22 years old and will need more rest to ensure peak performance. Of course, this is easier said than done after protégé Marcus Williams was just added to the injury list until November. Hopefully, Williams will have a quick recovery or the Nets could be in trouble.
The Nets need better overall defense and a stronger, more physical low-post combo in the paint offensively. The Nets had terrible rebounding stats and were too reliant on their perimeter game last season. Their half-court play is predictable and they need to take the ball to the hoop more. Krstic was having his best season to date until he blew out his knee. The Nets greatly missed his inside presence and outside shooting. Before his injury, Krstic was the third leading scorer in the center position for the league. Despite his vast improvement last season, Krstic still needs a lot of work in the paint and has to up his strength under the hoop. His continued development is critical to New Jersey’s success; he needs to work that much harder this season to reacquire the same competitive level of play before he experienced this huge setback. It’s also crucial that he meshes well with Jamaal Magloire, who probably will be working alongside him in the paint. Magloire is an intimidating inside presence with his bulk and will hopefully not be too much of a liability with his lack of speed. If Magloire starts, he’ll be replacing Jason Collins, who was a solid defender but inept offensive player. Magloire needs to contribute on both ends. He used to be an All-Star caliber player back in his heyday with Charlotte and New Orleans, but experienced a steady decline in minutes and points per game while in Portland. The Nets will need steady production from Magloire and a more fierce inside presence in order to be a real contending force against the East’s powers, let along the West’s.
All in all, it’s going to be a tough battle for the Nets. They’ll need to show great fight, heart and resilience in order to a make a run for the playoffs.
5. Who are the contenders for the NBA Championship and whom do you see taking the title?
My prediction is that the Dallas Mavericks will take the title. They’re long overdue to take home a ring with their powerhouse roster that includes All-Star Josh Howard and the leagues’s reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavs will be hungry to redeem themselves for two years of lost opportunity. Humiliation and a desire to prove themselves will drive them out of the gate this season, especially for Dirk who flaked out in playoffs. They suffered the Pearl Harbor of all sneak attacks when the eighth seed Warriors knocked them out of the first round of playoffs last season. This is after bowing out to the Heat the prior season in the 2005-06 NBA Finals.
They had the best record in the NBA last season and beat the Spurs to clench the Southwest Division title. Their excellent regular season play needs to translate to their post-season game. They have a great coach in Avery Johnson, who will demand the team play at their peak level. He is great at calling plays and understands what it takes to win championships. They don’t call him the “Little General” for nothing.
The Mav’s weakest link is the center position, but DeSagana Diop will up his play with his impending free agency on the horizon. Dallas also has to hope that the speedy Devin Harris will return from the off-season improved and add to his minutes. These improvements will help propel Dallas, but the most critical factor in determining their success is making Nowitzki a playoff player. He’s the centerpiece of the offense and cannot phase out when he’s needed the most. The Spurs will be gunning for them, but history shows us that San Antonio has struggled to repeat as NBA champions in consecutive years.
Here are my NBA league predictions below.
NBA CHAMPIONS: Mavericks
EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPS: Chicago
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPS: Mavericks
(Playoffs *)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC:
Celtics *
Nets *
Raptors *
Knicks
Sixers
CENTRAL:
Bulls *
Cavaliers *
Pistons *
Bucks
Pacers
SOUTHEAST:
Wizards *
Heat *
Magic
Bobcats
Hawks
WESTERN CONFERENCE
SOUTHWEST:
Mavericks *
Spurs *
Rockets *
Hornets
Grizzlies
NORTHWEST:
Jazz *
Nuggets *
Trailblazers
Sonics
Timberwolves
PACIFIC:
Suns *
Lakers *
Warriors *
Clippers
Kings
Let’s here some other thoughts and predictions for this season…
Make way for an invasion of the preps! Get ready for some popped collars and salmon pants to mingle amid a sea of red, white and blue jersey-adorned Nets fans.
This past Thursday, Phillips-Van Huesen Corporation was awarded the naming-rights to Continental Airlines Arena by the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority. A five-year deal was signed for the naming-rights, which is reportedly worth roughly $2 million annually. The Swamplands, a.k.a. the humble abode to the New Jersey Nets, will officially debut as the “IZOD Center” for the Nets 2007-08 season opener against Chicago on October 31st.
The former sponsor, Continental Airlines, decided to renounce their naming deal after plans were announced for the New Jersey Nets and the Devils franchise to leave and move to the Barclays Arena in Brooklyn and the Prudential Center in Newark respectively.
It seems we live in a naming-rights sports world these days. This announcement follows a press release unveiling plans for Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, an affiliate of Bruce Ratner’s ownership group Nets Sports and Entertainment, to launch a naming-rights division to secure sponsors for other sports and entertainment venues.
With this new fashionista focus, I’m going to have to do some serious shopping and popping in preparation for my Port Authority bus rides to the games and concerts I have lined up this fall. I’ll have to post some high rock kicks in my new uniform at the Van Halen concert when the November concert rolls around. Pink popped-collared IZOD shirts underneath my Nets jersey… now there’s a fashion statement. John Hughes jocks and the Cobra Kai posse would be proud.
What happened to Jay-Z and Rocawear? Jigga what?
Opponents of the Atlantic Yards development project are dropping like flies. Just a few days ago, it was announced that two of the thirteen opponents who had filed suit against Bruce Ratner are now in the midst of settlement talks. Their actions have led to a domino effect. Four more property owners whose homes are in the project’s 22-acre footprint are falling in line and undergoing similar negotiations.
News of this concession comes on the eve of October 9th, which is the federal appeals court date for the case dismissed back in June. Only a week away, why is their a sudden change of heart? Is it a case of pre-trial jitters or did they have some sort of magical epiphany?
These were the same people who were of the mindset that nothing is a done deal until it is done. So, why throw in the towel now? Do they secretly want to grow old with the new Brooklyn?
In a recent article detailing the news, the lawyer of the plaintiffs claims that this decision to settle is not the result of a change of heart; instead, this concession is “merely an acceptance of reality” and a way for the plaintiffs to protect their rights. Interestingly enough, this is the exact counsel that Errol Louis of the Daily News provided in an article that brought an onslaught of attack by AY critics. In his article, he suggested that community activists should “accept the reality of the plan and see what can be done to make it better.”
Frustrated by public costs and the use of eminent domain, these were the same AY critics who only a few months ago advocated Isabel Hill’s documentary Brooklyn Matters, a film driven to expose the core issues of the project and unveil a larger, more united force of active resistance to an otherwise unknowing public.
With this supposed arsenal of support, why would the fight inside them subside now? Have they grown tired of the hands of time? Or, is the resistance in fact much smaller than sites like No Land Grab and Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn have led us to believe?
Could it be that the end of this bitter dispute is nearing an end? There may be more appeals for change and suggested reform proposed by UNITY advocates and other grassroots efforts, but it doesn’t look likely that this will turn into another deadly standstill game of cat and mouse a la Robert Moses and Walter O’Malley. Afterall, lightning doesn’t strike twice. With the way the momentum is building, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the new Nets arena.
Good evening, I’m Nets Fan in New York. Here now the news.
Earlier this month, Newsday released a poll inviting their online readers to vote on the new sports stadium that they are most excited about. To ensure the survey was the most scientific unscientific poll ever, the voting was conducted at the height of the MLB pennant race as the Mets continue to hold the division lead and during the highly touted NFL 2007-08 season in an article titled “Giants, Jets Unveil New Stadium Design.”
Surprisingly, the Mets stadium stole the number one spot with a whopping 396 votes, followed in order by the Yankees (220 votes), the Giants/Jets (98 votes), Islanders (73 votes), Nets (30 votes), and the Devils at dead last with just 16 votes. Although close to 7 million Long Islanders could not be accounted for, opponents of the Atlantic Yards development proposal and the Barclays Center herald this precisely imprecise survey of 833 voluntary responses as further proof that plans to build a new Nets arena in Brooklyn is a bad idea.
That, or this unscientific, and otherwise meaningless, reader poll proves that hockey fans don’t read (pause) the paper about stadiums being built for the NFL.
That’s the news. Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow.
Please use super Spidey sense to find survey link in the above Newsday article.
