Since I registered as a New Jersey Nets blogger (though I could have registered under the Mets, Jets or even Knicks), I figured I'd begin with a Nets post. I noticed that the top forum topic is, "What can the Nets do to win a championship this year?" or something along those lines.
Lofty goals, I see. Particularly lofty considering the extremely low preseason expectations for this team. Jeff Van Gundy, former head coach of both the Knicks and Rockets, predicted that the Nets would win less than 30 games this year, and finish somewhere around 25-57. "Coach" is eating his words right now, as New Jersey already has 18 victories, and is currently seventh in the Eastern Conference, in line for a playoff spot.
Our Nets are easily the biggest surprise team in the NBA thus far this season, and that's in large part due to the efforts of Vince Carter and Devin Harris. Both members of the Nets' starting backcourt are amongst the league leaders in scoring, and their outstanding one-on-one offensive abilities make New Jersey a dangerous team down the stretch of close games. Most teams are lucky to have one legitimate "closer" -- so to speak -- and yet the Nets have two.
Granted, Carter has proven more in his career than Harris, but there's little doubt that Harris is an emerging offensive superstar. I don't mind the ball in either of their hands in critical situations, though I prefer Carter because of his experience, chilled demeanor, and beautiful outside-shooting touch.
VC and Harris represent the first two steps toward a championship, but their supporting cast is questionable at best, especially when the goal is as ambitious as the NBA Finals. Yi Jianlian is a talented but inconsistent young forward, and the same can be said of rookie center Brook Lopez. Keyon Dooling and Jarvis Hayes have been superb off the bench for head coach Lawrence Frank, but they'll need more help if we're talking championship.
What the Nets need, is a proven frontcourt star. Preferably a big man that can score comfortably, rebound, and defend the paint with confidence. But in today's NBA, that's asking a lot. Right now the best option may be Marcus Camby of the Los Angeles Clippers, though I'm not sure that he would elevate New Jersey into the league of Boston, Los Angeles, and Cleveland. He most likely wouldn't; the Nets would need a big man like Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett or Yao Ming -- all of whom are clearly unavailable.
The point being, Rod Thorn can try to improve the Nets even further this year, but it probably wouldn't be worth it. Whatever change that may be made, it probably won't take this team from "playoff contender" to"championship contender."
Keywords: Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Dwight Howard, Jarvis Hayes, Kevin Garnett, Keyon Dooling, Lawrence Frank, Los Angeles Clippers, Marcus Camby, NBA Finals, Nets win it all, New Jersey Nets, Rod Thorn, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter, What the Nets need to win it all, Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian
