Where does the #Nets roster rank in the NBA?

By
Updated: September 16, 2012

new building – new logo – new image – new roster” = NEW ERA

UNDER CONTRACT: G Deron Williams, G Joe Johnson, F Gerald Wallace, C Brook Lopez, F Kris Humphries, F Mirza Teletovic, F Reggie Evans, G MarShon Brooks, G C.J. Watson, G Keith Bogans, F Andray Blatche, F Josh Childress, G Jerry Stackhouse

DRAFT PICKS: G Tyshawn Taylor, F Tornike Shengelia

 

Sheridan Hoops – Chris Bernucca – September 12, 2012

“MOVES: Brooklyn’s finest has been by far the biggest player in the offseason with an unprecedented spending spree. First, the Nets made the bold move of re-signing Gerald Wallace for $40 million over four years. While pursuing Dwight Howard and waiting for Deron Williams to make a decision, GM Billy King made an even bolder move by trading extra pieces and a draft pick to Atlanta for Joe Johnson and assuming the four years and $90 million on his deal. With Wallace and Johnson locked up and Howard threatening to sign an extension only with the Nets, that was enough to convince Williams to stick around for $98 million over five years. And when King and Magic GM Rob Hennigan could not make a Howard deal work, King went to Plan B and re-signed Brook Lopez – not Howard, but a top-10 center – to a four-year, $60 million contract, preventing him from getting to the open market and retaining him as a future trade asset. The Nets then added a staggering fifth player at eight figures per year, re-signing Kris Humphries to a two-year, $24 million contract. The Nets are the first team in more than a decade to have five players making at least $10 million per season – and they still found a way to fill their bench. The Nets added some rugged frontcourt depth by signing Bosnian forward Mirza Teletovic, who dominated in Euroleague play last season, and swinging a sign-and-trade with the LA Clippers for Reggie Evans, who dominated in infuriating opponents last season. Teletovic deserves some credit for agreeing to amend his contract. He initially was offered the mid-level exception, but when that hamstrung King’s flexibility, he agreed to a three-year, $9.7 million contract under the mini-mid-level exception, which kept alive the possibility of acquiring Howard. In the backcourt, Brooklyn added depth by adding C.J. Watson on a two-year deal and re-signing Keith Bogans – both of whom began last season with Chicago. Late in the offseason, the Nets also signed a pair of amnesty victims in Andray Blatche and Josh Childress. Blatche’s deal does not have a guarantee, although he is guaranteed $23 million over the next three years from Washington. Childress likely gets the spot that was going to go to Donte Greene, who was on the verge of signing before fracturing his ankle. Brooklyn also signed Jerry Stackhouse to a veteran’s minimum deal.

PROJECTION: Even without Howard, the Nets have a 50-win team that could make a lot of noise in the postseason. The contributions of players such as Evans, Teletovic, Watson and MarShon Brooks – yeah, he’s still here – could push them among the league’s elite. Howard’s absence will reduce the circus-like atmosphere, but the players and coach Avery Johnson must manage expectations if they want this season to be special.”

 

TheBestBasketballBlog – Jul 9, 2012

“Last offseason it was the Los Angeles Clippers that made the headlines. Acquiring Chris Paul turned the Clippers from a NBA Draft lottery team into the playoffs.

This offseason another team that has been down on its luck is trying to change course. The New Jersey Nets… err the Brooklyn Nets are making moves to climb the Eastern Conference ladder. They now have pieces to make a playoff run.

The Nets would turn into not only Eastern Conference contenders, but NBA title contenders. They would have a big three in Howard, Williams, and Johnson. Williams, one of the best point guards in the NBA, has plenty of options to distribute the ball. Howard would finally be on a team with other All-Star players. Johnson could flourish as a number three scorer. Gerald Wallace would be perfect in a role as the fourth best player.”

 

Mike Mazzeo – ESPN – September 12

“Just three months ago, there was serious concern whether they’d be able to keep unrestricted free agent superstar Deron Williams from bolting for his hometown of Dallas. Losing Williams would’ve been devastating with the franchise set to move into the $1 billion Barclays Center prior to the start of the 2012-13 campaign.
Determined to keep that happening — and armed with a boatload of money to spend — GM Billy King and assistant GM Bobby Marks got to work. At some points, it seemed they were interested in every free agent on the market. Anything to please D-Will.

Both Johnson and Lopez have said their goal is to win a championship. Sounds far-fetched.

Just don’t tell Williams that.

“People sleep on us and we’ll let them do that. That’s fine,” Williams told the Associated Press. “We have no excuses. I think everybody’s at the point in their career where they want to win. There’s no hidden agendas, there’s no contract issues. Pretty much everybody’s locked in and ready to focus on basketball.”

 

Tin Bontemps – NY Post- August 15

“As I said at the beginning, though, focus on the players ranking. The Nets have a top-10 team, in terms of pure talent, in the NBA. And, in the end, while management, the draft and money help you acquire talent, it’s having talent that determines how many games you’ll win.

If the Nets live up to their talent ranking, the first season in Brooklyn could stretch deep into the spring.”

 

I think the 2012 Brooklyn Nets roster as it stands right now with the 15 players signed is one o f the Top 5 in the NBA and they can compete with anyone on any given night as Billy King has put together a “TEAM” and not just a bunch of Superstars. The idea of putting together a team is that each piece fits with the other pieces and work in unison where multiple players can play different positions depending on the games match-ups and foul difficulties. This also helps with players who get injured as there are many players who can play different roles to help the team win and get through tough stretches of games and parts of the long season. There will be no more sitting Deron Williams/Joe Johnson and praying that the second unit wont give away the entire lead it just gained with the starters.

This TEAM will be different and will compete like no other Nets team has in the past 10 years. Bring on the season………

 

 

 

Leave a Reply