Where does the #Nets roster rank in the NBA?
“new building – new logo – new image – new roster” = NEW ERA
DRAFT PICKS: G Tyshawn Taylor, F Tornike Shengelia
Sheridan Hoops – Chris Bernucca – September 12, 2012
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………