Dear Ratner, Thorn and Kiki: I Told You So

[ecuhus1981]

Our management is stuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuupid.

Let me rewind the clock about a month: we have two good but nicked-up PGs, we're fighting for a playoff spot, and we don't make ANY moves to find an emergency 3rd-string floor leader. We even had a standing offer from the Milwaukee Bucks, of Luke Ridnour ('10 expiring) and Joe Alexander (#8 pick in '08 draft) for the expiring contracts of Swift and Ager.

Our FO balked at the cost of the Bucks pair's combined salary ($9mil next season), but really, they wouldn't have interfered with our 2010 plan, and you aren't going to find better players for cheaper. Thorn and Vandeweghe "say" they want our team to compete, but they aren't giving our team the type of depth it needs to compete, even in the East. they just crossed their fingers and hoped that even though teams above us in the standings were making moves to bolster their own postseason chances, that we would somehow waltz into the playoffs with a threadbare (and woefully predictable) lineup.

Now, we all should know that Devin isn't gone forever. He may not even miss a week (although that type of turnaround from an AC Joint Sprain would be unusual). Regardless, though, he may not be 100% Devin until April, and we're already slowly losing ground in the race for the 8th seed. I know hindsight is 20/20, but even before the trade deadline, I knew we'd missed out on a great opportunity to add a capable guard and a promising youngster. Believe me, I know money troubles, so I can understand our FO's reticence to add salary. But what's with the duplicity? Either we're stripping salary and building for tomorrow, or we're making a serious push for the playoffs. This middle ground bull$#!* will get us nowhere.

[vincecarter4pres]

There is no 2010 plan. We aren't signing anyone unless we can get Bron, Bosh or Wade, which we aren't going to get. It is all a mirage.
If Brooknam some how goes through, we will make a major play for Melo in 2011.
I know this is more my opinion and isn't fact, but I think it is pretty obvious.

[ecuhus1981]

We DO have a 2010 plan, even though you detest the idea; our management has mentioned it several times.

Even if we didn't, that doesn't dispute anything I have stated. The Ridnour/Alexander for Swift/Ager deal should have gotten done, period. We'd have bolstered our playoff chances (IF that is still what our FO wants), and our youth core.

[S.I.C. GM]

I agree with you, but it is the past.

The other issue here is that I doubt we would have been that much better. Someone has to be in IR. People would have gotten DNP left and right with the way FRANK is paranoid. Alexander would be the odd man out. History tells us that players that get traded to the Nets midseason doesnt get playing time under Frank until next season with Harris being the exception. Frank didnt like M. Will and he had no other option.

[ecuhus1981]

I agree that Joe might not have gotten a fair shot at PT until training camp, but Luke would have been utilized well right now. I don't understand how any team serious about competing thinks they can get through an entire season with only two PGs on their roster, especially in our system.

[deviljets7]

SIC,

Considering the money that was involved and the amount of money this team has lost in recent seasons, I'd guess this was a money issue. Either Ratner killed it or Thorn/Kiki turned it down since they knew Ratner wouldn't sign off.

[vincecarter4pres]

We DO have a 2010 plan, even though you detest the idea; our management has mentioned it several times.

Even if we didn't, that doesn't dispute anything I have stated. The Ridnour/Alexander for Swift/Ager deal should have gotten done, period. We'd have bolstered our playoff chances (IF that is still what our FO wants), and our youth core.

Our 2010 plan is Bron, Bosh, Wade, maybe JJ.
After that, unless we get a sick discount on a guy like Dirk or Kobe, which is also a pipe dream, it is not happening, but that is fine by me. Don't over pay for 3rd tier older players.

This team is hemoraging money and if it wasn't for the promise of Crooklyn and the superior executives we have running the show, Ratner would have been the only voice and that voice would have been Sarver-like, dumping VC for one semi-decent player and expirings and us sending back a draft pick, in this climate, which is so close to a depression that America and the sheep that don't speak are scared to the out of their Costco membership lifestyles.

God bless this country, and F%@k it's leaders.

[S.I.C. GM]

SIC,

Considering the money that was involved and the amount of money this team has lost in recent seasons, I'd guess this was a money issue. Either Ratner killed it or Thorn/Kiki turned it down since they knew Ratner wouldn't sign off.

I also agree with you. Money was another factor.

Considering they know their coach, They may have thought that Frank wasnt going to play at least one of them so why take on more money.

[S.I.C. GM]

Personally, I was all for 2010, but to continue to think we are going to do anything in 2010 you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

Ratner needs as much money as possible to get Brooklyn done.

I wouldnt be surprised that the Nets:

09 Offseason - Trade VC for expiring, young guys, and/or picks. Try to get higher Draft Pick
09-10 Season - Continue Developing young guys.
10 OffSeason - Watch as teams scrabble to get expensive FAs - Nets continue to draft young guys or trade picks for young guys.
10-11 Season - Continue to Develop young guys
11 Off Season - Brooklyn almost done - Ratner trying to find more money to finish it.
11-12 Season - Young guys play like 09 Blazers - Playoff Seated somewhere between 4-8 in the East.

If that is the plan, I am all for it.