The Official Lin Net Thread

[Vae Victus]

I was all sad and unhappy i was gonna miss the beginning of yesterday's game (when Lin will likely get the bulk of his mins) cuz i was at the USC-COL game which ran down to the wire. Then when i saw he wasnt playing i was guilt free happily headed to an after game tailgate!

To all the guys whining about Lins mins.... shoot man, Lin barely playing in the Preseason is a good thing, he ALWAYS does well in preseason so him dominating means less that NOTHING. The team ABSOLUTELY cannot risk him getting hurt since its starting to look like Kenny is gonna need Lin 36-38 mins a game. Vazquez is still injured or something and he moves like a PF for the most part, his passing is fine, his shooting hopefully comes back. Other wings are either horrific defensively (Bogs + youngens) or have lacking offensive game (RHJ + youngens), so there's an excellent chance that KA is gonna be using Lin at the 2 alot to help space the floor while also not giving up too much on defensive end (considering how well Lin did defending the 2 last year). Boyos dont ya'll worry about Lin's mins, he's gonna get ALL HE CAN HANDLE.

Likely in the last 2 games we'll see a heavy dose of PnR action with the guards and the different bigs. Mix it up, keep the defenses guessing at whos gonna be the roll man, popper, spot up, baseline slider, and all that jazz. More important atm to see which of the youngens can be relied upon to not **** the bed.

Also i disagree with some folks assessment that we'll just throw away the season outright for development. If the team can win 30+ games thats a HUGE PR coup. "We won 30+ games when everyone slated us to win <20," is a pretty powerful tool to try to grab some mid tier FAs to join next offseason. And if they manage to even win 35+ well shoot thats a threat to sneak into the playoffs and makes the team look real attractive to even upper tier FAs to form a super team in BRK assuming there's enough cap to pull it off. Means all those roleplayers on the Nets are ballers and thus add in some super stars and they can go far!

[sprost]

You meant Hood right? That guy didn't understand this is the preseason, and with the Motion Offense we are instituting, it is all about keeping the legs fresh and "progress".

So playing guys 15-17mpg during preseason will somehow hurt them or get them too tired for the regular season?.

You also need to understand that preseason is also used to build chemistry, specially if everybody believe you have no talent...No one said Lin or Lopez should play 30 minutes, so please, do not try to put up a lame straw-man argument while bringing my name up.

I personally believe teams like the Nets who have so much to work on, can not afford to play guys like Brook Lopez 10minutes and resting Lin..Not saying he should play even 25, but play him every games so he can get an idea of how his teammates plays and the new system.

I have no problem not playing guys like Lebron, Curry, Kyrie and other super-stars during preseason or playing them very little minutes..You already know what you will get from them and they already know the system....Not so for Lin, Bogs, Booker, RHJ and even Lopez who will be under a new system and is expected to shoot 3's...They need time and minute to gell, unlike the Cavs and the Warriors.

Under a bad team with no talent, I'm a strong proponent of using these valuable preseason minutes to get them to gel before real season starts.

That's my beliefs..I understand you have yours which is to rest as many guys as possible and not take these preseason game that seriously....

We haven't even seen how Brook and Lin looks as PnR partners or are they even compatible together...I have no idea so far...but there's still 4 more games left..Let's hope Atkinson will let Lopez play more than 15 minutes.

Let's hope Brook will be playing at least 20mpg during the last 4 games and no more rest game for Lin...

Unlike many of you, I actually believe these preseason games are very important to fix the projected starting 5 and see whether guys like Booker or Bogs belongs in it...So far, we havent seen the Lin/Bogs/RHJ/Booker/Lopez starting 5...

Portzingis played 27minutes the first game and 19 the second game..Melo had similar minutes in the previous 2 games..I'm sure both will not play the final games which it a ritual for most teams, but the idea is to give these guys enough minutes to gell.

I simply don't agree with the other way around which is to take it very easy on these players..At least not a bad team that could use chemistry because of lack of talent.

we arent some team ready for a deep playoff run... this entire season is about building that chemistry. not making sure you get your starters playing time so they can gel for a 40-50 win season. this is a development year

Prok's answer is the nub of the issue, one I disagree with him on, and why I found the matter worth commenting on (but not a big deal) like hood30... A "deep playoff run", thats a strawman, noone thinks we're ready for that and who cares in the era of the Warriors/Cavs superteams... however, I think this team is much more ready to approach 40 games and squeeze barely into the playoffs as the surprise team of the year than you are, but not if there is an overwhelming conventional wisdom shared among coaches that, no, lets just slowly develop young prospects for the long term and not be that concerned about wins... the best thing this team could do for years after this to develop this team is to surprisingly win alot and attract quality FAs for next year. Develop young talent, yes, but balanced with the (priority) of winning (ESPECIALLY when we don't own our draft picks!).

[sprost]

Lin is going to have to carry this back court, especially if Yogi doesnt make the team.

Whitehead cant be the primary ball handler for long stretches. Jennings was all up in his ish and exposed him somewhat.

Harris has looked good off the ball but he is a weak ball handler for a SG and cant be paired with Whitehead. The same goes for Bogs at SG and RHJ.

Vasquez was playing back to the basket from the perimeter yesterday like he was Mark Jackson. He isnt a PG anymore IMO.

Yogi is the only guy who looks the part of a true PG. He also has a lot of the attributes that Lin has in that he can break a defense with his drives and he was hitting people with crisp passes once he collapsed the D.

What I saw... but feel that Yogi won't be able to overcome the bias of consensus of expert bb world (too small for NBA etc.) to make the roster... Yogi is pure bb talent worth developing at an NBA level and inserting in this weak guard roster now

[Net Sentence]

Lin is going to have to carry this back court, especially if Yogi doesnt make the team.

Whitehead cant be the primary ball handler for long stretches. Jennings was all up in his ish and exposed him somewhat.

Harris has looked good off the ball but he is a weak ball handler for a SG and cant be paired with Whitehead. The same goes for Bogs at SG and RHJ.

Vasquez was playing back to the basket from the perimeter yesterday like he was Mark Jackson. He isnt a PG anymore IMO.

Yogi is the only guy who looks the part of a true PG. He also has a lot of the attributes that Lin has in that he can break a defense with his drives and he was hitting people with crisp passes once he collapsed the D.

What I saw... but feel that Yogi won't be able to overcome the bias of consensus of expert bb world (too small for NBA etc.) to make the roster... Yogi is pure bb talent worth developing at an NBA level and inserting in this weak guard roster now

I agree. He looks equally comfortable scoring and passing. He pretty much gets to where ever he wants on the floor. He is a situational guy off the bench that can be highly effective. The fact that Lin has played the 2 allows us to get him on the floor in creative ways.

[MrDollarBills]

I think Yogi is worth a roster spot but because of the PF situation he's going to get screwed because neither C-Mac or Bennett belong on the roster.

me personally, i cut bennett, send C-Mac to d league and keep yogi. use hamilton at the 5 and 4. send whitehead to the d league to work on his game.

[jbeachboy]

anthony bennett got 2 year deal, he isnt going anywhere this year at least. earliest would be offseason if they didnt like things.

[bws94]

Well, if it's the case, than fine...but as a Lin fan, you're rooting for the Nets to actually make an attempt to win as many games as possible...I just bough NBA League pass for $200 so I could watch the Nets, and I'm hoping they will not tank since they have no draft picks to fall on.

Thats all well and good. but if you come in to games threads criticizing the coach for not playing lin enough its going to get ugly. this is a nets forum, not a lin forum. that stuff belongs here, not in the game threads.

Nets wont tank, but there is also no incentive to try and win as many games if that means sacraficing development to play your vets as much as possible.

I understand that you, personally, doesn't think much of the current roster and feel that the Nets should not prioritize winning games, but I'm not sure whether it should go as far as to not try to build chemistry and understanding among your projected starting 5.

we have 82 games to build chemistry.

Also, I'd like to think Atkinson will make a strong attempt to win games...But hey, if he doesn't care about actually winning games this year and simply wants to develop players for the future, than you have a point.

That makes more sense to me when it comes to only playing Brook Lopez 12mpg and resting Lin...If Kenny really wants to win as many games as possible, he would try to build chemistry by giving his key players at least 20mpg...Everybody does that, unless you're a top 5-10 team.

again, we have 82 games to build chemistry. kenny will try to win as many games as possible while still focusing on development as the #1 priority.

lin playing less then 20 minutes is beyond irrelevant. its irrelevant to kenny its irrelevant to lin and its irrelevant to nets fans. only lin fans care about something so irrelevant.

Prok, Lin fans aren't a monolith. So, respectfully, please think of not putting Lin fans in a monolithic, general box. I think many of us here would appreciate that because you have a lot of good things to say about the team and such and in general, I think you'll warm to Lin's game (though he will frustrate at times) and how he'll be a big part of turning the Nets to respectability and part of making the team fun to watch.

I'm a basketball fan from NYC, was into the Knicks at times, Nets at times, neither at times. I'm concerned about the whole team. I see right now Lin's minutes as relevant because he is a major player that needs to build chemistry and learn Atkinson's system. But have no problems with the 17 minutes in the first game or not playing Saturday's game. I think games 7 and 8 of the preseason, his minutes will be ramped up along with Lopez's and the other starters. My view of what Atkinson is doing is trying to figure out which young guys he'll go with and how he can work them in once he chooses. We're going into game 3 tomorrow, and Lin will play and maybe 20 minutes at most would seem about right. But if it is 15 minutes, fine. Because the process of building the roster right is in place.

[bws94]

I don't mind Atkinson being conservative with Lin thus far ,It's going to be a LLLLooooooonnnnngggg season and Lin's gonna get plenty of minutes later. I hope that fans will temper their expectations when Lin doesn't get to run the entire offense through him because this is not Atkinson's offense. A 12M player is not "The face of the franchise", let's put things into perspective so we won't be disappointed later on.

And Lin is a player that hits the floor hard during the course of the season. I think Atkinson is taking a lot of things into consideration. And, yeah, it's game 3 tomorrow of the pre-season.

And, Lin is a 1.5 player, imo. He's transformed from Linsanity Lin of the Knicks. He's best involved in the offense, getting touches, and being a leader. He's not a Rondo, CP3 type of player. He won't always have the ball and sometimes he'll be used for his scoring with the assists going to the team through the motion offense. Other nights he'll be dropping dimes and scoring 10 points.

[Prokorov]

So playing guys 15-17mpg during preseason will somehow hurt them or get them too tired for the regular season?.

You also need to understand that preseason is also used to build chemistry, specially if everybody believe you have no talent...No one said Lin or Lopez should play 30 minutes, so please, do not try to put up a lame straw-man argument while bringing my name up.

I personally believe teams like the Nets who have so much to work on, can not afford to play guys like Brook Lopez 10minutes and resting Lin..Not saying he should play even 25, but play him every games so he can get an idea of how his teammates plays and the new system.

I have no problem not playing guys like Lebron, Curry, Kyrie and other super-stars during preseason or playing them very little minutes..You already know what you will get from them and they already know the system....Not so for Lin, Bogs, Booker, RHJ and even Lopez who will be under a new system and is expected to shoot 3's...They need time and minute to gell, unlike the Cavs and the Warriors.

Under a bad team with no talent, I'm a strong proponent of using these valuable preseason minutes to get them to gel before real season starts.

That's my beliefs..I understand you have yours which is to rest as many guys as possible and not take these preseason game that seriously....

We haven't even seen how Brook and Lin looks as PnR partners or are they even compatible together...I have no idea so far...but there's still 4 more games left..Let's hope Atkinson will let Lopez play more than 15 minutes.

Let's hope Brook will be playing at least 20mpg during the last 4 games and no more rest game for Lin...

Unlike many of you, I actually believe these preseason games are very important to fix the projected starting 5 and see whether guys like Booker or Bogs belongs in it...So far, we havent seen the Lin/Bogs/RHJ/Booker/Lopez starting 5...

Portzingis played 27minutes the first game and 19 the second game..Melo had similar minutes in the previous 2 games..I'm sure both will not play the final games which it a ritual for most teams, but the idea is to give these guys enough minutes to gell.

I simply don't agree with the other way around which is to take it very easy on these players..At least not a bad team that could use chemistry because of lack of talent.

we arent some team ready for a deep playoff run... this entire season is about building that chemistry. not making sure you get your starters playing time so they can gel for a 40-50 win season. this is a development year

Prok's answer is the nub of the issue, one I disagree with him on, and why I found the matter worth commenting on (but not a big deal) like hood30... A "deep playoff run", thats a strawman, noone thinks we're ready for that and who cares in the era of the Warriors/Cavs superteams... however, I think this team is much more ready to approach 40 games and squeeze barely into the playoffs as the surprise team of the year than you are, but not if there is an overwhelming conventional wisdom shared among coaches that, no, lets just slowly develop young prospects for the long term and not be that concerned about wins... the best thing this team could do for years after this to develop this team is to surprisingly win alot and attract quality FAs for next year. Develop young talent, yes, but balanced with the (priority) of winning (ESPECIALLY when we don't own our draft picks!).

winnign should be second to development, and luckily that has been marks message and its the reason atkinson was his choice for head coach. i agree there is a benefit fo winning for development pruposes, but htats secondary and we arent at that point yet. these young guys need minutes. and this year is about development, not winning.

[BROOK-LIN]

As has been a trend with Lin's past teams like Knicks, Rockets, Lakers and Hornets....

No LIN = No WIN

[Prokorov]

I think Yogi is worth a roster spot but because of the PF situation he's going to get screwed because neither C-Mac or Bennett belong on the roster.

me personally, i cut bennett, send C-Mac to d league and keep yogi. use hamilton at the 5 and 4. send whitehead to the d league to work on his game.

just because yogi starts in dleague doesnt mean he stays there. and doesnt mean he cant be here long term or find a role at some point

[uballer]

As has been a trend with Lin's past teams like Knicks, Rockets, Lakers and Hornets....

No LIN = No WIN

Were you trolling?

[MrDollarBills]

I think Yogi is worth a roster spot but because of the PF situation he's going to get screwed because neither C-Mac or Bennett belong on the roster.

me personally, i cut bennett, send C-Mac to d league and keep yogi. use hamilton at the 5 and 4. send whitehead to the d league to work on his game.

just because yogi starts in dleague doesnt mean he stays there. and doesnt mean he cant be here long term or find a role at some point

From what I've seen he's a max effort guy and you know I'm high on that in players. As long as we can keep him on the roster i'd be fine.

[MrDollarBills]

As has been a trend with Lin's past teams like Knicks, Rockets, Lakers and Hornets....

No LIN = No WIN

lol

so what will you say when we lose games with Lin in the line up?

[ChokeFasncists]

Lin is going to have to carry this back court, especially if Yogi doesnt make the team.

Whitehead cant be the primary ball handler for long stretches. Jennings was all up in his ish and exposed him somewhat.

Harris has looked good off the ball but he is a weak ball handler for a SG and cant be paired with Whitehead. The same goes for Bogs at SG and RHJ.

Vasquez was playing back to the basket from the perimeter yesterday like he was Mark Jackson. He isnt a PG anymore IMO.

Yogi is the only guy who looks the part of a true PG. He also has a lot of the attributes that Lin has in that he can break a defense with his drives and he was hitting people with crisp passes once he collapsed the D.

You are saying Mark Jackson wasn't a PG?

Not in todays NBA. Name a PG who has to play like that who is successful?

I dunno, but was there another PG that played like him during that era that was successful?

[ChokeFasncists]

we arent some team ready for a deep playoff run... this entire season is about building that chemistry. not making sure you get your starters playing time so they can gel for a 40-50 win season. this is a development year

Prok's answer is the nub of the issue, one I disagree with him on, and why I found the matter worth commenting on (but not a big deal) like hood30... A "deep playoff run", thats a strawman, noone thinks we're ready for that and who cares in the era of the Warriors/Cavs superteams... however, I think this team is much more ready to approach 40 games and squeeze barely into the playoffs as the surprise team of the year than you are, but not if there is an overwhelming conventional wisdom shared among coaches that, no, lets just slowly develop young prospects for the long term and not be that concerned about wins... the best thing this team could do for years after this to develop this team is to surprisingly win alot and attract quality FAs for next year. Develop young talent, yes, but balanced with the (priority) of winning (ESPECIALLY when we don't own our draft picks!).

winnign should be second to development, and luckily that has been marks message and its the reason atkinson was his choice for head coach. i agree there is a benefit fo winning for development pruposes, but htats secondary and we arent at that point yet. these young guys need minutes. and this year is about development, not winning.

OTOH, Marks signed some vets and make the young guys earn their minutes.

[13th Man]

As has been a trend with Lin's past teams like Knicks, Rockets, Lakers and Hornets....

No LIN = No WIN

Easy on the homerism, you've also predicted for the Nets to make the playoffs this year let's see.

[GoodDayLa]

we arent some team ready for a deep playoff run... this entire season is about building that chemistry. not making sure you get your starters playing time so they can gel for a 40-50 win season. this is a development year

Prok's answer is the nub of the issue, one I disagree with him on, and why I found the matter worth commenting on (but not a big deal) like hood30... A "deep playoff run", thats a strawman, noone thinks we're ready for that and who cares in the era of the Warriors/Cavs superteams... however, I think this team is much more ready to approach 40 games and squeeze barely into the playoffs as the surprise team of the year than you are, but not if there is an overwhelming conventional wisdom shared among coaches that, no, lets just slowly develop young prospects for the long term and not be that concerned about wins... the best thing this team could do for years after this to develop this team is to surprisingly win alot and attract quality FAs for next year. Develop young talent, yes, but balanced with the (priority) of winning (ESPECIALLY when we don't own our draft picks!).

winnign should be second to development, and luckily that has been marks message and its the reason atkinson was his choice for head coach. i agree there is a benefit fo winning for development pruposes, but htats secondary and we arent at that point yet. these young guys need minutes. and this year is about development, not winning.

I strongly disagree with this statement. If that was the case, you don't need to get guys like Lin, Foye, Scola, or Vasquez. You can just get Gary Neal or Brandon Jennings on a low ball 1 year deal while letting the rookies play max minutes to develop the new kids like what the Lakers are doing this season rolling it out for the young guns to go on a development year.

The Nets are not doing that. For one, there's no purpose in tanking since they got no picks.

Second, you don't sign Lin for 3 years and get Foye and backup vets like Vasquez and Scola (not big fans of either V or S but they are vets with history esp. Scola) and play them in the preseason as much as they have if you are planning on the youth movement.

The guys playing in preseason are the vets. The only new kid is RHJ. Everyone else is an old timer player playing much of the preseason or at least have 2-4 seasons. That's because the Nets plan to be competitive and try to win.

For anyone thinking this is a redevelopment year or that the Nets can't get that 7th or 8th seed, its because they have never really followed or watched Jeremy Lin that closely. Nets fans thinking this year will be 20-30 wins believe Lin is a 2nd rate point guard on the level of Ramon Sessions, Jarrett Jack, or worse. Boy are these Nets fans in for a pleasant surprise. You got to look beyond his airball layups and jumpers and his unorthodox movements and see the results. It's too easy to get stuck on those things I admit.

Lin cannot do it alone. He's not a singular talent. But he has game changing ability. His talents require a team based game and then he'll use his hyper quickness and pick and roll savvy just enough to create headaches for other teams and eek out wins. That's what the Nets have.

For those watching Lin for that long, we all know it's coming. And then those same Nets fans will be wishing Marks did more at the trade deadline to improve the team for the playoff run they're going to have.

Granted Lin needs to play almost all the games for them to be competitive. Otherwise, I think this team is going to stink.

The one thing I dont love above the team so far is that the pieces dont fit perfectly together (but its only been 2 little pre season games to base this on) and I'm not sure that Lin and Brook are perfect compliments to one another.

I also have reservations that Lin's pick and roll talents cant be really maxed out that well here in Brooklyn. There is no bouncy athletic long and tall big roll man who dives hard on this team. Booker is not that big though he has the motor. Brook is definitely more plodder than quick and limber.

Lin's had Zeller last year who runs really hard even if it's unnoticed. He had Ed Davis before that in LA. The Nets really have nobody like that.

But I'll reserve judgment till the season starts. We'll know 5-6 games in what we have.

I expect a playoff birth regardless as long as Lin is playing most of the games. This is not delusion talking. Who am I? Just an NBA fan. But this is coming from someone who follows the NBA closely well before Kenny A and D Coleman were doing there thing with Drazen. I've seen enough to know what Lin can do with a team supporting him and built to give him some freedom, as this team is poised to do.

[TinmanZBoy]

As has been a trend with Lin's past teams like Knicks, Rockets, Lakers and Hornets....

No LIN = No WIN

lol

so what will you say when we lose games with Lin in the line up?

Oh No, Lin = No Win

[DeRoma]

Prok's answer is the nub of the issue, one I disagree with him on, and why I found the matter worth commenting on (but not a big deal) like hood30... A "deep playoff run", thats a strawman, noone thinks we're ready for that and who cares in the era of the Warriors/Cavs superteams... however, I think this team is much more ready to approach 40 games and squeeze barely into the playoffs as the surprise team of the year than you are, but not if there is an overwhelming conventional wisdom shared among coaches that, no, lets just slowly develop young prospects for the long term and not be that concerned about wins... the best thing this team could do for years after this to develop this team is to surprisingly win alot and attract quality FAs for next year. Develop young talent, yes, but balanced with the (priority) of winning (ESPECIALLY when we don't own our draft picks!).

winnign should be second to development, and luckily that has been marks message and its the reason atkinson was his choice for head coach. i agree there is a benefit fo winning for development pruposes, but htats secondary and we arent at that point yet. these young guys need minutes. and this year is about development, not winning.

I strongly disagree with this statement. If that was the case, you don't need to get guys like Lin, Foye, Scola, or Vasquez. You can just get Gary Neal or Brandon Jennings on a low ball 1 year deal while letting the rookies play max minutes to develop the new kids like what the Lakers are doing this season rolling it out for the young guns to go on a development year.

The Nets are not doing that. For one, there's no purpose in tanking since they got no picks.

Second, you don't sign Lin for 3 years and get Foye and backup vets like Vasquez and Scola (not big fans of either V or S but they are vets with history esp. Scola) and play them in the preseason as much as they have if you are planning on the youth movement.

The guys playing in preseason are the vets. The only new kid is RHJ. Everyone else is an old timer player playing much of the preseason or at least have 2-4 seasons. That's because the Nets plan to be competitive and try to win.

For anyone thinking this is a redevelopment year or that the Nets can't get that 7th or 8th seed, its because they have never really followed or watched Jeremy Lin that closely. Nets fans thinking this year will be 20-30 wins believe Lin is a 2nd rate point guard on the level of Ramon Sessions, Jarrett Jack, or worse. Boy are these Nets fans in for a pleasant surprise. You got to look beyond his airball layups and jumpers and his unorthodox movements and see the results. It's too easy to get stuck on those things I admit.

Lin cannot do it alone. He's not a singular talent. But he has game changing ability. His talents require a team based game and then he'll use his hyper quickness and pick and roll savvy just enough to create headaches for other teams and eek out wins. That's what the Nets have.

For those watching Lin for that long, we all know it's coming. And then those same Nets fans will be wishing Marks did more at the trade deadline to improve the team for the playoff run they're going to have.

Granted Lin needs to play almost all the games for them to be competitive. Otherwise, I think this team is going to stink.

The one thing I dont love above the team so far is that the pieces dont fit perfectly together (but its only been 2 little pre season games to base this on) and I'm not sure that Lin and Brook are perfect compliments to one another.

I also have reservations that Lin's pick and roll talents cant be really maxed out that well here in Brooklyn. There is no bouncy athletic long and tall big roll man who dives hard on this team. Booker is not that big though he has the motor. Brook is definitely more plodder than quick and limber.

Lin's had Zeller last year who runs really hard even if it's unnoticed. He had Ed Davis before that in LA. The Nets really have nobody like that.

But I'll reserve judgment till the season starts. We'll know 5-6 games in what we have.

I expect a playoff birth regardless as long as Lin is playing most of the games. This is not delusion talking. Who am I? Just an NBA fan. But this is coming from someone who follows the NBA closely well before Kenny A and D Coleman were doing there thing with Drazen. I've seen enough to know what Lin can do with a team supporting him and built to give him some freedom, as this team is poised to do.

I agree with some the things you are saying. Yeah you are right that life would be easier for Lin having a big that is explosive catching the basketball, can jump over the ceiling catching lobs. However, it's not necessary. Yet, for from the games i've seen Jeremy Lin plays, I don't necessarily believe he is a true pick n roll player. He thrives on a system where the coach let him have the ball and and has options that will let him make good decision. I don't think he is a full pledge playmaker that you let him run plays. I don't even think he is even that creative or great passer. I just think he has a knack on making the right decisions quickly. An athletic may give you 2-3 dunks a night but its not necessary. If you look at D-Will back in the Jazz he was able to have 10-11 assist per night with bigs like Boozer and Okur or even Millsap and Okur. I think that is the right direction the Nets are trying to get at.

Also even with Lin being highly impactful on the offensive side. In order for this team to win, they need to be able to learn Atkinson's defensive scheme much quicker. With our roster set and an uptempo offense, There is no doubt in my mind we will probably top 5 in the league on offense. It really all depends on how good our defense is. Last year, the Hawks were top on defense. We need to do the same in order for us to make the playoffs.

This is where NBA bodies come into play. In order for us to be good on defense, we need NBA body players that are capable of stopping opposing players. This will simplify rotations given that Brook and Lin(bad defenders) our center core players. This is why i'm not huge on Bojan and banking on LeVert to be really good. If that happens, no doubt in my mind we will be atleast a 9th seed in the east.