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i think this year definitely has to have a lot of winning in it. We have to make the playoffs, i think we could make it as a 5th seed the lowest. i just really hope to be a force in the East and most importantly, have a better, more consistent season than the knicks.


What expectations for this season? Who do you expect to step up and be an all-star or have a great season???

assuming no dwight, i expect a competitive playoff series with every single team that isn't the miami heat. if we lose badly to a team like the pacers, celtics, or knicks, ill consider the season a disapointment.

The Nets' expectations this year (without Dwight) is to be the superior team in NYC. Have a better record and make it further in the playoffs than the Knicks. With Dwight they have to establish themselves as the clear second best team in the East and somewhat challenge the Heat, though if they were to lose it wouldn't be considered a failure.

I would laugh so hard if we got to the 2nd round and the Knicks still didn't. In fact, the best thing that could happen is if we meet them in the 1st round and we sweep them (like in 04).

Without Dwight and with health, I think we can beat anybody outside of the Heat. I don't see the Celtics being as good as last year. Who knows with the Bulls, and how Rose will respond? I see the Bulls/Celtics/Pacers/Knicks/Sixers as the same level as us, and I see the other teams in the East as a step down.

So we should be a 2nd-7th seed, and we should be a competitive team that can make it to the 2nd round, maybe even the CF. But since it's our first year, and we still need to gel and our defense isn't that good right now, I think a competitive 1st round/2nd round appearance is what I'll be expecting.

But if we do gel well enough in our first year together, why not the conference Finals? If we end up as the 3rd seed, we'd likely face the Bulls/Celtics/Pacers/Knicks/Sixers as the 6th seed, and then likely face one of the other 4 teams in the 2nd round. I honestly do believe we can beat any of them if we play up to our potential.

At least a top 5 seed and the 2nd round or this team is a massive failure and if we lose in the 2nd round it can't be with home court.

In fact until another team improves dramatically through trade or Paul George becomes a 23/7/4/1/1 monster and the Pacers best player, losing to any team other then the Heat or Celtics is a huge fail no matter the round.

Losing to the Knix, Pacers, Bulls, Sixers, Wizards, Hawks, any of these other teams that may or may not make the playoffs and we might as well blow it up, but with this cap situation that would be impossible.

If they swept the Knicks in the first round i would be satisfied slightly I mean it would suck that they couldn't win the finals ut we can't all be winners

Hey should be able to end the season as a top 5 seed in the east and should be capable of taking out any 1st round match up in about 5 or 6 games, but only seeing them taking any other team outside the bottom tier team to 6 games.

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Its Orange Baby wrote:Hey should be able to end the season as a top 5 seed in the east and should be capable of taking out any 1st round match up in about 5 or 6 games, but only seeing them taking any other team outside the bottom tier team to 6 games.

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Can someone translate this? I don't speak Knickerbocker.

I'm expecting a Top 5 seed and a competitive first round series. Anything more is gravy on the turkey.

Some of us should ease up on the expectations, the team might take a while to gel and develop chemistry.

DarkXaero wrote:Some of us should ease up on the expectations, the team might take a while to gel and develop chemistry.

You don't ease up on this type of payroll and talent level IMHO.

I'm pretty realistic, I don't see a real contender.

Maybe a darkest of dark horses, but not a real contender at all.

But I do see a team, a payroll, a talent level and fit that better damn well ensure around 50 wins, a top 5 seed and a trip to the 2nd round at minimum.

Boston is getting too much credit imo. They weren't all that impressive last year. They were on pace for 48 wins if they played a full regular season. They barely got past a decimated Hawks team and a meh Sixers team. They did push the Heat to 7, but their 2nd best player and role players were playing like crap, and they were missing their 3rd best player. Once Bosh came back and played full minutes, and once Wade and the role players got their crap together, Miami looked like the clearly superior team.

They're slowly but surely declining year by year. Father Time is catching up to guys like KG and Pierce, as much as their play seems to deny it.

therealbig3 wrote:Boston is getting too much credit imo. They weren't all that impressive last year. They were on pace for 48 wins if they played a full regular season. They barely got past a decimated Hawks team and a meh Sixers team. They did push the Heat to 7, but their 2nd best player and role players were playing like crap, and they were missing their 3rd best player. Once Bosh came back and played full minutes, and once Wade and the role players got their crap together, Miami looked like the clearly superior team.

They're slowly but surely declining year by year. Father Time is catching up to guys like KG and Pierce, as much as their play seems to deny it.

I'd say Boston was the most decimated of all. No J.O., Jeff Green, Wilcox, and most importantly, Avery Bradley, the Dwyane Wade Stopper. And what players they did have suited up were playing injured. Pierce had a sprained MCL. Allen had bone spurs. Stiemsma was playing hurt. Pietrus had screwed up knees. Garnett and Rondo were their only healthy impact players. They still pushed Miami, who were only missing Bosh and had a hobbled Miller, to seven.

Boston retained and improved their core (except for Allen who got replaced by two superior guards in Terry and Lee), and drafted a couple of studs. As a squad they got younger and more athletic, while acquiring more scoring. Watch out for them this year. They now have the most depth they've had in the Garnett era.

Jeff Green doesn't completely suck and the loss of Avery Bradley + Ray Allen's mounting injuries are legitimate gripes... But Chris Wilcox and Jermaine O'neal are TERRIBLE.

Losing either one of those scrubs is nothing to complain about... It's arguable that Shelden freaking Williams is more impactful than those two at this point in their careers.

81-1.......We lose a close one to the Wolves on the road. Milt Palicito part two

IDK.....I've been saying were a little bit above 500 healthy and I'll stick with it.

With that said anything can happen. Come April D Whistle could tweek his pinky and have to get air lifted to Tanzia for season ending surgery....

Bottom Line: After two seasons of maybe watching 10 complete games I'm just gratefull the Nets are back. IDK how the other regs on the board made it through soem of the games I turned off after the first 8 minutes.

My main expectation is that the Nets will be fun to watch again and that is a lock.

For the most part I think everyone has been realistic here. Basically...slightly better than average but nothing special. And I think multiple years of losing has everyone feeling euphoric about that.

Me? I see that without Dwight Howard King built a team in the Isiah Thomas mold. Over paid mediocrity for a the next 4 years.

I cant root for that when I know how it ends each season.

Is this fan base still so scared to be excited about the team?

This isn't convincing yourself that Johan Petro or Rodney Buford is watchable. This team has a legitimate shot to contend for the next several years. Why? Because they look like the 2nd best team in the East on paper and they have a few pieces to move to address issues that may come up.

Why are people so afraid to be wrong on a message board that they have to mitigate their own predictions by providing ranges and qualifiers?

When Boston came together all the questions were about who would accept drops in their own scoring numbers? who would accept greater defensive roles? who would be the man and who would be the complimentary player? They focused on basketball and let the roles take care of themselves that way. This team will do the same and be much better than the sum of their parts for it.

Deron, Johnson, and Lopez no longer have such massive burdens offensively. They can devote themselves to playing defense and a more complete team game - things we can all expect Avery to stress. There is no need for Humprhies to have a significant offensive role and his efforts can be relegated to what he is most efficient at. Wallace is an ideal glue guy that will help to cover the teams holes.

This is an extremely well structured basketball team. In terms of defensive match-ups they have everything covered. There are no holes to the offense such as a lack of low post scoring, outside shooting, isolation play, slashing, pick and role, pick and pop, pin-downs, mid-post, high-post.... Its all there. That is not something you can say for many teams. Depth will sort itself out and can be improved upon in-season.

Everything is here for this team to come together the right way and contend. Will they? Who knows, but the potential is here.

The Pistons and the Mavericks have won championships in the last decade by being the best team. They beat the star-studded Lakers and Heat. Multiple superstars are not the only way to win a championship. They certainly help, but we are not doomed without them.

As fans we no longer have to talk about the salary cap, contracts and moves that will allow us to obtain pieces, future free agents, draft prospects.....

We can talk about basketball. Start making the adjustment.

90% of the time superstars win titles. Pistons being the lone exception over the last 30 years as a franchise (3 times) that didnt have one of the top 3 NBA players of that season to win a title. So sure its possible...just highly unlikely.

Is this team pieced together well? As in a nice starting lineup and roles covered? Sure. But the picture you just portrayed was the EXTREME of optimism.

As for not having to talk about the cap? Sure because we have none left to spend on free agents. Not having to talk about moves? Sure because we dont have many tradeable assets. The so called adjustments will be...shold we resign Jerry Stackhouse for the 12th man role or should we go after that other over the hill piece of crap.

We will know by season's end if we are built to the middle or if we are a legit contender. Reality? Even if we did land Dwight we were going to have a hard time competing with Miami. They are a dominant force for years to come so long as they stay healthy among their big three. They will continue to have first choice at MMLE picks and veterans with some tread left on the tires will go there first to help win more titles.

Should we be happy to root for an 85 mil .500-ish team? I guess its a matter of perspective. For some it will be great to have a decent team. For others of us as I said...we will know after year one whether or not we are better than NY, Chicago, Boston, Philly, Indy and from there we can set realistic expectations. Right now its all just speculation. But as it stands I dont think we need to tweak. We need another true superstar or two. So hope lies in the unknown. Teletovic? Bogdonovic? Lopez magically becoming a legit star and not a guy under rated by outsiders and over rated by those on this board?

There are so many IFS that still have to be answered for me and for some of the other guys around here.

We'll see what happens.

I gotta disagree about the top 3 player thing, Looking at the post Jordan era I think you have to agree the following teams had terrific chances to win (and old KG and old Duncan were NOT top 3):

2000: Blazers took the Lakers to 7 games.
2002: Kings same thing, they were THIS close.
2004: Pistons
2005: Pistons went 7 games vs Spurs, easily coulda won.
2007: 31 year old TD had not played at MVP level since 2004
2008: 32 year old KG not top 3 (Lebron, Wade, Kobe, Howard, Dirk, more probably)
2010: 34 year old KG definitely not top 3 (Celtics took Lakers to 7)
2011: 33 year old Dirk not top 3 (just played his ass off)

Regarding this team, I think anything could happen. We don't know how good Lopez will be. He's never been on a good team before. Maybe he will elevate his game, on D and theboards. Maybe he will get worse. JJ and Wallace are old but maybe they will not decline. Marshon and Tele are unproven, but maybe they will BALL. Allthose maybes come turn out good, I believe we have a 60 win team. Said it here.

BUTTT Howard has not signed his fckn extension so baby it aint over til its over.

enetric wrote:Is this team pieced together well? As in a nice starting lineup and roles covered? Sure. But the picture you just portrayed was the EXTREME of optimism.

Should we be happy to root for an 85 mil .500-ish team? I guess its a matter of perspective. For some it will be great to have a decent team. For others of us as I said...we will know after year one whether or not we are better than NY, Chicago, Boston, Philly, Indy and from there we can set realistic expectations. Right now its all just speculation. But as it stands I dont think we need to tweak. We need another true superstar or two. So hope lies in the unknown. Teletovic? Bogdonovic? Lopez magically becoming a legit star and not a guy under rated by outsiders and over rated by those on this board?

There are so many IFS that still have to be answered for me and for some of the other guys around here.

We'll see what happens.

I don't think it was the extreme of optimism, just optimistic, and that is exactly what I'm getting at. The tone of this board... people are afraid to be optimistic and start projecting an IF here and there as a likely. I consider Lopez a likely rather than an IF and I think that's why I'm more optimistic than most.

Rollydog wrote:I gotta disagree about the top 3 player thing, Looking at the post Jordan era I think you have to agree the following teams had terrific chances to win (and old KG and old Duncan were NOT top 3):

2000: Blazers took the Lakers to 7 games.
2002: Kings same thing, they were THIS close.
2004: Pistons
2005: Pistons went 7 games vs Spurs, easily coulda won.
2007: 31 year old TD had not played at MVP level since 2004
2008: 32 year old KG not top 3 (Lebron, Wade, Kobe, Howard, Dirk, more probably)
2010: 34 year old KG definitely not top 3 (Celtics took Lakers to 7)
2011: 33 year old Dirk not top 3 (just played his ass off)

Regarding this team, I think anything could happen. We don't know how good Lopez will be. He's never been on a good team before. Maybe he will elevate his game, on D and theboards. Maybe he will get worse. JJ and Wallace are old but maybe they will not decline. Marshon and Tele are unproven, but maybe they will BALL. Allthose maybes come turn out good, I believe we have a 60 win team. Said it here.

BUTTT Howard has not signed his fckn extension so baby it aint over til its over.

That's more like it. Logical and reasonable too.