Shaq speaks...Courtney Lee and other topics

[enetric]

Dan Patrick Show: Shaquille O'Neal on Ron Artest going to the Lakers: “Good move, it’s just tougher in the backcourt defensively. They’ll always be a good team but that just makes them a whole lot better, a whole lot tougher. A lot of people have come up to me this summer and said, ‘I’m very excited for this year to start up. I haven’t been more excited for the season to start up than this one.’ It’s going to be a good season. A lot of impressive moves.” SportsRadioInterviews

Dan Patrick Show: Shaq on the free agent moves this offseason: “The only move that really, really shocked me was when Orlando got rid of Courtney Lee. That dude is going to be a star, I’m telling you right now… They’ve done in an excellent job building that team but Courtney Lee, that’s a star brother. Star, star, star.” SportsRadioInterviews

Dan Patrick Show: Shaq on his 67,000 square foot house: “You only live once and I added a gym on it, a full court basketball gym. I have three sons and they’re pretty good right now. Two of them are going to be 7’0 and one is going to be like 6’8 or 6’9, but they’re all going to be good like their daaadddyy.” SportsRadioInterviews

[crazykidd2k6]

I never really seen the guy play but I've been researching on the guy ever since he is on the Nets. And to all the article, They either say he is a steal for the nets, a future star player, or a very solid player. \

BTW if you guys want to read up on this guy here is probably the best article for him: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Courtney-Lee-471/

Here is a good Highlight video of him:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oorQXhe1BY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s6b3V9n ... re=related

In my opinion, I don't see this guy being a star player. I see him as a very good player that is a great 3rd-4th option on a team. This guy reminds me so much of Kerry Kittles. That same body type and can both shoot, finish, and very good defender. The only complaint I have on this guy is both Harris and Lee have that same thin body type. Our backcourt will get run over by stronger players. Opposing team sees it and will exploit it. However, other than that he will be a great fit offensively with Harris just because he is efficient and a great finisher.

[TheNewEra]

That is why most outside Nets fans as myself say don't sleep on the Nets. Think Nets fans are under vauling their own team, they have enough solid pieces to sneak in a 8th seed if they can get the pieces geling early.

If all is well 3rd&4th option is a good thing because you have Harris,T-Wil,l and Lopez ahead of him

Teams may get you in the post if they back down your guards but you can just as easily burn them on the break if they miss a shot.

[vincecarter4pres]

T Will is not a 2nd, 3rd or even 4th offensive option in the NBA and if he is, your team is in Sacramento Kings level trouble.

[enetric]

That is why most outside Nets fans as myself say don't sleep on the Nets. Think Nets fans are under vauling their own team, they have enough solid pieces to sneak in a 8th seed if they can get the pieces geling early.

If all is well 3rd&4th option is a good thing because you have Harris,T-Wil,l and Lopez ahead of him

Teams may get you in the post if they back down your guards but you can just as easily burn them on the break if they miss a shot.

I so hope that you are wrong. I want competitive...and developing...not winning.

Think the Hawks before Bibby when Josh Smith was just making us all smile with how talented he was...along with other guys on that roster yet they could beat no one. Why? One round and out does nothing for me with this current roster. I see no point to that....

[ChampionRed]

That is why most outside Nets fans as myself say don't sleep on the Nets. Think Nets fans are under vauling their own team, they have enough solid pieces to sneak in a 8th seed if they can get the pieces geling early.

If all is well 3rd&4th option is a good thing because you have Harris,T-Wil,l and Lopez ahead of him

Teams may get you in the post if they back down your guards but you can just as easily burn them on the break if they miss a shot.

I so hope that you are wrong. I want competitive...and developing...not winning.

Think the Hawks before Bibby when Josh Smith was just making us all smile with how talented he was...along with other guys on that roster yet they could beat no one. Why? One round and out does nothing for me with this current roster. I see no point to that....

I agree completely. The hawks are a GREAT example. They were so much fun to watch and it was fun watching their kids (like Josh Smith) grow. But like enetric said, winning does not help us at all. We want that high lotto pick next summer.

[NetsForce]

The benefit to winning versus only winning 15 games is that you look like a more attractive destination to potential free agents.

[BK+LBJ]

Lee should be atleast a 15 point per game player next year. T-Will is more of an all around player but not a big scorer yet. Both with be important parts of the team this coming year. I really hope we can trade Yi for anything, I don't think he fits in our future. By game 20 next year our starting lineup should be Harris, Lee, T-Will, ??? and Lopez. By getting ride of Yi we get huge cape relief and those 4 young players should attrack at the very least a borderline allstar to come here if not 2 max guys which we are all praying for.

I think NJ is a 7th or 8th seed this year for the following reasons, Lopez will be a 20 and 10 with 2blks type of player this year. His defense is above average and he is a def a top level post player. Devin Harris is already an allstar and can take over any game whenever he wants. CDR will be one of the best bench players in league to go along with a very good bench of Rafer, and Hays. As long as T-Will and Lee are even close to what we think they can do we are about 500

[Preludepunk27]

Lee should be atleast a 15 point per game player next year. T-Will is more of an all around player but not a big scorer yet. Both with be important parts of the team this coming year. I really hope we can trade Yi for anything, I don't think he fits in our future. By game 20 next year our starting lineup should be Harris, Lee, T-Will, ??? and Lopez. By getting ride of Yi we get huge cape relief and those 4 young players should attrack at the very least a borderline allstar to come here if not 2 max guys which we are all praying for.

I think NJ is a 7th or 8th seed this year for the following reasons, Lopez will be a 20 and 10 with 2blks type of player this year. His defense is above average and he is a def a top level post player. Devin Harris is already an allstar and can take over any game whenever he wants. CDR will be one of the best bench players in league to go along with a very good bench of Rafer, and Hays. As long as T-Will and Lee are even close to what we think they can do we are about 500

Don't care what anyone says, but we're not a playoff team. Cavs, Celtics, Magic, Bulls, Hawks, Pistons, and Sixers are all better than us. If they can stay healthy the Wizards are better than us. The Raptors will probably be better than us. We may have some battles, but the Bobcats and Pacers and Heat will probably be better than us.

I find this fact amusing: I actually love our roster. Yes we have some mediocre guys, but we have guys with a lot of upside, but unless they grow up FAST, we're nowhere near being a playoff team. We'll have a top 5 chance of landing the #1 pick next year easy. That doesn't mean we'll be TERRIBLE. I actually think we'll be competitive if Frank opens up the offense. We have a bunch of guys that like the play hard on both ends. Sure we may steal a game or two, but I think we'll lose a couple tough ones, but I can't see us staying consistent. We'll be up and down just like last year, which I'm ok with. I'm not being a pessimist, I'm just saying what I believe. If we're floating around .500 for the better part of the season, I may eat my words but I don't think that will happen like last year.

[vincecarter4pres]

This team is not a playoff team. Period.

[NetsForce]

[vincecarter4pres]

I need to get my hands on a copy of Photoshop.

[enetric]

The benefit to winning versus only winning 15 games is that you look like a more attractive destination to potential free agents.

But put that in perspective. Hey...I think i will leave Cleaveland or Miami or Toronto...or Phoenix because the Nets won 40 instead of 20? Nah.

If they can look at a team and see that they can get their cash as well as the best opportunity to compete...that is the formula.

I have said 4 parts for us....

1- Get paid
2- Can you offer said recruit a chance to come with ANOTHER top tier free agent?
3- Is Broklyn a done deal?
4- What does the supporting cast around those two stars look like?

Do all 4 we have a shot. And #4 to me is helped more by having a top draft pick to add to an impresive 2nd year from Brook, growth from Lee...strong rook year from T.Williams...and of course...is Devin a true all star caliber player? Do that...record wont matter.

Either way? A lot of ifs here. Its going to be hard to land the recruits...so...just keep getting better.

[enetric]

Lee should be atleast a 15 point per game player next year. T-Will is more of an all around player but not a big scorer yet. Both with be important parts of the team this coming year. I really hope we can trade Yi for anything, I don't think he fits in our future. By game 20 next year our starting lineup should be Harris, Lee, T-Will, ??? and Lopez. By getting ride of Yi we get huge cape relief and those 4 young players should attrack at the very least a borderline allstar to come here if not 2 max guys which we are all praying for.

I think NJ is a 7th or 8th seed this year for the following reasons, Lopez will be a 20 and 10 with 2blks type of player this year. His defense is above average and he is a def a top level post player. Devin Harris is already an allstar and can take over any game whenever he wants. CDR will be one of the best bench players in league to go along with a very good bench of Rafer, and Hays. As long as T-Will and Lee are even close to what we think they can do we are about 500

Don't care what anyone says, but we're not a playoff team. Cavs, Celtics, Magic, Bulls, Hawks, Pistons, and Sixers are all better than us. If they can stay healthy the Wizards are better than us. The Raptors will probably be better than us. We may have some battles, but the Bobcats and Pacers and Heat will probably be better than us.

I find this fact amusing: I actually love our roster. Yes we have some mediocre guys, but we have guys with a lot of upside, but unless they grow up FAST, we're nowhere near being a playoff team. We'll have a top 5 chance of landing the #1 pick next year easy. That doesn't mean we'll be TERRIBLE. I actually think we'll be competitive if Frank opens up the offense. We have a bunch of guys that like the play hard on both ends. Sure we may steal a game or two, but I think we'll lose a couple tough ones, but I can't see us staying consistent. We'll be up and down just like last year, which I'm ok with. I'm not being a pessimist, I'm just saying what I believe. If we're floating around .500 for the better part of the season, I may eat my words but I don't think that will happen like last year.

You can be good...and still not be ready to WIN. There is a difference. Raps are DEFINITELY better no is. And the Heat have a top 5 or 6 superstar in this league. You dont win from hoe many talented guys you have you win fromthe top talents you have. This is a stars league. Devin Harris is our best player....enough said. We arent very good. and i am sorry...the young development we have isnt going to make up for Vince Carter...and we still stunk last season in terms of wins and losses. Having said that....also love the direction of this team. Just give them time to make mistakes and learn.

[ecuhus1981]

The benefit to winning versus only winning 15 games is that you look like a more attractive destination to potential free agents.

The Thunder won 23 games last year. You think that that promising young team can't attract a free agent, if they chose to pursue one?

Also, free agents WILL be interested in us, as long as we have the capspace to accommodate their demands. There simply won't be enough teams that have as much as we do.

[NetsForce]

The benefit to winning versus only winning 15 games is that you look like a more attractive destination to potential free agents.

The Thunder won 23 games last year. You think that that promising young team can't attract a free agent, if they chose to pursue one?

Also, free agents WILL be interested in us, as long as we have the capspace to accommodate their demands. There simply won't be enough teams that have as much as we do.

I think they're going to have trouble attracting someone like Amar'e or Carlos Boozer if they win 20 something games again next year.

[deviljets7]

The benefit to winning versus only winning 15 games is that you look like a more attractive destination to potential free agents.

While this is true, I think these guys are smart enough to notice if those extra wins are a result of players you're letting go to create cap room. I don't think renting Boozer for 1 year in an attempt to reach 35-40 wins will fool Lebron or Wade.

The one thing that works in the favor of the Nets (and other bad teams with cap space) is that of the top free agents available, Lebron's the only one on a legit contender. But 2 of CLE's top 3 non-Lebron players are extremely old (Shaq/Big Z) and Lebron alone makes a team an instant playoff team, regardless of supporting cast.

Bosh and Amare were on lottery teams last year and Miami was basically a one-man show.

[NetsForce]

I'm just saying there's a fine like between respectably bad and absolutely bad. The Nets have to be sure to not stray too far towards the latter.

It's not often that players flee from one team to another to join a complete rebuilding effort. What I'm wary of is an Atlanta Hawks type situation (where the team goes into a prolonged rebuilding mode); the Hawks got draft pick after draft pick but could never put together a winning season so they kept getting overlooked by big name free agents and instead had to settle on second rate players such as Al Harrington and Antoine Walker.

I know some posters are secretly, and others are not-so-secretly, hoping that the Nets perform horribly this season and get a great draft pick, and while I could live with that, I wouldn't mind (and don't think it's out of the realm of possibilities) if the Nets went out and won 30 games either.

[deviljets7]

I'm just saying there's a fine like between respectably bad and absolutely bad. The Nets have to be sure to not stray too far towards the latter.

It's not often that players flee from one team to another to join a complete rebuilding effort. What I'm wary of is an Atlanta Hawks type situation (where the team goes into a prolonged rebuilding mode); the Hawks got draft pick after draft pick but could never put together a winning season so they kept getting overlooked by big name free agents and instead had to settle on second rate players such as Al Harrington and Antoine Walker.

I know some posters are secretly, and others are not-so-secretly, hoping that the Nets perform horribly this season and get a great draft pick, and while I could live with that, I wouldn't mind (and don't think it's out of the realm of possibilities) if the Nets went out and won 30 games either.

I totally understand where your coming from, to be fair though the Hawks' record with lottery picks was epically bad during that stretch.

[TheNewEra]

Great point Net Force, to some degree a Mega Free Agent has to feel his teammates can hold their own weight or he would rather just resign. Your team has high grade A potential but some of it has to be shown. These guys are Superstars because majority of them have the drive to win (James,Wade,Amare,etc) at some point you have to prove we can pay you and get you a ring in a reasonable amount of seasons.

I'll personally admit as from an outsiders view with the roster you guys have and location I would consider your team the best fit for a player (like Lebron if he leaves) to win and get paid. 30 wins should be reasonable bar it says we can double this with a All-Star or 2 but you still have a weak enough record to get a high pick.