Where will we be by the All-Star break?

[vc vincanity]

In February what do you think our record will be? I'm thinking 25-16 or 24-17. Many people think I'm crazy, but I think we have the talent to pull that off. Carter could give us 23 ppg. Harris maybe 11 or 12. And the rest of the big men would give us at least 5pp or higher. I think with the right strategy we could pull this off. Let me add that Vince Carter is definitely going to be a All-Star this season. I'm GUARANTEEING it. Tell me what you think about this.

[vince-carter15]

ehmm I think 15-25 or something... this team is going no where this year.. you have to admit..

its gonna be one long season for us =(

[vincecarter4pres]

Is this what it's going to be like this season?
An influx of a couple new posters with crazy predictions, trades and opinions creating multiple usernames to try to bolster their argument after it has been shot down in other threads, therefore making it look like a lot of people agree?

LOL.

As I said to Great, IMHO, I have to say that although it is possible, it is not very likely this team will win more then 30 games on the season.
Even if they do gel.
I admire your team pride and all, but I just don't think I see a very successful team, in the much, much improved East.

At least as the team currently stands.

We can all hope, but at the same time, I wouldn't mind one more lottery pick(well I guess maybe 2, cause I have been told the 2010 Dallas pick is unprotected).

[vc vincanity]

ehmm I think 15-25 or something... this team is going no where this year.. you have to admit..

its gonna be one long season for us =(

Well the Sixers were supposed to be a rebuilding team last year. And they just blew up. They beat some of the best teams in the NBA. Just have some hope man. Last season literally killed me.

[ecuhus1981]

No, I firmly believe we are a postseason team, even in the new-and-improved, Elton- and Jermaine-ified Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

But it won't be the first half that carries us there. We could be 21-27 at the break, but IF we don't suffer any humongous freshman walls or sophomore slumps, we should be right at the 40- to 45-win area that I envision.

And just for the record, I'll spitball some stats for our guys:

Carter - 25/6/5/1/1 on 47%FG, 36%3PT and 78%FT in 41mpg
Harris - 17/3/6/1/0 on 51%FG, 35%3PT and 74%FT in 39mpg
Jianlian - 15/6/2/1/1 on 44%FG, 39%3PT and 75%FT in 28mpg
Lopez - 11/6/2/0/1 on 45%FG and 71%FT in 27mpg
Simmons - 11/3/3/1/0 on 44%FG, 41%3PT and 78%FT in 30mpg

Boone - 8/7/1/0/1 on 55%FG and 54%FT in 25mpg
Najera - 7/4/1/0/0 on 43%FG, 36%3PT and 70%FT in 21mpg
Dooling - 8/1/2/1/0 on 47%FG, 36%3PT and 83%FT in 41mpg
Hayes - 7/3/1/0/0 on 45%FG, 39%3PT and 80%FT in 41mpg

Of course, Sean, Ryan, Chris and others will have moments of glory, but I don't think this is their year.

[vincecarter4pres]

No, I firmly believe we are a postseason team, even in the new-and-improved, Elton- and Jermaine-ified Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

But it won't be the first half that carries us there. We could be 21-27 at the break, but IF we don't suffer any humongous freshman walls or sophomore slumps, we should be right at the 40- to 45-win area that I envision.

And just for the record, I'll spitball some stats for our guys:

Carter - 25/6/5/1/1 on 47%FG, 36%3PT and 78%FT in 41mpg
Harris - 17/3/6/1/0 on 51%FG, 35%3PT and 74%FT in 39mpg
Jianlian - 15/6/2/1/1 on 44%FG, 39%3PT and 75%FT in 28mpg
Lopez - 11/6/2/0/1 on 45%FG and 71%FT in 27mpg
Simmons - 11/3/3/1/0 on 44%FG, 41%3PT and 78%FT in 30mpg

Boone - 8/7/1/0/1 on 55%FG and 54%FT in 25mpg
Najera - 7/4/1/0/0 on 43%FG, 36%3PT and 70%FT in 21mpg
Dooling - 8/1/2/1/0 on 47%FG, 36%3PT and 83%FT in 41mpg
Hayes - 7/3/1/0/0 on 45%FG, 39%3PT and 80%FT in 41mpg

Of course, Sean, Ryan, Chris and others will have moments of glory, but I don't think this is their year.

Vince will play less minutes this year IMO. 41 mpg will run him into the ground.

And you have too many mpg accounted for here, way way too many.
You have a total of 293 mpg accounted for, just for 9 guys.
That is 52 mpg too much without including other guys that you mention, like SWAT, CDR and Anderson.

[Revolutionistt]

This season is going to be reminiscent of the Marbury era. 26-30 wins TOPS. For real, is Eduardo Najera and Jarvis Hayes the answer to our problems?? Do we really expect them to play 35+ minutes a game and play well enough for this team to win games? AND do you really expect Frank to continue to give them minutes if they do play well??? The basketball God's just do not like New Jersey right now.

[Preludepunk27]

^^^^^ It's loud and clear these guys aren't viewed as "answers to our problems." They're solid, hardworking, "high character" guys that we want to have around our young guys. They get an opportunity to play while management gets nice guys to help our young kids (cause we got like 10 of them). Do we expect them to play 35 minutes a game? At times yes but by the end of the season no. We hope our young guys in those positions can program to take a bigger role by season's end. As for Frank, he's gonna put the best team on the court at all times I feel to start the season. With that team, he'll insert the young guys and see how they react and hopefully increase their work load as the season goes on. I think management is demanding this of Frank this season so I'm sure this is sort of like what will happen.

And what are you talking about the "basketball God's don't like us right now?" We're not the Knicks. We have a solid core of young players with a ton of upside, some decent vets and the cap space for 2010. Just because our record is gonna be bad this year does not mean the "Gods don't like us." I think it's close to the exact opposite. We were in purgatory for the past 2-3 years with a team that was going nowhere. Now we had hope. If 3-4 of these guys turn into starting caliber players, that means the Gods loved us and want us to return to the glories of the earlier part of this century for our franchise.

[Revolutionistt]

^^^^^ It's loud and clear these guys aren't viewed as "answers to our problems." They're solid, hardworking, "high character" guys that we want to have around our young guys. They get an opportunity to play while management gets nice guys to help our young kids (cause we got like 10 of them). Do we expect them to play 35 minutes a game? At times yes but by the end of the season no. We hope our young guys in those positions can program to take a bigger role by season's end. As for Frank, he's gonna put the best team on the court at all times I feel to start the season. With that team, he'll insert the young guys and see how they react and hopefully increase their work load as the season goes on. I think management is demanding this of Frank this season so I'm sure this is sort of like what will happen.

And what are you talking about the "basketball God's don't like us right now?" We're not the Knicks. We have a solid core of young players with a ton of upside, some decent vets and the cap space for 2010. Just because our record is gonna be bad this year does not mean the "Gods don't like us." I think it's close to the exact opposite. We were in purgatory for the past 2-3 years with a team that was going nowhere. Now we had hope. If 3-4 of these guys turn into starting caliber players, that means the Gods loved us and want us to return to the glories of the earlier part of this century for our franchise.

Point well taken, I may have taken a step too far due to the heat of the moment. But one thing you mentioned about Najera and Hayes is they are hard working and high character guys that are good for our young players to learn from. But as far as THIS SEASON goes its not going to help us much in the W column, which is what the thread is about "Where will we be by the all star break". I love the Nets and want them to go 82-0 every year but Im just not too optimistic about this season.

[Preludepunk27]

All good points. I'm just trying to see, even in this season, The W column is only part of "where will we be at the all star break." There are so many other dimensions to the topic.

[deviljets7]

I think 5-10 games under .500 with a constant Carter trade watch at the break. I think Vince will have a huge first half if for no other reason than he knows he has to have one if he wants to get dealt to a contender.

When it's all said and done, put me down for around 30 wins, a top 8 pick and Vince playing elsewhere.

[Preludepunk27]

I think the Nets are banking on something like Vince putting up monster stats and trading him at the deadline for a playoff team that needs a change. We have the cap room in 2010 even with Vince's contract. I'd laugh if we for example did this:

Vince to Denver for Melo (fillers on both sides to make things work)

Summer 2010: Sign Wade or Lebron

Starting 5: Harris/Wade-or-Lebron/Melo/Yi/Lopez

Lol good times. Never happen but good times!

[vincecarter4pres]

I still gotta feeling Lebron is staying in Cleveland and Wade is staying in Miami.

I could see Bosh leaving Toronto and Amare leaving Phoenix, so I see those 2 guys as the more realistic targets.

Maybe combine that with either Yi and/or Lopez and Simmons expiring for a big time available stud next season and you're still looking at a sick, sick team.

You never even know, we could take Brandon Jennings in the upcoming draft and he might be the real deal.
Maybe trade Devin, who knows?

I guess VC would have to be traded as well though to make cap room.

[Preludepunk27]

Honestly, I think Wade is a lock in Miami.

I think right now Lebron is 70/30 in favor of Cleveland. A lot can happen in the Lebron situation though over the next 2 years.

I think Bosh loves Toronto. I think they got a good system in place. He's still the face of the franchise. They will also have the room for him without hitting the lux tax. I think it'd come down to if he wants to be in a bigger US Market or if the team has run their course (all young guys so I don't know how that would happen). I think he stays though

If I thought anyone was gonna leave their team, hands down Amare is the one in my opinion. Nash will be way up there in age, shaq will be done. They don't really have any stars in waiting to play next to him. Plus, no offense but it's the West. The big men he'll face in the East night in night out are a little softer. I love him and would love to have him on the Nets, but unless Yi can play the 3, I can't see him coming here.

In my opinion, if the Nets sense we're not gonna get Lebron, we'll move Vince before summer 2010 for a big name player, still leaving us cap room for sign 1-2 above average vets (which buys our yougins another year or two to develop). Just my thoughts. But I'm rambling to take it for face value.

[S.I.C. GM]

I think 5-10 games under .500 with a constant Carter trade watch at the break. I think Vince will have a huge first half if for no other reason than he knows he has to have one if he wants to get dealt to a contender.

When it's all said and done, put me down for around 30 wins, a top 8 pick and Vince playing elsewhere.

i totally agree with you.

This team will be under .500 by atleasst 7. Carter will have a good first half of season. Thorn will start throwing his name out there so contenders can think about it. VC to LAC, VC to PHX, VC to HOU for Ron "disaster" Artest only to be cut by the Nets. VC to Warrriors. VC to ORL for Lee and Turk(after he said he is becoming a FA at the end or the year). VC to UTAH. Any one of these works for me if we can get cap space and draft picks. <As SIC wakes up to find his bed sheets damp.>

[jeff1624]

Detroit
Boston
Philly
Toronto
Cleveland
Washington
Orlando
Atlanta
Milwaukee

Are all better than us....No we're not a playoffs team. The 15-25 prediction seems right...

[6_Rings]

i dunno why you guys are so pessimistic next season.

1. VC will once again own a team. i see increased numbers.
2. Very good draft. 2 decent 1st rounders and a steal on the 2nd.
3. Potential in Yi who looks really happy in playing there.
4. Simmons back in good health. he was very decent before his injury.
5. nice bench depth. Najera,Dooling,Hayes etc.
6. Devin Harris' breakthrough season.

hey, VC hinted a playoff spot next season.

[Preludepunk27]

There is not an ounce of pessimism anywhere in my opinion. It's 100% realism. Do we have the potential to be a #7/8 seed? If everything fell into place, then yes most definitely. Will it likely happen? Not at all but that isn't being pessimistic. A lot of variable have to be factored in for that to happen. If we win 35 games this year and we see a few young guys starting to stand out, then I'll be so proud of this season. Anything above those expectations is just an added bonus.

[vincecarter4pres]

There is not an ounce of pessimism anywhere in my opinion. It's 100% realism. Do we have the potential to be a #7/8 seed? If everything fell into place, then yes most definitely. Will it likely happen? Not at all but that isn't being pessimistic. A lot of variable have to be factored in for that to happen. If we win 35 games this year and we see a few young guys starting to stand out, then I'll be so proud of this season. Anything above those expectations is just an added bonus.

Exactly.
As painful as it is to say though, if we don't make the playoffs I would rather we only win like 29 games as long as VC was still happy, that way we get a nice lotto pick and a better chance at getting into the top 3.

[Birth of the Cool]

like some others have said this upcoming season's success can't be judged by Wins/Losses only.

I'm always for post-season so I'm probably against some posters who would rather have another lottery season. However, I won't be bothered if the Nets miss the playoffs (I still have the Raps to follow *cough*) if I see
- team that works hard on both ends of the court every game on a realistically consistent level
(VC/Devin must lead by example but guys like Najera, Dooling by their nature/game style can also help breed this type of culture on the team)
- improvement/growth in Frank's coaching (specifically being able to properly assign players to roles that gives them the best chance to succeed & defining roles & minutes earlier in the season)
- development of the young guys (looking specifically at Lopez / Yi but also guys like Boone / SWat / Anderson / CDR)
- growth of VC as a leader both on & off court (has lacked in most of his career but showed a surprising spark last year, will it continue this year despite the likely bumpy road ahead...)
- growth of Devin (more consistent shooting, better pg skills, leadership role, better defense)
- no drama (just bball...no wives/contracts/outside incidents/unhappiness/blah/blah). I demand Najera kick anyone's arse who wants to bring unneeded drama to the team this year.

I'm just real worried about injuries. VC ain't get any (edit: younger) and the 2-spot is thin so he may take on alot of minutes / Devin is a slight frame with a speeding bullet game which doesn't mix well healthwise / Simmons coming back from injury / Yi playing lots of bball outside of NBA and just the reports on the bumps & bruises these guys are taking in just the early days of camp (minor yes but still). Any significant injury (esp VC / Devin) and it will be ugly to watch. *nojinx*

I'd love it if this team became the Bad News Bears for this year's NBA season though (theirs usually a surprise or two every year...Philly / Atlanta kinda).