NFT: Nets Fans: The Nets Are Good Edition

at some point it was going to click for someone (be it Levert, Russell or Dinwiddie) as a leader who could close out games. They lost so many close games the previous 2 years even without Lin (who was supposed to be that guy while the young guys developed) so the turnaround this year isn't as much talent as it is learning how to win.

The unexpected this year has been the progression of Harris and Kurocs. Marks draft picks have been remarkable given where they were picking (and the lack of picks he inherited).

I hope they can land Tobias Harris in FA over the summer. He'd be the perfect compliment to Kurocs in the front court and really fits the offense well. He wouldn't bring them into the top tier in the east, but I think he'd put them in the mix for a 4-5 seed and they'd still have room for another max to continue building.

i have been skeptical on whether he is worth the next contract given it wont be small.
the more he learns to finish in the lane (he has been great of late)- be more consistent from 3 (he has been)-- the more of a weapon he becomes.
he creates so many shots/openings with his craftiness. that is what makes him so different then Din, and likely why they have to resign him.

amazing stretch for the most likable team around.
a few should be in the all star weekend.
allen, kurucs, din (defend his title), joe (3ball).

the Nets front office and coaching staff for doing more with less. It's still a long way to go to contention, but respectability is the first step and it looks like they are there.

It'll be fun to see how they keep building the team and improving now that the disastrous trade is finally in the rear view mirror.

others have done it, if he can get to the point where he is knocking down all his open 3's and raises his % close to 40% he can be an all star along the lines of Kemba. Kemba's first 4 years he shot 33% or worse from 3 and scored 17 ppg. His last 4 years have been on average more like 38-39% and he's scoring 22ppg. Obviously his efficiency and impact shot through the roof and now he's a legitimate all star.

Hopefully there's a reasonable for both sides 3-4 year extension. Crazy he's still only 22 years old.

team basically will be acquiring levert ... back from injury

in the realm of complimentary guys im not sure what they need- another stretch 4/5 maybe.

but they wont be sellers

has been able to draft quality players at the level they have been drafting is almost unprecedented. Compare to Grunfeld who regularly can't do anything with even a top 10 pick. King should go in the Worst GM of All Time Hall of Fame with Elgin Baylor and Wes Unseld. That Boston trade still sickens me.

I've been a fan since the Derrick Coleman days when I lived 6-7 miles west on Route 3. I watch most of their games (wishing nba.tv had a single team package like mlb.tv does).

I'm sure other teams have found winning by sharing, but this team is very, very good at it.

I originally thought that they would be somewhat competitive to start the year and then look at dealing away some of their expiring contracts for draft capital at the deadline (Dinwiddie, Carroll, Hollis-Jefferson etc.), while securing a better lottery pick.

Well, Dinwiddie has taken the next step and the other bench veterans have helped propel the team to consistent wins. Good teams win the games that they are suppose to win and the Nets have certainly done that, save for the losing streak after the injury to LeVert.

I want the bulk of this roster to stay intact and see if they can pull off a first round upset. It would be great for confidence and to help solidify Brooklyn as a destination to consider come free agency.

If Marks can find a taker for Crabbe at the deadline (won't be easy and would likely include another asset), it could clear up another 18+ million toward next season's cap. While still shaky at best, the Nets are doing all they can to improve their chances of securing a top FA (Kawhi, Durant).

Even adding a Middleton or Tobias Harris over the summer could help push the Nets into the top half of the East, assuming the current assets continue to develop at this pace.

They should be set up to contend within the next 2-3 seasons, which is ideal considering that's when the Warriors should come back down to earth and there will be more opportunity for parity within the league.

All of the above plus the development of D'Angelo, Joe Harris, Rodions Kurucs, Jarrett Allen, and eventually Musa makes it an exciting time to be a Nets fan.

and it suggests that Jimmy Butler might be the best fit of the potential FA's. I tend to agree, but I do wonder how a ball-dominant guy like Butler would hamper LeVert's and D-Lo's development. His alleged bad attitude might be a problem too, but he is a terrific P&R guy, something Atkinson uses a lot of.
Nets Latest Gem - ( New Window )

same age entering FA as Joe Johnson, pretty similar player too though Butler is probably a little better on the court and more of a headache off the court. He's the type of player they need, the shelf life is the question. I'd probably be willing to roll the dice and do it hoping that he helps get another star 1-2 years down the line, but I'd prefer a younger player who is still ascending like Tobias Harris. That would seemingly fit more with Marks too.

In comment 14257046 Eric on Li said:

Quote:

same age entering FA as Joe Johnson, pretty similar player too though Butler is probably a little better on the court and more of a headache off the court. He's the type of player they need, the shelf life is the question. I'd probably be willing to roll the dice and do it hoping that he helps get another star 1-2 years down the line, but I'd prefer a younger player who is still ascending like Tobias Harris. That would seemingly fit more with Marks too.

I cringe at the thought of the Nets even considering Butler. Why take on a player who might well kill the golden-egg laying goose?

You could make the argument that the Nets have the best Coach/GM due in the NBA. These two came in with the Nets handicapped by crap talent, no draft picks, and poor morale.

Now they have terrific young talent, all their picks and will have massive cap space in 2019.

The arrow is definitely pointing up.

And I’m Knick fan since the 1970 championship. I’m also very envious of what the Nets have done.

and culture was a punch line
imagine if the giants had this culture... we would all be a lot happier

is a franchise killer. You dont want him anywhere near this team.

In comment 14257965 dep026 said:

Quote:

is a franchise killer. You dont want him anywhere near this team.

That is my concern, dep. He's a perfect fit for what the Nets do on the court, but an awful fit for what they are trying to build off the court.

In comment 14257941 hitdog42 said:

Quote:

and culture was a punch line imagine if the giants had this culture... we would all be a lot happier

I'd hire Marks to be GM of any franchise in any sport. He is really creative and knows how to build an organization the right way.

Welcome back Mr. Dinwiddie!!

23 FT's....and still lost

Three 3 pointers in the last 30 seconds, plus the game winner.

One of the best regular season wins in Nets history. Miraculous.

that Houston lost a game they were leading by 6 or more with 30 seconds left in regulation.