Back when they first released the Nets schedule for the upcoming season, Sebastian did a fine job breaking down how he thought the team would fare in their first 20 games. But wait a second, there’s 62 games left on the schedule? How are the Nets going to do? Well, I’m going to unscientifically break down the next 20 and my colleagues here at NAS will take a crack at the remaining 42 in the near future (so stay tuned).

Anyway, Sebastian had the Nets at a solid 9-11 after their first 20. That takes us to:

... MORE →

Mark Ginocchio

Tweet

Ben Couch has been doing good work in the off-season profiling some of the Nets newest coaches and acquisitions. Most recently, he spoke with Jordan Farmar, the assumed backup PG. Farmar talks about his background in Los Angeles, his family and his thoughts on moving to the East Coast.

They just talk about the weather. But I’m here (in the gym) all the time, and it’s always the same temperature. (Laughs.) I’ll figure it out. I’m not too worried about it. My friends and family back home understand that I’ve got to do what I have to do. This is a short career, and in the scheme of things, if it’s 15 years, it’s still 15 years out of a 70-year life – hopefully more, but we’ll see, ha. It’s still a short period. You sacrifice this to set your family up for life, hopefully. I worked really hard to get to this stage, and this is a great opportunity for me, so everybody is really supportive and cool with it.

Mark Ginocchio

Tweet

Day in and day out, we here at NetsAreScorching try to provide content that you guys want to read, however, we don’t know what exactly you want to hear about, and some things may fall through the cracks. This is what the mailbag is for. Every Monday we are going to be answering questions from you the reader, don’t be afraid to e-mail your questions to mailbag@netsarescorching.com.

Well, you folks truly outdid yourself this week - we got a lot of really great questions for the mailbag. You guys always bring up great topics to discuss. Thanks again, and remember to keep sending them in for next week!

Marcin

With Kevin Durant emerging as a superstar last year, in his 3rd season, do you see Brook Lopez having the same leap? Maybe not becoming a superstar but putting up all-star numbers? Thanks

... MORE →

Devin Kharpertian

Tweet

Adam Spunberg of the YES Network talks about five games this season that could go a long way in determining the Nets destiny, including opening night against the Pistons, Halloween against the Heat, two games against the Knicks, and Dallas' one visit to New Jersey in January.

This is fun stuff, and Spunberg seems to have a positive outlook of the Nets, even going so far as thinking the April 8 game against the Knicks could have playoff implications for both teams.

Mark Ginocchio

Tweet

Carmelo Anthony made an appearance at the U.S. Open yesterday but rebuffed reporters who were asking him about his status with his current team, the Denver Nuggets.

"My mind-set is just to enjoy fashion week, enjoy this U.S. Open and that's it. I'm not really thinking about basketball right now."

Mark Ginocchio

Tweet

With the recent release of Sean May due to an injury, it looks like the Nets are still seeking a veteran PF for the bench and may be turning to Joe Smith, according to Yahoo's Marc Spears via Twitter.

Vet free agent big man Joe Smith is expected to take a physical with New Jersey Nets on Friday & sign a contract, a source tells Y! Sports.

Smith has been one of the more solid backup big men in the league for years though he looked like he was finally showing his age the last two season. We'll see how the Nets plan to use him, though I'm guessing it's to give Derrick Favors another veteran buddy to practice with.

Mark Ginocchio

Tweet

With four of the starting positions seemingly locked down, the only real point of roster contention seems to be at the shooting guard position between free agent signing Anthony Morrow and second-year Nets player Terrence Williams. Today, Dennis and Devin look at the case for both players.

... MORE →

Devin Kharpertian

Tweet

With four of the starting positions seemingly locked down, the only real point of roster contention seems to be at the shooting guard position between free agent signing Anthony Morrow and second-year Nets player Terrence Williams. Today, Dennis and Devin look at the case for both players.

Terrence Williams has to be the most polarizing New Jersey Nets player right now.  Should he start or come off the bench?  Should he play some point guard or stay exclusively at the two or three?  Should the Nets trade him or keep him for his big-time potential?  Let the debate begin.... MORE →

Dennis Velasco

Tweet

In the ongoing Carmelo Anthony drama, Yahoo's Marc Spears is reporting that Anthony is trying to persuade the Nuggets to trade him to either the Knicks or the Bulls.

The Knicks have limited assets to offer the Nuggets, which makes the Bulls a more appealing potential trade partner. The Bulls can offer a replacement small forward in Luol Deng(notes), as well as two young forwards in James Johnson(notes) and Taj Gibson(notes). New York officials would like to make a run at signing Anthony next summer if he were to opt to become a free agent. The Knicks will have salary-cap room with Eddy Curry’s(notes) contract expiring after the season.

Between Denver's reported absurd trade demands and Melo's disinterest in coming to the Nets, I think the best course of action may be to lay low. If I'm Billy King, I only ramp up my discussions with Denver if it sounds like another Eastern Conference team is close to getting him.

Mark Ginocchio

Tweet

Two years ago, Devin Harris dropped 41 points (and 13 assists) on his former team against former Nets' point guard Jason Kidd.  Two years ago, Devin Harris was representing the New Jersey Nets at the NBA All-Star game and almost took the Nets to the playoffs despite nobody really expecting them to even be close.  Two years ago, Devin Harris was the New Jersey Nets' point guard of the future.

Now?  Well, now everybody thinks that the Mavericks won that Jason Kidd-Devin Harris trade.  Now, this team can't win with Devin Harris as their starting point guard (you should see the e-mails I get "Trade Devin for Rubio," "Get Kidd back," "We should start Farmar").  This complete 180 in fans' opinion of Devin Harris is mostly due the Nets' 12 win season last year.  But while most fans are shaking their heads in disgust thinking about Devin Harris running the New Jersey Nets, I am excited because you know what?  Devin Harris is still a very good point guard.

When Nets fans complain about wanting to upgrade the point guard position, they need to realize that they only way the Nets can truly upgrade at the point is if they get Chris Paul.  That's it.  The great Kelly Dwyer had Devin ranked as the 8th best point guard (Kidd wasn't ranked in the top 10 for what it is worth), and that is after his poor performance last year.  Dwyer's rankings aren't the be all, end all but he is one of the smartest basketball writers out there (in my opinion), so when he says something I listen.  Despite that, you still hear the same  four arguments over and over:

... MORE →

Sebastian Pruiti

Tweet

After suffering a stress fracture in his foot during a workout, the Nets have decided to part ways with PF Sean May, the team announced yesterday. After the acquisition of Troy Murphy, May was a longshot to make the team anyway, but it's disappointing to see he couldn't even get the chance to prove himself during the preseason:

Nets general manager Billy King explained that the team just couldn’t wait on the 25-year-old power forward: "The injury has a four- to eight-week rehab period," King said, "which would not provide Sean a legitimate chance to make our team."

Mark Ginocchio

Tweet

By Evan Kaplan

Fast-forward about seven weeks and envision this scenario. There are 5 seconds remaining in the Nets opening night game against the Pistons. The score is tied and the team needs a bucket to win their debut at the Prudential Center. Who is going to take that all-important shot with the game on the line?

One of the team’s main problems in 2009-10 is that there was no clear answer to this question. Many times the Nets would keep the game close until the last few minutes but would be unable to hit that big shot needed to secure victories. There was no Vince Carter, no Jason Kidd on the team that could be relied on in crunch time. This season the team needs to find a player that can be called upon to make big plays when they are most needed, especially if they want to try and contend for a playoff spot.

... MORE →

Sebastian Pruiti

Tweet