The Nets offensive woes from last year have been well documented on NAS, but for those of you who still aren’t in shell shock from the 2009-10 campaign, I wanted to revisit the team’s three point shooting performance. At .314 percent, the Nets ranked second-to-last in the league on treys, and while there were a number of reasons why the Nets ranked last in the league in offensive efficiency, they’re inability to hit much from behind the arc was certainly a contributor and something the front office has very forcefully addressed in their player acquisitions this summer.

Anthony Morrow is one of the best sharpshooters in the league, while Troy Murphy may be one of the NBA’s better shooting PFs. However, Jordan Farmar and Travis Outlaw also bring respectable shooting to the team. And while I’m sure you’ve heard this before, I’d like to point the many advantages of having legit shooters in the NBA: it spaces the floor better for your big men in the post while preventing defenses from settling into monotonous zone defenses – something that repeatedly did the Nets in during their close games last year.

So how much better are the Nets at shooting threes? By looking at just how their new acquisitions performed last year, the answer is: miles and miles better. Collectively, the current Nets roster shot 37 percent from three last year, which would have placed them 6^th in the league based on overall percentage. It’s difficult to gauge if those shooters could have replicated those numbers in the Nets system last year – keep in mind that Courtney Lee went from a 40 percent shooter in Orlando to a 34 percent shooter with the Nets – but it’s a good indication as to how much more improved the Nets are in that one area.

It’s also worth noting that good three-point shooting does not guarantee success in the NBA – Toronto and Golden State were both in the top 6 last year. But look at some of the other teams near the top in this statistic – Phoenix (1^st), Cleveland (2^nd), Orlando (3^rd) and Dallas (5^th). So it obviously only helps, especially if they’re able to accomplish other things on offense besides launching treys.

As a fan, these numbers are also reassuring that the front office has developed a legitimate strategy for improving the team on offense. While the Nets didn’t acquire the “best” player at any one position, outside of Johan Petro, all of the new acquisitions have long range shooting skills and an offensive system can be built around that, especially with Brook Lopez in the middle.

Mark Ginocchio

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It's easy to get caught up with the new player acquisitions and the development of young guys like Brook Lopez and Terrence Williams, but remember, at one point last year, for better or worse, this was Devin Harris' team and in many ways, it still is. NJNETS.com has posted an interview with Devo on their Facebook page. As one would expect, it sounds like Harris is getting ready to move on from last season:

"I look at the team that we had, and some of the games we were losing, it was just mental. We were in a lot of games – though we got our butts kicked our fair share, too – but we just made mental mistakes down the stretch. That’ll change with a new season. Coming back, we’ve got a lot of new guys. You look at last year and move forward."

You would have to think that if Harris was playing like an all-star for most of last year, the Nets would never have been flirting with the worst record of all time. I think Harris' performance out of the gate will go a long way in determining if he's really that special kind of a player we all saw in 2008-09, or if that season was a bit of fluke.

Mark Ginocchio

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After struggling with a 12 win season last year, Nets fans are feeling good about their current situation.  A much improved roster, a successful coach, and an owner willing to spend has fans thinking about the playoffs.  We here think that the playoffs are a possibility but not a guarantee.  Over the next two weeks, we are going to look at four things that need to happen for the Nets to make the playoffs.

The Nets Will Make The Playoffs If...Avery Johnson can get the Nets to play solid team defense

Why Is It Important?

In my opinion, defense is just as important as offense when it comes to winning basketball games.  It can get you through cold stretches on the offensive end, and if you play good defense, it helps set a tone.  Given Avery Johnson's reputation as a defensive minded coach, you know he is going to hold players accountable on the defensive end, however it is going to be a challenge.  This is because of the personnel that he has.  As four of the five projected starters (Harris, Morrow, Outlaw, Murphy, and Lopez) can be considered a defensive liability individually.

On the perimeter, we already know about Devin's tendency to reach and get lazy, allowing for his man to get by him.  Anthony Morrow is just as bad, if not worse on the defensive end.  According to 82games.com, Morrow allowed opposing SGs to put up 23.3 points/48 and post a PER of 17.8 (average is 15).  On the inside, while Troy Murphy does pull down defensive rebounds, he is a pretty weak defender.  Murphy allowed opposing PFs to put up a PER of 21.5, and when he was on the court the Pacers' defense allowed 4.1 more points per 100 possessions than when he was off the court.  Brook Lopez is a decent one on one defender, but his poor foot speed and lateral movement is a concern, especially when pairing him with Murphy, who doesn't have the quickest feet.

Nets' fans saw how much a poor defensive team hurt the momentum of the Nets game in and game out.  With a new coach, a new system, and a ton of new players the Nets might not start off too hot on the offensive end, which is why defense will be so important.

Can It Happen?

Despite all of the flaws on the defensive end, the Nets can still be a solid defensive team, and this is where Avery Johnson and the rest of the Nets' coaching staff come into play.  Avery Johnson needs to install a concept of team defense where everyone has each others' back.  If someone gets by Devin or Morrow, a big helps, while the rest of the team rotates correctly.  On the pick and roll, the Nets are going to have to use a team defense concept to stop the offense.

In my opinion, it can happen, but Avery Johnson needs to get this team trusting each other.  We saw last year how a lack of trust can hurt a team on the defensive end.  There was poor communication, people switching while everyone else was staying home, and rotations were off.  Eventually the team started looking out for themselves rather than the team, and that doesn't work on the defensive end.

Johnson has a reputation of holding players accountable, and I think this accountability will force each and every player on the Nets to trust his teammates on the defensive end, and in conclusion be a pretty solid defensive team.

Sebastian Pruiti

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For those of you who enjoy the insights at the Wage of Win Journal (I do), you should be happy to read what Ian Levy wrote about new Nets PF Troy Murphy:

Murphy was among the most productive front court players in the league last season, posting a WP48 of 0.281 and producing 13.7 Wins over the course of the season. Murphy has obvious limitations at the defensive end, but is an extremely efficient scorer and a very strong rebounder. Murphy scored 1.10 Point Per Shot last season and grabbed 15.1 Reb/48. His 28.1% Defensive Rebound Rate over the past three seasons was bested by only Carlos Boozer, Dwight Howard, Joel Pryzbilla and Marcus Camby. Replacing him is going to be no small task.

I'll be interested to see how Avery Johnson accounts for Murphy's lack of defensive chops, especially when paired with Brook Lopez who can be rough around the edges defensively as well. Still, I expect the acquisition of Murphy to be one of the better trades the organization has made in recent history.

Mark Ginocchio

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The Nets could find themselves playing more than 82 if this guy steps it up.

After struggling with a 12 win season last year, Nets fans are feeling good about their current situation.  A much improved roster, a successful coach, and an owner willing to spend has fans thinking about the playoffs.  We here think that the playoffs are a possibility but not a guarantee.  In this third installment, we are going to look at something that needs to happen for the Nets to make the playoffs.

The Nets will make the Playoffs if... Derrick Favors earns the starting PF role.

Why Is It Important?

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Devin Kharpertian

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While most would say the Nets roster is pretty final, some basketball writers are still speculating how things may shake out the next few weeks. Aron Phillips of Dime lists the Nets as a possible destination for Denver SG JR Smith, who is reportedly on the tracking block.

Other than Anthony Morrow (who’s still young), New Jersey needs some experience and depth at the shooting guard spot. Bringing in the New Jersey native would help fill that void.

I'm not quite sure I agree on the depth issue. In addition to Morrow, Terrence Williams seems destined to play SG with Travis Outlaw and Damion James at the three. There's also an expectation that Devin Harris and Jordan Farmar may be on the court at the same time this season. So I don't really see why the Nets would look to make a deal for Smith.

Mark Ginocchio

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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.

For the third straight week, you guys sent in some awesome questions. We here at NetsAreScorching appreciate & love to hear them, and oftentimes you guys are able to start some really interesting discussions. Sebastian was your resident Nets guru for the first two mailbags, and this week I get to slide into that role. Here are the answers to some of your most burning Nets-related questions.

Mark:

Will Derrick Favors be the next Kwame Brown? Kwame Brown was once projected as a freak athlete with good defensive skill but very poor offensive skill. If he won't be, what qualities does he have that will make him successful? How do you project his career?

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Devin Kharpertian

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The Nets may lack a true superstar, but Jason Schreier of Real GM thinks the Nets could building something successful with something more important than a Carmelo Anthony-type player: chemistry. Schreier compares the Nets to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who went from one of the worst team's in the league to a near first round upset of the World Champion Lakers last year:

With Avery Johnson running the team, the Nets might be able to achieve similar results. The team's exceptionally talented young players – Lopez, Williams, Favors – need to be given the time and space to develop alongside more experienced players like Harris and Murphy. Locker room problems like former guard Chris Douglas-Roberts need to be zapped immediately, and the Nets should seek out vets who are known for teamwork, like Grant Hill or Shane Battier.

I love the positivity, but keep in mind that OKC has one of the best players in basketball with Kevin Durant. OKC didn't need to import a superstar because they already had one. Is Derrick Favors that superstar for the Nets? It's going to be a while before we know, but I still think the Nets need to take advantage of their assets and cap flexibility if the right player comes along.

Mark Ginocchio

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Tomorrow, I'll be answering a select few questions (and by that I mean as many questions as possible) about the Nets from you guys, our loyal, awesome readers. The questions can address any Nets-related topic: front office, player movement, players on our roster, anything at all. Send your questions in (and tell your friends, too) to mailbag@netsarescorching.com today!

Devin Kharpertian

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In what has to be a joke, Fran Blinebury of NBA.com looks at the possible destinations for former scoring champ Allen Iverson and suggests the Nets as a landing spot:

The Nets are putting together a solid young core around Brook Lopez, Derrick Favors and Devin Harris. But they really aren't going anywhere until they make the move to the new arena in Brooklyn in two more years. So why not give the fans a reason to drive a few extra exits down the turnpike to Newark to watch Iverson try to turn back the clock and work his old magic?

Ummm..... no.....

Mark Ginocchio

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HoopsWorld gives a nice rundown of all the teams in play for Carmelo Anthony, looking at their assets and determining if there's a match. On the Nets they write:

Lopez and Favors are the main attractions for Denver, but it's hard to see why Anthony would want to sign an extension with this team if without its prized young big men. The Warriors' first-rounder is nice, but unless Golden State makes the playoffs by 2013, that will turn into a pair of second-rounders.

It seems, like some other analysts that HW thinks Houston has the best shot to make a deal before the deadline.

Mark Ginocchio

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Obviously, this is a New Jersey Nets blog, however, the NAS crew absolutely love the NBA in general. So, every week, Sebastian, Mark, Devin, and myself will answer questions regarding the L.

I'm sitting out this week, but my NAS colleagues kicked major derriere on the questions below.  - DV

1) List in order the teams (New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets) that have the best shot of acquiring Carmelo Anthony and what the winning bid (players traded to the Denver Nuggets) would be.

Sebastian: I am going to have to say the Rockets.  They have a combination of what you need to trade for a star player.  They have a lot of young talent at the Small Forward position (Chase Budinger and Shane Battier - who is expiring), and they have a ton of trade exceptions.  Plus Daryl Morey seems to be a guy who can pull this thing off.

The Nets simply don't have enough to make the contracts match up.  The only tradable contract that they have is Devin Harris, and the Nuggets don't really need a point guard.

Mark: Based  purely on possible assets to trade I would say Nets, Rockets and Knicks. The Nets are obviously loaded with young, affordable talent on the NBA level and first and second round draft picks. If a guy like Terrence Williams continues to evolve into the player he was at the end of last season, perhaps Denver can be enticed with a package centered around him, Golden State's first rounder we acquired for Marcus Williams and Troy Murphy's expiring, though I'm guessing Denver will want at least Derrick Favors and/or Devin Harris (I'm sure they'll also ask for Brook Lopez, but that's not happening). With that being said, the whole point of importing a player like Anthony is to improve your core of players and become a title contender and if the Nets have to trade Harris or Favors to do that, I don't know if there's enough depth on this roster to reach that point. And consider if Anthony wants to leave Denver because he doesn't see them as a long-term title contender, why would he come to New Jersey to be a perennial 5th seed in the Eastern Conference? And obviously the Nets don't do any deals if Melo doesn't sign an extension. As per my quota let me just throw in that if the Knicks think a deal around Eddy Curry and the Rooster is going to get Denver interested, they're nuts.

Devin: I'm not going to keep falling for the New York media circus. They've just been wrong too many times about who's lining up to play at "The Mecca." (I've been to both venues many times. The Prudential Center is better.) Since the Rockets are an inexplicable choice to me (seriously, Houston? How random is that? Did their fans even think about the possibility of getting Melo? Did Morey? Who knew?), I'm going to have to go with the order they were given - Nets first, Knicks second, Rockets third. As for a straight-up Denver-NJ trade, the only thing that makes sense for the Nets to give up is Harris+T-Will+Hump+3mil+picks - but the Nuggets already have Billups & Lawson, which makes a trade for Harris's long-term deal unlikely.

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Dennis Velasco

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