Regarding this year's NBA Draft, conventional thinking has John Wall going first to the Washington Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers, in all likelihood, selecting Evan Turner, the second best prospect by most standards.  So, how about the Nets with the third pick?

What I gather most from what I've read of New Jersey Nets owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, is he likes to take calculated and minimized risks in business. Sure, a certain amount of luck is needed to succeed, but for the most part, he seems like he makes moves with a purpose (his recent media circus around the tume of the NBA Draft Lottery and his ownership becoming official being an obvious example). So, just knowing that, I don't think he would chance having a potential seemingly issue-laden player on his team, drafted third overall in Prokhorov's first NBA Draft, despite this player's talent. It's a new beginning for the Nets and DeMarcus Cousins shouldn't be a part of it.
... MORE →

Dennis Velasco

Tweet

Though many Nets fans are probably disappointed that the team didn’t draw the first or second pick in this summer’s draft - thereby hypothetically losing out on the John Wall/Evan Turner sweepstakes - nabbing the third pick is still an organizational rarity in that the team has only selected in the top three on three different occasions since the Draft Lottery system began in 1985.

With that said, as is the case with most NBA teams, the Nets have had a mixed bag of results with their draft lottery picks. To demonstrate just how random the lottery can be, and how scouting reports can differ drastically from actual results, I thought I would review how the Nets have done at each respective spot in the lottery rounds. So rather than obsessing about mid-round busts like Antoine Wright or Rex Walters,  I thought it would be better to rehash how the Nets have fared with picks that should be hypothetically be producing the best players. Here's part I, and next week I'll look at the remaining lottery picks.

... MORE →

Mark Ginocchio

Tweet

According to Al Iannazzone, Avery Johnson is the first man up to be interviewed for the Nets head coaching vacancy. Rod Thorn is likely going to interview "four to six" candidates. Another names being thrown around in the report include Boston assistant Tom Thibodeau, Jeff Van Gundy and Portland assistant Monty Williams. Mark Jackson and Mike Brown are also on the radar.

I have a feeling that either Avery or Thibs will ultimately get the job, so I would watch these reports very carefully. There seems to be a growing chorus for Mike Brown, but the idea of bringing in a guy who seemed to lose control of his team at the worst possible time just sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Mark Ginocchio

Tweet

In New Jersey next year? Not in this mock, and probably not come draft night. ...Probably.

So after my illustrious first mock went up last week, I made the solemn promise that I would be bringing you updated mocks every week until the remainder of the draft. As you will learn quickly, I'm a man of my word, and thus the second Wednesday brings the second mock draft.

In the world of the draft, one week can make all the difference. However, since the full combine measurements haven't come out yet, there hasn't been too much of a buzz surrounding the NBA Draft. The first measurements are in, and while there are a couple of interesting notes (DeMarcus Cousins's body fat, Cole Aldrich's 2-inch shoes), not too much was shaken up.

There are a couple of changes, though, and this will be the last week that we'll have only the top 14. Next Wednesday, expect a mock that's expanded to the top 20.

Without further ado, version 2.0:

... MORE →

Devin Kharpertian

Tweet

Throughout the Nets coaching search, we've witnessed some pretty definitive denials of interest from candidates (hello Coach K.), so I was a bit shocked when Lakers coach Phil Jackson gave, what was perhaps, the most unique non-denial denial I've ever read:

"I'd like to have a vodka with him at some point. He seems like a very interesting young man," Jackson told reporters before Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals last night.

Amazing. Of course he's referring to new owner Mikhail Prokhorov as the "interesting young man." And while Jackson, who's in the final year of his contract and is reportedly mulling retirement or a paycut with the Lakers next season, outright dismissed the notion of returning to the Bulls sidelines, he definitely left the option of the Nets hanging out there like a beachball on a tee.

Dave D'Alessandro seems to have an idea of what must be done to pry Jackson from the Lakers:

But here’s how you find out whether Jackson is interested: You call Todd Musburger in Chicago, ask him what it would take to extricate his client from his cocoon in Playa Del Rey, pray that he doesn’t tell Mitch Kupchak or Jeanie Buss about it, and then scrape together $100,000 for the tampering penalty you will undoubtedly incur.

Ultimately, I think Jackson coaching the Nets is as much as a possibility as LeBron James playing SF next season. Yes, it's a possibility, but a LOT would have to go right for it to happen. And as Dave D. points out, there's no way of knowing that these two actions can be tied together. Would LeBron, who is now earning the "uncoachable" tag, unless you apparently hire lifelong sleazeball John Calipari, even want to play for the Zenmaster? I will say this - if my choice was between Phil Jackson and LeBron James, I'm taking the guy with ten rings over the guy who acts like he's earned ten rings but actually has none.

Mark Ginocchio

Tweet

Chris Douglas-Roberts is a tremendous talent, there is no denying that.  If the decision to pick up Chris Douglas-Roberts (the team has to execute an option on the final year for CDR's 3 year deal by June 30th) was purely as basketball one, the Nets would do it in a heartbeat.  He would be making under a million dollars and for a team looking to spend a ton of money in Free Agency, CDR is a huge bargain.

With all of the headaches that he causes off the court, however, the Nets may end up deciding that he isn't worth the $854,389 he is due to make next season.

Last year was an interesting one for CDR.  It started at summer league, where he played very well at the 2-guard position.  That lead many people (including myself) to say he should come off the bench, instead of playing at SF.  However, he proved all the "haters" wrong right off the bat, averaging nearly 20 points a game during the first two months of the season.  He was being mentioned as an early candidate for the Most Improved Player award, and rightfully so.

... MORE →

Sebastian Pruiti

Tweet

A couple of things on the Nets coaching search, which I would expect will be the first big off-season news to be announced in the coming weeks.

It looks like the New Orleans Hornets are prepared to make Tom Thibodeau an offer, though it's unclear if he's going to accept, as he's still waiting on offers from other teams, namely the Chicago Bulls and the Nets.

Meanwhile, Dave D'Alessandro asks Rod Thorn about newly fired coach Mike Brown: “Maybe,” he said with a telling laugh.

While Dave D. praises him as a "good coach," I'd say a franchise that is trying so desperately to turn over a new life, would be wise to steer clear of a guy whose team spectacularly choked in the postseason.

Meanwhile, perhaps Dave D. should go into coaching or scouting. In addition to calling Mikhail Prokhorov "NBA dumb" over the weekend, he has, what might be, the most simplified breakdown of how to stop Dwight Howard ever:

Let Dwight Howard catch the ball anywhere and anytime he wants to catch it, because:

1. His postgame is about as robotic and rudimentary as you’ll ever see in a franchise player, and frankly, just bad enough to get Patrick Ewing fired.

2. He’ll never make an opponent pay for the hacks you’re going to slap on him at point-blank range.

3. His left hand is something out of Geek Middle School Follies.

4. Once the doubles and digs arrive, he can’t find shooters if his life depended on it.

After reading all that, you got to wonder how this guy was ever an all-star. Or how his team, the past two seasons, was so successful. Or maybe it's just that Dave D. seems a wee bit too glib and sarcastic lately for comfort. Great writer, but perhaps this collapse of print media thing is starting to get to him.

Mark Ginocchio

Tweet

In case you haven't heard, Just Wright came out recently and it involves Common as a NBA star.  His team?  The New Jersey Nets.  I am not here to pass judgment on the movie, but the plot does seem kind of silly, and that was even before this:

Bobby Simmons wearing an All-Star jersey?  Get out of town.

Props to Zach Harper of Talkhoops and Rob Mahoney of TheTwoManGame.

Sebastian Pruiti

Tweet

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.

Please note that Mark was not able to answer the inaugural questions because he decided to take a more active role and is SEARCHING for Godot.  Yeah, NAS writers are smart and cultured like that, able to throw in literary references with the greatest of ease.  SWAGGER!

1) If The Washington Wizards keep the first overall pick and draft John Wall, would Wall and Gilbert Arenas be able to co-exist?  Or do the Wizards have a chance of moving Arenas and his big contract?

Sebastian:
I think the Wizards are going to be keeping the first pick and draft John Wall.  As for Wall playing together with Gilbert Arenas, I think it is possible.  In my opinion, both Wall and Gilbert have the size to be a 2-guard in this league, but I think Gilbert will be the one moved while Wall stays at point.  Gilbert Arenas has always been more of a scoring point guard, and sliding him to SG will allow the Wizards to to get Arenas the ball in scoring areas easier.  Plus now Arenas won't have to chase around opposing point guards, and that is a good thing considering all the damage done to his knees in recent years.

Devin:
Unfortunately for us, absolutely. Arenas and Wall are both great scorers and distributors, and Wall is long enough that he'd be able to guard twos on the defensive end. Arenas gives Wall someone with a good outside shot and team-running skills to defer to, and Wall gives Arenas an exciting slasher with some of the best court vision we've ever seen at the college level. However, if the Wizards have a chance to move Arenas, I don't think they pass it up solely because of financial reasons. They'd still take Wall though. I don't see how they pass on him.

DV:
The Wizards will probably do all they can to trade Arenas, not strictly for financial reasons, although that plays a big part, but for the sake of image.  When Arenas got in trouble for his firearm shenanigans, the Wizards immediately took down every image or mention of Arenas in their building. Wall is a refreshing start in every sense and I can see the organization not wanting it tainted in any way.  However, moving the contract will be difficult, so the question becomes, can both enigmatic and charismatic point guards with the ability to score be able to work together?  No question.  Arenas won't mind the attention taken away from him because of Wall, partly because the road to redemption for Arenas meets the road to stardom for Wall.  If Arenas and Wall succeed as a backcourt, for the most part, people will point finger guns in true jest and not a symbol of disrespect to the Association, but most of all to a career.... MORE →

Dennis Velasco

Tweet

So for the last four days, your favorite four NetsAreScorching writers have discussed the potential of some of the most likely coaching candidates for the New Jersey Nets next season. On Monday, Dennis Velasco argued that Coach K's college experience and respect throughout the league made him a viable candidate. On Tuesday, Mark Ginocchio posted about Tom Thibodeau, the assistant coach at Boston, explaining that his coaching roots (a Jeff Van Gundy disciple) and commitment to defense make him a great candidate for the job. On Wednesday, Devin Kharpertian took that commitment one step further, noting that Jeff Van Gundy's pedigree was too important to overlook. Yesterday, Sebastian Pruiti made a great case for former coach Avery Johnson, citing his ability to maintain the Mavericks as an offensive force while improving them on the defensive end.

Now, if we were to ask each writer to name one more candidate that they would be interested in seeing, who would it be?

Sebastian: For the past few months I have been on the Eddie Jordan bandwagon, and even though I may be the only one, I think the Nets need to look at Coach Jordan as a serious candidate.  Yes, I do realize that he has been fired twice in the past two years, but in both instances I think he had a raw deal.  First in Washington he had to deal with a ton of injuries, and second in Philly, he had to deal with 2 bloated contracts.  Anyway, the reason I am all for Eddie Jordan (besides the fact that he is already familiar with the Nets - he was a former assistant) is because of his system.  I have always been a sucker for motion offenses in the NBA, and I think the Nets' roster is perfect for a motion offense (I have been saying this for a few years now).  To run a motion offense you need a center who is comfortable playing on the outside who can pass, check.  You need scoring options from the wing, check.  Finally you need a scoring PG, check.  That might be the most appealing aspect of Eddie Jordan, you don't need a pure PG for his system to work.  As much as I love Devin and his abilities, he isn't a true point guard.  He is more of a scoring, ball dominating point guard.  You saw what Jordan was able to do with another PG with those qualities in Gilbert Arenas.  While Eddie Jordan isn't the flashy name Nets' fans would want, if the Nets do go after him, don't be disappointed.

DV: Everyone that follows the NBA closely and pays attention to not only player contracts, but coaches', you know that the Holy  Grail of all sideline stalkers will become a free agent after the NBA Finals when he wins an 11th championship ring.  Yes, I'm predicting the Los Angeles Lakers will repeat and that Phil Jackson is a possible candidate to consider for the Nets.  Sure, it's a possibility as small as the size of Megan Fox's acting ability, but she still gets work, right?  So, why not pine and hope for Jackson, arguably the best NBA coach ever, to come back East and turn the Nets into a dynasty?  Sure, there's only one Kobe Bryant, but the Nets have a great chance to sign LeBron James, who has done... great... in the... postseason... yeah.  Hmm.  Is it a conflict of interest if we ask Michael Jordan to sign with the team for a season or two and inject him with HGH and liquid from the object of Ponce De Leon's affection, the Fountain of Youth?  It is?  Well, regardless, Mikhail Prokhorov has tons of money and maybe, just maybe, Jackson will consider taking the greenbacks, as well as the challenge of making the Nets relevant again with the bonus of the Nets having some nice young players that is a LeBron away from easily making the playoffs in the Eastern Conference next season, and who knows in the next five?  The added bonus is that Jackson would be able to stuff in his former employer's face, the New York Knicks, on their own turf.

Devin: I can't even deny that John Calipari is a giant sleazeball, so I won't even try. But damnit if he doesn't get the job done.  He's been in the coaching world for almost 30 years (he started at 23) got the respect of  important players in the league, and regardless of the veracity of the CaLeBron rumor the ties between the two are impossible to deny. If Worldwide Wes is as popular as we all think he is, then having Cal as a coach could seriously influence the LeBron James sweepstakes. As a coach, he's been around this organization before, was the creator of the "dribble-drive" offense that Devin & Brook thrived in and is the kind of guy who might mesh with a Russian billionaire pretty well. Also, I know it's a long shot, but John Wall LOVED playing for Calipari, and if he has any say come June 24th...

Of course, there are other longshot candidates that we haven't had a chance to mention - Rick Pitino, Mark Jackson, Jay Wright.  But given what we've heard, what we know, and what we expect to come, you can bet on one of the guys mentioned this past week to be manning the sidelines next season.

UPDATE - Mark: Ok, ok, I'm here. Sorry folks, I picked an interesting week to be traveling the Southeast of the United States. Let me dissect one of the remaining candidates if I can - Mark Jackson.  I think Jackson would be an interesting coaching candidate, but I just wish the guy could get a job as an assistant somewhere first, but he reportedly thinks it's an unnecessary career move. I guess he's got a great fallback job as an NBA analyst for ABC. I actually really enjoyed his time with YES and thought he was a great compliment to Ian Eagle and Marv Albert. Anyway, I think with Mikhail Prokhorov saying he's looking for a guy with NBA experience, it would disqualify Jackson as a candidate. Plus if Prokhorov is serious about getting this franchise to the Finals in five years, he really needs to hire a guy who's not going to spend a few seasons finding himself as a coach.

Devin Kharpertian

Tweet

I recently happened upon Washington Wizards owner, Ted Leonsis' personal blog in a roundabout way after reading TrueHoop's Wednesday Bullets.  In any case, he blogged about luck, deserving the first pick, and thanked Irene Pollin for being at the NBA Lottery Draft amongst other things.  From what I've read, Leonsis seems like a genuinely happy and regular kind of guy who happens to have a ton of money.  In any case, I have to say, I now like the dude.  One reason being is he actually approved the above comment when he really didn't have to.  Yes, his comments do require moderation.  In any case, thanks for approving the comment, Ted... you're good people.  You can check out the blog entry itself here.

Dennis Velasco

Tweet

I'm sure most New Jersey Nets fans are a bit disappointed by the other night's NBA Draft Lottery. Actually, maybe more than a bit. It could even be seen in new Nets owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, a man who has appeared every bit as super cool as 1990s Samuel L. Jackson. However, once the placard showed the Nets were picking third overall, Prokhorov looked a bit rigid and tight, the opposite of his usually loose and focused demeanor. In one fell swoop, "accepting every single role" 2000s Samuel L. Jackson appeared... still kind of cool, but definitely tainted.

Prokhorov, like most Nets fans wanted the first overall pick, which the Washington Wizards won, and the draft rights to Kentucky point guard, John Wall. Although, I personally wanted Evan Turner, the versatile swing man from Ohio State. Unless the Philadelphia 76ers, owners of the second overall pick, decide to go big and select someone like DeMarcus Cousins or Derrick Favors, I'm afraid the Nets won't be able to draft Turner either.
... MORE →

Dennis Velasco

Tweet