2006-2007 Finish: 60-22

What went well

For the second time in two years, the New Jersey Nets made it to the Eastern Conference Finals but the Philadelphia 76ers stopped them. This past season they also tied for the first seed in the NLL playoffs but those dastardly Sixers had the same record as well and won the tie-breaker.

The Nets are a team ready to burst out. They have some of the most powerful players in the league. They also have a longtime GM who is patient and consistent. While not as brash as GM Javijoe or daring as new GM Mlok, GM Teddnj has slowly built the Nets into an eastern powerhouse.

For a club that hasn't made a trade since November 2005, the Nets have certainly improved. When the underwhelming Tim Thomas took a walk before the season began, GM TeddNJ used that money to re-sign some great role players (Ime Udoka and Chuck Hayes) and two free agent busts (Vladimir Radmanovic and Damon Jones). He also brought in the improving Matt Barnes and big man Darius Songaila.

What really makes the Nets is their core of amazing players. Jason Kidd, Dwayne Wade, Amare Stoudemire and Emeka Okafor are among the most dominant players in the game. If they remain healhty, this team is one of the most fierce in the league.

What didn't

Those darned Sixers seem to overshadow anything this club does. It is a two way race for the best team in the East and these clubs are running neck and neck. Also, with most of the team's money being poured into the Fearsome Foursome, there isn't much leftover for the bench. Hope for free agent signees tanked when Radmanovic and Jones didn't do much. Finally, former first rounder Martynas Andriuskevicius had done nothing except get knocked out by Awvee Storey.

Stars

- Jason Kidd, PG -

Though an object of controversy, Kidd was elected this year's NLL MVP (this author voted for him). Even though he is approaching 35, Kidd had his best NLL season yet. He averaged 26.6 points and 9.1 rebounds. He also hit 48% of his shots. Kidd was also elected to his fourth NLL All-Star game. He will most definitely re-sign with this club in the fall to a huge paycheck.

Amare Stoudemire- PF

Stoudemire bounced back from ankle surgery and season off to play some amazing basketball. He played in all 82 games this season and did well with 20.8 points and 10.5 rebounds. At the beginning of the season, he signed an offer sheet with the Orlando Magic, but the Nets wisely didn't let him go. Though a late season suspension cut into his playoff time we have to realize Stoudemire is only 24 and has years to develop.

Goat

- Vladimir Radmanovic, PF –

Even when Radmanovic signed his lucrative contract with the Nets, many of us wondered if he was worth the cash. He had played well for the Heat but something happened to him after being traded to the Bulls. He did not react well to starting off the bench and began to miss shots. When he signed with the Nets, Radmanovic was looking for a new start. Flash forward to a year later and Radmanovic now has many GMs wiping brows that they didn't sign him. He missed most of the season after a silly snowboarding accident where he was caught lying. It will take a long time for the Nets to trust him again. What a shame and waste of money.

Looking to the future

The Nets come into the new season with two unsigned stars (Kidd and Wade), though a contract extension is nothing but a formality for them. Udoka and Barnes are free agents seeking more playing time and though the Nets will want to retain their shooting, both will probably be somewhere else in the fall. The Nets will be well over the cap come signing time and they really need to use their MLE wisely to get some good bench guys. Fan favorite Earl Boykins has a good chance of coming back and his strong play last season should entice the Nets to re-enlist him.

The Nets really surprised the league with their selection of Sun Yue in the first round of the draft. Unproven as a player, Yue has a longshot of making the team. Also selected was Brad Newley. As the 60th pick, his chances of making the Nets are slim too. With so many good players on the board it is surprising the Nets went for Yue. Well, they also selected Andriuskevicius in the first round too.

Now I'm back to work expect the column more sporadically. I promise all teams will be covered by the time we tip-off our season in late October.