NLL Insider - Team By Team: New Jersey Nets

by vt, updated on Wednesday, August 27 2008, 11:40 pm EST

Untitled Document

New Jersey Nets Review

2007-2008
Finish: 55-27

What went well
The New Jersey Nets entered the season ready to kick some butt and win the NLL Championship. The nucleus of superstars was there: Dwyane Wade, Emeka Okafor, Amare Stoudemire and Jason Kidd. This was a team equipped to bring glory back to the Garden State.

And win they did. The Nets finished the season with the

league's best record. They won not only their division, but the entire Eastern Conference as well. While GM TeddNJ is not one of the more outspoken or active members of the league, he has designed a team designed to kill.

Joining the squad this season was veteran Grant Hill. His heyday behind him (and also those injury-plagued seasons), Hill was supposed to be the missing piece of the puzzle that saw two consecutive Conference Finals bow outs to the Sixers. Hill competed in 68 games, the most yet in a single season during his NLL years.

Though the team didn't make it to the Finals this year, they won their division and held the best record in the league. That's no small feat.

What didn't

After a sweep of the hapless Boston Celtics in the first round, the Nets went down to the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-3 in the semi-finals. This was not the way the season was supposed to go. Though they pushed the series to seven games, this team was no match for Kevin Garnett and Al Jefferson. Amare Stoudemire put up a good fight, but none of his other teammates did much to contribute on the court. Perhaps the deciding factor on the season was the loss of Wade. After playing 47 games, the Nets and Wade decided to shut it down. Could that decision be the deciding factor in a season that seemed destined for greatness?

The Stars

Jason Kidd, PG -
Once again, Kidd provided the Nets with a steady hand in the back court. Though many questioned Tedd's decision to bench his star in the late half of the season, Kidd put up some great numbers. Though his 17.7 points and 7.7 assists didn't quite match-up with his MVP stats of the previous seasons, Kidd enjoyed his sixth consecutive season with New Jersey.

Amare Stoudemire- PF
This season saw Stoudemire move into the small group of elite NLL players. Make a Top 10 list and Amare should be on it. He is only 25 and continues to get better. Check out these stats: 28.9 ppg and 9.5 rpg. Keep watching this guy for great things!

The Goats

Vladimir Radmanovic, PF
Vlad was one of my goats last season and he still remains one. This guy really can't do much more than shoot three pointers (44%). But averaging 2.9 ppg on 10.9 mpg isn't really anything to be excited about. He's still got three more years on his deal and he's set to make over $8 million next season. Will Vlad hit a goat trifecta when it's time to pick next season's losers?

Dwyane Wade, G

Which is the worst? a)GM TeddNJ using Wade at PG and benching Kidd? b)Wade deciding to shut it down for dubious health reasons? c)Playing in 47 games this season, 46 the last and collecting $14+ million. He averaged only 16 ppg (down from 26.7) this season and gave up on his team. Does that qualify this "star" to be a goat?

Looking to the future

The Nets took a step back this season by failing to make the Conference Finals. Kidd and Hill are both 35 years old. It is unlikely four key reserves will be back (James Jones, Matt Barnes, DeSagana Diop and Maurice Evans). While Okafor is holding out for a big contract, according to his agent it is only a matter of time before he agrees to return to the only team he has played for. Could this be the season the Nets splash out and make a big deal? All indications make me believe they will. Though dealing Kidd would make the most sense, the Nets know not much will get done to improve without moving Wade, Stoudemire or Okafor. Could one of them be on the move? They only have eight players under contract but are just over the luxury cap line. Maybe it's time to blow up these Nets.

This year's draft yield won't be the answer either. They drafted Ante Tomic at 30 and he will probably stay overseas for a few years. Second rounder Maarty Leunen is a big question mark as well.

NLL Insider - Team By Team: New Jersey Nets

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