2009-2010 Finish: 44-38

What went well

At this point in the NLL’s history, the New Jersey Nets have the longest surviving starting five. However, this has nothing to do with chemistry but the fact the Nets, no matter they are one of the most successful franchises in the league, cannot keep a GM on staff. So instead of working to improve the roster, it feels like the Nets have always featured Emeka Okafor, Amare Stoudemire, Grant Hill, Dwyane Wade and Jason Kidd, surrounded by a crappy bench.

The Nets made no transactions during the 09-10 season besides some free agency signings. Principal players Kidd and Hill both re-signed, as did Sean Marks. Besides that, a limited budget kept FA acquisitions to detritus like Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Jarron Collins. Even incoming rookie Austin Daye looked like he would have little impact.

This lack of care took its toll on the Nets. They spent the majority of the season out of playoff contention. More focus went to the contract status of Wade and Stoudemire rather than playing basketball. The team hired and fired a GM in the same week. They couldn’t get a decent backup for Kidd to spell the veteran when he got tired. But then something miraculous happened. Right when the team needed it, they began to win. At the last minute, the Nets pushed the Bobcats out of playoff contention and took the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. In fact, they even beat the wounded, but heavily favored Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, four games to two.


What went bad

Then they ran straight into Washington in the semi-finals. The Nets barely put up a fight, going down four games to one and straight into an offseason fraught with questions.

Stars

- Dwyane Wade, G-

Though no longer sits in the pantheon of top 5 NLL players, he still had an effective season with New Jersey, scoring 20ppg. Still an elite player, Wade is not in the same class as someone like Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant. However, with an impending Stoudemire trade bringing in some much needed help, the onus won’t be on him as much to carry the team this season.


- Amare Stoudemire, PF –

Stoudemire played in 82 games this season, his last for the New Jersey Nets after six years. While his destination is unknown, he will be bringing with him the 21.1ppg and 10.7rpg that helped light up New Jersey’s run at the end of last season.



- Jason Kidd, PG –

Despite being 37 years old, Kidd still hasn’t slowed down any. He appeared in all of New Jersey’s 82 games and is about to begin his ninth season with the team. We don’t see that happening much in the NLL. Kidd scored 16.3ppg last season and dished out 6.5apg.


Goats

- That GM who lasted less than a week….

One word, pal. “Championship.”


Looking to the future

The Stoudemire and Wade mystery is mostly resolved. Wade will return to his beloved Nets and rally the team while Stoudemire will be sent away. But where? The team desperately needs more talent, so expect a deal that sends Amare away for three or four decent players and prospects, as well as GM points.

While the Nets have four out of five positions settled in the starting lineup, the bench is an absolute mess. Darius Songaila and Maurice Evans are okay for limited minutes but they have nothing at all that resembles a 6th man. But above all, this team really needs a GM to guide them.

The draft isn’t going to answer any questions for the team either. The Nets drafted Iowa State junior Craig Brackins at pick 20. The power forward may be called on to start immediately if the team doesn’t get a replacement for Stoudemire. While Brackins is athletic and can score, he has the reputation for being soft. The team also picked Stanford senior Landry Fields. The small forward can score at will and may be the dark horse they need off the bench. However, Fields will need to bulk up before he can cut it in the NLL. The Nets have some restructuring to do, but a limited budget to accomplish this goal. They will have to get some good pieces for Amare and be wise in their FA bids.