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Authored by Jason M. Williams - 6th June, 2008 - 10:39 am
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2007-2008 Finish: 34-48
2008 Draft Picks: 10th, 21st, 40th
Pre-Draft 2008-09 Projected Starters:
PG Devin Harris
SG Vince Carter
SF Richard Jefferson
PF Nenad Krstic
C Josh Boone
Key Reserves:
PG Marcus Williams
PF Sean Williams
SG Maurice Ager
What the Nets Do Well:
The Nets have a very solid core. Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson are two of the best at their positions, especially in the East. Carter put up his standard 21.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game and remains one of the most talented players in the game. Jefferson led the team in scoring and had a bounce-back year after an injury-plagued 2006-07, averaging 22.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.
Sean Williams had a strong rookie campaign when on the floor. His per-48 numbers of 15.3 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.98 blocks were alarmingly good for his sporadic time on the floor. Despite playing only 17.5 minutes per game, he still led the team with 1.45 blocks per game.
Devin Harris played well after coming over from the Mavericks. In his 25 games as a Net, he put up 15.4 points and 6.5 assists per game. He will grow nicely with his compliment of athletic players on the roster.
Josh Boone took a positive step forward this season, as well. He started 53 games during the season and averaged a healthy 8.2 points and 7.3 rebounds in only his second season as a 23-year old out of UConn.
Greatest Areas of Improvement:
A Big Man To Score Inside
The Nets have talent in the frontcourt, but no one who can score on the low block. Nenad Krstic, when healthy, is a talented mid-range scorer; Josh Boone has a limited offensive game down low; and Sean Williams is just beginning to tap his potential but isn’t ready to produce offensively. The Nets have a defensive machine in Williams, and adding a complimenting scoring big man would be an ideal fix for this current Net lineup.
Depth on the Wing
Sure, the Nets have VC and RJ on the wing, but behind those two All Stars the Nets have…Maurice Ager??? Yes, Ager was sweet at Michigan State, but he hasn’t done a thing in the NBA, yet. The Nets must use a pick in this Draft to select a wing player who can help provide depth for the team’s two stars.
Who’s Gone Number 10 Recently?
Over the past five years, the tenth pick has been seemingly hit-or-miss. Jarvis Hayes has had his moments but is now no more than a role playing rotation man, at best. Luke Jackson has not panned out, having only played 73 total games in his 4 seasons in the league – including one memorable game started last year for the NBDL Heat. Andrew Bynum appears to be a major hit as he demonstrated this season before being sidelined with a season-ending injury. Mouhamed Sene is still a project and probably always will be, and Spencer Hawes didn’t get enough minutes to make a decision on yet.
2007
Spencer Hawes, Sacramento Kings
2006
Mouhamed Sene, Seattle Supersonics
2005
Andrew Bynum, L.A. Lakers
2004
Luke Jackson, Cleveland Cavaliers
2003
Jarvis Hayes, Washington Wizards
Who Should the Nets Target?
For more in-depth analysis and background regarding the players that the Nets should target in this year’s Draft, click on each player name to be redirected to Christopher Reina’s Prospect Report piece.
- Marreese Speights of Florida
The Nets already have some power (Boone) and some athleticism and defense (Sean Williams) in the paint, but what they are missing is a big man who can combine both of those qualities while adding a low post scoring repertoire. Speights has the potential to develop into an Elton Brand type of player and would be a great pickup for the Nets at 10.
- Darrell Arthur of Kansas
Talk about a talented two-way player with pretty post moves and a championship pedigree; look no further than Darrell Arthur. This multi-skilled power forward would be challenging Boone and Nenad Krstic for starters minutes in the low post by midseason.
- Anthony Randolph of LSU
It is extremely unlikely that Randolph will slip this far, but if he does, the Nets would be stupid to pass on him. He is a defensive machine and has the tools to be a prolific offensive enigma. Putting him on the receiving end of passes from Devin Harris and Marcus Williams would be an ideal fit for this mobile small forward/power forward.
- DeAndre Jordan of Texas A&M
DeAndre Jordan could be the steal of this Draft if he slips into the teens, but the Nets might look to the three other guys listed above before taking a chance on this big man project. He doubles a bit on the defense and athleticism of Sean Williams but could turn into a mini Dwight Howard a few years down the road.
Who Do the Fans Want?
According to Andrew Perna’s New Jersey Lottery Summit, an interactive column featuring the responses of true RealGM hoops fans hoping to add their two cents to the Nets Draft discussion, the fans of New Jersey have made it known that they would an upgrade at the power forward position. The consensus of the Jersey faithful suggested whom they want the tenth overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft:
DeAndre Jordan, PF – Texas A&M
Picks Over the Past Five Years
The Nets have taken plenty of project foreign-born players in the past five years but have finally stopped wasting their picks. The last two years they have selected very wisely deeper in the Draft and now are loaded with talent for the future in the frontcourt with Josh Boone and Sean Williams, and in the backcourt with Marcus Williams
2007
Sean Williams, 17th
2006
Marcus Williams, 22nd
Josh Boone, 23rd
Hassan Adams, 54th
2005
Antoine Wright, 15th
Mile Ilic, 43rd
2004
Victor Khryapa, 22nd
Christian Drejer, 52nd
2003
Zoran Planinic, 22nd
Kyle Korver, 51st
Previous Editions of the 30 Teams, 30 Days Series
30 Teams, 30 Days: Chicago Draft Preview
30 Teams, 30 Days: Miami Draft Preview
30 Teams, 30 Days: Minnesota Draft Preview
30 Teams, 30 Days: Seattle Draft Preview
30 Teams, 30 Days: Memphis Draft Preview
30 Teams, 30 Days: New York Draft Preview
30 Teams, 30 Days: LA Clippers Draft Preview
30 Teams, 30 Days: Milwaukee Draft Preview
30 Teams, 30 Days: Charlotte Draft Preview
Who do you want the Nets to draft at number 10? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments and questions. |
