There are certain indisputable points about the Nets. They are young -- they have seven players with two or less years of experience. They are growing with each other and learning one another -- there are only three holdovers from last year's preseason. Now come the debatable points. The Nets will be worse than last year and last year was bad -- 2008 was the first time since 2001 the Nets failed to make the playoffs. The Nets will stink and could be one of the worst teams in the NBA.
"We're going to surprise people," predicted Devin Harris, one of the guys the Nets need to move to another level. "We have some smart bigs, smart veterans. And we have young guys who play hard, guys who can do different things."
No one is shouting "title" from the rooftops of East Rutherford, but there is a very protected and cautious glint of optimism around the Nets. Agreed, the Nets lack true star power beyond Vince Carter and Harris. But they have numbers with players who can play. Or as Keyon Dooling put it, "Guys who have made a mark in this league."
Carter, Harris and Dooling present a sound three-guard rotation. They'll implement coach Lawrence Frank's dribble-drive attack that hinges on the penetration of Carter and Harris then -- at least in blueprints -- thrives on outside shooting. With the numbers, Frank contemplates a possible two-platoon face with one unit big on pressing and trapping, a Dooling strength. The frontcourt is where most concerns arise because that's where the youth resides. While youth often means energy and spirit and hustle, it just as frequently translates to mistakes and turnovers and getting schooled and losing.
The Nets knew they were going nowhere with the team they assembled last year. So they started the makeover by trading Jason Kidd in February. The rebuilding continued with the export of Richard Jefferson for intriguing seven-footer Yi Jianlian and veteran forward Bobby Simmons. Rookies Brook Lopez (7-0, C), Ryan Anderson (6-10, F) and Chris Douglas-Roberts (6-7, G/F) were drafted. Free-agent forwards Eduardo Najera and Jarvis Hayes were signed. Dooling came via trade.
"With all the new guys we have, with our youth, you need to have a great attitude, you need everybody be ready to go and everybody be supporting each other," said team president Rod Thorn, who said he still expects a playoff bid.
With so much newness, the team made a point of getting together well before the start of training camp. And throughout the preseason, players have praised the wisdom of the move. It helped them gel. It helped them gain familiarity and chemistry.
"The summer really helped us," said Carter, who will be the focal point of defenses from Boston to L.A. this season. "From the first day of practice, we didn't have to play catch-up in camp. When we started camp, we started like any other (veteran) team as far as familiarity, understanding what guys like to do and don't like to do."
But there are serious questions. Can Simmons emerge as a legit No. 3 scorer behind Carter and Harris, presumably recapturing his 16.4 points per game form of 2004-05 before injury struck? Can Yi go far beyond his rookie wall season of '07-08 and be the athletic, shot-making entity the Nets envision? He'll get shots in the offense, but then can he sustain enough on the defensive end?
The Nets say they have answers. At center, they feel Josh Boone, in his third year, and the massive Lopez are legit. The four-spot has impressive depth with Yi, Stromile Swift, athletic shot-blocker Sean Williams, defensive-minded Najera and spot-up specialist Anderson. Behind Simmons at the three, is Hayes, another shooter, Trenton Hassell, another defensive sort and Douglas-Roberts with a true offensive flair.
So even in an improved East, the Nets feel they can make a run at the playoffs.
"Everybody's going to be surprised," predicted Simmons.
COACHING STAFF: Head Coach -- Lawrence Frank, 6th season with the Nets (191-177). Assistants -- Brian Hill, Tom Barrise, Doug Overton, Roy Rogers.
LAST SEASON, REMEMBERED: 34-48, 4th in the Atlantic Division, failed to make the playoffs for the first time in seven years.
THIS SEASON, PREDICTED: 33-49, 4th in the Atlantic Division, second straight trip to the lottery.
POSSIBLE CHANGES, PREDICTED: With so much newness, so much youth -- and two years worth $8 million left on his deal -- figure coach Lawrence Frank is safe, barring a team meltdown of Biblical proportions. Josh Boone should open the season as the starting center, health permitting, but bet that Brook Lopez, the No. 10 pick, will be the starting center by season's end. Vince Carter trade discussions will escalate near the deadline if the season is going poorly.
