If you are a Nets fan, there is ample cause for enthusiasm about the future. Young, quality talent abounds. The two toughest positions to fill are stocked with point guard Devin Harris and center Brook Lopez. A Russian billionaire is poised to take over ownership and wants to make Steinbrenner seem stingy. There will be millions available to spend on coveted 2010 free agents. Yep, the future holds much to be excited about for the Nets.
The present is another matter.
The 2009-10 season, which starts Wednesday against the Timberwolves in Minnesota, might not be Biblical proportions bad, but it doesn’t look good. There are as many questions and problems as rubles and kopecks in Mikhail Prokhorov’s bank accounts.
“I’m excited about the challenge,” said coach Lawrence Frank, whose preparation likely will steal some wins. “We know what we have in front of us.”
OK Nets, convince us this season will not be a nightmare.
“We give the effort you’re looking for,” Harris said. “That mentally you can’t teach or put in guys. A lot of teams quit. We don’t have that in us.”
“We’ll play hard. We have pride,” Jarvis Hayes said. “We’re going to do everything in our power to not have the season everyone thinks we’re going to have.”
Start with some problems. Frank has preached defense from Day 1. For the Nets to use their key strengths, quickness and athleticism bred for a running game, they must get stops. There was just some evidence of defense in preseason.
Power forward Yi Jianlian is the X factor. He can produce, but it’s more than numbers. He can’t score 20, give up 25. And he must be a presence inside.
Chemistry took a preseason hit because of injuries. And remember, in front of every silver lining is a dark cloud. Love the Nets’ youth? Get ready for their mistakes.
“That’s part of the learning curve,” said Keyon Dooling (right hip), out until mid-to-late November.
Minutes are a potential minefield. The Nets must develop their youth. But there are seven expiring contracts, and when players such as off-guard Courtney Lee, wings Chris Douglas-Roberts and rookie Terrence Williams are racing up and down the court, how will veterans eyeing new deals respond? One case is Rafer Alston, acquired to be the third point guard, but holding a bigger role with Dooling out and Harris injured in preseason. He’s one of the better, most savvy players and deserves time.
Now, what’s to like?
“Our wings. We’re loaded at the wings and we have a big guy [Lopez] who’s talented offensively and defensively,” said Harris, another part to like with his ability to drive and get to the line.
Lee, the prime return in the Vince Carter trade, is a solid, athletic talent who will run with Harris and the wings for a NASCAR-like tempo. Douglas-Roberts is a win-at-all-costs scorer who will get to the hole and get to the line. Williams, the first-round pick, defends three positions. And Lopez lurks inside. The youngest Net at 21, he shoots, blocks shots, is smart, strong. His defense is coming.
“Growing up, I really didn’t see myself as a role player,” said Lopez, who will be drawing all the double teams that foes reserved for Carter. “I wanted to be a guy a team could rely on, really count on,”
Hayes, injured in preseason, or Douglas-Roberts will start at small forward. Bobby Simmons, the team’s 3-point leader in ’08-09, will bounce between three and four. Trenton Hassell is a reliable jumper away from steady time. Reserves up front are veteran Tony Battie, possessing a mid-range jumper, offensively improved Josh Boone, energizer Eduardo Najera, who must stay healthy, and Sean Williams, whose time will be limited.
“I like that our guys understand how hard we’re going to have to play,” Frank said. “We’ve got high character guys. They want to prove everyone wrong. When you’re picked to be amongst the worst, it [motivates]. These guys have a great deal of talent. They also have a great deal of pride.”
They just will not have a great deal of wins.