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On paper and in their future, the Nets saw a Double-D connection, Deron Williams to Dwight Howard. Naturally, it all hinged on acquiring Howard from Orlando, a move the Nets seemed ready to wait on for as long as it would take. Now, Williams gave Double-D a new meaning.
“Definitely devastating,” Williams said.
No one argued. Williams was referring to the fractured right foot suffered by center Brook Lopez, a 20-point-a-night guy whose absence causes undeniable upheaval for the Nets’ immediate plans. Yeah, it’s devastating.Definitely. But maybe not. Assume Lopez misses eight weeks and returns in February, there still would be time to deal. With the trade deadline of March 15, Orlando will not trade Howard until after the All-Star break (Feb. 26). If Orlando lets the drama linger, Howard could come to the Nets as a free agent. It is a case of buyer beware on other trades: Howard might not sign anywhere else long term if he truly wants to join Williams in Brooklyn. So the Nets, in their final season in New Jersey, must tread water until Lopez returns.
“Obviously, Brook’s injury situation leaves a big void for us but we’ll figure it out,” said coach Avery Johnson whose re-made, re-formulated gang starts the season Monday in Washington.
Johnson spoke of options – Johan Petro could start at center. Or Kris Humphries if the Nets want to go small. But within hours of Johnson’s speech yesterday, the Nets landed 6-foot-11 Mehmet Okur, yet another player with Utah roots (that makes five for the Nets). Okur can hit a 3-pointer and is a career 13.7 scorer and 7.1 rebounder. Given the circumstances, he is a terrific pickup.
But he’s not Lopez.
“It’s crazy losing such a strong presence inside like that,” said Anthony Morrow. “Everybody has to pick it up, especially offensively.”
Start with Williams.
“It’s going to be a lot more now,” Williams said about the expectation on his offensive output.
Nevertheless, Williams would like to think his original forecast still can stand.
“The goal is to make the playoffs. That’s where you start. I think we are [capable] if we add a couple [of] more pieces,” said Williams, widely considered the best point guard on the planet. So Johnson, who makes optimism as much a part of him as a voice everyone tries to imitate, will cut and paste to solidify the lineup. There was recent quality additions through the signings of Humphries and DeShawn Stevenson. More likely now, Johnson will need a pocketful of miracles to make the Nets respectable, and there are 44 games to wade through before the break when maybe trade talks for Howard resurface.
There are intriguing pieces. Start with Williams. He makes it all go.Humphries, at 26, is a young veteran. He averaged a double-double last year then became best known for his failed marriage to reality TV whatever Kim Kardashian. He was booed horrifically at the Garden Wednesday. The booing and heckling should continue all season.
“I’m there to help get him through any storm he may go through. But it’s time to rebound and be Hump,’ Johnson said.
Stevenson is a proven NBA player, a gritty tough-nosed defender who will help the Nets’ three-guard formations. But they still need scoring.
Another interesting piece is Morrow, a superb shooter though not a prototype athletic two-guard so he suffers defensively. But his smarts and combativeness compensate.
At small forward, second year guy James is active but inexperienced. Shawne Williams stretches the floor as a combo three-four. Shelden Williams has played four but he’s more of a backup center along with Petro, who must overcome his inconsistency of last season.
The reserves in the backcourt include veteran Jordan Farmar who plays on or off the ball. There’s long-armed MarShon Brooks, a rookie who Johnson foresees reviving the Nets from scoring funks. Sundiata Gaines energized his way to a contract last season. Wing Ime Udoka is a nice end of bench type who defends. Rookie power forward Jordan Williams likely hones skills in Springfield which provided camp surprise four Dennis Horner.
NETS WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS IF:
* The Nets can tread water until Brook Lopez returns, probably in February.
* Deron Williams accepts team direction with patience and his impeccable play, raising the offense to the levels of the defense.
* Nets roster contains some key additions by season¹s end.
NETS WILL MISS THE PLAYOFFS IF:
* Brook Lopez’s return from injury drags on, and there has been no movement in their attempts to obtain Dwight Howard from the Magic.
* Deron Williams wakes up one day and realizes he sees little or no progress and decides Brooklyn is not for him.
* The Nets are unable to upgrade the roster more and with Lopez out, the offense borders on nightmare.
fred.kerber @nypost.com