2009-2010 New Jersey Nets Preview

2008 Record: 34-48, 3rd in Eastern Conf. Atlantic Division
Head Coach: Lawrence Frank, 7th season
Key Additions: G Rafer Alston, C-F Tony Battie, G-F Courtney Lee
Key Losses: F Vince Carter
1st Round Draft Picks: G-F Terrence Williams
2nd Round Draft Picks: None

2008-'09 Nets Review:

After the first two and a half months of their 2008-'09 season, the New Jersey Nets had produced an entirely respectable 19-19 record. A .500 mark these days will get a team into the Eastern Conference playoffs, so as mid-January arrived, coach Lawrence Frank had reason to think his horses could snag a top-eight finish in the East. Then the wheels came off.
The Nets were shredded in a 1-8 stretch, with the ultimate lowlight coming in a 94-85 loss at Oklahoma City. The Nets fell behind the cellar-dwelling Thunder by as many as 30 points before an assemblage of reserves created a respectable losing margin. Frontline starters simply didn't handle the grind of the NBA season as well as they could have. What's worse was the fact that on many nights, the Nets didn't try hard enough, the biggest sin an NBA roster can possibly commit.

2009-'10 Nets Preview:

If Mr. Frank wants to be the coach of the Nets for the foreseeable future--long enough, at any rate, for the franchise to finalize a long-sought move to Brooklyn in the coming years--he'll have to win the trust of his team this upcoming season. Vince Carter is now in Orlando (which might not be all bad, given VC's propensity to be a black-hole ball swallower who inhibits team-first play at the offensive end of the floor), but erratic point guard Rafer Alston will make it hard for the Nets to enjoy cohesiveness in their halfcourt sets.

The best new addition to the Nets is the other man who accompanied Alston on the journey north from Florida, Courtney Lee. The impressive performer from Western Kentucky might have missed a certain layup (chances are you heard about it) in Game 2 of last season's NBA Finals, but Lee didn't back down in his battle with Kobe Bryant, a sure sign that the youngster will hold his own in the Association for years to come as long as his body withstands the rigors of the league. Another source of intrigue will be the team's first-round draft pick, Terrence Williams. The chatty and theatrical Louisville man is made for Broadway; on the court, "T-Will" offers the versatility that is essential to success at the professional level. All in all, the Nets could make a run at a 7 or 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs if Alston displays good shot selection and the newcomers on the wings (Lee and Williams) commit themselves on defense and the glass.

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By Matthew Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer

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