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| Monday, October 1 Users: Kidd makes Nets much, much better ESPN.com |
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The Nets haven't been real lucky or had much success recently, but the addition of point guard Jason Kidd could change that. Kidd, acquired for Stephon Marbury, is a pass-first player who could make others better. At least that's what Nets fans are hoping.
Your Nets Feedback With Jason Kidd running the point the Nets will definitely take on a different appearance this year. Stephon Marbury is a great player and is the cornerstone for the scoring guards of the future, but he often seemed more concerned with getting his own shot off. In a sense, with the injuries and lack of production from his teammates, that wasn't a bad thing, but now that Kidd is running the show look for more team play. Kidd is capable of destroying a defense from the top of the key! Guys like Kerry Kittles, Keith Van Horn and Kenyon Martin should benefit greatly from opposing teams actually having to guard Kidd. With Starbury, if the double came, he may have swung the rock, but he was still thinking shoot first. With Kidd, when the double comes, and it will come, he's thinking: "Should I pass it to the kid in the third row who isn't paying attention to the game, should I hit the usher walking up aisle 7, or should I just sling it to Kerry who happens to not even realize he's open right now?"
Julian
No doubt about it, Keith Van Horn and Kenyon Martin are the guys who must raise their level of play to the All Stars they both can be. Van Horn will finally be the main offensive weapon on his team, and a 22-24-point and 10-rebound season are not out of the ordinary. If they play him at the three, they must use his post-up ability to beat smaller defenders, which is something he is very capable of. I have always been a fan of his, but he has had injury problems so far. If he's healthy, this should be the year he becomes what everyone thought he would be. Kenyon Martin is another story. A guy who is 6-9 and a tremendous athlete, Martin seems to be best suited facing the basket than with his back to it, which is fine. However, Martin has to learn to assert himself more on the glass. He is too big physically not to average more rebounds, especially on the offensive end. The Nets don't need him to be a scorer, but they need him to be the rebounding and defensive presence he showed he was in college. Before he broke his leg (again) last season, he showed signs of hitting the 15-18 foot jumper. If he can do that, the Nets will be fine. Let's also hope he has been taking his Caltrate to fortify his leg bones.
Eric
You need to take a better look at the Todd MacCulloch signing. Here you have a big man that didn't get a lot of opportunities to produce while in Philadelphia. He was playing among a couple of great centers in the league, especially when the Sixers picked up Dikembe Mutombo. Where you need to look is at his college career. In his last three college seasons, the guy led the nation in field goal shooting. He averaged double digit points and rebounds in his final year at Washington. With increased playing time on the court, I think you can look to see him posting bigger numbers in both points and rebounds. With Kidd to dish it to him, there are going to be plenty of opportunities.
Dave
Kenyon Martin will step up; he's looked very good in the Goodwill Games this summer (yes, someone was watching) and his game is custom-made for the new zone defenses which reward mid-range jump shooters (he's adequate here) and garbage men (he'll clean up here). I'd like to think Van Horn will step up, he should with the unselfish Kidd getting him the rock in the right spots, but I don't think he'll make THAT much improvement without a heart transplant.
Steve Nasstrom
I believe Keith will step up. He has been soft in the past, but I have heard that he was working out very hard this summer in Utah, and is ready to play. Having Jason Kidd can only help. Jason will be more of what Sam Cassell was to the Nets, a guy that will continue to encourage Keith to do his thing (He has a thing), and I think with Kenyon having a year under his belt he can be what Jayson Williams was to Keith: a guy who will watch his back. Don't forget the fact that there will be no illegal defense this year either. Keith may be one of the biggest benefiters of this rule in the whole league.
Anthony
The addition of Jason Kidd will play itself out in time before anyone can really rate who got the better deal in all. However I believe that the Nets got a steal when they traded multi-talented Eddie Griffin for Richard Jefferson. If you look at it, who besides Jason Richardson would be getting the ball down the stretch late in games in the future? I believe Jefferson will be that man, and a better player then Richardson. If I can remember, Jefferson shut down Richardson for only 3 points in the NCAA Tournament last year. The combination of Jefferson's and Martin's athleticism along with Kidd's smart passes and decision makings, us Nets fans could be in for a great surprise this season. But then again we are the cursed Nets. So like the lotto, and they have been in it for years now, you never know.
Pete
The Kidd deal is going to change the entire complexion of this Nets team for the next season. Part of the problem that the team suffered from last year was Marbury's shoot first, ask questions later philosophy that prevented his teammates from getting involved in the offense as much as they could. Van Horn will benefit greatly from Kidd's presence, and the rest of the offense should emerge as well. Kittles was productive when he was healthy, and if he regains that form then the Nets will have a potent 1-2 punch with a very talented passer leading the attack. To make the playoffs, however, the Nets will need more than just Kidd's contribution to the offense. His teammates will also have to step up on defense. Martin should vastly improve over his rookie campaign this year, and become a force on defense. Whoever starts at two-guard is going to need to be able to provide some solid defense as well. The Nets do lack a defensive presence at center, and someone will have to step up in the interior or they will miss the playoffs and jump back into the lottery again this year.
J. Austin Campbell
Van Horn should thrive playing with a point guard who passes. He should be set up for a lot of open looks and easy baskets. You know, 22 points per game isn't out of the question for him. Kenyon Martin should get a lot of easy looks also and will be much improved after a pretty solid rookie year. Look for Richard Jefferson to contribute right away too. He's got an NBA body and is a tough defender. He should also thrive with Kidd. He might be the sleeper on this team, and the key piece to a playoff run if Kittles can't stay healthy.
Jack Zeilenga
No one. Van Horn doesn't have the heart or drive, Kittles is waiting for his next chance to sit on the IR, Martin will improve but not enough, and the rookies aren't impact players in their first year. While historically Jason Kidd has made everyone around him better, these Nets could make Jason Kidd worse. In three years the Nets will still be in the lottery and "trading Eddie Griffin" will be talked about in the same sentence as "drafting Sam Bowie."
Skip Campbell
The Marbury-Kidd deal will really propel the Nets this year. I think that with Kidd's passing abilities, especially on the run, Kenyon Martin will have a breakout season. I think that Shawn Marion and Martin are similar players, and I think Kidd brings out the best in both of them. Martin should see an impressive jump in his scoring average, if not rebounding and blocked shots. Also, the new seemingly forgotten zone change will help the team since they have adapted the run and gun style, and they have the players to do it. Also, Keith Van Horn will probably gain All Star status again, and may possibly even be selected. I think that the Nets will probably win about 40-50 games this year, barring injuries (a big if). If they can stay healthy, Byron Scott and the troops should be vying for a middle spot in the Eastern Conference.
Shivank Gupta
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