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| Tuesday, August 29 Updated: August 30, 3:03 PM ET Playoffs? Possibly, if Stephon leads them ESPN.com |
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Some New Jersey Nets fans are thinking playoffs, others figure the team that has given them little to cheer for in the last decade-plus will merely disappoint them again. We received a lot of feedback about All-Star quality point guard Stephon Marbury and top draft pick Kenyon Martin, as well as positive and negative criticism about Keith Van Horn. Anyway, here are some of the better e-mails we received on the Nets and our Team Offseason Spotlight. Enjoy, and check out our spotlight index page to see when your favorite team will be broken down.
There are a lot of people in this area tired of hearing about the Knicks and are now hoping the Nets are the talk of the town. They have a more exciting and young team than the Knicks, so let's hope they can play together and make the playoffs. Your article was great and made me feel very hopeful! Counting down the days to October 31!!! Dan Rogoski Wayne, N.J.
As a New Jersey native and avid Nets fan, I've been around long enough to keep my hopes realistic. It's not been that many years since the triumvirate of Derrick Coleman, Kenny Anderson and Drazen Petrovic was destined to lead the team to better times. Drazen's tragic death in the summer of 1993 derailed that dream, and it never got back on track.
However, this year's team is deep, talented at four of the five starting spots, and coached by a man who will have the respect of his players. It is realistic to expect 45 wins this season.
The Nets may have made the biggest mistake in the draft when they decided to keep the top choice. They ended up drafting a guy who may not have even been the top power forward in the draft. My question is, why didn't they do more dealing? Everyone on the team is expendable, Marbury and Van Horn included. The Nets could have stockpiled draft picks and made a move for a big man, but instead they're stuck with McIlvaine for another 82 games -- and trust me, no more than 82. Ben Minkus Miami, Fla.
There is sufficient reason for optimism this coming season for the Nets, but unanswered questions remain. New Jersey possesses some of the best young talent in the league but lacks experience and veteran leadership, which is necessary to not only make the playoffs, but to advance. I expect Kenyon to have a productive rookie season and to contribute more on the defensive side as he gradually improves his offense. The Nets' lack of team defense last year was a primary reason for their downfall. Martin and Gill will significantly improve this deficiency. Scoring will never be a problem with Van Horn and Marbury, and the Nets have solid backups at each position. Overall, I expect the Nets to barely make the playoffs but to lose in the first round. Anything less would be a disappointment. Michael Fulmino Staten Island, N.Y.
I've been a fan of the New Jersey Nets for quite a few years. The Nets this year will be one of the most exciting teams in the NBA with their run and gun style featuring Marbury, Martin, Van Horn and Gill. But if they want to win, they're going to have to learn to play defense and improve their half-court offense in the fourth quarter. I don't know how many games they have blown because Marbury, Van Horn and Gill were tired in the last quarter. The bench must step up if the Nets are to be a successful franchise in the near future. Every Net fan gets tired of watching opponents score easy layups near the end of the game. Donald D. Jones, Jr. Ewing, N.J.
The Nets lost 20 games last year by less than five points because they didn't have an inside person willing to hit anyone. Kenyon Martin should provide the toughness and hopefully keep the double and triple teams off Marbury and Van Horn. Let's hope, and go Nets. Tom Reilly Wood Ridge, N.J.
I agree with your opinion that the New Jersey Nets are on the verge of being a playoff team. Anything short of a winning record will be a major disappointment to the Nets and their fans. But I feel Stephon Marbury is already a star. He's the best player overall to come out of the 1996 draft. He proved that he can outplay Kobe, whom I feel is overrated. Please give the second-best point guard in the league, second only Gary Payton, his due respect. James Burkett Tobyhanna, Pa.
I think this year depends on how much the players play unselfishly. Stephon is a good point guard, and with Kenyon and Keith at the forward positions, this could be a pretty good team. Maybe not this year, but next year we could get a presence to be in the middle. That is really what we're missing. Kendall Gill is fine at guard, but sometimes not consistent. But now that he's playing his normal position, this can make the difference. Van Horn to me is a small forward, not a power forward, so now he may be able to shoot more freely than before. I'm still rooting for my home team and pray that they can at least make the playoffs this year. Darlene Bryant East Orange, N.J.
The Nets have a lot of talent but no real leader. Marbury is too selfish and he and the team would benefit if he was moved to the off-guard. Van Horn needs to get his turnovers down and become more consistent. They have plenty of scoring but need to add a consistent center that puts rebounding and defense ahead of scoring or fouling. Kevin Smith Gilbert, Ariz.
I feel that the Nets will be one of the surprise teams of this upcoming year. Martin and Van Horn will give matchup problems to many other teams' front lines. Kenyon's outstanding shot blocking should make up for any defensive problems Van Horn may have. In turn, with an inside presence like Martin, Van Horn's game should once again flourish like it did with Jayson Williams. If Marbury steps up to be the leader, and somebody can at least hold down the middle, the Nets should be a playoff team this year. Even though I reside in Georgia, I am a big Nets fan. I have high hopes for this upcoming season. Rodney Garcia LaGrange, Ga.
One comment on your review; the numbers don't support Jim McIlvaine, but he was vital for the Nets on the defensive end. Yes, he is overpaid and has no offensive skills, but he did his part for the Nets last year and shouldn't be attacked. The biggest negative was Don Casey. Although Byron Scott is a rookie coach, this is his kind of team, fast-paced and exciting. Moreover, it is wonderful that we finally don't have to see Casey on the sidelines messing up the team.
After some bad luck, the Nets get some good luck in Kenyon. I can't wait to see Stephon throwing the ball up for Kenyon to go get it in the air (just like Stephon's days with KG). The Nets lacked that high-flier who can connect with Stephon. He should have been an All-Star last year, and will be this year. This is absolutely Stephon's team and the Nets' hopes rest on his shoulders.
There's a cold, hard, NBA-lesson to be learned from the Nets. Getting good, not into the playoffs, but 50-wins-good, does not come easy. The Nets are a case study in how players, coaches and the front office can separately, or collectively, keep a team from winning. Agreed, the Nets seem to be headed in the right direction. But being a long-time fan, it's familiar territory. I can still hear an announcer yelling "Petro from THREE!" and remember thinking we were turning the corner then, too. Mark Capalbo Portland, Ore.
As a season ticket holder, I was thrilled to watch as the Nets selected Martin. If he is as good as advertised, the team will have three players with All-Star "potential." If each can improve in the next few years, and the team can add some interior defense and rebounding, the Nets could be the best team in the East for a five-year stretch. Of course, the Nets have had "potential" before (see Derrick Coleman, Kenny Anderson and Drazen Petrovic), and they still never made it to the second round! Steven Great Neck, N.Y.
I think that with the addition of Martin the Nets will make a better run at the playoffs. But even if they do make it, without a true center in their lineup, they will go out in the first round. Look for them to be an exciting, fast break team, and look for Van Horn to have a better year than last. Jose Gonzalez Nanuet, N.Y.
I don't expect the Nets to finish above .500. They have a new coach, new star player, new personnel. I believe it will take a season to develop the chemistry and trust required to become a good nucleus, barring any major player injuries for an exceptional time period. I do expect the Nets to be competitive if they can defend. James Coutourier Laurel, Md.
The Nets won't be contenders until Marbury can put aside his ego long enough to run the team. Marbury seems obsessed with discovering how many points he can score, regardless of how the team perceives his ball-hogging. Many of the greatest point guards in the game could have scored more, but remembered the importance of leadership and a team-first attitude coming from such a crucial position on the floor. Marbury's skills are second to none, but if I was was searching for a point, I would sooner select an Andre Miller type. I pay little attention to his assist totals; it means zilch on a team that cannot win games. Now with both Martin and Van Horn on the team, we'll see whether or not Marbury is a player or an afterthought. J Hale Nashville, Tenn.
The only way the Nets can start winning is if someone other than their coach leads them. Byron Scott can only do so much. He can't be on the floor leading, that should be Marbury's job and he hasn't done it. Unless Kenyon Martin takes control, all hope is lost. Let's just hope the other players let the rookie take control, otherwise it's going to be a long season of losing in the soon to be very competitive East. Jason Willcox Orlando, Fla. |
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