Breaking Up the Nets

After 44 games, the New Jersey Nets and Portland Trail Blazers have opposite records to most people's suprise, 18-26 for the Nets and 26-18 for the Blazers. As Jason Kidd and Vince Carter get older, the Nets need to make sure to move these players before their value dips too low.

Portland has a great deal of depth and nice, young players, but to really make a run in the playoffs they need a veteran. Jason Kidd, with two years remaining on his contract, would be the perfect fit to lead Portland into a decade of potential dominance.

This trade would allow the Nets to rebuild quickly before they move to Brooklyn and Portland would immediately become a legitimate contender this season.

Nets receive:
Raef LaFrentz, $12,440,787, 2 Years Remaining
Channing Frye, $2,487,240, 2 Years Remaining
Darius Miles, $8,250,000, 3 Years Remaining
Sergio Rodriguez, $817,000, 2 Years Remaining
2008 First Round Pick

Portland receives:
Jason Collins, $6,100,000, 2 Years Remaining
Jason Kidd, $19,728,000, 2 Years Remaining
Malik Allen, $770,610, 1 Year Remaining

This trade would give Portland a starting lineup of Jason Kidd at point guard, Brandon Roy at shooting guard, Martell Webster at small forward, LaMarcus Aldridge at power forward, and Joel Pryzbilla at center. With this trade, Portland's bench would get even deeper with Steve Blake and Jarrett Jack at guard; James Jones, Travis Outlaw, and Josh McRoberts at forward; and Malik Allen and Jason Collins at center. Portland would be two deep at each position and with Greg Oden coming back next year, they would certainly be one of the favorites going into the 2008-09 season.

For the Nets, more big talent would be the benefit of this trade. With Marcus Williams waiting in the wings, Kidd may be expendable. Plus, Rodriguez at 21 years old, has shown some flashes of brilliance at the point guard. Additionally, Frye is only 24 and has shown an ability to stand-out on the defensive end. Miles is coming off an injuy and could be a factor off the bench for the Nets. LaFrentz has two years left in his contract, and after this season, his contract could potentially become an asset to add another player down the line.

Although the Nets clearly would not get equal value for their best player, Jason Kidd, they would be moving him out to the Western Conference and would give themselves some future flexibility. If the Nets wait any longer, all they will have is a player with less value and a team that struggles to even make the playoffs.

Spurs Maintain Core in Attempt to Repeat

For the first time since the San Antonio Spurs began their run of great success, they will be returning the same core players. In the past, their championship teams have always lost key pieces the following season – Sean Elliott due to health issues after 1998-99, Stephen Jackson and David Robinson after 2002-03, and a collection of players in 2004-05.

1998-99
Significant Contributors: Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Sean Elliott, Mario Elie, Avery Johnson, Jaren Jackson, Malik Rose, Antonio Daniels, Steve Kerr, Jerome Kersey, Will Perdue

Lost the next season: Will Perdue (left for Chicago - played 37 games and averaged 3.7 rebounds per game with the Spurs), Sean Elliott (kidney – missed the first 63 games)

2002-03
Significant Contributors: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Stephen Jackson, Malik Rose, Bruce Bowen, David Robinson, Manu Ginobili, Steve Smith, Steve Kerr, Kevin Willis, Speedy Claxton, Danny Ferry

Lost the next season: Steve Smith (Portland - played 19.5 minutes per game), Steve Kerr (Portland - played in 75 games), Stephen Jackson (Atlanta - third on the team in points), Speedy Claxton (Golden State – averaged 15.7 minutes per game), Danny Ferry (retired – played in 64 games), David Robinson (retired - fourth on the team in points per game)

Notes: On July 25, 2001 San Antonio traded Steve Smith, Steve Kerr, and a 2003 second round draft choice to Portland for Derek Anderson.

2004-05
Significant Contributors: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Bruce Bowen, Brent Barry, Devin Brown, Beno Udrih, Robert Horry, Rasho Nestorovic, Malik Rose, Tony Massenburg, Nazr Mohammed, Glenn Robinson, Mike Wilks, Sean Marks

Lost: Devin Brown (Utah - sixth on the team in points per game), Malik Rose (New York – see below), Tony Massenburg (retired – played in 61 games), Glenn Robinson (retired – see below), Mike Wilks (Cleveland - played in 48 games)

Notes: Robinson was signed at the end of the season and played in 13 of the team's 23 playoff games and nine regular season games. On February 25, 2005, the Knicks traded Nazr Mohammed and Jamison Brewer to the Spurs for Malik Rose and conditional 2005 and 2006 conditional first round picks.

2006-07
Significant Contributors: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Bruce Bowen, Brent Barry, Michael Finley, Fransisco Elson, Matt Bonner, Beno Udrih, Fransisco Oberto, Robert Horry, Jacque Vaughn

Lost: Melvin Ely (played in 6 games last season), Jackie Butler (11 games), Eric Williams (16 games), James White (6 games).

Notes: The Spurs drafted Tiago Splitter and Marcus Williams in this past year’s draft. With the signing of Ime Udoka and Ian Mahinmi, it is very likely that the Spurs will not bring in either rookies this season. Splitter will most likely stay overseas for the entire year and Williams will play in the NBDL.

Unlike previous seasons, the Spurs will bring back the exact same core from last season. Adding Udoka to defend skilled wing players and Mahinmi to rebound in the paint, the Spurs may even be stronger. For the first time in their franchise history, the Spurs will try to successfully win back-to-back championships.

Ranking Young Point Guards

With this year's NBA Draft now past us, many will immediately begin to look towards next year’s rookie class. Point guards rule next years group led by O.J. Mayo (USC), Derrick Rose (Memphis), Ty Lawson (North Carolina), Sherron Collins (Kansas), D.J. Augustin (Texas), Scottie Reynolds (Villanova), Mario Chalmers (Kansas). With anticipation of possibly seven point guards being drafted in the first round next year, let’s take a lay-of-the-land and check out the top fifteen true point guards (Monta Ellis, Acie Law, and Leandro Barbosa ruled ineligible) twenty-five years old or younger:

(1) Deron Williams, Utah Jazz, 23

Williams has trimmed down his body fat since entering the league and has continued to show that he has a great grasp of Jazz coach, Jerry Sloan's system. He really knows how to play the game and is one of the best passers in the league. He has a knack for hitting big shots and is a great leader. He is able to compensate on defense for his lack of food speed by playing great position defense. Although he is not the most athletic point guard out there, he is able to bull his way to the hoop by overpowering smaller and weaker defenders. Williams has really improved dramatically each year in the league, and there is no reason to think that this will not continue.

(2) Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets, 22

Paul excels on offense in transition, making lead passes for dunks and lay-ups. In the half court, he has a great handle, including a deadly hesitation move with his right hand. Paul exhibits great court vision and plenty of shot-making skill around the basket. His one weakness right now is outside shooting, but considering how well he shoots free throws that should improve as he acclimates to the longer NBA three point line. Defensively, Paul is very good at getting into the passing lanes and coming away with the ball. The flip side of that is that he must gamble less, or choose his prey more carefully. Paul has quick feet and good strength, though as an undersized player in the league, he's always going to have difficulty with bigger guards backing him down.

(3) Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs, 25

Coming off his third NBA Championship and first as the MVP of the Finals, Parker has certainly solidified himself as one of the best point guards in the NBA. Much like Paul, Parker has mastered the ability to get into the lane at will. Parker is a deadly weapon on pick-and-roll plays because of his quickness. Defenders try to go under the screen and force Parker to shoot a jumper, but he's so fast that he often can beat defenders to the other side and go in for a lay-up. He also has a superb teardrop shot - perhaps the best in the game - which he uses to great effect when he can't get all the way to the rim. Unlike his jumper, Parker has always shot the teardrop with plenty of arc, and he releases it very fast. Defensively, Parker is underrated. Between his outstanding quickness and his now considerable experience, he's become one of the better defenders at his position. Long-range shooting is the biggest weakness in Parker's game.

(4) Devin Harris, Dallas Mavericks, 24

Harris has blinding quickness off-the-dribble reminiscent of Kevin Johnson, and seems able to get to the basket at will. He needs to get better at finishing once he's there, however, as he had a penchant for blowing layups. His shooting also seems to be inconsistent. Harris could stand to take more three point attempts in order to open his game up. In order to raise his game to the elite level, he will need to work on this perimeter shooting. On the defensive end, based on his quickness and size he can defend both point guards and shooting guards.

(5) Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies, 20

Conley is an ultra-quick lefty point guard with a solid feel for running a team. His ability to get by opposing guards and into the paint is on the elite level. He makes great decisions on the floor and has a great wingspan for a point guard. He is an above average athlete and plays the passing lanes well. Conley has a nice assortment of midrange runners and shots in the paint going towards the rim. His outside shooting is still a major question mark, and could stand to improve his percentage at the free throw line. However, he has proven in the past to be fearless and steps up big when it matters.

(6) Raymond Felton, Charlotte Bobcats, 23

Felton has outstanding quickness going to the basket and has a talent for creating plays off the dribble. He sees the court well, especially in transition, and he's a good rebounder for his size. Offsetting that is a shaky jump shot and finishing skills. Felton struggles to convert when he went to the rim against bigger defenders. Felton will also need to improve his overall defensive skills.

(7) T.J. Ford, Toronto Raptors, 24

Ford is a jackrabbit point guard who excels at pushing the ball and getting his team open-court opportunities. In the half court he can penetrate almost at will thanks to his quickness and an outstanding change of pace move. He tends to get in trouble when he over-penetrates, causing turnovers. Ford is a poor outside shooter who defenses continually dare to shoot. His weak shot makes him very easy to defend on pick-and-rolls, because the defender can go under the screen and know that Ford won't beat him from outside. Ford is great at pressuring the ball, but is a magnet for post-up guards.

(8) Marcus Williams, New Jersey Nets, 21

Though not a great athlete, Williams is a smooth operator at the point reminiscent of Mark Jackson. He sees the floor, can break down defenses, and has good size for his position. He's not a great shooter, but his lefthanded shot appears good enough to keep opponents honest. He may still be a step slow to defend the league’s top point guards, but as he gains more game experience, his defense should improve.

(9) Jarrett Jack, Portland Trail Blazers, 23

While his defense is certainly NBA-quality, Jack’s inability to connect from outside makes him less of a threat on the pick-and-roll. Of particular concern is his turnover ratio, although it did improve last season. With a solid base, Jack has the strength to power his way to the rim when he gets a step on defenders, and he may be able to develop a post game that complements his strength when he's opposed by smaller guards.

(10) Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic, 25

Nelson is a short point guard, but powerfully built and penetrates explosively when going to the right. He shoots the ball well from the three point line, making him deadly in the pick-and-roll. Nelson's strength allows him to muscle up shots after taking contact, although he seems more content to pull up or shoot a floater. He's a score-first point guard but he's not blind either. Nelson is really good at pressuring the ball, forcing dribblers to take time off the shot clock while working upcourt, and he does it without taking unnecessary gambles.

(11) Sergio Rodriguez, Portland Trail Blazers, 21

Rodriguez is an outstanding dribbler and passer, has good size and at a young age, can still improve greatly. His outside shot and defense both are major question marks. He also needs to improve his physical strength in order to improve his overall effectiveness. Rodriguez owns a lethal crossover, and can take any defender one-on-one. He also has the ability to find the open teammate in traffic, but still can sometimes be careless with the ball. As he gets more experience, Rodriguez will continue to improve and may become one of the best point guards in the league in the near future.

(12) Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors, 25

Calderon is a speedy dribbler with long arms. He dribbles equally well with both hands and sees the floor very well. He continually posts excellent assists numbers, but sometimes gets in trouble when he drives and leaves his feet before knowing where he'll pass the ball. Calderon needs to improve his outside shot, so opponents cannot sag off him. Because of he currently struggles with his outside shot, defenders force him to drive into crowds when he penetrates, which often leads to turnovers. Defensively, Calderon's length and quickness make him a good perimeter defender, but he needs to add muscle. Adding some meat on his bones would also help him absorb contact at the offensive end when he goes to the rim.

(13) Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics, 21

Quickness, long arms, and the ability to push the pace give many hope that Rondo will be a success in the NBA. He has great body control and finishes well at the basket. However, a lack of a jump shot could put that success in jeopardy. Defensively, Rondo excels with quick hands and a knack for stealing the ball. He’s also a fantastic rebounder for a guard, but his understanding of the game must evolve.

(14) Kyle Lowry, Memphis Grizzlies, 21

Although he has great promise, Lowry has struggled to get playing time in the league. He is an energetic, ball-hawking guard who can penetrate and dish. Lowry is a gritty and tough defender, who has a knack for stealing the ball. In the past, he has shown a big heart and great passion for the game. He plays bigger than his actual size and is a very physical guard. His jump shot off the dribble is his biggest weakness. His overall perimeter game needs more consistency.

(15) Sebastian Telfair, Boston Celtics, 22

Telfair is incredibly quick and a fantastic ball handler, qualities which made him a lottery pick. The first player of his size to turn pro directly out of high school, Telfair has taken his lumps in the NBA largely because of his poor jump shot. With defenders sagging several feet off him and daring him to shoot, his trademark penetrating ability has been neutralized. Because of this, his assist ratio has struggled. However, this is not because of his inability to see the floor – he can be a dazzling passer at times. It's just that he has no answer right now when teams take that play away. He needs to become a better finisher around the basket. Telfair thrives in an up-tempo environment, which would also have helped him defensively. With a small frame, he is great at pressuring the ball, but vulnerable when defending bigger guards.