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With training camp bearing down, now only a week away, NBA teams continue to jockey for the last few available players hoping to add depth and address any weaknesses. The phrases non-roster invitee, veteran minimum salary, mid-level exception, and recently released player dominate the rumor mill, sprinkled in with the occasional discontented big name player on the trading block. As perennial contenders continually viewed as one or two players short of championship caliber, the Nets often find themselves in the midst of the rumor mill. Playing in the New York media market does not hurt either. After a summer of Jermaine O’Neal and Kevin Garnett rumors ended benignly with the less-flashy acquisitions of Jamaal Magloire and Malik Allen, New Jersey again finds itself linked with two high profile players, Allan Houston and Andrei Kirilenko.

Rod Thorn, Ed Stefanski, take my advice, resist temptation, stand pat. Allan Houston was a good player, even borderline great for few seasons, but that was 1998, not 2008. While he may still have the smooth stroke that earned him over $100 million of Charles Dolan’s money, after basically three years off necessitated by a debilitating knee injury, Houston likely brings nothing more than his outside shot to the table. Defense, explosiveness, a post-up game — not a chance. Some may argue Houston will bring that intangible veteran leadership that every team needs to take the next step. I don’t buy it. Houston never exhibited the on court leadership and tenacity, plus the fact he wants to play for the Knicks, not exactly a championship caliber team, proves his motives are less championship driven and more personal. By the way, last check, the Nets already have a pretty good leader at point guard.

On the Kirilenko front, a few rumors of a trade for Richard Jefferson surfaced after the disgruntled Jazz forward demanded a trade recently. The contracts match up, making the deal logistically feasible, a rarity with NBA superstars, but the rumor should end there. Coming off a down season (8.3 ppg), Kirilenko exhibited a poor attitude and lack of heart, neither appealing attributes. While RJ continues to struggle with injuries, and has converted to more of a perimeter player than the inside-out threat he projected as early in his career, I will take him over Kirilenko any day. Jefferson comes to play every night, and when healthy, performs, averaging over 16ppg for his career. Kirilenko may have more upside potential, but at risk of upsetting the chemistry and consistency of a healthy Jefferson, the trade makes no sense for Jersey.

Rather than sign an aging guard, or take on another team’s problem, the Nets should prepare for battle with the current roster. Outside of the Big Three, Lawrence Frank’s has a young, hungry squad, with well placed role players. I am excited about Antoine Wright, Robert Hite, and Marcus Williams. Wright and Hite, besides nicely rhyming, can both bring it on defense, and possess tremendous athletic ability. Williams can flat out score. After a rookie season marked by peaks and valleys, expect the UConn product to step up this season and shoulder some of J. Kidd’s load, especially if he learns to play defense.

Bottom line, the Nets are ready to go to war. Let the kids play, let Coach Frank work his magic, and let’s just see what happens. Come January, if the youth movement fails, Thorn and Stefanski can snatch a veteran off an underachieving team before the trade deadline. For now, lets see what we have. The future is now.

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Announcing the Netscast Podcast

by NJNetscast - posted Monday, August 27th, 2007

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