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2008 New Jersey Nets Predictions & Preview

Written by Luke Knight

The New Jersey Nets are not the same team you watched last season. After a 34-win train wreck in 2007-2008, the Nets decided it was time to rebuild, or as they call it “retool.” Gone from the Nets are Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson, Marcus Williams, and other contributors from last season. The Nets do bring in three draft picks and several veterans in an attempt to propel them back toward the top of the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. Keep reading our NBA predictions to see how much we think the retooling process will help the Nets. Jump over to BetUS where the Nets are +6000 to win the Eastern Conference Championship this season.

This is the first season since 2000 that someone other than Jason Kidd will run the point position for the Nets, and that duty falls on Devin Harris. Harris is young, fast, and ready to crack the Top-10 point guard list. Once he gets some experience he will be an elite point guard in this league. He improved every career stat after coming to the Nets and is a better offensive player than most expected. Keyon Dooling will backup Harris. He is experienced, tough defensively, versatile, and can shoot the ball.

Vince Carter is the man that survived the fallout for the Nets, and as such the Nets will need him to be “The Man.” Carter only needs to lead the team in scoring, assists, and average about 6 rebounds for the Nets to be successful. Also, the Nets will rely on Carter’s drive-and-kick tendencies. For now, Trenton Hassell, a veteran out of Austin Peay, will backup Carter. Hassell is a strong, tough wing player that plays solid defense. Dooling could see some minutes here as well as rookie Chris Douglas-Roberts out of Memphis.

Bobby Simmons is a tough-minded, two-way player who has the skills to start for the Nets. Simmons’ defense, rebounding, and 3-point ability should keep him on the floor. Simmons was acquired in the Richard Jefferson Trade and looks to take over his position. Jarvis Hayes, signed as a free agent after being a No. 10 draft pick 6 years ago, will backup Simmons. Hayes is a good athlete but has never been a defensive stopper. He does bring perimeter scoring and experience to the bench. Douglas-Roberts could see minutes here. He has a lot to prove and ultimately we think he will.

Yi Jianlian, the 7-0 athlete who was a No. 6 pick last year, will fill the power forward slot despite the fact that he remains a huge question mark. Jianlian has the size, athleticism, and range to have Dirk Nowitzki-like growth in his second year, but there is a limited body of work to judge that kind of success. He has done nothing in games to show he is the next Nowizki. Eduardo Najera, a 6-8 old school defensive minded guy who can hit a 3-pointer will back up Jianlian when Najera’s wrist heals. Najera brings a solid on-court presence, but also adds locker-room presence and leadership more than anything. He is a better bench player than a starter, so if Jianlian grows the way the Nets need him to, Najera is perfect off the bench.

Josh Boone racked up 13 double-doubles last season and should fill this position if his rapid heartbeat is nothing serious. Boone struggled with his interior defense, but the Nets picked up Brook Lopez out of Stanford. Sean Williams should provide immediate relief in the middle for Boone until Lopez transitions from Pac-10 basketball to the pros. Williams really lacks a position. He isn’t strong enough for a 4 but isn’t finesse enough for a 3, so he will see time in the middle and will sink or swim.

Final Analysis

A team like the Nets is not expected to win their Conference, which is a plus for them. An added bonus is playing in the weaker Eastern Conference. In the Western Conference, things could get ugly fast, but instead the Nets are in the same Division as the Knicks and should have success against what could prove to be their future in-state rival, as an anticipated move to Brooklyn looms in the future. We have the Nets finishing 4th in the Atlantic Division ahead of the Knicks and behind the Celtics, Sixers, and Raptors. The playoffs should not be in reach this season. BetUS has the Nets at +12500 odds to win an NBA Championship this season. Expectations are low so keep an eye on this team as the betting odds should be in your favor on a nightly basis all season long.

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Written by Luke Knight on October 28, 2008 · Filed Under NBA Betting Articles, News & Previews

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