| Nets Mid-Season Awards Show Authored by Mark Kelly - February 21, 2005 - 6:21 pm
| Current Featured Columns | | The First Three Weeks of 2008-09 Now that we’ve had a little time to watch free agency unfold, along with the usual accompaniment of trades, let’s look at some of the key moves and how they impact the teams involved.
Grading The Deal: W's Sign Maggette And TuriafThe Boom Dizzle era is over, and the Warriors quickly recovered by signing two nice pieces to complement their young core.
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Fans tried to think positively. After all, if Jason Kidd could return from his knee surgery quicker than expected to provide a spark the team just might be able to sneak into the playoffs. If Richard Jefferson could continue his scoring rise and expand his team role, the Nets could still be contenders. Why exactly couldn’t Jason Collins, the Nets fill-in for Kenyon Martin, do an adequate job replacing the All-Star? The fact was, each scenario included too many of the deadly ‘if’s’. Though most tried to downplay it, forty-three wins predictions were clearly over this team’s level of play. Their early-season nine game losing streak did little to shush the critics of Rod Thorn (the team’s Vice President) and Bruce Ratner (Nets’ owner). Richard Jefferson was playing like an All-Star but at only twenty-four years of age, it was asking too much of the Arizona product to carry the team to the playoff’s. But then, something miraculous happened. Jason Kidd, proclaimed by many as Mr. Triple Double, returned to the court two weeks earlier than expected. All throughout the summer Kidd was expected to be dealt as well, assumed to be the third Net to be sent packing. A rebuilding team didn’t seem to have any need for an All-World point guard with only one good knee. But, what many failed to realize is that no team with Jason Kidd on the roster is going to tank the season. He invoked excitement in Continental Airlines Arena for the first time since game 5 of last year’s Eastern Conference semifinals against Detroit. Kidd’s return quickly elevated the shooting percentages of not only Richard Jefferson, but the team as a whole. His play convinced the Nets front office to do something that no one had expected: deal for noted high-flyer Vince Carter. As the ticket sales began to increase, Bruce Ratner must have realized that rebuilding to save money in the end will only lose you money. The influx of new fans increase the Nets attendance per game by over 1,000 more tickets sold. When Ratner was spotted at a Nets game a few weeks back, it was as if you could see two vibrant-green dollar signs in his eyes.
Not bad for a team that was expected to be led by, among others, New Jersey’s own Eric Williams, longtime Net Aaron Williams, and an older version of former NBA All-Star Alonzo Mourning. Here’s a look back at the first half of the 2004-05 season for your New Jersey Nets.
Best Trade: New Jersey dealt Eric Williams, Aaron Williams, Alonzo Mourning, and two first round draft picks (Philadelphia and Denver) to Toronto for Vince Carter
Although the “magnitude” of the Clifford Robinson deal must not be overlooked, the December 17th trade that brought Vince Carter to New Jersey tops the limited chart of Nets trades this season. The transaction was the perfect fit for both Vince Carter and the Nets.
For Vince, he was wallowing in Toronto, a city in which he was no longer able to consistently play at the level he knows he’s capable of. With the Raptors Carter was averaging career lows in points per game (15.9), field goal percentage (.411) and free throw percentage (69%). He was well under his career averages in seemingly every major category.
The classic cliché, “All he needs is a change of scenery,” though extremely overrated in my opinion, is perfect in describing Vince’s situation. In 28 games with the Nets so far this season Carter has exploded for 26.2 points per game, 5.80 rebounds per game, 5 assists per contest, and a career high 43% from behind the arc. With the man nicknamed Vinsanity in the lineup the Nets are 14-14, good for a .500 winning percentage. Standing alone, that is not a staggering number. But, the significance is shown when it is compared to the 9-16 mark that the Nets had put up while Vince was still in Toronto.
This trade was meant to do more than just add talent to the team. It was an attempt to revitalize the franchise. In that respect, it passed with flying colors.
Best In-Season Signing: Billy Thomas, Guard
January 20th was a slow day for the Nets press. Sandwiched between games against Milwaukee and Boston, the New York/New Jersey media used the time as somewhat of an off day. For this reason, the signing of little-known, twenty-nine-year-old Billy Thomas flew under the radar. Rightfully so, the acquisition of Thomas did not garner time from ESPN. Billy had been to Nets camp twice before in his short-lived career and, with the Nets hurting for perimeter help, had been a logical choice as depth on the roster. But, Rod Thorn and the rest of the front office couldn’t have wished for a better job by their signing.
Billy Thomas is a Kansas graduate and former teammate of point guard Jacque Vaughn. He was signed with the intent of playing out his ten-day contract and then letting him walk. But, the perimeter shooting and gritty play of the journeyman coaxed the Nets into another ten-day contract and then finally, a salary for the remainder of the season. Thomas has seen himself thrusted into big minutes, playing in games of 31, 37, and 25. He has provided an on-and-off three point shooting touch that has netted him two games of two threes made, and one of three and four. As seen by former Net ten-day contract owners Jerome Moiso and Kaniel Dickens, this is not the kind of production to expect. Billy Thomas has not been handed a shot in the NBA; he’s earned it.
Biggest Surprise: Nenad Krstic, Center
Any production this season for Nenad Krstic was going to be considered good production for the simple reason that he wasn’t expected to be a factor. Like Darko Milicic in Detroit, most Net fans believed that Krstic would only see mop-up time throughout his first season in the NBA. Well, how wrong we were. The thin front court that the Nets possessed, coupled with the Vince Carter trade which sent two reliable big men packing has forced Krstic into a bigger role at age twenty-two and he’s flourished. Since he’s become the starting center on December 19th Krstic has played twenty-eight minutes a total of twenty-five times. During the games where he’s gotten “starter’s minutes” the Yugoslavian is averaging 13.9 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game. Impressive numbers for someone who was only expected to endure mop-up duty. Oh, and the team has done pretty well during those games too, compiling a 15-10 record, well above their normal percentage.
Most Disappointing Injury: Richard Jefferson, Forward
The lone bright spot during the tough month of November, Richard Jefferson was showing the Nets faithful that perhaps they still would have an All-Star going to Denver. On December 27th, a quick undercut by Detroit point guard Chauncey Billups on a Jefferson fast break sent both the player and his season down to the ground with a sickening thud. Richard, having improved his points per game averages at least three points each season he’s been in the league, was having a breakout year. Jefferson, averaging career highs in points (22.2), rebounds (7.30), assists (4.0), and free throw percentage (84%), was becoming a certified star. Night in and night out Jefferson was keyed on by the defense and night in and night out he delivered. The only thing that would stop him this year would be an injury; a ruptured tendon in the wrist fits that category. Though fans were only able to see the dynamic trio of Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Richard Jefferson in action together eight times this season, we can take comfort in the fact that above-the-rim basketball will take place once again next season.
Best Play: Vince Carter, 360 degree finger roll
A play-of-the-year candidate. Describing it through words doesn’t do justice to the athleticism and poise that the act displayed. Carter started with the ball at the top of the key. A Los Angeles Laker defender harassed the guard with quick hands. Dribbling out of control, Vince ran straight at four converging defenders and leapt into the air. Knowing that a charging foul was about to be called, Carter did the only possible thing: he spun. The end result was a play that will be shown on Nets highlights for years to come.
Best Game: Friday, January 28: New Jersey Nets @ Los Angeles Lakers
Even without Kobe Bryant (still nursing his sprained right ankle) the Lakers were considered the favorites for this contest. Sickness and injuries had forced numerous Nets out of the lineup, allowing Coach Frank only eight men to work with. Vince Carter, considered by every knowledgeable NBA executive as either a shooting guard or small forward, was forced to start the game at power forward, up against Lamar Odom. Carter held his own defensively while really taking advantage of the match up offensively, scoring 30 points and dishing out 9 assists en route to a 109-103 victory.
Worst Game: Wednesday, February 9: Los Angeles Lakers @ New Jersey Nets
Oddly, the Nets best and worst games came against the Los Angeles Lakers this season. Leading by eight points with sixty-four seconds left, this game was all but in the bag. But, defensive breakdowns and some timely shooting by Los Angeles (including a clutch three by Chucky Atkins to tie the game) forced the game into overtime where the Lakers momentum proved to be too much for the Nets to handle. A devastating defeat.
Best Goodbye: Alonzo Mourning in the Vince Carter trade
With all due respect to Alonzo Mourning and his condition, the time for a Net/Mourning breakup was long overdue. Upset by the fact that New Jersey made it clear in the off season that they would rather Alonzo retire to get the cap relief, Mourning was vocal regarding his displeasure with the Nets since training camp had opened. He wanted to play for a winner and on numerous occasions blatantly said that the Nets were not headed in that direction. Reputation or no reputation, that’s your ticket to leave. Mourning has had a great career and will be given a shot at a championship with the Miami Heat, but he was no longer wanted in New Jersey.
Worst Goodbye: Aaron Williams
Unknown by most, loved by everyone else. Aaron Williams had a very quiet but productive five seasons with the Nets. Though he may be best remembered for throwing an errant pass picked off by “Miracle” Milt Palacio which lost the Nets the game during the 2000-01 season, it’s the dirty work that he did under the basket which made him such a great player to have. The A-Train could score in the post if needed and rebound the ball extremely well. While opponents gawked at his biceps he was able to quietly score eight points per game coming off of the bench. Amidst the commotion of Vince Carter being traded to the Nets was the loss of a warrior.
Most Controversial In-Season Signing: Eldon Campbell
Never has there been the uproar over a player with such limited skills remaining. Eldon Campbell was a very good player - both offensively and defensively – during the 1990s. He was also able to minimize, even if only slightly, the offensive output of the opposing center. But those days are gone. When the Nets signed Campbell off of the waiver wire a month ago, fans from Detroit were outraged. They thought that Thorn was out to get the Pistons in the same way he was out to get the Pistons when he called both the general manager’s of the Hawks and Celtics to protest last season’s deal involving Rasheed Wallace. Piston fans, having just seen their team trade away Campbell in a tremendous deal to obtain Carlos Arroyo, were all but convinced that Eldon would return to the team due to Detroit being his first choice. The fact is, it was a bad basketball move on Thorn’s part but the Nets had every right to sign Eldon Campbell.
It was an eventful first half. In recent memory, no team comes to mind where they’re done early on in the season, only to be rejuvenated twice by star entrances, then deemed done once again due to an injury, only to be pronounced stable. Fragments and sentence structure out the door, nothing could have been more interesting.
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