| 30 Teams, 30 Days: New Jersey Draft Preview (17th) Authored by Andrew Perna - June 18, 2007 - 6:56 pm
2006-2007 Finish: 41-41
Draft Pick: 17th Overall
What they do well
They are one of the league’s most talented teams with Jason Kidd at the point, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson on the wing, and Nenad Krstic in the paint. Kidd helps the Nets share the ball well, and Krstic has allowed them to add an inside-outside game that they lacked in the early part of the decade. It’s not likely that they’ll suit up both Jefferson and Carter this fall, but while their potential might differ, to me they are one in the same.
Where do they need improvement?
As I said above, before Krstic they lacked a strong interior threat. The importance of Nenad’s game was made obvious when New Jersey lost him for the season last year. In order to become a strong contender for the Eastern Conference crown in 2008 they will need to get bigger and add someone to play tough alongside Krstic.
Dealing either Carter or Jefferson this summer, at this point it seems as though it’ll be Jefferson (if either), would leave a slight void at either the two or three for the Nets. Eddie House is the free agent, which leaves them with Hassan Adams, Antoine Wright, and Bostjan Nachbar off the bench. Rod Thorn might be content with a Wright and Nachbar platoon, but I don’t know if I would be satisfied.
Who they should target?
I don’t think there is any doubt that the Nets will target a big man when David Stern comes calling in the second half of the first round. Most credible mock drafts have New Jersey selecting a post presence, and rightfully so.
- Josh McRoberts, Duke
A lot of people think he’s making a mistake by not returning to Duke, but at least he’ll land on a winning team rather than struggle through something he’s probably never done – lose. He can add some interior offense to New Jersey, spelling Krstic and taking pressure off the backcourt.
- Jason Smith, Colorado State
DraftExpress.com compares him to New Jersey native Troy Murphy, which may not be exactly what the Nets are looking for, but close enough. Smith would be able to take double teams off guys like Carter and Krstic, while being able to knock down a deep jumper when left open.
- Tiago Splitter, Brazil
If the Nets are determined to get a big man, and I think they should be, they have a multitude of options. If either Smith or McRoberts are gone – Spiltter should be there man. If you remember the last time they took a gamble on a big international player they got Krstic.
Picks over the past five years
The Nets have a history of dipping into the international pool for talent. When you look at the players they have drafted in each of the last seven drafts, six of the fifteen were from overseas. Whether or not Splitter will become the seventh player of the decade remains to be seen.
2006
Marcus Williams, 22nd
Josh Boone, 23rd
Hassan Adams, 54th
2005
Antoine Wright, 15th
Mile Ilic, 43rd
2004
Victor Khryapa, 22nd
Christian Drejer, 52nd
2003
Zoran Planinic, 22nd
Kyle Korver, 51st
2002
Nenad Krstic, 24th
Tamar Sly, 54th
2001
Eddie Griffin, 7th
Brian Scalabrine, 35th
2000
Kenyon Martin, 1st
Soumaila Samake, 36th
Who’s New Jersey taking? Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
