| New Jersey Nets: Up Year, Down Year? Authored by Christopher Reina - January 16, 2009 - 9:26 pm
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The additions of Devin Harris and Brook Lopez have infused the Nets into the playoff picture.
The Nets are currently 12th in offensive rating and 27th defensively, while they finished 25th and 21st in those categories respectively during the 07-08 season.
Which players are having up years and which are having down years?
- Player (Season FIC Rank, 2008-09 FIC40, Career FIC40, Differential)
- Vince Carter (19th, 14.6, 14.6, even)
Carter's offensive rating is up to 115 this season, which is a career high, better even than that famous 2000-01 season with the Raptors. He's been slightly less efficient from the floor, but has had a nice uptick in his shooting from distance (39.9%).
- Devin Harris (30th, 16.0, 12.4, +3.6)
Harris has been an entirely better player this season as he's been given a chance to really become a high usage offensive player. His true shooting percentage is at a career high and he's decreased his turnovers. At 118 points per 100 possessions, Harris has become elite offensively and he still remains an excellent perimeter defender.
- Brook Lopez (60th, 13.4, rookie)
Lopez could have gone as high as third in the 2008 draft and fell to the Nets with the 10th selection and he has become an excellent two-way player since December and is averaging 13.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.5 block per game in January. This despite shooting a 47.5% from the floor, which is almost guaranteed to improve significantly in the coming years, largely evidenced by his 81.3% shooting from the line.
- Yi Jianlian (149th, 10.5, 9.8, +.7)
He certainly isn't an All-Star, but he has demonstrated an ability to stretch defenses with an efficient 3-point shot. He has also increased his rebounding efficiency.
- Keyon Dooling (160th, 9.7, 7.6, +2.1)
Dooling has improved his assist-to-turnover ratio and is shooting 43.5% from beyond the arc, well above his career mark of 33.1%. His career offensive rating is 103, but he's at 113 this season and was at 115 last season with Orlando.
- Bobby Simmons (163rd, 9.1, 9.9, -.8)
Simmons is shooting about the same clip from distance as he did during that career year during the 04-05 season, but his turnovers have gone up while his usage has decreased.
- Jarvis Hayes (186th, 8.4, 7.9, +.5)
With his third team in three seasons, Hayes is shooting more efficiently albeit less frequently this season. His upticks have been on the defensive glass.
- Josh Boone (213th, 12.3, 13.0, -.7)
Boone is essentially the same as he's been since he first came into the NBA, though he's having a horrendous season from the line, shooting just 38.5%.
- Chris Reina is the executive editor of RealGM |
