Woj: Nets Not Likely to Make the Playoffs Next Year Either
Adrian Wojnarowski, speaking with Yahoo! Sports' Larry Biel, says despite Mikhail Prokhorov's wealth, all that cap space and a chance at John Wall or Evan Turner, the Nets are likely to "get better but I don't think they will make a jump to a playoff team."
Woj says the big reason they're likely to get better is coaching. "They'll have a coach, they'll have a daily preparation which I don't think they ever had under Kiki for most of the season." He also likes their prospects with Wall or Turner. "Both are expected to be cornerstone guys in the NBA."
As for free agents, "They'll probably get a good one, but they're not getting any of the marquee guys. Could they conceivably get a Carlos Boozer kind of guy? Yeah but he'll probably end up with a contender."
- Primed for Playoff Return (Video) - Larry Biel, Adrian Wojnarowski & Kenny Smith - Yahoo! Sports
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Hey, no one should count the Nets out anything can happen, the thunder were one of the worst teams last season look at them this season in the playoffs and also Nets are in East
no one should count the Nets out
I think we must have a fair shot at the NBA record for improved won/lost in games, since we’re starting so low. I mean, it’s gotta be easier to go from 12 wins to 42 wins than from 42 to 72…
Really?
Playoff talk about the 2010-2011 playoffs is as useless as a one legged soccer player….
by Christopher Manchesi on Apr 27, 2010 4:59 PM EDT reply actions
totally agree
premise of article is ridiculous……. too bad a good writer like Woj would engage in such drivel. There are WAY too many unknowns to make any predictions right now.
but Woj was correct about Phoenix having to get rid of Amare in a S/T .
and probably Boozer too.
Phoenix is the likely team to fall out, but Nets could easily make playoffs with Turner and TWO decent FA’s (he is assuming only 1 FA). Even with just 1 FA, in the East, it would be possible to get 40 wins with Turner + DLee (who I assume he believes to be a lesser FA). And the new coach guarantees that Harris and TWill will be much better.
That is an improvement in 4 players/positions, even without getting someone like RGay too.
I only have one thing to say to Mr. Wojnarowski...
Here you are, this is gonna be brook lopez next season:
If it is a top 2 pick and Nets elect to get the 2nd quality FA, then they Will get about 50 wins.
It will be the Nets choice, not Woj’s to decide.
Nets may prefer to do it in 2 steps with quality free agents.
However, adding 3 star level players along with TWill improving and DHarris having a real coach with a real team,
I don’t know what Woj is smoking.
If this was the Western conference then things might be different.
I feel the same way....
…which is why I am interested to see how this team will be selling out the Barclays every night if they aren’t a legitimate contender in two years
the Nets need a massive turn around to wash the stink off of this season. MASSIVE. I mean, we’re talking 47-50 wins either next season or the one after.
I think we can make the playoffs this year if we a)sign one of the free agents, like David Lee, and we get a star out of our pick and some depth with the other two. With proper team structure and solid coaching, and a lack of tom foolery from the front office, I think we’ll have enough talent to do so. Even if we win 30 games next season I’ll be fine as long as we are on the path to contention. 2 year turn around plan is the key here.
We also need to trade Devin Harris for some more talent while his value is at a decent level. Another season of his garbage play and general disinterest and we’ll be stuck with him.
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
Last year, after 32 games
the OKC Thunder was 3-29. They could go a game up on the World Champions tonight.
The Nets had NO coach this season…and the youngest starting lineup in the league when they put Harris, Lopez, Yi, Lee and either TWill or CDR on the court.
OKC is going to beat the Lakers in 6 games!
The young OKC players have gained the confidence they need to go with their talent and athleticism.
And Milwaukee
Two examples of young teams that when mixed with a good coach, consistent system and time together delivered big improvement.
And it is hard to see who in the East is improving and easier to see who is dropping. The East will be wide open for the last few playoff spots. Not as if we have to get by OKC for the 8th and last spot.
Devin Harris is an allstar. His injuries held him back this year. if we trade, we package him with garbagw ala Yi and aquire an all star superstar ala Chris Paul
No
Harris didn’t play like an all-star this year. You’re right about the injuries. He missed many games and couldn’t play hurt… but sure talked like he could.
I agree it's useless to discuss
but if it’s because they decided to do things the right way I can live with it, albeit in the east you have to be pretty bad to not make the play-offs. If not overpaying 2nd tier FA’s means missing the play-offs next year then I can live with it. To me to put up with this season I want the return to be much better than a 45-48 win team.
And to top off their greatest season yet the new jersey nets scored 86 points...in double overtime. yes a professional basketball team only mustered 86 points in 58 minutes of basketball.
None sense!
The Nets have the tools in their current remaining roster. Add a top 4 pick and good free agent pickups, their lineup can definitely compete to be in the top 8 teams in the East.
What they really need is a head coach that has a very strong personality and will be well respected by the players.
Besides Durant, who else in the OKC roster right now is a superstar? So, how come they are in the playoffs and tied at 2 games a piece in their series against the Lakers? It’s not just about putting BIG names in the team, you also have to consider coaching staff, correct team mindset, and desire to win by each and every player in the team.
We know and we have seen what Devin Harris can do at both ends of the floor when he was with the Mavs and in his first year with the Nets. We’ve seen how hard working Courtney Lee is at the defensive end of the floor when he was with the Magic. We’ve seen what Terrence Williams can do at both ends of the floor at Louiseville. Well, we’ve seen what Brooke Lopez can do.
So, how come, almost none of those good traits showed up this past season? They lacked leadership on the floor and on the bench.
That roster is not just Durant
Russel Westbrook is very good. Jeff Green is good. Thabo plays great defense. Harden is real nice coming off the bench.
Westbrook, Green, Ibaka, and Thabo are not all-stars or superstars, BUT the OKC are doing very well.
Well, they have Durant who is a game changer
We have already have Devin Harris, Brooke Lopez, Courtney Lee, and Terrence Williams … add a top 4 pick and several good free agents … who knows….
I think the better example for this discussion are the Bobcats and the Bucks, since they too do not have a game changer type of a player, but they are in the playoffs. Their biggest advantage over the Nets is they have a coach !!!
If Lebron wants his name to be bigger and make more noise, he should sign with the Nets this offseason.
There is the buzz with the new owner, the buzz of the 2-year stop-over at Prudential, the buzz of Barclay Center. Then, there can be the big headline of “FROM WORST TO FIRST – ALL HAIL THE KING”
How can’t Lebron’s name get any bigger than this?
@ kuijo – Another argument for Mike Brown to take over.
by diehardNFFLbarnone on Apr 27, 2010 5:33 PM EDT reply actions
Do you know something i don't know
You keep talking about Mike Brown, as if he is not coaching the Cavs. What do you know that you have not told us?
And so said the old man!
to b realistic i highly doubt that any free agents would come to newark. however there is a higher chance to get a top free agent with john wall, especially lebron. 2nd if lebron wants to prove that he is the best then y not take a chance and change a franchise around like the nets. if he is able to turn the team from a 12win team into a 50win team he will win the mvp 3times in a row. our coach would win coach of the year. and lebron would b considered the best player in the nba let alone one of the best of all time.
this is dumb
We cant even discuss playoffs until we see the final roster. For all we know we may have lebron and david lee and john wall on the team, with coach k on the sidelines.
Good to see the nets are on the medias mind so much though.
I think cdr will be back also.
hoping and wishing...
Makes me think of the saying: “wish in one hand, and crap in the other, and see which one fills up first.” There are so many variables to the upcoming season. New coach, draft picks, free agents, not to mention our new billionaire owner, it is gonna make for one heck of an exciting ride. As Bette Davis would say: “Fasten your seatbelts. it’s going to be a bumpy night!”
Get real
We need 2 defensive bigs (a starting PF and a backup center or PF) and a scorer. We have 3 picks and cap space not to mention the ability to trade with Thorn running the show. We fill those needs with any reasonable talent and we’re in the playoffs even with an inexperienced coach. Book it!
I totally agree
The Thunder isn’t a good example for this team. They had a number two draft pick and he went in to his third year this season and is steady showing he will be a top five player in this league.
The Nets on the other hand we have no idea where they are headed just yet until the draft.
This team won 12 games this season. One thing the Nets have going for them is that they play in the East.
You can not compare the Nets to the Thunder. It’s two totally different teams. That team has two corner stone players in Westbrook and Durant. A solid player in Jeff Green and James H.
The Nets have Brook Lopez. Twill is good and loved the way how he came through but I want to see how he comes back in his second season.
This team still has a lot of learn to do and go.
I can’t expect playoffs after winning 12 games.
We are still trying to develop Yi.
We are trying to figure what to do with Lee.
We are trying to see how Devin fits in ours plans and can he stay healthy?
Still a lot of questions and way too soon to be talking about playoffs.
by killa kadafi191 on Apr 27, 2010 5:40 PM EDT reply actions
there are indeed questions
and indeed Durant is something very special, but Wall, at least according to the experts, could be very very big.
There will be as many as NINE new players on the Nets come August, when the final free agents signings take place. There will be, I assume, at least three or four new coaches…and assorted other development types.
I think Woj has it right…a good coach, no marquee names, but a decent pickup in free agency, hopefully Wall or Turner, and Prokhorov’s wallet and personality.
The target is a competitive team in Brooklyn.
But Wall will be a rookie...
I know Jennings is a good example of a rookie PG leading his team to the playoffs but I certainly don’t expect Wall to take over in his rookie season. The only way we’re talking playoffs next year is if we get rid of our trash and sign at least 1 good FA. Otherwise I don’t see it unless Brook becomes a mean monster next year.
" I'm really excited to take the worst team in the league and turn it to be the best in the league." --Mikhail Prokhorov.
I agree
I think this team can be competitive in 2 years but next year not so much.
I will hold off with the Wall and Turner talk until May 18.
As you said there will be nine new players. So that means this team will have to form some type of chemistry. As we saw just with core we had last season that had problems.
We will also be bringing along a rookie.
It is a little too much to expect a team that won 12 games, with nine new players, a new coach and a rookie to make the playoffs let alone be major players in the East
by killa kadafi191 on Apr 27, 2010 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Nobody knows what will happen next year....
An injury to Lebron and the Cavs probably are not in the playoffs.. or maybe the Nets or Knicks actually sign FAs and they become contenders next year… see how pointless this is?
" I'm really excited to take the worst team in the league and turn it to be the best in the league." --Mikhail Prokhorov.
true no one knows anything
the future is unknown to everyone. Still people prepare their self for tomorrow what will likely happen.
I don’t know if the world will end on Friday but I do know the light bill is due and I will pay it because if the world doesn’t end I will be without electricity
We know what is likely to happen and occur.
by killa kadafi191 on Apr 27, 2010 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Thorn will be 69 next season
He’s not waiting for Brooklyn to be competitive. Who knows where he’ll be by the time we’re in Brooklyn. If we had Proky’s boy as GM then there might be some patience but not with Thorn. Thorn won’t jeopardize the future for the present but I think he has the desire and ability to make a drastic improvement right away. Look what he did with Martin and Kidd. It won’t be the first time.
I have to agree with Woj. We have far too many needs to compete. We do not really have a balanced roster. We have no shooters. No real defenders. No tough bigs inside. No crunch time shooter and mostly no real leader. Playoff teams have those things. I also see most of the marquee guys going back to where they came from or to a contender. Yeah, we might get Lee. Yes, we could get Wall or Turner, but they will need a couple of years to get good. OKC is a very talented team that made great drafts, got lucky, and filled in nicely with established players. We are not that talented. We do not have Westbrook or Durant. Brook and Devin are not in their league. Wall or Turner MAY be, but not for some time.
Another thought. The teams that did emerge from the lottery to the playoffs in the East both have great coaches who have strong defensive schemes. They also have some dynamic shooters and scorers. Bucks and Bobcats did not make it last year. Sometimes it takes a couple of years for the coach to get the players he wants and needs and to get his message across. We do not really have a Gwallace or Salmons or Jennings or Jackson. Yet.
For NetsDaily
There is a much more informative video from last night on NBATV where there was a review of the 3 top Draft Picks, with Cousins being #3.
It was with Draft expert Chris Doitch(sp), Steve Smith (who also does College Games) and Brent Barry, as well as the Host, who is an Ohio State fan.
Both the Host and Steve Smith are apparently big Evan Turner fans – SS said Evan Turner will be a walking triple double threat every night in the NBA.
Kenny Smith is a jerk and a Nets hater.
At least Woj is correct about Amare leaving regardless of how Phoenix does.
So will Boozer, because he is pricing himself out of Utah’s budget.
I hope Boozer doesn’t go to the Nets, because he will want Max Contract (maybe 6 years) after his play. Maybe the Knicks will give it to him (I sure hope the Knicks use up 1/2 their cap space on Boozer).
Glad to see that Turner and Wall are starting to get equal time on Blog captions and by more knowledgeable writers like Woj
Actually it would be better if other GM’s, besides Thorn, would all take Wall over Turner, so that Turner would still be available if Nets get #2 pick.
However, I don’t want Thorn to be under pressure to choose Wall, because of all the hype.
So it is good that things will start to even up in the remaining weeks.
I just hope we can get Evan Turner, Patrick Patterson, and a 7’ C who can play defense. There is a rumor that the Hawks are looking to sale their pick, perhaps we can buy that and combine it with the 27th or 30th and a player to move up a little and get Patterson
Whatever we do in free agency, we have to get the RIGHT pieces. Detroit WAYYYYYY over paid for Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. They both are average to slightly above average players in the NBA and they are not the difference makers needed to win in the NBA. As can be seen, this season with the Pistons decline.
LETS GO NETS!
Playoffs Playoffs Playoffs
Seriously though we are not ready.
One big reason the Nets feel that Yi is still a key piece. How are we going to try to compete for games where we are trying to teach this clueless kid how to play in the NBA.
See that’s not what playoff teams do. The Nets still want to invest in him.
The Nets have no idea where the Devin Harris experiment is going. Sure he was an all star but Jamal Mag was one too at a time. Plus he is injury prone. I doubt things will change next year. He has been injury prone since he played in D Town.
Courtney Lee looked great with the Magic but hey anyone can look great playing along side a dominate center and when four other players are getting the defense attention. Plus he battle with injuries as well.
Terrence Williams started off bad. Looked like we had SWAT part 2 but redeem himself and look great and hope he is ready to keep improving.
Brook Lopez the lone positive on this team. True he had a rough month and got frustrated who wouldn’t though.
With all those questions you add nine new players,personalities and etc etc. A rookie and a new coach.
This team won 12 games they should focus on learning how to win before they think about playoffs.
Now if they were getting a player like KG I would say different.
by killa kadafi191 on Apr 27, 2010 9:41 PM EDT reply actions
Like KG, but not KG...
Everyone knows he’s very much in decline. As much as Kenny being unlikable in his delivery. He is right, it is too early to tell.
Finding a good coach would be big. Kiki has done a pretty good job with the draft and scouting talent.
Lopez is positive, but the performance he gave during the last game of the season made me puke in my mouth a little. He can at times be a drama queen.
The NETS can still continue dreaming about taking advantage of China's population in merchandize sale, but NOT by putting Yi in the starting five.
If the NETS can be rebuilt into a title contender year after year and an exciting one while doing it, YI’s name will still be popular, because he is part of the Nets rotation.
However, the NETS cannot achive greatness if they continue to put Yi in the starting five. They have to limit Yi’s playing to about 12 minutes a game only.
Picky!
Boy are we picky! I can’t believe some of us write I don’t want Boozer, or KG, or Melo is selfish or Lebron has a big ego., Amare doesn’t play D. I even said Lee is slow. We won 12 games! We don’t have anyone half as good as anybody who we dismiss so lightly. I will be happy if anyone we all so easily dismiss comes here. And yes, the key to the Bucks rise is getting rid of Yi, so we must do the same.
Depends on the rest of the East.
If the East rosters stayed exactly the same next year, except the Nets add Wall/Turner and a top/2nd tier FA PF, they only have to play 500 ball, and that’s achievable. However, looking at the FA’s, the ones most likely to leave are in the West. Miami will get better. Toronto will get worse, but what if Bosh goes to Chicago? NY can sign 2 top names. Like everyone said, way too early to tell. Let the draft and FA happen first, then this could be a fun topic.

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