Wednesday's Winners and Losers
by Net Income on Aug 11, 2010 9:49 PM EDT
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PrintIt's an All-New team. Eighteen weeks after the Nets lost to the Heat to close out their miserable 12-70 season, only four players remain from that final roster: Devin Harris, Brook Lopez, Terrence Williams and Kris Humphries. Replacing those traded, waived and renounced are, in order of their arrival: Derrick Favors, Damion James, Quinton Ross, Brian Zoubek, Ben Uzoh, Travis Outlaw, Johan Petro, Anthony Morrow, Jordan Farmar, Sean May and now Troy Murphy.
Other than Favors, Murphy stands as the biggest acquisition of this off-season, a 6'11" power forward with close to career double-double numbers and an ability to shoot 40% from deep. Plus he's a Jersey guy. The Nets may not have picked up Carlos Boozer, Amare Stoudemire or David Lee, but they did get a power forward who ain't bad.
So if you assume this was a good day for the Nets, a winning day, who else can be seen as winners and losers. We give our opinion.
Winners:
--Troy Murphy. Local boy makes good. He has said each time he's played in the Meadowlands that he'd like to go home again. Now he gets the chance. He's the Nets oldest player by a few months,but he can put up numbers and he will have a lot of motivation: playing at home, playing for a new contract, playing for an initial trip to the NBA playoffs.
--Courtney Lee. Let's face it: he wasn't happy and wanted back on a championship contender. He got his wish too, as he texted Al Iannazzone, "the sky's the limit" in Houston. He should know, however, he will face competition at the two spot from Kevin Martin and Chase Budinger.
--Terrence Williams and Anthony Morrow. These two will now battle it out for the starting shooting guard spot in New Jersey. They bring different skillsets to the table, with Williams more the slashing, athletic type who can play a little PG and Morrow the deadly deep shooter and pure scorer who can play a little SF. Another winner: Jordan Farmar who will now get a chance to play some off-guard with Devin Harris.
--Devin Harris. His assist numbers are likely to go up and his injuries go down. With so many deep shooters at so many positions, the lane will not be as clogged next season, giving him opportunities to drive and dish to the perimeter or simply take it to the hole...with less fear of being hammered.
--Quinton Ross. The throw-in in the Yi Jianlian salary dump, Ross is a 6'6" defensive specialist who can also shoot a bit from the outside. A tough veteran, he can expected to do some of the things Lee would have.
--Billy King and Bobby Marks. The Nets wanted to keep $14 to $15 million in cap space free this season, until at least the trade deadline and then $15 to $18 million going into the summer. They are down to $4.33 million or so now, but have the power forward they want and by our calculations, they'll have around $20.74 million next summer. Seems like a bit of sleight of hand. Also, King was able to fill the team's biggest long time need within weeks after taking over...and by the way, the Nets have yet to give up a draft pick with all this wheeling and dealing.
--Mikhail Prokhorov. Does anyone see this deal getting done under Bruce Ratner? The Nets took on $10.6 million more in salary this year. Prokhorov told Forbes Russia last week that the Nets "must" make the playoffs. Looking better.
--Jeff Vanderbeek and Cory Booker. The Nets are likely to be a better team, maybe even a playoff contender. That could help put fannies in the seats at the Prudential Center, which will benefit both the Devils and the City of Newark.
Losers:
--Sean May and Kris Humphries. May now will have a harder time making the roster. On the other hand, the Nets signed him knowing the Murphy deal could go down. It's been on the table for a week and May was signed two days ago. Humphries on the other hand may have thought he was going to start for the Nets while Derrick Favors matured. No such luck. He's now stuck behind Murphy and Favors...and May is motivated.
--Derrick Favors. That is the conventional wisdom, that with Murphy around for at least a year, his development will be slowed down, put on hold. Maybe, but we wouldn't be surprised to see him play additional minutes now at the five as well as the four. They keep comparing him to Dwight Howard, who has never been confused with a power forward.
--The running game. Murphy is many things but fleet of foot is not one of them. Put him and Lopez on the floor at the same time and things could slow down a bit...or maybe more than a bit. Also interior defense could be problematic. We're sure Avery Johnson will try to remedy that, but you can't expect Murphy to run the court.
So are they done? One Nets insider thinks so, but advises, "I think we are done but Billy is very aggressive."
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Damion James is a winner, IMO.
"I want to win, I want the team to win and I'm in complete control."
-Coach Avery Johnson.
by Andy. on Aug 11, 2010 9:56 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
+1000
And when Outlaw Plays amazing he going to make people who said we overpayed for him look dumb
"Avery Johnson: Erase to Replace"
Wall2KingJames to JamesSucks
by Wall2KingJames on Aug 12, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I dont think murphy will slow them down that much on the break. He only has to run to the 3point line. The rest of the team are the finshers. On breaks outlaw and Twill will be expected to crash the glass along with lopez. Plus when Favors is subbed in thats another player going to the rim.
I will love seeing devin getting into the lane and tossing it out to a wide open Murphy.
The Nets won big time today...
Time to stop hoping for miracles (Paul + Melo) and win some games. Lee wanted out the day the Nets traded for him. Goodbye and good luck…
Biggest winner
Brook Lopez has the most to gain from the Murphy deal.
Murphy is solid inside and out and Brook doesnt always have to be the muscle fighting for rebounds.
Troy loves to get dirty and Brook can learn from him.
Brook will never see a triple team and Murphy wil make the right decision when Brook gets doubled on his side.
(Not just shoot like Yi, Murphy will pass the ball)
Brook will get less silly fouls. Many times Yi would not rotate and left Brook to pick up a foul.
How many times did Brook storm off the court in the 1st quarter due to bad defensive rotations
by DJ HeavyDuty on Aug 11, 2010 10:37 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
yep
that’s the first thing i thought about…why isn’t brook listed as a winner above :)
by lennythegreat1 on Aug 12, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
We Hardly Knew Lee
You had to think Lee was toast after the Morrow Signing. Good luck getting major PT behind a 20 ppg scorer like Martin at the two spot in Houston, though.
This is the best day of the offseason for me
Getting Troy Murphy for Lee? Great trade! Now the nets have finally a big banger that can shoot and give Favors as much time as he needs to mature. Troy Murphy is a great pickup for the nets.
At power forward alone the nets now have Murphy, Favors, May and Humphries. Although May will have to fight to make the team. If May comes back healthy and in as good shape as when he was in college the nets will have great depth on their front line. There will be no more talk about Outlaw playing the PF position. The only lack of depth the nets have now is at SG, but James can play a little there as well.
Forget about the big names , the nets got better value in their off season moves. Also, great first move by King.
oh yeah, go nets!!!
Great great trade...
And guys on the floor that can move the ball and shoot.
The Nets just got much more interesting and hopefully better than the Knicks.
The biggest keys are Avery getting Harris and TWil to focus on defense.
Do not worry about the 2 spot
DHarris and Farmar can also play at the 2 spot position if needed be. We have QRoss also.
"There's no way, with hindsight, I would've ever called up Larry, called up Magic and said, 'Hey, look, let's get together and play on one team,'"
by jasperjarrod on Aug 12, 2010 11:00 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I count Favors as a "winner". Now he has the time and luxury to develop
Much brighter future for him.
"...where they don't play with a shot clock." - C. Sager
He will start as soon as he is ready...
If Avery gets us to play decent defense…no reason we could not play close to .500 ball and make the playoffs.
great point k
my thoughts exactly. i think favors gains alot from this. Whether or not you agree with the comparison- i think m.beasley had to shoulder alot of responsibility his first year and choked. Yes he ahd some off court issues but it is alot of work to just come in and be expected to produce without viable backups, veterans who are supportive at your position, and when you only have one year of college under your belt.
Favors will learn how to play a litte dirtier and really sniff out rebounds. Murphy is a great rebounder and even has some post moves. Between practicing against murphy, lopez, and big boy May, I think favors really benefits from this. Yes his minutes wont be as high, but he will be a more polished player once he is ready to break the rotation.
i dont for one second thing AJ or Prokhy will let favors sit on the bench more than he has to
I suspect that Beasley ran into a coke problem, but I DO agree that he gives a good example of just want happens when you let super young talent guys just “play” their way into the league, as almost everyone on this site wanted Favors to do. This is not to say that Favors is Beasleyesque, but he will have the time to just concentrate on the less flashy parts of the game.
"...where they don't play with a shot clock." - C. Sager
I dont think its a good idea for Favors to start day one. He is still too raw. I think lately it was about equal, the people wanting him to start and the people wanting him to come off the bench. When all the free agent PFs options were gone, sure, more people came around to starting Favors because the alternative was starting Hump. Now that we have Murphy, I’m sure 90% of people here would like Murhphy to start and Favors to be eased in. Its not as simplistic a picture as you like to paint it.
Beasley
Failed because somehow he lost about 4 inches of height from his College media guide measurement to when he actually enetred the NBA.
by dennishopson on Aug 12, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
What teams do you have in mind? Some actually do.
"...where they don't play with a shot clock." - C. Sager
“some.” There really aren’t, nor should there be any 4’s that could out run the 1-3 spots anyways. The job of bigs should be to board and outlet pass.
Have you heard of the “secondary break”. It is fundamental to fast break basketball.
What teams are you talking about?
"...where they don't play with a shot clock." - C. Sager
What other move will the Nets make
Harris and Murphy part of playoff run, 4 guys can’t be traded from Free agent signings Brook,T-Will,James and Favors are untouchables for now that only Leaves Hump and Ross.
Murphy will be the one throwing the outlet pass
to Devin and Twill. And then they kick it out to him once they drive into the lane as the trail 3 pt shooter.
The Nets actually have a decent team right now...
It’s been a while.
for real
Can’t wait for Oct 31st
"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."
by MrDollarBills on Aug 12, 2010 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree
I had figured they’d be between a 28-34 win team before the trade. Now I think 34-40. The higher number can only be acheived if they play good defense and of course stay healthy (that means YOU Devin Harris!!)
by nets-fan-in-ct on Aug 12, 2010 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Murphy can play center as well. I could see a 3 man rotation develop with Lopez, Murphy and Favors. If the Nets need to go uptempo, a Murphy-Favors tandem works.
by ispartan on Aug 11, 2010 11:44 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Brook is a big winner
because this is the first time he’ll play next to a legit NBA PF.
Nets fans are also big winners because this is the first time in a while that a legit NBA team is on the floor.
Playoffs?
Harris/Farmar
Williams/Morrow
Outlaw/James/Ross
MurphyFavors/Hump
Lopez/Petro
@MurphyFavors/Hump
Hope May gets time at the 4. We’ll be much better if May regains form.
Murph/Fave/May Hump
by The old Nets Fan on Aug 12, 2010 2:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Favors and James development...
Would make our second unit awesome.
by rundmc00 on Aug 12, 2010 5:26 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Williams will likely start over Morrow because of lack of shooting in 2nd unit
Harris = Farmar
Williams < Morrow
Outlaw = James
Murphy > Favors
Lopez > Petro
wait?
how is outlaw = to james? James is great and i wish the best, but Outlaw is clutch. James hasnt proven anything yet in the NBA. As of right now its Outlaw >>>>> James
Even more in Favor
of starting T-Will becuase There will be better shooting in the 1st unit even if t-will starts.
Add "Josh Boone" to "Losers."
Troy Murphy is clearly better offensively than Josh Boone. Murphy has the BBIQ Yi never possessed.
Any Josh Boone news lately?
Texas slang in a Big Apple minute, by a friendly OED consultant. http://www.barrypopik.com
Who is this Josh Boone?
" I'm really excited to take the worst team in the league and turn it to be the best in the league." --Mikhail Prokhorov.
Renounced. That’s it.
"Beat the Heat!"
by faNETicS on Aug 12, 2010 8:06 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Petro is a loser in this
Petro was the 3rd best big man on the roster prior to this trade. Thankfully he will now be playing less minutes as Favors and Murphy can play the 5. Brook, Troy and Derrick can now play the vast majority of the 96 MPG at the 4 and 5.
Please Prokhorov never again listen to the fools that told you it was a good idea to retain Rod Thorn
What a great pickup for us! Something we needed so badly last year, a scoring force inside to pair with Brook and a rebounding machine. I am excited about the start of the season. Couple our transactions with a coach that expects all out hustle and we have the makings of a fun season. Lets make the playoffs!
LETS GO NETS!
i think Twill should be 6th man off the bench ala ginobili
1st 5 = Harris / Morrow / Outlaw / Murphy / Lopez
Bench = Farmar / Twill / James / Favors / Petro
Uzoh / Ross / May / Zoubek
Harris should be dominant again with all the shooters at the starting lineup.
Off the bench Twill can dominate the ball and just drive to the hoop like crazy and fish for fouls.
Look at that backup 5 we have, damn we got real athletic. Can’t wait to see how all this works
Agreed...
TWil and Harris did not play together very well last year. Unless Avery can figure things out, I’m fine with Morrow starting.
by rundmc00 on Aug 12, 2010 5:23 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Start Morrow
Devin needs someone to kick the ball to when he drives.
Twill can be the energy guy of the second unit. He can play the 1-2-3 positions.
"Beat the Heat!"
by faNETicS on Aug 12, 2010 8:04 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
good point
he can be that 6th starter like how Manu is with the Spurs. Like he doesnt start but he sure does finish games.
agreed
just posted this in other thread. same logic.
Morrow is a better starter imho. You only need one slasher in a lineup and that is Harris by default. Harris and T-will would just clog the lanes if they are both attacking the rim at the same time. Morrow would be a much better choice as a kickout shooter.
2nd team is better fit for TWill – he would be the de facto slasher for 2nd team with farmar running point sometimes and offguard spot up shooter other times.
If Morrow is SG for 2nd team, you have no one who can really create their own shot off the dribble.
But Devin had his best offensive Season playing beside VC...
VC served as a fascillitator as T-Will would. Morrow off the bench will be crazy. And besides we have a SOLID backup pg in Farmar who is anxious to prove some things. Pair him with the shooting of Morrow and hopefully james.
The JETS/NETS are coming!
by MrBDown on Aug 13, 2010 3:51 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
cant wait to see harris finding morrow at the corner 3
… or fake that and just alley oop pick and roll with lopez
Our big men
Lopez / Petro
Murphy / Favors / Hump / Sean..
hmmm…. so many….
Sean May might get glued to the bench.
If May
is in shape, he will play. The guy has good post moves and has a soft touch around the basket. Even 10 mins wouldnt hurt, plus keep Lopez, Favors, and Murphy (fresher?!?!)
there's nothing wrong with having a surplus of bigs
If May is healthy and able to contribute, keep em all I say.
"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."
by MrDollarBills on Aug 12, 2010 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Injuries?
Our depth is just temporary. There WILL BE injuries, you can (and some do) bet on them to happen. One or two guys will always be banged up, but this year, they won’t HAVE TO play, because of the depth. This is a much improved roster, BUT other teams have improved as well. We are going to have to make the most of the games verus the NEW HAVE NOTS, like the Cavs and the Raptors. We must “steal” some games too. Let other teams think of us, and prepare based on 12-70, and we will whip them. Seriously!
Paul from Delray Beach
Also, we could “forget” to tell teams we are playing in Newark this year. They will go through warmups not realizing the difference since the arena was always empty at that point anyway. Then, we could send a bus with a crazy driver to bring them to the Rock at the last moment.
by ispartan on Aug 12, 2010 7:31 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Starting the camp healthy
When was the last time we started the camp and nobody in sick bay?
I think this is great. Everyone will be ready to learn the system and develop chemistry from the get go.
Also regarding the roster, if possible, I’d like May and Zoubek to make it on the team. For insurance purposes.
Humph taking his option is really a pain. Let’s trade him to Philly for picks. Thorn, make it happen!
"Beat the Heat!"
by faNETicS on Aug 12, 2010 7:56 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
We don't really need to cut anyone
I’d like to see what Uzoh can do as well. He showed a bit of range in summer league
"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."
by MrDollarBills on Aug 12, 2010 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions
THE NETS FANS ARE BIG WINNERS BECAUSE...
… We obtained a quality PF without dealing T-will! I’m not going to proeject stats or call him a mini lebron or all-star to be. I just wanted 1 season under avery to see what he could do. There’s so much potential there and I hope the kid taps in to it. I’m a full season ticket holder and he’s a big part of it. His play (while chock full of mistakes at this stage) is also very electrifying, and that’s part of what I want to see this season.
To NI, I wonder if Houston asked for T-will 1st. I personally would not have done it and am glad they took Lee.
Go T-will!
Caption: "INCOMING!"
not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.
by John at the Jersey Shore on Aug 12, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Congrats to the Nets for making this happen, Murphy will definitely help, much more than Lee would have. Take Lee off that winner list though. He’s still coming off the bench and if you think the Rockets are championship contenders, I’d strongly urge you to re-evaluate that.
Big winners are Indiana though. Kudos to Larry Bird for his patience and solid drafting.
College basketball just became more interesting...
by allovertheplace on Aug 12, 2010 8:28 AM EDT reply actions
New Orleans lost big IMO
By trading Collison on the whims of Chris Paul, who will screw them over.
We’re doing alright for ourselves!! GO NETS!!!!!!!
"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."
But Nets win by NO's loss because now NO has to hold onto CP3 as long as possible.
That means Melo has to discount CP3 joining him on the Knicks. Melo/wife will have start thinking Nets or re-sign, but Knicks have been dealt a blow by this move.
Troy Murphy's nickname appears to be ROBOCOP
He was called Robo Cop 2k9:
More videos of Troy Murphy although most are old
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHaF2XqGqpQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbecTIGy_ZY
There was one sequence in the video where he made a free-throw, missed the 2nd but got the put back and was fouled again, only to repeat the sequence for a net 6 pt play (2 FTs + 2 tip ins).
Robo Cop is the appropriate nick name. Lets start using it.
With all the talk about Troy Murphy, can anyone produce a National media source that says that Nets now have good chance to make playoffs?
I haven’t seen or heard any mention. Clearly Indiana did well for their future, but so the Nets, who will probably finish ahead of Indiana this season. All the media mentions is that this is about getting Melo next summer. They are setting Nets up for failure again, even if Nets make playoffs.
Nets continue to get disrespected. Can’t wait to start of season to start winning games.
All of those reviews of how the Nets did this summer have to be done over, even though they are worthless.
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