I wonder what it would be like to own a NBA team. Who would I hire to run things, who will coach and what players would I have on the team. I can go one step further and think about how much of my own money would I have to pour into the organization. How much time would it take and how can I maximize my opportunity? Well I don't own a basketball team, but you know who does? Mikhail Prokhorov. The Russian mogul purchased the Nets in 2009 and since then has been on a war path. He joined forces with fellow mogul and Hip Hop legend Jay-Z to relocate the Nets to Brooklyn. In the process of re-establishing the brand formerly known as the New Jersey Nets, he managed to accumulate a force of nature.
Mr. Prokhorov has assembled the anti Heat, a team that essentially is the NBA's version of the Injustice League. In the last 2 seasons he has funded a complete overhaul of a team once stuck at the bottom of the league. Now they appear to be ready to make a run at the thrown. Mr. Prokhorov is no stranger to making headlines and he has a brazen veteran leading the ship in Billy King. King is one of the elite General Managers in the NBA and has the career moves to prove it. In 2011 he traded Devin Harris and a young Derrick Favors to the Utah Jazz for All Star point guard Deron Williams. His next big move brought the sweet shooting Joe Johnson to town from Atlanta for several players and a draft pick. One would think the foundation of Joe Johnson, Deron Williams and Brooke Lopez would be enough, but King pulled off a bigger trade in 2013.
At the beginning of the off season, King made headlines when he took advantage of the Boston Celtics tank project. The Nets acquired life long Celtic Paul Pierce, NBA great Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry for 3 first round draft picks and a hoard of players. He acquired 3 potential Hall of Fame players for the price of none. Not bad for the team which three years prior was heading towards NBA mediocrity. Those additions in concert with the uber cheap contract signed by the NBA's version of Inspector Gadget, Andrei Kirilenko and you now have a team that is built to win now. The high speed drama of off season acquisitions did not end there, the Nets made an even bigger splash when they announced recently retired point guard Jason Kidd will be the new head coach.
Its safe to say that this side of the Miami Heat in 2010 and Boston in 2007, the Brooklyn Nets have had the biggest offseason of the last 10 years. Prokhorov and King have created a potential juggernaut that may yield some championship results. Now lets be fair about some things, the Nets have a few mountains to climb. Anything short of 60 wins and a deep playoff run will look like a failure. Kidd will be watched like a hawk by every more experienced out of work coach and media outlet in the country. The new additions have to mesh with the returning players and none will have more pressure than Deron Williams. He controls the show and he will be expected to keep everyone happy, while getting his numbers and leading the charge. Garnett, Pierce and Terry will bring a much needed championship punch to a team that was lacking playoff experience last season.
The immediate future is bright for a organization that was in need of a overhaul. Age will certainly dictate the pace of the season, but experience should push them through. They have the talent, depth and leadership to finish at the top of the league, but putting it all together is a different ball game.
The Draft Fanatic.
Problem with this team is :
ReplyDelete1) If D-Will can return to the D-Will of Utah days.?
2) Trade Joe Johnson (Not possible) for a Josh Howard type (Defense first) scorer second.. I would even take a Shawn Merion type to play someD. Joe is afraid of Labron, Shawn Meion /Josh Howard is not ...
Cont.. Add a Rodney Stuckey type slasher, who can get to rim and get to the foul line. This will help Pierce, when he goes into a scoring drought..
ReplyDeleteI say keep him. They have Kirilenko and he can guard, so can Pierce. Johnson is clutch and his role won't be as large this season. Expectations won't be so high. Plus no one else wants that whale of a contract he has. D-Will played much better in the second half of the season so I expect him to continue on that pace. Thanks for the support and comments.
DeleteGood points. Should be interesting with him and P Pierce on the floor together. That contract is horrible. Let's take a look:The Numbers:
ReplyDelete2010-11: $16,324,500
2011-12: $18,038,572
2012-13: $19,752,645 (First year with the Brooklyn Nets)
2013-14: $21,466,718
2014-15: $23,180,790
2015-16: $24,894,863
I wonder what's the early payout on this ridiculous deal?
Bottom line is, He does not have role for this team, except 6th man. Yikes!! for (above salary), that's absurd!!
We all know that Pierce and D-Will and JT will be hosting the shots, along with KJ and Lopez.. Where does Joe J fit????????????????
As he proved last year, he is a reliable closer. You can never have to many guns in the small ball era. I would allow him to play this year and earn that money, but I would force him to the table for a restructure for half of what he is expecting the next two seasons, major selling point if they don't close the deal in the finals, we need to free up money. Now don't get me wrong, there are much cheaper options, Stuckey is one, Marcus Thorton is another.
DeleteThe primary issue they have now, they don't have picks or young talent to ship with him if they want to make a deal and only 2-3 teams can afford to take that whale on. Pistons, Pelicans and Bobcats...now...if MJ was smart...Johnson wouldn't be a bad compliment to Al Jefferson and he might take him on at the deadline if Brooklyn isn't happy and the Bobcats (Hornets) are somehow some way in the race for the 8th seed.