One Man Doesn’t Make A Team, So Here’s Looking At You Kid

I can’t help but feel sorry for the New Jersey Nets’ coach, Lawrence Frank at present. His job at present is a thankless task, as the team has the worst record currently in the NBA.

East Rutherford , NJ - NOVEMBER 21: Mike D'Antoni speaks with Wilson Chandler (21) of the New York Knicks during a game against the New Jersey Nets on November 21, 2009 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. picture appears courtesy of NBAE/Getty Images/ Jeyhoun Allebaugh ......................

And with that the team record (0-13) within the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference, looking congruously sustainable , given the fact that they’ve been woefully inept in all aspects of the game. One can only that their first win of the season will come about very soon. They already fast a tough task within their own division with the likes the likes of the Boston Celtics (10-4),Toronto Raptors (6-8),Philadelphia 76ers (5-8) and the New York Knicks (3-10) ahead of them of the standings-within the divsion. And with barely one sixth of the season having passed. It certainly doesn’t at all bode well for the team. If they maintain their current pace of futility, they’ll be one pace to attain no more than 4 wins against 78 losses. And that’s hardly liable to happen but they could although set a record of some kind in abject futility.

East Rutherford , NJ - November 21: Lawrence Frank of the New Jersey Nets argues a call against the New York Knicks on November 21, 2009 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Frank received a technical foul as a result of the play. picture appears courtesy of NBAE/ Getty Images/ Jeyhoun Allebaugh .............................

Courtesy of NBA.com

FCRC Statement on NYS Court of Appeals Ruling on Eminent Domain Lawsuit Filed by Opponents of Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn
Courts Again Side with Atlantic Yards:
Jobs and Affordable Housing to Come to Brooklyn
November 24, 2009

BROOKLYN, NY—Bruce Ratner, CEO and Chairman of Forest City Ratner Companies, issued the following statement today regarding the NYS Court of Appeals ruling in favor of the Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn.

The Court’s ruling upholds the State’s right to use eminent domain given the public benefits associated with the Atlantic Yards Development inBrooklyn.

“Once again the courts have made it clear that this project represents a significant public benefit for the people of Brooklyn and the entire City,” Mr. Ratner said. “Our commitment to the entire project is as strong today as when we started six years ago. Today, however, this project is even more important given the need for jobs and economic development.”

Mr. Ratner said construction activity on the yards will continue, with the intent that the Nets will play ball in the Barclays Center in the 2011-2012 NBA Season.

In addition to Barclays, which has the exclusive naming rights, eight companies have signed on as founding partners for the arena.

The courts have ruled consistently in favor of the development. Mr. Ratner explained as well that the arena and larger development are expected to create 16,924 union construction jobs and over 8,000 permanent jobs. The tax revenues that will be generated for the City and State during the construction period are expected to exceed $240 million and after construction reach approximately $70 million a year.

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In large part the team is made up of seasoned veterans , sprinkled in with some youth. But with players such as Vince Carter , Kenyon Martin and Jason Kidd no longer a part of this team. They’re now a long ways off from when they were viewed as being one of the powerhouses in the Eastern Conference. At that time they were being coached by Byron Scott, the recently fired former coach of the New Orleans Hornets.

Devin Harris (34) of the New Jersey Nets shoots against Al Harrington (7) of the New York Knicks on November 21, 2009 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. picture appears courtesy of NBAE/Getty Images/ Jeyhoun Allebaugh ..............

The best player on the team is considered to be their guard, Devin Harris. And with team owner, Bruce Ratner,Team President, Rod Thorn and General Manager, Kiki Vanderweghe looking to position themselves as major player in the LeBron James’ sweepstakes in 2010. One can’t be seemingly sure what attitude should be taken as to the ambitions of the organization. All we are keenly aware of is, that they’ll leave no stone unturned in their quest to acquire the player.

And with James being reticent as to what his real plans are once the ’09-10 season reaches its pinnacle. Fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers, as well as James’ newest teammate, Shaquille O’Neal will hope that the player remains in Cleveland. A hard court press is being made by all vested parties in Cleveland. From the team’s principal partner Dan Gilbert, to general manager,Danny Ferry and the Cavaliers’ fans, themselves. They all want the player to remain in his hometown city. However, much of that will be predicated upon the success that they achieve this season. And the ultimate goal there is to win an NBA championship.

A number of teams are obviously interested in acquiring LeBron James. And why not , he might just be the most dynamic player in the NBA at present, with the exception of Los Angeles Lakers’ guard Kobe Bryant. And from there, all comparison ought to end ! And with teams such as the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, as well as the New Jersey Nets all vying for James’ service. One can well understand the reason why it is that the Nets are said to be interested in the player. And with the Heat’s Dwyane Wade having said that he’ll make it his goal of trying to lure James to South Beach and to the team. You can see that the Nets’ fans have got to be hoping that serendipity will somehow play a part in the decision to be made by LeBron.

As to the season thus far for the New Jersey Nets. They’re under an ever growing pressure as the losses continue to mount up. With the fans now becoming ever more indifferent as to the team’s plight. The attendance for home games has continued to slide. And with Bruce Ratner’s wish to relocate the team from New Jersey to Brooklyn, there’s an urgency for the team to perform somewhat better than they’re now presently doing. Growing unrest will only add to the tension and with the hundreds of millions of dollars on the line, in terms of the redevelopment of the new site that will house the Nets, alongside commercial and residential properties. The organization requires the right type of PR and publicity to create a fervor around the team and the development , itself.

Al Harrington (7) of the New York Knicks drives the lane against Trenton Hassel (44) of the New Jersey Nets on November 21, 2009 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. picture appears courtesy of NBAE/Getty Images/ Jeyhoun Allebaugh ............

Roster wise, as I’ve alluded to earlier,the team is made up of youth and seasoned veterans.However,the team is really lacking a veteran leader and a proven scorer. And that may well be one of the drawbacks for the team at present.Defensively, they’ve struggled and on the offensive side of things there too, the team has struggled greatly this season. And there too, there appears to be no respite at hand for the team or its beleaguered coach, Lawrence Frank.

With the presumptive thinking being that in having LeBron James added to the roster , there’ll be an immediate change in fortune for the team. Well, much of that’d be predicated upon the fact that James would be complemented with players that are commensurate with his skill and mindset. And that doesn’t appear to be the case with the current New Jersey Nets’ roster at present ! Whatever changes that’ll be needed to improve the team will definitely have to be monumental. A major roster upheaval will be needed, if this team is to improve along the lines that both Rod Thorn and Kiki Vanderweghe may well have envisaged. One man doesn’t a team make but if you get the right man and complement him with the right cast as teammates. Then the future of the team can presume to be bright.

New Jersey Nets 2009-10 roster

Nets Roster

2009-10 Roster
NUM PLAYER POS HT WT DOB FROM YRS
1 Rafer Alston G 6-2 175 07/24/1976 Fresno State 10
7 Tony Battie C-F 6-11 240 02/11/1976 Texas Tech 11
2 Josh Boone C 6-10 240 11/21/1984 Connecticut 3
55 Keyon Dooling G 6-3 195 05/08/1980 Missouri 9
17 Chris Douglas-Roberts G 6-7 210 01/08/1987 Memphis 1
34 Devin Harris G 6-3 190 02/27/1983 Wisconsin 5
44 Trenton Hassell F 6-5 227 03/04/1979 Austin Peay 8
22 Jarvis Hayes F 6-8 228 08/09/1981 Georgia 6
6 Courtney Lee G-F 6-5 200 10/03/1985 Western Kentucky 1
11 Brook Lopez C 7-0 265 04/01/1988 Stanford 1
14 Eduardo Najera F 6-8 235 07/11/1976 Oklahoma 9
21 Bobby Simmons F 6-6 230 06/02/1980 DePaul 7
51 Sean Williams F-C 6-10 235 09/13/1986 Boston College 2
8 Terrence Williams G-F 6-6 220 06/28/1987 Louisville R
9 Yi Jianlian F 7-0 250 10/27/1987 Shenzhen, China 2

HEAD COACH
Lawrence Frank (College – Indiana)

ASSISTANT COACHES
Tom Barrise (College – Fairleigh Dickinson)
John Loyer (College – Akron)
Doug Overton (College – LaSalle)
Roy Rogers (College – Alabama)

ASSISTANT COACH and STRENGTH-AND-CONDITIONING COACH
Rich Dalatri (College – Louisiana Tech)

ATHLETIC TRAINER
Tim Walsh (College – Upsala)

NBA Standings Atlantic Division Eastern Conference

Team W L PCT GB CONF DIV HOME ROAD L 10 STREAK
Boston 3 10 4 0.714 0.0 6-3 3-0 5-3 5-1 6-4 W 1
Toronto 6 8 0.429 4.0 4-2 0-0 4-2 2-6 4-6 L 1
Philadelphia 5 8 0.385 4.5 5-5 3-1 3-4 2-4 3-7 L 2
New York 3 10 0.231 6.5 2-8 1-2 1-7 2-3 3-7 L 1
New Jersey 0 13 0.000 9.5 0-11 0-4 0-6 0-7 0-10 L 13

NB … At the original writing of this piece , Nets’ coach, Lawrence Frank, hadn’t yet been fired by the organization. His position has since been assumed by General Manager, Kiki Vandeweghe ,on an interim basis until the end of the 2009-10 NBA season.

The Basketball Oracle Top 10: Centers

The Center position in basketball is the arguably the most important and dominant, but it is also the weakest in the current NBA.  In the NBA today, there are very few dominant low-post scorers at the center position.  In fact, the majority of the star low post players like Zach Randolph, Pau Gasol, Tim Duncan, and Al Jefferson are Power Forwards.  It can be argued that the only pure dominant low-post center in the NBA right now is the 22-year old Andrew Bynum of the Los Angeles Lakers.  Now, time for the actual rankings.  Yao Ming has been excluded due to his injury.

Just Missed Out: Andris Biedrins, Golden State Warriors; Kenrick Perkins, Boston Celtics

10. Greg Oden, Portland Trailblazers

Oden gets the nod of Kendrick Perkins and Andris Biedrins because he is a better scorer than both, and a better rebounder than Perkins.  Biedrins may have the advantage in rebounds, but that is because he plays on a team that shoots a lot and causes a lot of possessions.  Oden will probably never be an all-star, but he will most likely develop into a 14 ppg, 12 rpg, and 2 bpg guy.

9. Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks

Bogut is a solid NBA center, not a franchise player, and not a scrub.  He can rebound in double-digits every game, as well as scoring in double-digits every game.  He is like a slightly better Greg Oden because he is a superior rebounder and has a more polished offensive game.

8. Tyson Chandler, Charlotte Bobcats

Chandler isn’t as good without Chris Paul setting him up for alley-oops, but what puts him above the other centers is the fact that he is a solid rebounder, and is really athletic which gives him opportunities the other centers don’t have.  He still has not post-game, but he can still get offensive opportunities with alley-oops, the pick and roll, and putbacks.

7. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

This may come as a surprise to most, but Gasol has proved that he can be a strong rebounder and scorer at the center position.  His offensive game is near the top in the league for centers, and he is also a great rebounder.  He isn’t as good as his brother, Pau, but he is creating his own name in the NBA as one of the top centers.

6. Emeka Okafor, New Orleans Hornets

Okafor was drafted 2nd overall behind Dwight Howard, but so far in the NBA he has not even come close to being as good as Dwight Howard.  But he has established himself has a guaranteed double-double every night.  He doesn’t have a lot of offensive moves, but he has a decent mid-range jumper and can score in the post better than most centers.

5. Shaquille O’Neal, Cleveland Cavaliers

Shaquille O’Neal may be old and slow, but he still has the ability to be a good low-post scorer and rebounder, as evidenced by his 08-09 season with the Phoenix Suns.  This season he is struggling with a new team and injuries, but if he can get in rythme and healthy he will be a good pickup for the Cavs, as long as he stays out of LeBron’s way.

4.  Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets

Brook Lopez is only in his 2nd season in the NBA, and he hasn’t done anything special.  But, he has proved that he can be a consistent 14 ppg and 9 rpg guy in the NBA.  He also has a nice shooting touch and decent post-up game.  Lopez plays for the worst team in the league, which is part of the reason he doesn’t get any recognition, but he is the only big man they have that can produce on a consistent basis.  He will only continue to improve and should be a Top 3 center next season.

 3. Chris Kaman, Los Angeles Clippers

When healthy, Chris Kaman is one of the best offensive centers and rebounders in the league.  He has a solid mid-range jumper, and is a good low-post and high-post scorer.  Injuries have hindered him the last couple of seasons, but in the 07-08 season he averaged a very impressive 15.7 ppg and 12.7 rpg.

Lamar Odom or Carlos Boozer To The Miami Heat? Sorry, I Can’t Dignify That With An Answer

So the free agency period is here and a number of teams around the league have begun to retool their rosters for next year. Now as much as it pains me to say this. The Miami Heat are doing little to persuade their All Star guard Dwyane Wade , that they mean business in strengthening their roster.

Lamar Odom (left) of the Los Angeles Lakers and Carlos Boozer (right)of the Utah Jazz. Both players are said to be targets of the Miami Heat. There's a remote possibility that both players could be signed to complelment Dwyane Wade, the Heat's All Star guard. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Alastair Walsh ..........

Now far be it for me to suggest that the two players they’re said to be assessing with a view to signing are not worthy of playing alongside Wade. But in Carlos Boozer and Lamar Odom , you’re basically getting two players who consistently tend to underperform, given their undoubted talents.

But in all reality there’s no way that in viewing the addition of either Boozer or Odom, would one assess that the Heat would become a legitimate contender within the Eastern Conference of NBA . Not with the splash made by the Boston Celtics in signing Rasheed Wallace . Which in effect places them right back on top as the prohibitive favorite within the conference. Whilst the Cleveland Cavaliers believe that their fate may well lie in the fact , that in acquiring Shaquille O’Neal from the Phoenix Suns , they can redeem themselves after their loss in the conference finals.

And whilst Wade is under no immediate pressure in signing a contract. He’s stated that he’d like to see the team improve the roster greatly, in order to become and remain more competitive.

Dwyane Wade seen here in a postseason playoff game against the Atlanta Hawks . picture appears courtesy of nbae/getty images / Isaac Baldizon ..........................

Speculation is now rife that either of the two players will be making South Florida their home. And for the Utah Jazz’s Carlos Boozer , he’s made it known that he expects the team to make a sign and trade deal that’d create such a move.And with the state’s other NBA team , in the Orlando Magic aqcuiring Vince Carter from the New Jersey Nets , the matching of the offer made to backup center Marcin Gortat. It can be said Miami team President Pat Riley is under due pressure to appease Wade and prove to him that he wants the player to remain and challenge for postseason honors.

The fans in Miami remain resolute in the fact that they’d like see Wade remain in a Heat uniform. And if anything play his entire career with the team. But as of now that may well be asking too much. Obviously with the unrelenting state of the economy , a number of teams around the league have trimmed their payroll and looked to get the best players available within what they deem to be fair market value . However, in the case of Wade how do you assess a player of his stature ? Much less players such as Carlos Boozer or Lamar Odom. Granted , Odom had a wonderful postseason in assisting the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA title. Buth theirs was one of a concerted team effort , wherein Kobe Bryant willed and led the team with great aplomb to the series win and title. His teammates merely followed the example, with which he led.

The intricacies of the game as it now stands. It’s not now just about the talent on the floor. But even more so about the financial wizardry of the front executives and what they believe to be feasible and in the best interests of a franchise in order to attain success. Such are the vagaries of today’s game , that an executive is almost as important , if not more so than a player on the floor.

Yahoo ! Sports :

Heat targeting both Boozer and Odom

By Adrian Wojarnowski Yahoo Sports

LAS VEGAS- Pat Riley has listened to Dwyane Wade express his unease with the Miami Heat sitting out the Eastern Conference arms race this summer. As the Boston Celtics , Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic elevated themselves as championship contenders, the Heat president sold his superstar on patience, promising to surround him with talent for the long run.

Now the Heat are working furiously to deliver Lamar Odom and Carlos Boozer to the shores of Biscayne Bay. The Heat are trying to sell Odom on a five-year $34 million contract, at the mid-level exception, and a league executive with knowledge of the talks says Miami has also hatched a three-way proposal with the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies to secure Boozer.

The essentials of a possible deal would include Miami sending forward Udonis Haslem and Dorrell Wright to Utah. Because Memphis under the cap, Utah could move Wright’s $2.8million salary to the Grizzlies and save itself approximately $5.6million with salary and luxury-tax payments. Memphis could probably get cash and picks for its trouble. The Heat would have to then send one more small contract to make the math and salary exchange work.

Miami would pay Boozer his $12.7million salary this season and own his Bird rights to sign him to an extension next summer.

The deal isn’t considered imminent, but the Jazz are working hard to find a suitable trade forn Boozer. Utah is determined to match the Portland Trailblazers’ $32million offer sheet for restricted free agent Paul Milsap . Utah has until the end of the week to match or lose the young power forward to the Blazers. Most league executives believe they’ll match the offer , regardless whether they’ve moved Boozer.

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In order to read the text linked article in its entirety , just click on the headlined link provided.

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Financial expediency has to be the norm , given the state of play. And one has to consider that the NBA for all of its profound success in the marketing of its produt as a global brand. Even they now realize that budgetary belts need to be tightened. The franchises themselves can’t ever envisaged that this economic crisis would take such a toll on their patron, the fans. So much whatever gesture in terms of an altruistic nature may well be the only way that they can keep those interested in supporting their teams.

Sources: Magic Acquire Vince Carter

This move will definitely put them over the top.  Dwigth Howard, Vince Carter, Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, and Rashard Lewis are all All-Stars or All-Star caliber players (Turkoglu).  Amazing move by the Magic.

ESPN: The New Jersey Nets have agreed to a trade with the Magic that will send Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson to Orlando for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee, two league sources told ESPN.com.

The two sides are expected to a complete the trade by the end of the day.

The trade would give the Magic even more star power on their quest to win an NBA championship. The addition of Carter to a lineup that already consists of All-Star players Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson would make Orlando the favorite to win the Eastern Conference title next year if the franchise also finds a way to bring back Hedo Turkoglu, who will opt out of his contract this summer.

As for the Nets, the move is a cost-cutting measure. Both Alston and Battie are in the last year of their contracts, and trading for them would shave $16.5 million off New Jersey’s roster in the summer of 2010 and put the Nets well below the salary cap.

Over the life of the contracts, the Nets would save $40 million by making the deal.

The deal, if completed, would also give the Nets a young, promising shooting guard in Lee.

With the 11th selection in the 2009 NBA draft, the Nets are likely to select Louisville’s Terrance Williams, sources tell ESPN.com.

Chad Ford covers the NBA and NBA draft for ESPN Insider.

Shocker: Williams Arrested at a Nightclub

Trouble just seems to follow Jayson Williams around, doesn’t it? Once again, he is in trouble with the law.

SportsIllustrated: Former NBA star Jayson Williams was arrested early Monday after authorities say he punched someone in the face outside a Raleigh nightclub, the latest legal tribulation for the all-star who has spent years in the courtroom since an injury ended his basketball career.

Some type of dispute led Williams, 41, to hit the other person shortly before 2 a.m., Raleigh police said. Williams was charged with one count of simple assault and released on $1,000 bond.

‘He was very co-operative during the investigation and very co-operative during the arrest,’ said Capt. T.L. Earnhardt of the Raleigh Police Department.

Joseph Hayden, a lawyer for Williams, did not immediately return a telephone message.

Flattering Or Unflattering? I’ll Let You Be The Judge Of That

They  say that  justice  is blind  and  meant to  be  impartial  and  fair to all  of   the parties involved . From   the  defendant  who  seeks  his acquittal  for a  crime.  And  for the prosection  working  on behalf  of  the state and   primarily for the  rights   of a  victim  or  victims  as the  case may be.  

And  as  much as we’ll  take  pride  in  our  judicial   system with its   scales   of  justice  presided  over  by  a  judge and   a  jury  of  one’s   peers.  There  are   still some   flaws  to  a  system   where   in  some  cases   the  rights of  a defendant   far  outweighs  those  of the  victim.  And especially   those  where  the   victim  is  one of a  violent   crime.

Williams seen  here  in happier times  alongside  his  then   New  Jersey Nets’   teammates.  picture appears  courtesy of  ap/photo/ Eric   Metcalfe  ……………..

You all  know doubt remember  the  circumstances behind the case  of  former   New  Jersey  Nets’  star Jayson Williams  ?   Five  years  ago he  was  charged   aggravated  manslaughter  wherein he  shot and  killed  his   former   limo’   diver  Costas ‘Gus’  Christofi  on  the  estate  of  his  palatial   New Jersey  mansion  in  the Alexandria   Township.  A  rather   upscale   commuity   of    luxury   built  abodes .