New Jersey Nets All-Star Break Review

The New Jersey Nets have had an average 2009 season so far at the all-star break. Their record is 24-29 and they are battling for the final playoff spot in the east. They have a very young team with rookies such as Brook Lopez and Chris Douglas-Roberts playing well. Lopez is getting major minutes and is improving but he is still a work in progress. My feeling is that he will eventually develop stronger post moves; when he does this he will become a difficult match up for other centers around the NBA to defend him all throughout the game. Douglas-Roberts, who is a rookie out of Memphis is not getting a significant amount of minutes but when he does come in occasionally he plays fairly well. Eventually when Vince Carter retires he may replace him as the starter. On that note, Carter is not as athletic as he was in past years, most notably with his inability to consistently make his trademark fade away jump shot like he used to. Putting his physical performance aside he is still a veteran leader and he sets a great example for the rest of the young Nets team on and off the court. Another key point that is keeping the Nets in playoff contention is that they have not had any major injuries. This is important because the players that Coach Frank wants in the game are able to play. If not for head coach Lawrence Frank doing an excellent job coaching these young players they would not be even close to getting a playoff spot. The most important thing that has kept the Nets in reach all year has been all star point guard Devin Harris, this man is hands down most improved player in the entire NBA. He went from last year being traded to the Nets from the Mavericks learning a new system, to this year being a superstar. Devin is averaging 21.8 points per game and 6.5 assists; this is greatly improved compared to his Dallas years. In New Jersey he is given the ability by Coach Frank to take more shots and he is making them, while also distributing the ball very nicely. Overall, I have had mixed reactions of the Nets season so far, they are a young team which is a positive for the future. However, the NBA competition is so strong every year these young players will have to develop if they look to be serious contenders in the Eastern Conference for years to come.

Daniel Weberman

NYchalktalk.com