Fri 20 Jun 2008
“The draft is an interesting thing because sometimes you know right away we got a guy who is going to have a long career,” explained general manager Kiki Vandeweghe to Yahoo Sports. “But lots of times you’re not going to know for a couple years what these guys are going to be.”
I don’t know what the following quote does to some of you, but it confuses the crap out me. I wish for the record someone in the Nets organization would come out and say one of two things:
1- We plan to draft the best players we can with our three picks, yes three, in the top 40 selections and build a team that will make the playoffs for years to come. How do you like that, Eastern Conference?
Or
2- We plan to trade our picks for players that can help us kick major amounts of tail this season. Because simply put, that’s how we roll here in New Jersey.
Instead however, I am forced to read quotes like this:
“It’s a deep draft and I think you’ll see good players at all those picks,” said Vandeweghe to Yahoo Sports. “Right now, we intend to keep our picks because we think they’ll be good people there but if somebody comes with an offer that is interesting, we’re open for business.”
Did Vandeweghe watch Bull Durham before getting quoted, or is it just me?
All jokes aside though, stuff like this is commonplace in all sports. I do wish though that team’s would be more open to the media and let a card in their hand slip out from time to time. Instead, fans and reporters are forced to speculate and wait for the team’s to show their hands. As I have said in previous posts, the Nets are a team that need serious help on the bench and could use another veteran to help the youngsters develop.
With that being said, draft day can’t come quick enough for me. I know it’s only June, but it would be great to see this team get the help it needs and give the hardcore fans something to cheer about.
They haven’t had much to in quite some time.
Links:
This article lists the needs of every NBA team going into the draft.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Aiun49H5jbzLoaXLJv.IAaG8vLYF?slug=ys-atlanticdraftneeds060208&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
This piece talks about a few local products working out with the team. A bit dated, but a good read nonetheless.
June 21st, 2008 at 10:24 am
What I’d like to know is what New Jersey’s contract situations look like. What can New Jersey trade away in order to get a rebounding big? It’s pretty sad when your leading rebounder was 6′4″, 35 years old, and it’s even sadder when he’s been traded away to a playoff team.
I don’t know if I believe in the ability of Josh Boone to stay in a game and play 30+ quality minutes. I also don’t believe Gallinari is that guy they need in the draft, which is who NBADraft.net is pegging the Nets to take in its mock draft.
Now, I personally don’t think you can trade away Richard Jefferson — but I haven’t been watching Nets games all year, so I don’t know how well he’s been jiving recently. I can say with confidence, though, that — as much as I loved Vince Carter in his first few years in the league — his play, and Bill Simmons’ insistence that he’s a baby seal, plus the fact that he’s 31 now, has convinced me that he’s definitely a moveable asset. Perhaps you trade him to New York and get Zach Randolph (contracts notwithstanding, since I don’t know the situation). Actually, scratch that. Zach Randolph is a headcase no matter where he goes. In other words, I have no trade ideas — but I know that they can’t settle for Gallinari (I’m sorry, but I’ve got a thing against hyped Euroleague players, and Andrea Bargnani — no. 1 overall pick? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? — did nothing to quell that rage). But I do think they need to move those trades for size in the middle, and maybe someone who can mentor Sean Williams into not being such a troublemaker because that kid show promise.