With Vince Carter the only franchise player left on the team, I think it’s fair to say that a host of other players are going to have to step up their games in order for the Nets to be successful next season.

Two of those players are Devin Harris and Yi Jianlian. Promise can only get you so far in this league and it’s time Harris shows the rest of the NBA that he can be consistent on both ends of the court. As far as Jianlian goes, Nets GM Kiki Vandeweghe said he sees a lot of Dirk Nowitzki in him, which may be putting a bit too much pressure for the youngster, especially considering he’s only started 49 games in his short NBA career. Just like the Nets new forward however, the German Weapon took a year and change to develop into one of the best players in the league, but he had a much better supporting cast around him, which obviously sped up his development.

In order for guys like Yi and Harris to truly reach their potential Laurence Frank is going to have to make them earn their stripes and learn from their mistakes. Expect some blowouts on both ends of the ball this year guys. We’ve already seen what Harris is capable on both good and bad nights. Expect a very similar process for Yi.

If this team was in the West, I think it would be pretty easy to count them out of the playoffs, but considering how weak the East is, I don’t see any reason why this team can’t battle for the last playoff spot in the conference.

They just need players like Yi and Harris to step up.

On another note, for those who still don’t understand the logic in trading someone like Richard Jefferson for an unproven player and a bench player, I’ll tell you… cap space.

By getting rid of Jefferson, the Nets now have the cap space, over 20 million to go after a certain big name player in 2010.

I think most of you know who I’m talking about as well.

I can see it now, the team in Brooklyn with Lebron James pimpin’ down Atlantic Avenue with Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z not too far behind. The sound of dollar cabs bringing hordes of Nets fans to the Atlantic Yards on one end an the sound of the underground trains on the other. Ah, what a sight. Add in Vince Carter, Harris, Jianlian, Brook Lopez, Sean Williams, Ryan Anderson, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Josh Boone and this team is going to be young, deep, tough and wait, the best part, they’ll be able to rebound and shoot for a change!

I know it’ll be weird having a player larger than six foot three leading the team in rebounds, but I promise, it’ll be a worthwhile change guys, just wait and see.

Good times ahead people, just be patient. This upcoming season may not be pretty, but it may be the beginning of something great.