New Jersey Nets Basketball: Early 2006 Season Analysis

When Vince Carter admitted to doing it halfway in Toronto, the Raptors were quick to pull the trigger. He then gave himself, Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson one of the best trios in the NBA, and launched them into the playoffs. At 9-9 they lead their division, but is it by default?

So far the stars are playing as they should. Jason Kidd is off to a much better start than last year, which is no surprise with Carter to pass. Nenad Krstic plays as the light of Arvydas Sabonis and can hit the midrange jumper. He can become a very productive player. Carter and Jefferson fill out the stat sheet, including rebounds. One thing they did in the offseason was fill the bench by adding Lamond Murray and Jeff McInnis. New Jersey has done a great job attacking the rim and getting to the free throw line, leading the league in free throw attempts. They were next to last in FG% last year and have improved on that with Jefferson healthy for the year.

They still need to build on the Center position where Jason Collins still has a lot to learn. Collins is prone to fouls and gives way to Cliff Robinson to take his place. Prior to the season, Shareef Abdur-Rahim had signed with the team and was set to start as a Power Forward, making the Nets an Eastern contender. But he failed the physical exam on him. The Nets could have signed him anyway, but they didn’t, and therefore there’s a void where Krstic isn’t playing.

The Nets must keep pushing to recapture the 2003 team that made it to the Finals. Jason Kidd isn’t the pace guard he was since knee surgery, allowing New Jersey to play a half-court game in his place. Kenyon Martin was able to run down the court and gave an intensity up front that Krstic and Collins currently lack. Lucious Harris and Kerry Kittles could hit the 3, similar to how Johnson and Richardson hit the 3 for the Suns last year. New Jersey is at the bottom at 3P%.

A team with Jason Kidd is always dangerous. The Nets rank sixth in the NBA in assists per game, but only get 95.2 points per game. Kidd can’t provide everything for his Forwards/Centers, which is why Carter is such a valuable asset. He and Jefferson can create their own shots, but too often their offense is entirely drive and plate. They should be season-long contenders for the division lead, only if they’re healthy. Kidd, Carter and Jefferson are frequently injured, and just one could sink the Nets’ season.