FIO Preview: New Jersey Nets

2008-2009 New Jersey Nets season preview and fantasy impact, courtesy of Fantasy Insider Online. Read the team preview here in the Yard, and then visit the FIO link for the rest. - John Karalis Last Season Recap: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly The Nets 2007-2008 season can be summed up in one word: mediocre. Fans were teased early when the team won 4-of-5, but then realized what their team was after the ensuing six-game losing streak. The Nets would break .500 only once more (in early January) before packing it in. In February, the team officially gave up and traded Jason Kidd to Dallas for a package that centered around Devin Harris. Richard Jefferson, who returned from injury to play a full 82 games and averaged 22.6 ppg, was sent to the Bucks after the season for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. Vince Carter was Vince Carter -- a stat compiler who couldn't truly carry his team. All in all, more of the same for Nets fans, who have little to look forward to from a team that's clearly looking toward 2010. Richard Jefferson's return seemed like a bright spot. And early on, the Nets looked like a team that could ride Jefferson and Carter as Jason Kidd's skills declined. Aside from the return of Richard Jefferson, there is little you can point to that went right for the Nets. Nets fans can look to the front office for what went wrong. Instead of taking an opportunity to rid themselves of Vince Carter, they re-signed him to a huge, four-year extension. They missed a chance to dump his expiring contract in the 2006-2007 season, and instead chose to reward his inability to carry a team. In '07-'08, Carter once again failed to carry his team like a true superstar does. 2008 Draft Impact (Average) It will be interesting to see how Brook Lopez matches up against the growing Eastern Conference frontcourts. As the only legit 7-footer on the team, he'll get a chance to show what he's got. The biggest question is whether his foot speed will cost him. He's not a run-and-gun type of player, and he'll have trouble against teams that get up and down. However, Lopez has a nice touch and decent moves. He might be able to contribute right away. Ryan Anderson is a big guy, but he's not a banger. His success depends on what the Nets decide their identity is going to be. Anderson isn't going to catch the ball inside, drop-step, and score. He is a face-up guy who can shoot it. He, and the rest of the draft picks, will struggle as the Nets try to figure out which pieces will fit where, and which pieces might get moved. Chris Douglas-Roberts has the potential to be a steal. He has the potential to be a playmaking wing. Some thought he was mid-first round talent, but slipping into the second could provide the motivation to prove everyone wrong. The key for him is to not let that dominate his play because it could lead to the kind of sloppiness that will only confirm his slot in the draft. So, the Nets seemed to have drafted three different kinds of players. Their impact will be determined by how well they figure out how to play with each other, as well as in the Nets system. Chances are, however, that one of these guys will see some NBDL time this year. Off-Season Impact Moves The impact of the addition of Yi Jianlian will be interesting to see. He's athletic and he can shoot. He has the potential to be a more athletic version of Dirk Nowitzki. How far off that is, now that is the question. However, considering what the Nets are trying to do (lure LeBron James as they move to Brooklyn), it was worth the risk of giving up Richard Jefferson for the possibility of a younger stud player. Eduardo Najera could give the Nets some decent minutes off the bench, but he's not expected to really make a huge impact in New Jersey. Keyon Dooling will be an insurance policy for Devin Harris. His impact could be huge. If Harris goes down, it's Dooling's team, and that's not the most appetizing thought for any basketball fan. Preview for the 2008-2009 Season Team MVP: Devin Harris, PG - The Nets are playing a wide-open style of ball. This year is all about figuring out which pieces fit where. But it all starts with the floor general, and if he's comfortable playing in a certain style, then you're off to a good start. If the Nets have ANY success this season, it will because Harris is pushing the issue, driving-and-dishing, and disrupting the opponent's attack on defense. Vince Carter is a "stat guy," and his desire to add to his numbers often come at the detriment to his team. But if Harris makes the jump into the next realm of NBA point guards, then he'll clearly be the MVP of a surprising Nets team. Breakout Player: Yi Jianlian, PF - Yi is athletic enough to keep up with Harris. He'll also find himself with some more open opportunities if Vince Carter is drawing all the attention. And, simply put, Yi will be seen more often. He'll show the same flashes he showed in Milwaukee, only now people will see them. And with an NBA season under his belt (as opposed to an offseason of drills against chairs), it will only prove to benefit him. Also, his experience with Team China in the Olympics gave him a lot of access to Yao Ming. That will also help aid Yi's growth as he figures out how his skills translate to the NBA. Bust Player: Vince Carter, G/F - The curtain is about to start coming down on Vinsanity. He'll turn 32 this season, and the years don't take too kindly to a big jumper's joints. The sprains will take longer to heal, and we all know Vince likes to milk those for what they're worth. The aches and pains will make him shy even further away from contact, which will mean an even heavier reliance on the long-range fadeaways. Tack all that onto the fact that we know the Nets have, at best, an outside shot at the playoffs, and you've got a Vince Carter with even less drive than usual. Playoff Contender or Pretender? The Nets are unquestionably spending the next two years trying to figure out how to get a good enough supporting cast ready to make a legit run at LeBron James. That means this year will be all about figuring out which players can play with one another, and which will be traded for future assets. They might get lucky, hit a winning formula quickly, and make a little run in the 2nd half. And because they're in the East, they COULD maybe start sniffing the 8th seed. But the best they can hope to be is 1st seed fodder.