About Last Night - And Tomorrow

Before we go see our good friend Richard Jefferson, let's look back at lost night.

The Grizzlies aren't a good team, but the Nets did what they had to do and they should do. They beat a team they should beat and did it with relative ease and that's what matters, especially at home.

Yes, the Grizz came back. It would have been better if the Nets put them away, but the game really never was in doubt. The Nets came out to play and as a result the fans appreciated them. The only boos came from bad calls and were directed at the refs.

This game highlighted a few things: one is Vince Carter is the best passer on the team and the best player for this young group.

Had the Nets moved him instead of Jefferson they would not be 18-18 and in the playoffs as of this writing. Carter has accepted his role as leader and flourished, and he's making others better. Jefferson wouldn't have done all of that.

Another is Keyon Dooling was a great pickup. We all knew that already because of his play and his effect on the court and on the team. He's a good leader and people gravitate to him.

Three is Brook Lopez got it. He learned from the Dwyane Wade blocks and went to the basket like a 7-footer. You had to love the way he tried - and did - dunk everything, including one where Lopez threw Quinton Ross in the rim with him when he tried to block Brook. Ross is no Wade, but it doesn't matter. Lopez rose up and threw down.

Four is Yi Jianlian's play. Maybe he's been getting excited for his return to Milwaukee and he wanted to go here playing well. He probably hopes he can have a big game here. But you still want to see the consistency. Just watching him, though, he seems more confident and is hesitating less.

Five is Eduardo Najera's energy. This is why the Nets brought this guy in and there were many Nets - Carter and Dooling, specifically - who talked about Najera's impact on defense with his effort and hustle. It helped that he knocked down some shots, too.

Lastly, the Nets executed on both ends with Carter and Dooling being good distributors on offense and everyone being committed on defense. The Grizz are a bad team, but the Nets have struggled to execute against bad teams, especially at home.

Now, when the Nets get Devin Harris back they have to continue to do all these things - especially establish Yi and Lopez.

Coach Lawrence Frank usually looks at matchups or sees what kind of rhythm either guy has, but the Nets are better when they have an inside presence. It will open things more for Carter, Harris, Yi when he's on the perimeter and the rest of the shooters if they throw it in the post more or give Lopez more pick-and-roll opportunities, especially if he continues to show he got it.

***
You might have read about Sean Williams. He's not distinguishing himself in the D-League, much the way he wasn't distinguishing himself here. He fouled out of the Colorado 14ers last game and the one before that he was ejected for arguing calls.

***
On the print side today I wrote about it being too early to judge the Jefferson trade. Right now, the Bucks got the better of it, but this is one you have to wait on.

You have to see what Yi becomes or who he becomes if the Nets are unhappy with him and decide to trade him at some point. You also have to wait to see what the Nets do with their cash windfall from the Jefferson deal in 2010.

I know some of you don't like that I suggested they may trade Carter. But they may. It all depends on where they are in the standings and what you can get for him before the deadline.

Right now, I think they keep him, especially if they can weather the tough upcoming road schedule and continue to win at home. The Nets are sixth in the East. They'd like to stay there or move up because they have no shot against the Celtics or Cavs in a playoff series.

The bottom line is Carter is playing great and the plan is to build for the future. He's not going to be a part of it. So if the Nets stumble and fall they have to consider it while his trade value is high, which it is for the way he's played and is leading this team.

Do I think they should trade Carter? No. He deserves to lead this team to the playoffs. It will be a good accomplishment for him. But the calls are going to start coming more and more now. The Nets have to listen, but you know Rod Thorn will make the right move.

***

Jefferson is going to try and have a big game. He had 27 last night against the Sixers as a tune-up. Should be a fun night. Any predictions?

Comments

[Sam]

Why trade VC? Who replaces him at the 2? He will be a great shooter when he is 40.... Why not keep him and use the cap space in 2010 for a 3? Isn't that the glaring need? And what about loyalty? VC has stepped up just the way we needed him to. I say you keep the guy....

[Netsfan]

Loyalty? Dude its 2009, loyalty existed a bit before our time, but now its all business. Frankly I'll be very angry if Carter is moved, he makes the game exciting to watch and is an excellent all-round player. You can't replace guys like him.

[Adam.y]

This team is just full of surprises.
Before the season began I really didnt understand keeping Vince here (loved him and didnt think he deserved to rot in a a bottom of the east team) and was very vocal about trading him but low and behold here we are in January a pretty solid team and currently in a playoff position all while rebuilding and we really have Vince to thank for that, yes Devin has unleashed his inner all star but its really Vince who is leading this ship not Devin.
Whats even better is that he wants to be here and lead this young team that's something you wont find in many 30 year old all star's.

So my opinion on trading Vince is unless we get something absulotley incredible that will make this rebuilding phase that much easier and more worthwhile we should keep him and re-sign him for much less when we're ready to contend again in 2011 and when his contract expires.

[Adam.y]

On the subject of RJ Im honestly scared you know he'll have a big game and will definately look to get his numbers (but than again whenever RJ focuses on his numbers that's when he might end up costing his team the W JK RJ we still love you here in NJ).
Yi is an amazing talent and really anyone that expected him to show us why we traded RJ for him this year is just being delusional I expect great things for him just not this season, if he can be a solid 3rd option this year I would consider it a great accomplishment.

[JayMS]

The Nets are already competitive with this team now. Brook Lopez is looking like a future all star. Hopefully Yi can get some consistency going. The way I see it the nets are set for the future so I say keep VC to stay competitive now and when 2010 comes around sign Joe Johnson (if Lebron is not available) or Chris Bosh if Yi looks like a bust at that point.

[andres]

VC should retire a Net. Period.

[mt]

They should not trade VC. No way. They have to realize 1) this team is nowhere near .500 without his particular skills 2)they are going to be in a weak position come 2010 with no new arena, and 3) the young players will develop faster with greater stability around them. They need to keep as high a level of play as possible to get fans coming in the door.

[steve]

I dont know how anyone can suggest this trade could end up being good for them because of Yi. The cap space in 2010? maybe. But this guy is to soft an inconsistent to keep harping on his "potential"

[thebeeobee]

Is Harris playing against the Bucks?

[Chris]

I think Nets were going to trade RJ in order to free up cap space for 2010 no matter what. The question is, did we get the best value for him with getting Yi?

Based on rumors, we probably could have gotten Bargnani from Toronto who is also inconsistent but is shooting very very well right now. Another guy that I am pretty sure we could have gotten in Millsap (along with Harpring's expiring) from Utah. Jazz had wanted RJ for some time. Millsap is playing incredible for the Jazz since Boozer went down, a consistent 20 and 10 guy. It stings we passed on him in the draft for the UCONN boys. I just enjoy watching Millsap play and think he is going to be excellent for years to come...

[Jon]

Its funny how people are talking about breaking this team up before it even hit its stride. My guess is that the Nets will be BUYERS, not sellers at the trade deadline. If Rod can add 1 more piece this team can be a top 6 seed and avoid celts and cavs in the 1st round. The minute VC goes is the moment this gets ugly, for several years

[Mr. Dollar Bills]

Al,

Unless the Nets can make a deal to improve themselves, i don't see any reason to trade Carter.

Thorn doesnt make bad trades, so if Carter does go, i know the Nets will be a better team at the end of the day. I'd hope VC can retire as a Net tho!!

[jones]

VC deserves a shot at a playoff run with a big time team. If he gets to Cleveland or New Orleans or the Spurs, watch out. He would benefit us by giving us some young stars or draft picks and cap space. Rod made the mistake of keeping Kidd, RJ and Carter too long. He knows it's time now. Build around Lopez and Harris and get all you can from a team with a chance at the finals.

[Blessen]

This team cannot trade VC.. i kno its about salary cap for 2010..but they have to be watchable at least... i love how this team is rebuilding unlike the knicks who r just banking on free agents.. the nets have to be competitive because they need a loyal fanbase....the knicks no matter how garbage they are...will always have a fanbase...