Nets Stick to their Gun
By Cory Elfrink
Vince Carter never entertained other teams with his services. Nets general manager Rod Thorn was prepared to offer All-Star money to keep his best offensive weapon.
Within the first days of the free agent moratorium, we learned that Carter would opt out of the last year on his deal only to resign with New Jersey. He is now guaranteed $61.8 million over the next four years, or $15.45 million per year, with a team option for $18 million in 2011.
The former Rookie-of-the-Year and 8-time All-Star is coming off another excellent regular season that saw him average 25.2 ppg in 82 starts. In 2006-07, VC scored over a quarter of the Nets’ total points and also contributed 6 rebounds and nearly 5 assists per contest.
However, Carter’s production fell off against the Cavaliers in the second round of the playoffs as he tallied a combined 23 points in the Nets last two games. He also made some critical turnovers and shot just 35% from the field in the 6-game series against the Cavs.
Still Carter is just 30 years old and has averaged over 25 ppg since arriving from Toronto in 2004. He makes up 1/3 of the Eastern Conference’s most exciting trio along with Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson that will likely move with the team into Brooklyn within the next few years.
The Nets did well to only guarantee four years of the five year deal. They should get a few more All-Star seasons from the former Slam Dunk champion, but many of the Association’s best SGs decline around the age of 32. He will be 34 and probably experiencing a steady decline when New Jersey makes the decision whether or not to keep him another year at $18 million.
VINCE CARTER
YR |
Team |
G |
MIN |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
REB |
AST |
PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
04-05 |
NJ |
57 |
38.9 |
.462 |
.425 |
.817 |
1.5 |
0.6 |
2.6 |
5.9 |
4.7 |
27.5 |
05-06 |
NJ |
79 |
36.8 |
.430 |
.341 |
.799 |
1.2 |
0.7 |
2.7 |
5.8 |
4.3 |
24.2 |
06-07 |
NJ |
82 |
38.1 |
.454 |
.357 |
.802 |
1.0 |
0.4 |
2.6 |
6.0 |
4.8 |
25.2 |
Totals |
621 |
37.6 |
.447 |
.377 |
.792 |
1.3 |
0.9 |
2.4 |
5.4 |
4.2 |
24.1 |
The Nets have been eyeing the Eastern Conference Championship since VC first arrived in NJ. Their plans were thwarted last year when their emerging young center, Nenad Krstic, went down in the team’s 26th game with a torn ligament in his knee. The 23 year-old had a successful surgery and has already begun training for October. In fact, it has been said Carter invited him to his home in Orlando this summer to workout with him.
The Nets invested heavily in Carter’s offensive game but they had little choice. They wanted him back and were willing to overpay for him, but not for a max-length deal. Aside from their trio of stars and the up-and coming Krstic, the Nets are largely unproven. They will need to stay healthy in order to have a legitimate shot at reaching the NBA Finals but it is not inconceivable for them to achieve their goal before Jason Kidd’s contract expires in two years.
GRADE: B+
Photo Courtesy of joeiverson.com
Magloire Brings Veteran Depth to New Jersey
By Cory Elfrink
New Jersey Nets General Manager Rod Thorn had other big decisions this summer besides what to do with Vince Carter. He had just watched a breakout season from 31 year-old center Mikki Moore who was now facing free agency. When the Nets offer of 3 years and $11 million was dismissed, Thorn had to look elsewhere to shore up a thin frontline.
The seven-year GM quickly landed 29 year-old, former All-Star Jamaal Magloire for one season at $4 million. Although Magloire is one of the slowest players in the league, he can be very effective deep on the post and boxing out on the rebound.
JAMAAL MAGLOIRE
YR |
Team |
G |
GS |
MIN |
FG% |
3P% |
FT% |
STL |
BLK |
TO |
OFF |
DEF |
TOT |
AST |
PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
03-04 |
NOH |
82 |
82 |
33.9 |
.473 |
.000 |
.751 |
0.5 |
1.2 |
2.5 |
3.3 |
7.1 |
10.4 |
1.0 |
13.6 |
04-05 |
NOH |
23 |
22 |
30.6 |
.432 |
.000 |
.602 |
0.3 |
1.0 |
2.6 |
3.5 |
5.5 |
8.9 |
1.3 |
11.7 |
05-06 |
MIL |
82 |
82 |
30.1 |
.467 |
.000 |
.535 |
0.4 |
1.0 |
2.0 |
2.7 |
6.8 |
9.5 |
0.7 |
9.2 |
06-07 |
POR |
81 |
23 |
21.1 |
.504 |
.000 |
.541 |
0.3 |
0.8 |
1.6 |
1.9 |
4.2 |
6.1 |
0.4 |
6.5 |
Magloire saw a big drop-off in minutes last season. On the bright side in his 23 starts he averaged 8.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg. Jamaal lacks a mid-range game and has become a terrible free-throw shooter. He’s not a very good passer or ball-handler. However, he is a big body and valuable on the defensive end. If the Nets get the ball to him deep enough on the post, he has a very good hook shot. I would say jump hook, but Jamaal has not jumped in nearly four years.
His game will complement up-and-coming center Nenad Krstic perfectly. Krstic has a smooth mid-range game and excellent passing skills for a seven-footer. But his rebound rate is below average, namely because he spends a good deal of time away from the basket. He is still just 23 and projects to improve over the next 3 or 4 years where he may establish himself as a 4th All-Star in the Nets’ lineup. He is a restricted free agent next season and will likely be offered Magloire’s $4 million after the season to stay in New Jersey.
Recently extended head coach Lawrence Frank has an interesting dilemma regarding his rotation next season. Krstic will return as a starter but Frank must find a way to divide minutes among centers Magloire, Josh Boone, Jason Collins and first round pick Sean Williams. Collins looks like the odd-man out for meaningful minutes despite being the highest paid of the big men. Magloire might figure to come in as a starter but it’s still too early to call who will win the other post starting spot.
Although Magloire is clearly past his prime and a below average starter, if a starter at all, the Nets addressed their post and rebounding needs with this signing. By only hiring his services for one-year, Magloire will likely give everything he has got in order to score one more longer-term deal after the season.
GRADE: B
Photo Courtesy of sportsillustrated.com