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NBA Season Preview: Q&A with Mark Ginocchio from Nets Are Scorching
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AP Photo/Bill Kostroun: Devin may be a one-man show in Jersey again.
This is a continuation of our Q&As leading up to the start of the regular season. Check out other Season Previews on my main page. You can also check out Mark’s work, here.
What are your thoughts about the Nets as the season approaches? How do you feel about their playoff/title chances?
Mark Ginocchio, Nets Are Scorching: The Nets are clearly in a rebuilding phase, although I believe they’re going about it smartly. In Devin Harris and Brook Lopez, they have two young cornerstones at two of the toughest positions to fill: PG and C. In guys like Yi Jianlian and Courtney Lee, they have two more young guys that appear to have potential to get better, though they seem to be less sure-things than Harris and Brook. And I’m very intrigued to see what a player like Terrence Williams, who seems to do a lot of different things well, can bring to the table. Topping it all off, the Nets have a ton of money coming off the books at the end of the season, which will give them probably more flexibility than most teams to improve via free agency and trade next summer. Does all of this equal playoffs for the Nets in 2009-10? Probably not, but similar to last season, I think they’re going to be better than some prognosticators are saying.
Do you feel that holes in the roster still need to be addressed, and if so, can they be addressed?
MG: It’s tough to call where the Nets have “holes.” What the team really needs to determine this season is if guys like Yi and Courtney Lee and Terrence Williams can develop into NBA starters. If they don’t, then yes, there will be holes at SG, PF and SF that need to be addressed and hopefully that’s where that cap space they’ll have comes in. As for this season, the Nets appear committed to developing these players so I think the roster is what it is.
How do you feel they compare with the Celtics, and the rest of the Eastern Conference?
MG: Well, they don’t compare with the Celtics, period. The Celtics, Cavs and Magic are still the class of the East until proven otherwise. It’s hard to say how the Nets compare to the other bottom feeders in the East. At the bare minimum, I’d like to say they’re better than the Knicks. But other non-playoff teams in the East last year like the Raptors and the Wizards have either gotten better or healthier, or both, so I feel like the Nets could place anywhere from the second worst record in the conference to an 8th seed in the playoffs.
If the Celtics and Nets meet in the playoffs, how would you think the Nets should attack Boston in a 7-game series?
MG: Wishful thinking probably. Offensively, the Nets have to hope Devin Harris can break down the defense enough to either get to the basket, get to the free throw line, or kick the ball out in the corner to Jarvis Hayes or one of the wings to knock down a three. Defensively, if Terrence Williams’ defense is as good as advertised in the NBA, I’d probably stick him on whoever was the hot hand for the Celtics in a given game (primarily Rondo or Pierce).
How does Devin Harris build on his huge 2008-2009 season?
MG: It’s going to be tough, because all eyes will be on Devin going into this season. He really is the only proven scorer on this team. For starters, Devin needs to establish himself as the bonafide leader, a concept he has seemingly embraced. But secondly, and perhaps more importantly, Devin’s teammates need to improve as well. Opposing teams will not be able to focus all of their effort on Devin if Courtney Lee, Yi and Brook Lopez become reliable scorers.
How do Nets fans feel about Yi?
MG: I think most want to give him another chance, because we really don’t have a choice at this point. The organization is committed to him – perhaps more for the marketing possibilities than talent reasons. But they’re committed. Personally, I think Yi gets one more year to prove he’s an NBA regular.
When you see a team like the Celtics making moves over the last few off-seasons, and other teams doing the same this summer, how do fans of the Nets react?
MG: If this were three or four years ago when the Nets still had a “Big 3” I would probably pay it more attention, but honestly, I think most fans have resigned themselves as to what this coming season is all about. It’s about building on the youth and giving the team financial flexibility to get an impact player, not seeking the missing piece to a puzzle like a Rasheed Wallace or Shaq.
If you could take one player from the Celtics' roster, including that player's contract and all baggage that may or may not come with him, who would you take?
MG: If I’m thinking about winning now, Paul Pierce. Going back to when the Nets and Celtics faced off a few times in the playoffs, he was really the one guy I feared, and he still seems to be the one guy who always has his hand in the big play for the Celtics.
Overall, what do you feel are the fan expectations for the Nets for the 2009/2010 season?
MG: It’s all about managing expectations. I think most fans would be thrilled with the 8th seed in the playoffs giving the team they’re putting out on the court. More realistically, I think Nets fans want to see commitment from the front office and coaching staff to develop the younger players and maintain their cap space for a big-time player next year. If guys like Bobby Simmons and Trenton Hassell are taking minutes away from guys like Terrence Williams, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Courtney Lee, I think the last of the Nets fans remaining will tune out.
Player Votes
Pierce: 3
KG: 2
Perk: 1
Rondo: 1
Team Votes
Detroit: Pierce
Milwaukee: KG
OKC: Perk
Golden State: Rondo
Charlotte: Pierce
Sacramento: KG
New Jersey: Pierce
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