Friendly Recap

Actual conversation from last night's Nets game:

Nets only down 4 with over two minutes left, Rob, "Can this team actually make me watch them this year?".  My girlfriend's simple reply "No".  Following a Richard Hamilton 3 to push the deficit back to 7, I go "Yeah, you're right".

But then wait a moment, a Jordan Farmer 3... a steal leading to a Devin Harris deuce plus 1... then with Harris falling down, a 3 pointer by Anthony Morrow and the Nets have the lead with under 30 seconds left and they pull off a great Opening Night victory, 101-98.

It was a back and forth affair the entire evening and throughout, I had a chance to come up with some thoughts for each of the players on the New Jersey roster.

Devin Harris - Will be the player that makes this team go. Can be streaky, day and night performances in each half.  When he's hot, he's hot and makes everyone else so much better.

Brook Lopez - The Beast.  So good, so smooth, so strong down low.  Should be a 20 and 10 guy every night.

Anthony Morrow - Role player of sorts for most of the game but a sharp shooter!  Can potentially be one of two players who become a decent threat from the outside.

Travis Outlaw - Lose the haircut first of all.  Stop the fouling.  Do something productive.

Joe Smith - Grandpa, just stop playing please.  You got a starting spot because Avery has respect for you, which is commendable.  But you will not be a factor this season.

Terrence Williams - Damn kid you looked good.  Played all over the court.  You can become a difference maker this season.

Kris Humphries - I don't like you.  I don't see the value.  You are a body to help spare some minutes, so there. Prove me wrong.

Derrick Favors - You are Beast #2.  First NBA game last night and you played great, especially in the first half.  You're young, you'll be limited in your minutes but you will be a key to this team, this year.

Stephen Graham - Who?

Jordan Farmar - Potentially the biggest off-season acquisition.  Comes from a winning pedigree.  Knows how to be clutch down the stretch.  

Johan Petro - Question mark.  Needs to be solid so Brook can get his rest.  If he struggles when he's on the floor, the team will have to go small and that can be an issue.

Damien Jones - See Stephen Graham

Let's start with the 'Ehhhh... Luke, luke warm'

The New Jersey Nets.  I'll start right off the bat by proclaiming I am not the biggest basketball fan on this earth and I'm probably less of a NBA fan.  However, I am a sports fan and with the Nets practically being in my backyard growing up, I figured I might as well cheer for them.

Wasn't able to do much cheering during the 90s with this team.  Then, all of a sudden, the blockbuster of a trade that results in Jason Kidd coming to down changes the entire dynamic of the team and organization.  Holy heck, they start winning!  And in some cases, dominating!  I would call it dominating, since they reached the NBA Finals in back to back seasons... damn you Spurs and Lakers for being better.

But as with most things in life, good things must come to an end.  A jerk of a man, Bruce Ratner, purchased the team, decided that he wanted to relocate the franchise to Brooklyn, forced management to get rid of money (read: Good Players), and the team tanks.  I meant it when I said I was a luke warm fan of this team.  In the 2008-2009 season the Nets were poor and came no where close to making the playoffs so I no real desire to watch them the following season.  It ended up being a great call on my behalf as the Nets went 12-70 last season and I hardly watched.

However, a new season is almost upon us and guess what?  I'll be there, Opening Night, at the Prudential Center (the Nets new, stop-gap home for two seasons before the Brooklyn move) watching this new and young Nets team open their season against the Pistons.  Why?