HoopWatch

I am no New Jersey Nets fan. But I feel sorry for a team who almost reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the past two years. They also have three of the best perimeter scorers in the game in Richard Jefferson, Jason Kidd and Vince Carter.

They are supposed to dominate the Atlantic Division, but currently, they share the top spot with the Toronto Raptors, a team that almost changed their whole roster in the off-season, with a 7-12 slate. The Nets have lost their last three games including a classic double-overtime setback to the Phoenix Suns Thursday night. And they lost once again last night to the also-struggling Boston Celtics.

Paul Pierce made a last second jumper over the outstretched arms of Kidd to lead the Celtics to a 92-90 decision. New Jersey scored the game’s first 18 points at 18-0, and even led by as much as 20, 22-2, in the first quarter. They wilted down in the second and were only three points ahead, 48-45, at halftime. It was the Nets ninth loss in 11 games.

One big reason why they have been giving away games is the lack of an intimidating force in the middle. Nenard Krstic is a decent big man, but he’s too soft to fill that role. It is not necessary for them to have a Duncan, a Shaq or a Garnett. They just need a guy who can respectably produce some numbers at the post, and swat shots at the defensive end. A guy who can assure them that the paint is safe from penetrations. Someone in the mold of a Dwight Howard, Al Jefferson, Amare Stoudemire, or a Rasheed Wallace. But I doubt that these guys’ mother clubs will even release any of them.

The only way that they could acquire such bigs right now is definitely through trade. And Carter is the most tradable commodity in their roster. I hate to lash on Carter, but the guy isn’t just a winner. He has always been reluctant to lead his team to victory, and has a history of becoming disinterested. He wilted under pressure in Toronto, and begged to be sent to a team with good stars in it. This time around, after failing to reach past the second round once again in New Jersey, he has shown signs of backing away, and not playing his heart out. He is inconsistent in showing energy and enthusiasm in his games. He put big numbers in one or two games, then sagged down in the next three, missing a lot of field goals. He is, in my opinion, not a good player to build your franchise around.

I suggest that New Jersey trade their reluctant star for a future one. And Howard, Jefferson and Stoudemire are good athletes to acquire for an aging Carter if they want their season to be fruitful. These guys can certainly help this team rise up to expectations, and they will fill that missing void.

But if they opt not to trade Carter just yet, they may want to trade for energetic and effective up-and-coming big men in Andres Biedrins, Anderson Varejao, Jorge Garbajosa or Zaza Pachulia. They are a lot cheaper to acquire and the Nets have an abundance of good wing players to give up. (pic courtesy of yahoonba.com)