Post by New Jersey Nets on Aug 7, 2010 16:36:42 GMT
Ray Allen is no stranger to the New Jersey Nets. Three years ago, the sharpshooter was joining the Nets about this time of year. Allen knew the Nets would be a good team, but he had no idea that they would go on to win the championship that season.
Three years later, Allen is back. After being traded from New Jersey to Detroit, it appeared that any chance the veteran had of winning another title was very dim. Allen stuck with the team and led them in scoring, but in the end it wasn't enough to make any kind of splash. When his contract expired and Nets GM Josh Barber made it clear that his number 1 priority was to put Ray Allen back in a Nets uniform, the three point specialist didn't even hesitate to take a small pay-cut. After all, this team looks even more promising than it did three years ago.
Let's compare the two teams.
D5 Championship team:
Jason Kidd - Ray Allen - Gerald Wallace - Andrei Kirilenko - Jermaine O'Neal
Current Nets team:
Jameer Nelson - Ray Allen - Kevin Durant - Al Jefferson - Andrew Bynum
It is definately a different look for the Nets. The GM known for stocking up on high rated veterans has now compiled a team of young superstars (and Allen). It is quite a transformation, actually. Just a few seasons ago, this team consisted of no more than Kevin Durant after the GM decided to throw away all of his championship calibur players and start from the ground up.
There were many acquisitions that ended up turning this team around. GM Josh Barber acquired Rajon Rondo and Wilson Chandler for Andrea Bargnani, just before Rondo broke out in real life. The draft choice of Brandon Jennings late in the lottery payed off as well, as Jennings ended up turning into Andrew Bynum. Even a trade that seemed simple, and perhaps a downgrade for the Nets, such as moving Wilson Chandler for JaVale McGee looks like it is going to end up being an amazing move for this organization.
Now, as the Nets look toward the future, there is only brightness. This team made a spectacular run to the conference finals this past season, and looks like a good pick to return at this point in the offseason. One thing is for certain; this Nets team is going to be prominent in the Eastern Conference for many years to come.