2007 New Jersey Nets Season Preview

2007 New Jersey Nets preview from MadduxSports.com. As well as previews Maddux offers FREE NBA picks against the NBA betting lines daily during the pro basketball season.

The big Jason Kidd trade late last season never happened and so the thirty-four year old backcourt man stayed with the Nets and is back for 2007- 08. Kidd was just part of last season’s veteran package that many thought New Jersey would disassemble in an effort to go with a youth movement this year. Well, the vets are back. But can they sustain a full 82-game effort?

In the front, seven-foot center Nenad Krstic (.526 FG%, .000 3P%, .711 FT%, 6.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, 16.4 PPG) could be a major contributor if he recovers from the torn ACL that tore him from what looked to be a brilliant season last year. As he enters his fourth season, Krstic can become one of the most influential centers in the NBA. Swingman Richard Jefferson (.456 FG%, .359 3P%, .733 FT%, 4.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 16.3 PPG) missed almost thirty games last season. A healthy Jefferson equals a dynamic Nets. Rookie Sean Williams, from Boston College, is a potential star center who possesses fine defensive skills. But Williams had a myriad of personal problems at BC and may be a problem child in the NBA.

In the backcourt New Jersey features the alliterative duo of Carter (.454 FG%, .357 3P%, .802 FT%, 6.0 RPG, 4.8 APG, 25.2 PPG) and Kidd (.406 FG%, .343 3P%, .778 FT%, 8.2 RPG, 9.2 APG, 13.0 PPG). Last year, Vince Carter played 82-games and Jason Kidd started 80! Not bad for two old guys! Carter is a point machine with smarts inside and out. Kidd is basketball—an amazing floor commander and tough inside player.

The Nets have the talent, depth and maturity to earn a post-season berth and perhaps even win their division. The big question is “how far can they go into the playoffs?” Teams guided by vets tend to be smart and, unfortunately, tired in the second season. New Jersey did not win their division last year. Toronto took it, and New Jersey earned second-place. The Nets may finish second again in 2007-08; this time to the Celtics. But they will be tough.

If you enjoyed reading our New Jersey Nets preview read up on the rest of the Atlantic Division rivals like the Celtics, Knicks, 76ers, and Raptors.