New Jersey Nets Preview

NBA.com has been featuring a behind the scenes look at the New Jersey Nets training camp. They have an extensive preview of the team here. This season should be an interesting one for the Nets in what looks to be a more competitive Eastern Conference. The Celtics, Magic and Knicks all added key players from the West to their squards, which instantly elevates their playoff chances. None of the 3 aforementioned teams made the postseason last year.

The Nets bring back their 3 main superstars in Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Half-Man, Half Amazing, Vince Carter. These three give a scoring advantage over most teams, but the one thing that continues to hurt New Jersey is its inside scoring game. Nenad Krstic is returning from a tough knee injury last season, and hoping to pick up where he left off. The success and improvement of the big man could be what leads the Nets to the playoffs, or keeps them watching at home.

The Nets also added another big man, in former all-star, Jamaal Magloire. Magloire is listed as a backup to Krstic and could provide a great relief player off the bench. Along with Magloire the Nets bench looks a bit deeper this season with sophomores Josh Boone and Marcus Williams as well as Boston Nachbar and Antoine Wright coming in to contribute. Marcus Williams has shown flashs of brilliance, and if Kidd has injury problems Williams could break out with a strong leadership role for the Nets.

Last season Vince Carter saw career highs, and Jason Kidd continued to run the show with many triple doubles. It will take more of the same this year, as well as a healthy squad to compete in the East. With 3 teams now capable of ousting last year's playoff teams from contention, the Nets will need to bring their top performances night in and out. Don't expect a Finals appearance, although a simulated version video game season says the Nets make Eastern finals.