Are the Nets tanking?

[Reality]

Lebron wants to win a championship.  Going to a team that is 0-18 is not enticing.  Why would he leave Cleveland, who is a contender in the East already, to a team that *MIGHT* be later. What you quoted from DB is filled with so many 'what if's I don't see why you think quoting him actually proves it's what New Jersey is doing.

DB nor i were attempting to "prove" anything as indeed the whole threads premiss of LeBron going to the Nets is speculation.  DB noted and concured the reasons why he can indeed win with the Nets and jem added some reasons why his chances may indeed be BETTER with the Nets.  That the Nets could get both Lebron and another top FA (Bosh) is entirely possible.  You question this and yet your Lamers got Pao Gasol for Kwame Brown.  Again, you come in with zero credibility.

I don't make ridiculous off the wall statements around here like you do.  So I have plenty of credibility in that area.  I don't post BS trades for Manu or make delusional comments about plugging in players in any system because 5 years ago they had a few good playoff games.  You are the guy who thinks Stephen Jackson is a player you want on your squad and Fabs was one of the greatest Euro players of all time.

Fabs did exactly what i said he would do, provided a role in a Championship.  Steven Jackson instead of Finley?  Yes, i would go for that.  Of course you didn't like Steven Jackson, he helped upend your Lamers in 2003, the only full season he was with the Spurs!  Zero cred.

[Reality]

They're tanking.
4-43 with a 5 game *lead* over MN and on pace to beat the 72-73 Sixers for worst record ever (9-73).
Del Harris fired.

It's now being called the "strive for five!". 

[Joe Vancil]

There's a difference between tanking - losing games because you prefer to lose - and just being flat-out AWFUL.  New Jersey is the latter.

Kind of what you're supposed to expect when you trade away Kidd, Carter, and Jefferson for "young potential."

[Reality]

Nope.  It's both.
They are awful because they want to be.
Roster changes were made to ensure awfulness.

Tanking.
We can pick this up next year when they do (or do not) get Lebron.
As bods mentioned, it will be crucial to see who they pick with their lottery pick.

[Joe Vancil]

Nope.  It's both.
They are awful because they want to be.
Roster changes were made to ensure awfulness.

Tanking.
We can pick this up next year when they do (or do not) get Lebron.
As bods mentioned, it will be crucial to see who they pick with their lottery pick.

They're awful because management assembled a team of nobodies.  Outside of a 41-41 Orlando team (which missed the playoffs), no one has done that with any success.  It's not that New Jersey players aren't trying, or that the coach is playing to lose.  It's the talent level is that shallow.

Unless they're planning on picking a new owner with that draft pick, it's not going to matter who they get.  Unless the management assembles a team capable of winning, they're not going to win.

And if LeBron - against all expectations, advice, history, and common sense - decides to be the future face of the New Jersey franchise, then get ready for a mostly-irrelevant LeBron James.

[Reality]

We are agreeing.  Management assembled the team (and disassembled it) to ensure the losses that are being incurred.  Tanking.

Will wait till next year and see if a lineup such as
Bosh/Brook Lopez/Lewie Scola frontline
Devin Harris pg/Lebron sg
#1- #7 (at worst) draft pick will do.

Who knows?  The radio out here is trying to spin a Lebron to the Clippers. 

[Lurker]

Devin Harris pg/Lebron sg

Do you realize that LeBron does not play SG?

[westkoast]

Devin Harris pg/Lebron sg

Do you realize that LeBron does not play SG?

No he doesn't.  That's why he thinks the combo of Bosh and Blair on the wing would have no problem guarding anyone. 

[Joe Vancil]

We are agreeing.  Management assembled the team (and disassembled it) to ensure the losses that are being incurred.  Tanking.

Will wait till next year and see if a lineup such as
Bosh/Brook Lopez/Lewie Scola frontline
Devin Harris pg/Lebron sg
#1- #7 (at worst) draft pick will do.

Who knows?  The radio out here is trying to spin a Lebron to the Clippers. 

Can't happen.  Not enough money.  And too many post-only players.

And if we're going to talk about this kind of thing being "tanking," were the previously-mentioned 41-41 Magic tanking?  How about the Grizz of two years ago?  The T-Wolves of now? 

To me, tanking has to involve the coach's specifically NOT playing his best players.

[Joe Vancil]

Devin Harris pg/Lebron sg

Do you realize that LeBron does not play SG?

No he doesn't.  That's why he thinks the combo of Bosh and Blair on the wing would have no problem guarding anyone. 

Well...I believe LBJ *COULD* play 2-guard.

Especially as opposed to Lopez, Bosh, or Scola playing small forward.

[westkoast]

Devin Harris pg/Lebron sg

Do you realize that LeBron does not play SG?

No he doesn't.  That's why he thinks the combo of Bosh and Blair on the wing would have no problem guarding anyone. 

Well...I believe LBJ *COULD* play 2-guard.

Especially as opposed to Lopez, Bosh, or Scola playing small forward.

Of course he can but if you are playing against the RealitySpurs and they have Blair, Duncan, and Bosh all on the court at the same time, where do you use Lebron James?

[Joe Vancil]

At point guard.  You wanna go big?  I'll show you *BIG*.  <grin>

[westkoast]

At point guard.  You wanna go big?  I'll show you *BIG*.  <grin>

So this is what you were going to show me? 

Lebron at the 1
Lamar Odom at the 2
Dwight Howard at the 3
Shaq at the 4
Yao Ming at the 5

[Joe Vancil]

At point guard.  You wanna go big?  I'll show you *BIG*.  <grin>

So this is what you were going to show me? 

Lebron at the 1
Lamar Odom at the 2
Dwight Howard at the 3
Shaq at the 4
Yao Ming at the 5

Actually, I have Nowitzki at the 2.

Does anyone remember the year when the West played all the super-huge players together at the All-Star game?  Like 4 guys who were 6-10 or bigger.  I remember that Ming, Garnett, Shaq, Duncan, and Nowtizki were all on that team.  I seem to think it was Dirk who wasn't in, and said he wanted to go out and play point guard.

Also seems like that team lost.

[Reality]

Devin Harris pg/Lebron sg

Do you realize that LeBron does not play SG?

No he doesn't.  That's why he thinks the combo of Bosh and Blair on the wing would have no problem guarding anyone. 

Well...I believe LBJ *COULD* play 2-guard.

Especially as opposed to Lopez, Bosh, or Scola playing small forward.

Of course he can but if you are playing against the RealitySpurs and they have Blair, Duncan, and Bosh all on the court at the same time, where do you use Lebron James?

Also seems like that team lost.

Lebron played point guard last night.  Started at point guard.
Seems like the Cavs won.
Seems like he had 36/8/7.
I think Lebron can play point, SG or SF.

Not knowing what to do/thinking a lineup of:
Bosh/Brook Lopez/Lewie Scola frontline
Devin Harris pg/Lebron sg
#1- #7 (at worst) draft pick will do.

would not win.