1 Month In, Big Changes, Little Results

[Jaboo]

New Lineup, Same Sad Results

On the job just a little over a month, new GM Jeff Cameron has made some huge changes to the franchise as the franchise now sports 4 new starters to the lineup. Despite all of the changes, it has been much of the same in Brooklyn as the team is currently on a 16 game losing streak with their last win coming on January 17th. The 17th which so happened to be Cameron's first day on the job. Things have gotten so bad in Brooklyn that it is no longer an IF the Nets will break the record of fewest wins (currently held at 8 by Milwaukee) but whether or not they will even find themselves with another victory the rest of the season.

We understand the fans frustration. This is NY, the fans want results. But ownership brought me in to do it right, and dammit I am going to do it right! We couldn't be more excited about this teams future. Ownership understands its going to be a process, we explained our goals and our plan. I think majority of fans are starting to buy in as well. I have a 3 year contract to prove myself, and we expect to be fighting for a playoff spot by the 2017/2018 season.

Even Jay-Z cant stomach the losses

All has not been lost as there have been some solid results. Since taking over 17 games ago the Nets have averaged over 100 points per game. A huge increase over what was the lowest scoring team in the league. Also promising is the nice turnaround in heralded rookie Marcus Smarts game. Not only has he maintained his 27 PPG and nearly 8 assists but he has seen an increase in steals to over 1.5 as well as a large increase in FG% where he is now shooting a respectable 45%.

The Trades
Jeff has made 4 trades since taking over, these 4 trades have certainly added to the overall assets to the team.

Trade 1:
The Nets send 2 2nd round picks to the Pacers for Jose Calderon.

We were fairly desperate for a veteran PG to help show Marcus the ropes and ease the pressure on him and we could not be anymore thrilled with the results. Calderon has came in and showed why he is one of the better reserve PGs in the league with his 10 points 6 assists average in his 29 mpg. We feel his addition is one of the main reasons Marcus has started to play so well.

Trade 2:
The Nets send a future 2nd round pick to the Grizzlies for Ersan Ilyasova

What can we say, Ersan is one of the more underrated players in the league and are thrilled to have him here at the price in which we got him at. The acquisition of Ersan paved the way for us to be willing to move Amir. He has stepped up in a huge way to give the team another scoring option behind Marcus. Since joining us Ersan has averaged 18 points 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game at over 50% FG and 50% from 3! Its easy to see that Ersan has exceeded even our wildest dreams.

Trade 3:
The Nets send JJ Reddick, Rodney Hood, and Boston 2016 first round pick to LA for Bruno Caboclo

This was a very difficult decision for us to make. Two great shooters in a league desperate for them but its our future we had to think about and there aren't many players in the league that have more potential then Caboclo. We will give him every opportunity to succeed and has been inserted into the starting lineup instantly to begin building chemistry with Smart. While early, it was a solid first game for Caboclo as he posts 15 points 3 rebounds 4 assists

Trade 4:
The Nets trade Amir Johnson to the Lakers for Nikola Jokic

We find this as another move to add a promising young player like Jokic to add to Caboclo and Smart. We think he has a world of potential to and will be a great floor spacer for us once he finishes his development. Amir has been a great player, teammate, and leader for us but with the acquisition of Ersan we felt getting another top young player like Jokic was too much to pass up.

The Future
The Nets and I could not be any more excited about our future. When you have a player like Smart as your anchor its hard to not be excited, but with the recent additions of Caboclo and Jokic and a probable top 3 pick just adds to our optimism. The roster is filled with potential, but potential is a dirty word where many risk their careers and fail. We feel we have the best staff in the league in developing talent, and they better as all of our jobs are on the line if they fail. There is no where else to go but up!

[Chilikonkarne]

You are doing a good job, your team Smart-Calderon-Cabloco-Ilyasova-Jokic is intriguing and could develop in something really interesting!

[Marcos_Beck]

Amazing article. I saw a lot of myself there, not only in the writing style but they way you are paving the stairs that one day will bring Brooklyn all the way to the top.
You have a plan, patience and knows very well when to explore the possibility of acquiring free assets. That's key for any rebuilding team.

I look at Ilyasova and can't stop linking it to my first move as Bulls GM when I came back and found the team depleted with the departure of many key players. Mike Dunleavy, Tony Snell and a 2nd for Ily, who, simple put, played as good as I could have expected, making a roster of Rose, Taj, Noah, Ilyasova and a bunch of non-defensive wings with great shooting range into perennial playoff team. The way Ersan played for us, it was the beginning of something great. He was the piece (along with the suddenly bump of my 1st 2015 value due to Derrick's injury) that made the roster we have here today possible.

Great GMing so far. I hope you are patience and willingness to stay long term cause what you're building looks amazing, and even though it will be very painful watching this kids grow, this will lead to greatness, 100% certain of that. Then, it will be all about enjoying the promisingly great final product you built.

[emplep7]

I love the moves you have made to this point and am glad to see the Nets are in good hands. I think with another top pick and some more moves this off-season you could potentially make a play to sneak into a low playoff seed, but I think thw two year plan is more likely at this point. Keep up the good work man.

[andrei]

Good read

Glad to see Ersan working out for you. He thrives in a low expectation environment

[Mattybriand]

Glad to see the new gms making a reputation :p

I'm really hoping jokic turns into something special

[Sun Scorched]

I like every move except the trade for Bruno - just not sure (and this may have something to do with my scouts) that I see it.

[NanashiWake]

Your team has a lot of 'potential' which is always a risk, but I really like the activity and determination you've showed. I always feel that naturally brings improvement.

[Rizzo]

I like the acquisitions of Jokic and Caboclo to pair up with Smart. It's going to take years to become competitive but with a high lottery pick this year that should definitely aid your question to respectability in the CSL.

[blackice]

Caboclo was a great get, me and Dylan talked a lot about his upside. Should be a great core to build around but the losses will be tough to stomach at times. Just monitor your young talent as they progress.

[Dennis]

It's a long way. You have the best young core and will draft another future superstar this year (if you don't drop too far). So that will be a very great core

[bt]

I like the rebuilding moves but going to be a long time until the Nets are relevant again with some so raw and young.