Road to Glory - A New Jersey Nets Association

[Valor]

Chapter 6

July 7th, 2010
Nets Front Office

Scott Skiles walked into his new office suite, he had just finished settling into his new home, and had decided that it was time to start his job as the Nets' new Head Coach.
"Scott! What a pleasant surprise" Kukoc said to Skiles as he walked past the office "I wasn't expecting you to come in until later on in the week"
"Well, seeing as i got everything set, figured i might come in and discuss things about the roster" replied Skiles plainly "I see you've retained Williams, Mills and resigned Mbenga and Snow."
"Yes, is there a problem with those guys?" asked Kukoc
"No, not at all, i am just wondering about some other possible roster changes" stated Skiles "First things first, get Adam Morrison off this team"
"I'm working on it, but it's hard" replied Kukoc "I do have something that could work, but it's gonna cost us our second round pick"
"I don't care, do it" said Skiles "He costs us a ton of salary cap space, doesn't defend, and as seen last season, has a very inconsistent shot. He cost you the series against Orlando, period."
"Okay..." Kukoc said while making a note "Anything else?"
"I have a problem with the style of this club"
"What's wrong with it?"
"You have a relatively slow center who thrives in the half court with Yao Ming, and yet you have a point guard that works best in the transition game" stated Skiles "That doesn't work, either Yao is out of the play, and has his role reduced to a mere rebounder and outlet passer. Or you have Harris as a spot-up shooter. Total waste of talent"
"You are saying...you want one of them gone?"
"Do I have to be more plain then that?"
"I'll see what i can do" said Kukoc "Who do you want to keep?"
"I want my team to be a great defensive club that can execute on the offensive end stably and consistently "
"You are saying you want Yao over Harris?" asked Kukoc before mumbling "and the team just established Harris as the future star..."
"Again, do i have to make myself THAT clear to you?" snapped Skiles "Please Toni, get your head around things"

-----

"Thanks Daryl, pleasure to be working with you" said Kukoc as he hung up the phone "Now...time to do the big changes Skiles wants me to do...Dennis? You got ideas?"
"Sure, get a roster full of thugs, we can bash the heck out of the opponent team" chuckled Rodman "Best defense ever"
"........"
"Alright Alright, here's the offers i got from the other teams" said Rodman, handing over a sheet of offers

Code: Select all

Atlanta's Josh Smith for Devin Harris
New Orleans' Tyson Chandler for Devin Harris
Minnesota's Paul Millsap for Devin Harris
Denver's Chauncey Billups, Kenyon Martin, Jason Hart for Devin Harris, Luol Deng, Sean Williams, Patrick Mills
Boston's Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe for Devin Harris
Warrior's Monta Ellis for Devin Harris

Kukoc took the sheet and read the options, he laughed at the offers, but 2 of them caught his eye....
"Dennis, can you call Scott over here?"
"I can drag him"
"Just use the phone Dennis, please"
"Fine"

*5 Minutes Later*

"What is it Dennis?" said Skiles upon entering the door
"Toni wants you" replied Rodman
Kukoc looked up "Scott, what do you think about these two trade offers?"

Code: Select all

Atlanta's Josh Smith for Devin Harris
Denver's Chauncey Billups, Kenyon Martin, Jason Hart for Devin Harris, Luol Deng, Sean Williams, Patrick Mills

"Appealing" said Skiles as he read the sheet "But they are very one-sided right now, we are clearly losers if we took these. Try to change things up, make it better for us"
"In what context? What do you want me to do?" asked Kukoc
"You are the bloody GM, think yourself" snapped Skiles as he walked out of the door "Just be creative. And for God's sake, if you are going to trade my boy Deng away, make sure it's worth it"

[Valor]

Nets Sends Morrison to Houston in return for Chuck Hayes
07/07/10


Stache out, Chuck in.

Nets fans will be pleased to hear about this trade by Toni Kukoc and Dennis Rodman.

Kukoc, the General Manager of the Nets, have announced this morning that the New Jersey Nets
have traded forward/guard Adam Morrison to the Houston Rockets in exchange for center/forward
Chuck Hayes. The deal also includes the Nets sending away Orlando's second round pick for this year's
draft (55 overall pick)

Adam Morrison had struggled shooting the ball all season long, although at times could be a lethal shooter,
his inconsistency had cost the Nets, including the first round of the playoffs. That and the fact that he
possesses almost no defensive ability (New Head Coach Scott Skilles loves preaching about defense) had
caused him to be gift-wrapped out of town.

The Nets now get a decent, but undersized player in Chuck Hayes, as well as almost 5 million dollars in
cap space.

"This is not our last move of the offseason, not even close" said Kukoc "We are going to continue to
revamp the roster and improve it, as well as model it in a fashion such that we could florish under
Scott Skiles' system of play."

[Fresh8]

Not a fan of Hayes.

Get onto the Draft already.

[Martti.]

I love this trade. Hayes is a beast on the boards, despite being 2 inches shorter then Morrison.

[hova-]

Good deal. More hustle, less moustache. It's hard to argue that!

[Valor]

Not a fan of Hayes.

Get onto the Draft already.

now now, don't be hasty

I love this trade. Hayes is a beast on the boards, despite being 2 inches shorter then Morrison.

Cheers Martti, his height is the only concern i've got... (well, maybe his free throws as well...) but he's certainly much better then Adam Morrison, add in the fact that i got a lot more cap space now, it's a great trade for me (and Houston to an extent...they need a backup at the wings with McGrady's FA status uncertain, and they have like 4 PFs or something...)

Good deal. More hustle, less moustache. It's hard to argue that!

Can't put it better then that

Surprised that no one has commented on the potential blockbuster deals involving Harris, what do everyone think of it? Him and Yao's styles are completely different, i need to trade one or the other to really be successful. Give me some feed back!

[Valor]

Chapter 7

Draft Night 2010
WaMu Theater, Madison Square Garden

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to the 2010 NBA Draft at the WaMu Theater in Madison Square Garden. It has been an exciting and wonderful season of NBA Basketball, in which the New Orleans Hornets successfully captured their first ever championship in 6 games over the Orlando Magic." said David Stern as he makes his opening remarks "Tonight is, once again, the time in which 60 young men's dreams of playing in the NBA is fulfilled, as they would be drafted by the 30 teams. The first pick is rewarded to the Milwaukee Bucks. Who has 5 minutes to make their selection."

"Thank you Commissioner Stern for the very nice opening" said Stuart Scott before joking "a little deja vu i might add. Same thing every year"
"This draft features three monsters. Hakeem Bol of Kansas, Patrick Lynch of Duke, and of course, John Wall of Kentucky. Who's going to go first?"
"Well, the obvious choice would be Hakeem Bol, the guy is a 7'4", 335 pound beast" said Charles Barkley "Dominating centers like that are hard to find, and even more so nowadays with true centers disappearing completely. But looking at the Bucks, there is a high chance of them taking Patrick Lynch. They already have a solid center in Bogut, and they are missing a wing player to complement Michael Redd. Lynch is a perfect fit with his versatility."
"One thing is sure, they are turning into a playoff team, or even a contender, after this draft" added Reggie Miller "and it is better for Miami if they take Lynch, Miami has the second pick, they need to get Dwyane Wade a post player to play with, and they have Hakeem Bol, who is going to be the most dominating force since Shaquille O'Neal took the league by storm, available at number 2."
"Bol, Beasley, Wade...Miami's a contender" stated Barkley "Pat Riley is so happy he's pissing in his pants right now"
"Here's the commissioner with the Bucks' pick" announced Stuart Scott

"With the first pick, of the 2010 NBA Draft. The Milwaukee Bucks select..."announced David Stern as he stood on the podium "....Patrick Lynch from Duke University!"
The WaMu theater erupted in applause as the 6'7" southpaw forward hugged his family and friends before walking on stage to shake the commissioner's hands. Lynch flashed a smile as the photographer took the photo, but remained calm and collective as he went towards Stephen A Smith.

"Patrick, congratulations on being the number 1 pick" said Smith "Tell everybody what you can offer to the city of Milwaukee"
"A player that plays hard on the floor and a guy who loves to be around his teammates and to play the game" stated Lynch "I will try my best to help the team win, no matter what"
"Now, Milwaukee is often bashed by NBA players as being too small a market or too small a city, are you worried at all?" asked Smith
"No man, I don't like all that media hype and attention, so Milwaukee is perfect for me" replied Lynch "I can focus on basketball there"
"Thank you, and good luck with the Bucks" said Smith as the commissioner returned onto the podium to announce the Heat's pick

"With the second pick of the 2010 NBA Draft, The Miami Heat select...." announce Stern, again with a pause to add tension "...Hakeem Bol from Kansas University!"
The enormous Bol jumped out of his seat at the announcement and the applause, hugged his family and hi-fived his friends, then literally ran towards the podium in excitement to shake the commissioner's hands.
"YEAH BABY, SOUTH BEACH!" yelled the 7'4" center as he went towards Stephen A Smith for his interview

"Hakeem Bol, you are the son of Manute Bol and the godson of Hakeem Olajuwon" said Smith "You were NAMED after your godfather and grew up around NBA players. How does it feel to finally become one yourself?"
"Awesome, let me get this straight though" replied Bol "I am going to be the better then my old man and uncle Hakeem, i will be the best center in NBA History! I guarantee that!"

As Bol talked to Stephen A, David Stern announced that John Wall will go to the Pacers with the 3rd pick. Wall looked disappointed at the fact that he had to wait for so 'long', but was pleased that he didn't slip beyond the top 3.

Toronto took North Carolina's ABC Will Sit, while the Thunder surprised many with their pick of 6'11" center Egor Postnov out of Russia. Hometown Knicks took Argentina's Tierry Tirieux, much to the delight of the Knicks crowd, who loves Tierry's athletic ability, one of them even held a sign saying "Why get LeBron when you can have Tierry?"

Georgetown's McKinney ended up going to Sacramento, while the 76ers surprisingly snatched Carl Cruz, who was predicted to go at 11 to Minnesota. The Celtics took shooter Terry Cobb, which could be an indication of the departure of Free Agent Ray Allen. Martti Must, however, unexpectedly dropped to 12 and was picked up by the Warriors, who have been shipping starting PF Anthony Randolph for the last few weeks.

The lottery capped off with Kansas State forward Charlie Randolph going to the Suns. Randolph was projected to be at 8 going to Philly, and looked very disappointed, but remained professional about it.

[Valor]

2010 NBA Draft Board

Round 1
# | Team | Player | H | W |P | School
1. | | Patrick Lynch | 6-7 | 240 | SF | Duke
2. | | Hakeem Bol | 7-4 | 335 | C | Kansas
3. | | John Wall | 6-4 | 195 | PG | Kentucky
4. | | Will Sit | 6-4 | 195 | PG | North Carolina
5. | | Egor Postnov | 6-11| 296 | C | Russia
6. | |Thierry Tirieux | 6-8 | 250 | SG | Argentina
7. | | Wayne McKinney | 6-1 | 205 | PG | Georgetown
8. | | Carl Cruz | 6-1 | 245 | PG | Philippines
9. | | Terry Cobb | 6-4 | 228 | SG | Texas A&M
10. | | Rudy McGee | 6-5 | 232 | SF | Georgetown
11. | | Iancu Busca | 6-7 | 233 | SG | Romania
12. | | Martti Must | 6-9 | 245 | PF | Arizona
13. | | Wally Welch | 6-6 | 230 | SF | Washington
14. | | Charlie Randolph | 6-9 | 262 | PF | Kansas State
15. | | Ryan Hutchinson | 6-7 | 237 | SG | G Washington
16. | | Terrell Baldwin | 7-0 | 282 | C | Arizona
17. | | Cam Long | 6-7 | 231 | SG | Providence
18. | | Donovan Karl | 6-10 | 268 | PF | Kentucky
19. | | Jalen Edwin | 6-10 | 276 | PF | New Mexico
20. | | Gerald Richardson | 6-9 | 265 | PF | Pepperdine
21. | | Jess Lloyd | 7-0 | 299 | C | Maryland
22. | | Mladen Lukovski | 7-0 | 287 | C | Serbia
23. | | Tommy Hollins | 6-7 | 238 | SF | Kentucky
24. | | Willis Lawrence | 6-6 | 204 | SG | Washington St
25. | | Timothy Austin | 7-0 | 241 | C | England
26. | | Kenny Buchanan | 6-5 | 228 | SF | Auburn
27. | | Al Doyle | 6-7 | 237 | SF | Mississippi St
28. | | Art Meekins | 6-7 | 232 | SF | Baylor
29. | | Craig Higgins | 6-1 | 198 | PG | Tennessee
30. | | Dennis Cox | 6-2 | 188 | PG | Tulane


Round 2
# | Team | Player | P | School
31. | | B. Drobnjak | PF | Slovenia
32. | | C. Kent | PF | Houston
33. | | C. Maxwell | SG | Utah
34. | | F.Slater | SG | Pepperdine
35. | | U. Drobnjak | PF | Slovenia
36. | | D. Daniel | SG | Wisconsin
37. | | J. Landry | PG | Wisconsin
38. | | P.Bass | C | Tulane
39. | | J.Harrison | SF | Michigan State
40. | | D.Campbell | PG | La Salle
41. | | D.Goodman | C | Duke
42. | | B.Montgomery | SG | Wake Forest
43. | | M.Peters | C | G Washington
44. | | K.Adams | PG | North Carolina
45. | | M.Kirkland | PF | Alabama
46. | | S.Wilkins | C | BYU
47. | | R.Wallace | PF | Valparaiso
48. | | K.Emerson | SG | Temple
49. | | S.Hall | PG | Wisonsin
50. | | B.Terry | PG | Iowa
51. | | W.Tiner | SG | Penn
52. | | G.Lloyd | PG | LSU
53. | | L.Verne | C | Tulsa
54. | | B.Coleman | PF | Louisiana Tech
55. | | DJ Glover | C | Iowa
56. | | E.Wells | SF | Minnesota
57. | | G.Carney | PG | UNC-Charlotte
58. | | K.Bell | SG |Arkansas
59. | | L.O'Bryant | PG | Syracuse
60. | | M.Witt | PG | Seton Hall

[Valor]

Draft Night Deals

As usual, on the day of the annual NBA Draft, not only do 60 prospects get drafted into the NBA and begin their respective careers, it's one of the most busy day for GMs around the league, with player movement, mind bogging transactions, big names being thrown about. It's chaos.

This year, it's no different, as three big deals were completed. They are listed below in order of significance and impact.

1. Pacers - Celtics Deal
Pacers Trade: John Wall (3rd overall pick), Jamaal Tinsley
Celtics Trade: Carl Landry, Leon Powe

The Pacers, who drafted one of the most talented and potential filled players in John Wall, had decided to trade him away in order to let Brandon Jennings develop and become the face of their franchise, they gain upgrades in the front court with Carl Landry and Leon Powe, while also dishing off disgruntled guard Jamall Tinsley.

The Celtics on the other hand, finally found themselves with another legitimate point guard since trading away trouble-filled Rajon Rondo last season to the Houston Rockets for Carl Landry.

Grade for Indiana: B
Grade for Boston: A


2. Timberwolves - Raptors Deal
T'Wolves Trade: Kevin Love
Raptors Trade: Will Sit (4th overall pick), Patrick O'Bryant, Brandon Rush

The T'Wolves win this one easily, as they have now gotten themselves a solid point guard prospect who could start right away and be instant offense as the second option behind Al Jefferson as well as a solid backup 2 guard in Brandon Rush.

The Raptors, however, received only Kevin Love, which they seemingly is planning to form a twin towers combo with Chris Bosh; pretty good plan? Hang on, they tried this a couple of years back with Jermaine O'Neal didn't they? That didn't last half a season, so we shall see how this pans out.

Grade for Minnesota: A
Grade for Toronto: C-


3. Pistons - Warriors Trade
Pistons Trade: Stephon Marbury
Warriors Trade: Anthony Randolph, Jamal Crawford

The Detroit Pistons trade away a resurrected Stephon Marbury (Not really, he was just a solid backup behind Rodney Stuckey) for a very good player in Anthony Randolph as well as a solid player in Jamal Crawford. Randolph is an immediate upgrade over the aging Antonio McDyess, and should be able to get the Pistons' status rising towards becoming one of the Eastern Conference Elite teams once again.

The Warriors' front office has been having problems with Anthony Randolph for some time now, rumors have leaked about a possible trade and here it is. Additionally, Jamal Crawford has been booed by the Golden State Crowd for quite a while, and is very unpopular with the public, this trade is a chemistry/media/marketing one rather then a basketball decision.

Grade for Detroit: A-
Grade for Golden State: C

[kibaxx7]

I would trade Yao but that's because I don't like him very much, lol. But it would be better for you to trade Harris, also I'm glad that you traded Morrison away.

Hometown Knicks took Argentina's Tierry Tirieux, much to the delight of the Knicks crowd, who loves Tierry's athletic ability, one of them even held a sign saying "Why get LeBron when you can have Tierry?"

YEAH BABY! I wouldn't have liked OKC.

[Valor]

New York? Dream on. LeBron Re-Signs with Cleveland for Max
07/29/10


The Dream lasted for just a little while. Be assured, Cleveland Fans, King James is not going anywhere.

For just a bit, the New York Knicks thought they have gotten the King, but their dreams quickly crashed
to earth as King James announced that he will stay in Cleveland for the Max Deal (approx 125 Million over
6 years)

"I mean, i seriously thought about it, but you know, Cleveland is my home, they are committed towards
winning a championship, so it's time to roll" said James

He did admit, however, that he was playing for money before this free agency

"I was playing for the stats" James admitted "Cause the bigger stats i put up, the more money, interest
is going to come my way. The whole basketball world revolves around me. I like that"

James chose to opt out of his contract, the only player to do so out of the media hyped potential FA class
of '10. Instead, the basketball world would now be focusing on the class of '11, which includes everyone here
that did not opt out, as well as another impact small forward in Carmelo Anthony.

The New York Knicks are apparently devastated by this news, a source close to the team has reported. Donnie
Walsh is reportedly attempting to contact all the Free Agents that the Knicks have let go, but it would be a long
process, and the Knicks are at a disadvantage.

[Valor]

I would trade Yao but that's because I don't like him very much, lol. But it would be better for you to trade Harris, also I'm glad that you traded Morrison away.

Hometown Knicks took Argentina's Tierry Tirieux, much to the delight of the Knicks crowd, who loves Tierry's athletic ability, one of them even held a sign saying "Why get LeBron when you can have Tierry?"

YEAH BABY! I wouldn't have liked OKC.

New York fans love you Especially since the Knicks failed to sign Lebron
You are their future! congrads man, Sit must be wanting to kill you now, although he's not that much worse off being in Minnesota after that trade

[anthony22]

and whats the C's starting lineup right now,as they have Wall ?

[Valor]

and whats the C's starting lineup right now,as they have Wall ?

PG. John Wall
SG. Terry Cobb
SF. Paul Pierce
PF. Kevin Garnett
C. Kendrick Perkins

[Martti.]

The Warriors got robbed! Although this means I have no-one to challenge me at PF.

Get ready, NBA!

[Valor]

The Warriors got robbed! Although this means I have no-one to challenge me at PF.

Get ready, NBA!

Brandan Wright is still there, he's rated 80, you are somewhere around 75-80
not sure who Don Nelson would start though, will have to see, so you might still have a chance of starting
and they didn't really get robbed, Marbury is in the mid 80s in my association while Randolph is in the early 80s

[Cartar]

Pacers and Warriors both got robbed by a lot, as good rating as Marbury has, but he's still a cancer and plus he's getting older, even when comparing Crawford and Marbury, I would choose Crawford.

I'm starting to hop on the Bol bandwagon, especially as he is in Miami now, waiting to see how he will pan out.

[kibaxx7]

Sit must be wanting to kill you now, although he's not that much worse off being in Minnesota after that trade

Waiting for his response

[Fresh8]

Don't care bout the Bucks or Heat or Pacers. The Raptors are gonna pay for trading me away. They should have traded away Jose Calderon. The Wolves have the best PG in their franchise history now so they better be greatful and build around me.

Teams I will score 50 against:

Raptors
Knicks
Warriors
Sixers
Kobe Bryant

[Valor]

I'm starting to hop on the Bol bandwagon, especially as he is in Miami now, waiting to see how he will pan out.

I can't wait till the season starts either

Don't care bout the Bucks or Heat or Pacers. The Raptors are gonna pay for trading me away. They should have traded away Jose Calderon. The Wolves have the best PG in their franchise history now so they better be greatful and build around me.

Teams I will score 50 against:

Raptors
Knicks
Warriors
Sixers
Kobe Bryant

Sit is pissed
Just a note, the Raptors had like 5 Point Guards, so trading you away is a normal move on their part
and for future references, it's grateful not greatful just a little typo i noticed

oh, just want to say thanks for not putting my Bulls or the Nets on your list of future 50+ games

[Fresh8]

The Raptors still should have stuck with me. If they weren't going to, they shouldnt have picked me and I would be a Knick. Goddamn awful Toronto GMs!!!!

Don't care bout Bulls... as for Nets, I won't need to try and we will still beat you.

[Valor]

The Raptors still should have stuck with me. If they weren't going to, they shouldnt have picked me and I would be a Knick. Goddamn awful Toronto GMs!!!!

Don't care bout Bulls... as for Nets, I won't need to try and we will still beat you.

true true, you have a point there, but since it's the Raptors, who can blame them?
but don't think it'll be so easy to beat my man Yao and co, especially the reigning Sixth man of the year (none other then myself )

[Fresh8]

Your team has been spared from the brilliance of Sit. But if you piss me off, I will drop 82 on you.

[Valor]

Your team has been spared from the brilliance of Sit. But if you piss me off, I will drop 82 on you.

I'll be sure to remember that
lol, Scott Skiles' pregame speech whenever we face the Wolves "DONT PISS WILL SIT OFF"

[Valor]

New Jersey revamp roster with 3 team Blockbuster
07/30/10

The New Jersey Nets have announced a 3 team, 7 player blockbuster deal that would
send stars Devin Harris and Luol Deng out of New Jersey in return for veteran Chauncey
Billups and Chris Andersen of the Denver Nuggets, as well as young and athletic Trevor
Ariza from the Oklahoma City Thunder. General Managers Dennis Rodman and Toni Kukoc
announced this morning.

With this deal, Devin Harris now goes to the Nuggets alongside the Pistons' 2011 second
round pick that the Nets have previously acquired, and Luol Deng will be packing for
Oklahoma City to play alongside Kevin Durant.

In exchange, the Nets have gained Chauncey "Mr Big Shot" Billups, Chris "Birdman" Andersen,
as well as a terrific defender in Trevor Ariza.

As part of the deal, Jason Hart of the Nuggets will be going to Oklahoma City while Luther Head
of the Thunder will be heading towards Denver.

The Nuggets initially offered a similar deal that surrounds the notion of Harris for Billups, Denver
was swept in the Western Conference Quarterfinals last season by the Hornets and they felt that
they have a need to match the speed of Chris Paul.

The Nets, on the other hand, has conflicts in the different game style of their two stars, Yao Ming
and Devin Harris. With the addition of new coach Scott Skiles, a change seemed inevitable.

"We want to thank Devin for everything he has done for our franchise, he's a terrific player" said
GM and owner Toni Kukoc "We wish him the best of luck in Denver. Also a big thank you to Luol
for his contributions during his short, but significant stay here in New Jersey as a member of our
organization, he has done much for the team and would not be forgotten."

Note: After meeting with Nets Co-Owner and Co-GM Dennis Rodman, Chris "Birdman" Andersen
has decided to change his number to 91, the number that Rodman wore during his tendure with
the Chicago Bulls.