Everything that's wrong with the NBA? Think New Jersey...

[Riot]

very well said. I don't get why the Timberwolves aren't matching Hassell's offer. Why are we money pinching now when we won't be over the cap for years? Giving him the MLE doesn't seem like it would affect us that much. Why would we be so worried about cash now that we won't even match a MLE offer? Seems silly.

[FanOfAll]

very well said. I don't get why the Timberwolves aren't matching Hassell's offer. Why are we money pinching now when we won't be over the cap for years? Giving him the MLE doesn't seem like it would affect us that much. Why would we be so worried about cash now that we won't even match a MLE offer? Seems silly.

You are over the cap right now. Chances are, you will be next year too, as you already have 42.6 invested for next year. Not to mention that Spree is a FA after this season.

One teams really sums this up - The New Jersey Nets.

Alright, let us all stop and ponder this whole "cutting costs" for just a minute. It really is one large, flaming pile of corporate bullshit.

I, for one, am tired of teams self-imploding to save money. Am I the only one who feels that this goes against the very things sports are supposed to stand for - Healthy COMPETITION!

I was highly amused (and also very angry) at different articles I read stating the Nets felt that after going to the finals 2 times in 3 seasons their "time in the sun" fading.

Every year only 2 teams go to the NBA finals... only 1 teams win it. If, I repeat IF you have GOOD team that has the capability to make it to the finals and be an elite team for a few good seasons, there is absolutely no excuse what-so-ever for breaking that team up.

The chances of the Nets after rebuilding (to save money) to go to the NBA finals yet again are slim to none. There are a couple teams in the NBA who have NEVER in their franchise history been to the NBA finals! For instance - The LA Clippers! You see, here is a team that fields competitive rosters, then lets the players go to save money (maybe, just maybe they are finally coming out of this). It doesn't work. Fans don't like it. Players don't like it. Only the fat cat owner likes it.

The point here is really, I think, an essential fact that really is a life lesson - The grass isn't always greener on the other side. When you've got something good, appreciate. Any lame saying really works here...

The Nets had something good, one of the best teams in the NBA, and they decided it wasn't good enough, that a little extra money was worth more than a great team.

If the Nets go to the finals even twice within the next 20 years it'd be stupid considering they just went twice in a row. I'm willing to be that won't happen under their current owner.

They are imploding and it's sad. However, are you paying the money or is Bruce Ratner?

[Bill Russell]

The fans?

[Riot]

Basically, Glen Taylor said if they match Hassell's offer our free agent signings are over....but nobody is really left out on the market worth the MLE.

I think since Hudson's contract was rejected by the league they need to re-work it. If Hudson leaves they have to spend the MLE on a backup PG. If we sign Hassell now and Hudson leaves we are screwed basically. Hudson is early bird so they can sign him to the MLE without actually using the MLE. So I think they want to get the Hudson thing done before committing to the MLE with Hassell. In the end, I think Trenton Hassell is a Minnesota Timberwolf.

[Matt]

the Nets have taken huge steps back and it seems as though they'll struggle to improve although I think they will have some salary cap space soon but the problem will be getting good FA's. It's sad to see teams get broken up after success.

[Fresh8]

Man- poor Nets...and Kidd. They were good and could have gotten better...but they took a gamble and got a bunch of picks and some $$$. Maybe this latest 'episode' will divert FA's from New Jersey.

Much like the Clippers (Sterling) and Utah (Mormons!)

No offence to any Mormon ppl in this forum...it's just a joke!

[Andrew]

To be totally fair to the owners, I can understand their reasoning for cutting costs. Obviously they should be focusing on basketball operations, but money does become an issue especially with the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax.

Having said that, I completely agree with you. Their methods for cutting costs might be good moves as far as the budget is concerned, but from a basketball standpoint it's plain foolishness. Overpaying players isn't the right thing to do either, but the Nets were in a position this offseason to ask for more in return. Draft picks that may or may not yield players who will make New Jersey a successful team should not be enough to pry away a restricted free agent or a player who is still under contract.

As you noted, being cheap and having a revolving door when it comes to talent is not the way to build a stable NBA team that will win or at least compete for the championship. Teams must better judge when to give up on a plan and when to keep players around just a little bit longer.

Consider these two examples: the post-championship Bulls with Krause in the front office and the Los Angeles Lakers with Jerry West as the GM. Krause was pretty impatient, changing the plan year to year. In contrast, the Lakers were a perennial playoff team with West calling the shots. The last time they missed the playoffs was 1994, though they were essentially rebuilding from the time Magic retired. Within the first ten years of Magic's (first) retirement, the Lakers missed the postseason only once and had won another two NBA titles (2000, 2001).

Dismantling a team and starting all over again doesn't really seem to work, at least not when the old core is sent packing for very little in return. The NBA is a business and teams must be mindful of excessive spending, but a successful team with talented players is generally a good source of revenue. Perhaps more patience on the part of the Nets might have yielded a better means of cutting costs without sending the team back to the basement.