Nets - Playoff Contenders?

[NBAFanatic23]

I definitely think they can make a run. With only the Wade-less Heat and Magic ahead of them, they have a good chance. Plus, Kidd and Carter seem to be playing great, along with an amazing supporting bench (House, Nachbar, Williams, Moore, ect). Jefferson is looking to return in early March, so I really do think they could at least make a run for eighth, if not the Atlantic Division.
Your thoughts?

[Gedas]

Well, they are contenders for sure. But will they actually make it - only time will show.

[Axel]

Toronto is a much better team than New Jersey. They won't be winning the Atlantic this year.

[Sauru]

i dont think we will be seeing the nets in the playoffs this year. then again you might see vince go and play the best ball of his life being a contract year and all so maybe.

[NBAFanatic23]

Toronto is a much better team than New Jersey. They won't be winning the Atlantic this year.

I wouldn't say that. Toronto has two tough Western Conference opponents this week with the Spurs and Rockets, and the Nets have three of four of their next games coming against Atlantic division teams (Sixers, Knicks, Celtics). If all goes well for the Nets, they could only be a game or two behind the Raptors for the division. With Jefferson returning in early March, I could see it happening.

[Lamrock]

Sorry, but the Nets have sucked this year. If you are 25-30 with Carter and Kidd, Jefferson probably wont help much. I can see them making the playoffs (ideally, toronto wins division, but Nets take 8th seed from Heat) but I doubt they will knock off the Nets. I predict a first-round exit. 2005 all over again.

[sucram]

January & Febuary were supposed to be the months to seperate ourselves from the pack. That didn't happen. Really dug themselves deep. They had an amazing game yesterday, will be interesting to see if they can keep that up now that all the trade talk is done.

[yosifun]

Everybody forgets that Krstic is also missing for the Nets, with him and Jefferson I think the Nets are at least as good as the Raptors.

I just hope Jefferson with return as soon as possible, eventhough him game was pretty average before the injury... Like every year, I hope that the Nets will go as far as possible.

Someone has a clue if Krstic could return for the playoffs?

[Matt]

they are 1 game behind Miami for 8th, they have 6 weeks to make it up....oh no how will they ever do that!

[McDwyane]

j-kidd and carter survived in new jersey!

[Slamduncan]

They aren't playoff material this year, like they were last year, although they do have the necessary pieces to make a run, and they are in the Eastern Conference, so anything can happen.

[Andrew]

Considering their current standing and the amount of games left they are definitely still in playoff contention. If Orlando continues their tailspin and Miami can't get it together without Wade then the Nets have a good shot at finishing as high as seventh in the East.

[nets4life]

Carter has hinted at resigning with the nets today
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... t_to_stay/

Nets will make a run and get the 8th seed. Pistons will win 4-2 and Nets will draft Thabeet at #15

[NBAFanatic23]

Everybody forgets that Krstic is also missing for the Nets, with him and Jefferson I think the Nets are at least as good as the Raptors.

I just hope Jefferson with return as soon as possible, eventhough him game was pretty average before the injury... Like every year, I hope that the Nets will go as far as possible.

Someone has a clue if Krstic could return for the playoffs?

I know, Kristic was such a huge part in the Nets success. That would be nice if he could return if they made the playoffs, but I wouldn't think so. It sucks that both him and Jefferson got injured this year. Jefferson still could make an impact in early March, (expected return) but even I don't see them going that far in the playoffs. They could, surprisingly, get the 7th seed and make for a good series with the Cavs or Wizards, but they wouldn't fare so well against the Pistons.

[NBAFanatic23]

Anyone convinced yet? They beat Sacramento, New York, and Washington in their last three games. VC is playing great basketball, earning Eastern Conference POTW. Kidd is also playing amazing. I think they really could pull an upset in the Eastern Conference playoffs against Cleveland or Washington.

[Andrew]

I'm not convinced they'll pull off any kind of first round upset but I still think they're in good position to make the Playoffs; afterall, if the postseason started tomorrow they'd be the seventh seed.

[NBAFanatic23]

I'm not convinced they'll pull off any kind of first round upset but I still think they're in good position to make the Playoffs; afterall, if the postseason started tomorrow they'd be the seventh seed.

If the playoffs did start today, you don't think they could possibly upset Cleveland? I really think it could happen - especially with the return of Jefferson and Carter & Kidd playing amazing basketball. Mikki Moore's doing great as well, along with House, Nachbar, and Williams off the bench. They'd have a good chance, to at least make it a good series.

[Tuomas]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Nets got past even the second round, they got enough firepower for sure and some of these East teams are so inconsistent. And like NBAFanatic said, both Kidd and VC are playing great at this moment so I wouldn't count them out.

[Andrew]

If the playoffs did start today, you don't think they could possibly upset Cleveland?

It's a possibility, sure. At this time I just don't think it's likely.

[Lamrock]

The way they have been playing, it looks like they are a lock for the Playoffs (Unless the Knicks are successful in their playoff run. Orlando has been tailsliding for a while now). I could see anyone aside of Detroit getting upset. Seeds 2-9 aren't that far from eachother. Cleveland isn't that good, and Chicago, Toronto and Washington have chances at getting #2, so in the East anything can happen.

That being said, I predict a first round exit as the 8th seed.

[Raps13]

Well, they are contenders for sure. But will they actually make it - only time will show.

Thats one of the worst statements ever. If a team cannot qualify or barely qualify for the playoffs how can they be considered serious contenders? They can't. So in short, NJ is not a contender

[nets4life]

typical raptors fan

[Gedas]

Well, they are contenders for sure. But will they actually make it - only time will show.

Thats one of the worst statements ever. If a team cannot qualify or barely qualify for the playoffs how can they be considered serious contenders? They can't. So in short, NJ is not a contender

Riiight....and Raptors are contenders because they have been in playoffs how many times in recent years?

[Indy]

Thats one of the worst statements ever. If a team cannot qualify or barely qualify for the playoffs how can they be considered serious contenders? They can't. So in short, NJ is not a contender

Contenders means that they are contending for something, not necessarily championship contenders. Gedas was saying they are contenders for a playoff spot.

I know all this "contending" stuff is foriegn to you Raptors fans, but you'll get the hang of it.

[cyanide]

I'm under the impression that "contenders" mean teams likely to win the championship. Don't hate on me because I'm a Raptors fan