New Jersey Nets 2006 Midseason NBA Breakdown

NEW JERSEY NETWORK 28-23

What’s changed: After a 9-game winning streak, the Nets have led the Atlantic Division ever since. Now only 3½ separate them from the Sixers and their big three might not be enough to keep them at bay.

Kidd, Carter and Jefferson have led the team. Kidd’s 14-7-7 isn’t as good as last year, but it’s great nonetheless. Carter and Jefferson contribute 42.7 of their 94 points. Nenad Krstic has also contributed discreetly 12.7.

Those are all Nets stats, though. Those four contribute more than half of the team’s points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Its supporting cast is sketchy to say the least and aside from a few bright spots, it’s pretty grim. Lamond Murray and Jeff McInnis have missed 40% of the year, leaving Scott Padgett and Jacque Vaughn to make up the production.

Jason Collins and Krstic frequently get into foul trouble, so at least a medium-deep bench is needed. Plus, the only stat the Nets dominate is assists, all thanks to Jason Kidd. But all of his other stats are basically mediocre. There are no areas where they are strictly horrible, but there are also few where they lead.

Jason Kidd was at his best when he could pass the ball to players running with him. While Carter and Jefferson agree with that, the rest of the team suffers from his age. Guys like Cliff Robinson and Marc Jackson aren’t going to run the floor when they’re healthy, and for some of them that’s not a guarantee.

New Jersey will go as far as Carter, Kidd and Jefferson will take them. If even one of them gets hurt (especially Kidd), you can kiss Net’s season goodbye. Otherwise, they should have enough to hold off the 76ers in the division.