Instead of standing pat, the Nets have made some bold off-season moves that should make them the favorites. Only Boston's addition of Vin Baker and Detroit's signing of Chauncey Billups have been significant maneuvers among last year's top teams in the East. As far as Jersey is concerned, gone are Keith Van Horn, Todd MacCulloch and Anthony Johnson. Jason Kidd's new teammates include Dikembe Mutombo, Chris Childs and Rodney Rogers. The moves came with Kidd's approval, but as much as he and team president Rod Thorn talked basketball all last season, it's not as if Thorn had to get Kidd's stamp before he revamped the team. The mandate came from above, with Nets' chief executive officer Lou Lamoriello telling Thorn, "just win." But Kidd did have some input. "Jason is very intuitive and very smart," Thorn said. "Over the course of time, you talk about different players and I think he's got a very good eye about who can play and who can't and who can help your team. I think he's very good." The big question is, do the changes help the Nets keep Kidd after the coming season, when he becomes a free agent? The short answer is, we'll see -- as in, we'll see whether the Nets improve on their surprising season. Even the Nets' brass isn't sure if Kidd will commit long-term. "I can't really answer that," Scott said. "I have a great relationship with J. Kidd and so does Rod. I think the bottom line for him will be, what are we doing as a team? Are we close to being a type of team that can win the championship? I think that's what it's all going to be about for Jason Kidd." For the Nets, it's been all about trying to get better, with an eye on keeping Kidd happy. When the Nets tried to get Kevin Garnett, Kidd was ecstatic. He practically broadcast his team's interest in Garnett to friends out on the West Coast. Even after they failed to persuade Kevin McHale to take Keith Van Horn -- Thorn called his bid "an exercise in futility" -- Kidd was still very happy with all of the off-season moves. So, it is normal for the leader of the team to have a say on what direction the team should go. Also, like Francis, Kidd is also waiting to see if the Nets are going in the right direction before signing and extension. Source:ESPN
If I were a Net fan, I'd want Kidd traded right now! He is not the GM. (Jk, btw.) edit: I actually think its pretty common for the star players to suggest moves for the team. Its just that it isn't in the media. Or fans from other teams don't hear about it. Isn't Tim Duncan only going to stay if they have a team he likes? (I'm not sure about that, but I think I heard that.)
I never had a problem w/ Francis wanting to have some inpout w/ concerning the team. He's our best player and what team's best player doesn't want/have input w/ his team? And there's a diiference between what Francis has done compared to what other star players have done. Kidd said get me a quality big man or I'm leaving next year. KG has dissed everyone associated w/ the TWolves and said he was the only good thing about the Wolves. Kobe when he 1st entered the league said he would only play for the big 3 major market teams (NY, CHi, LA). Hell Shaq punched Kobe in the grill and they both asked to be traded out of LA at one point. Francis is gonna be here for a long time so the future direction of the Rocks is defenitley his business. PS: I want everyone who bad mouthed Francis about waiting until there were 75+ days until the season starts to go to the Mayo Clinic to get checked out to go to the NBA dish area and hate on Shaq for waiting this long to get toe surgery that will cost him the 1st 8-10 regular season games this year.
Yeah, I thought the same thing. Guess they should trade Shaq for being selfish and not thinking about the team, huh?
yeah francis is our best player, and he nows how the game is and who would fit our team the best. And play best with him and Cat.
I would say otherwise!!!!!! If he realy had any say(he does't), he would only have African Americans who are his PALS and each would not have to be as good as him, so that he would be the top scorer and get all the limelight. The Rox of course would be in the lottery till he retired!!!! Thank goodness all this isn't true and only a bad dream!
I have to say otherwise. I don't know Francis personally but I don't think Francis only wants crappy black players on the squad. Mobley averages more ppg than Francis and he doesn't hate Mobes. He hasn't hated on Nachbar and just said he was unsure about Ming. Hell. I'm unsure about Ming. And Francis might have some say. They kept his boy Mobley, his boy Taylor and Mooch. There is nothing wrongw/ Francis have some input, I mean why not? he's our best player and our cornerstone.
This has got to be one of the best threads I've seen in a long time. The Francis bashers have used him not going to the Mayo clinic, to him being anti-Ming, to whatever else. All of those have come and been shot down. Another favorite of the Francis Haters, that he thinks he's the GM, and needs to be traded etc. is shown to be common practice among the best PG's and star players in the league. I'm over glorifying my position, I'll admit, but not any more than the over reaction the Francis haters display regularly.
yo, how come Francis are not on the Rox's team leader statistics. I still dont get it. TEAM LEADERS for 01-02 Points C. Mobley 21.7 Rebounds K. Thomas 7.2 Assists M. Norris 4.9 Steals C. Mobley 1.47 Blocks E. Griffin 1.84 FG% K. Thomas .478 FT% C. Mobley .850 3PT% W. Williams .426 you can check on the site below.. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=hou
No one can say Kidd is not a team player. I don't think it's crazy to think that he has the Nets best interests on his mind. Now, Francis on the other hand...
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How many years has Shaq been in the league? How many rings did he have before he had Kobe & Horry? Thank you very much. Oh and kidrock, is that the same JKidd who hated Mashburn and Jackson in Dallas? The same JKidd who punched his wife in the face and therfore was traded out of Pho? The same JKidd who told the Nets they had to get a star big man to have any chance of keeping him? The same JKidd who can't shoot and thats why he's such a "team player"? Thank you very much.
Kidd has the ability to make players around him better, surely that dictates whether he has some influence on management decisions.
Francis makes Cato look pretty good. He'd make T-Mo look good, too, if he could only hit an open shot.
"So, it is normal for the leader of the team to have a say on what direction the team should go. " Yeah the drafting of T-mo was a great move! It's fine for a player to want to help the team but when he wants to select teammates based on who he likes (T-mo, Cat, Cato, Walt, etc) then he is not acting in the teams best interest. So if Franchise wants to help in personnel that's find, but not so he can have his 11 buddies be on his team.
And you're CERTAIN that Francis wanted to get Morris? You know for a fact that he stormed into CD's and Rudy's offices and demanded that the Rockets trade for Morris. I'm sure you, Steve, and TroyBaros were all talking about what a great player Terence Morris is one night and you....oh, wait, that's right! Just like every other Steve basher, you're slamming Francis based on accusations with nothing to back it up with! Damn, you almost had me fooled there for a minute... Oh, and Cuttino was here BEFORE Steve, so I seriously doubt he had much influence on the Rockets selected him. Same thing with Walt and Cato, who both arrived at the same as Steve did. Of course, I'm sure CD and Rudy LOVE to put important personnell decisions in the hands of a player they just drafted... It all makes sense now!
Francis should have a say in the direction, but just a voice, not the final decision. I would not put the final decision in a still maturing players hands. It is not like Francis is Hakeem or MJ, he is still a young player prone to making silly mistakes. DD
