Keys to keeping Kidd a Net

By Eric Williams Sports Central Columnist

With Kidd at the helm for the last two years, the Nets have shown that they are the class of the NBA's JV circuit, better known as the Eastern Conference. As two-time defending Eastern Conference champions, the Nets have been able to run roughshod over the collection of pretenders that make up the East and advance to the championship round. However, as soon as they step up to competition, namely the NBA finals, they get steamrolled.

Two years ago, Shaquille O'Neal bulldozed his way through the Nets' frontline, en route to Finals MVP and a sweep by the Lakers. Then this year, Tim Duncan patrolled the lane on both ends of the court as if he was guarding the White House, blocking shots and grabbing rebounds, while carrying an eminently beatable Spurs team on his back to the title.

Therefore, what the last two years illustrated to the rest of the League, Kidd included, was that the Nets, along with the rest of the Eastern teams, don't have the size to contend with the big guys that reside out West, and in a seven-game series, size matters.

The Nets thought that they had solved their size problem last year when they traded the disappointing Keith Van Horn to the Sixers for 7-2 center Dikembe Mutombo. Mutombo was supposed to provide the Nets with the rebounding and shot-blocking presence needed to play against the teams from the West. However, Mutombo got injured early on and then, upon returning, never regained his spot in Byron Scott's rotation. Although he provided the Nets with some inspired play at times during the Spurs' series, it's obvious that he is not the answer to the Nets problem.

The Spurs were able to expose the Nets as a jump-shooting team (and not a very good one, by the way) that depends on its fastbreak to generate the bulk of their offense. The Nets need someone in the low-post who can score and command double-teams in order for their half-court offense, which depends heavily on motion and backdoor cuts, to operate more efficiently, especially in the playoffs, when it becomes a more grind-it-out style of basketball.

Unfortunately for the Nets, good big men don't just grow on trees, because if they did, everyone would have one. There are only a handful of them currently in the league, but in order for the Nets to reach their goal of winning a championship (and to keep Kidd in the Swamp), they need to acquire one of those players. Because no matter how much Kidd loves Kenyon Martin and raves about his potential, he's no match for the behemoths that play out West.

Enter Kevin Garnett. The multi-talented Garnett would be the perfect addition to the Nets' roster. He's young, athletic, plays the game on both ends with equal ability and desire and, best of all, is seven-feet tall. Combined with Kidd, the Nets would have the most formidable one-two punch in the league not wearing purple and gold and would immediately catapult them to the top of the list of championship contenders.

However, Garnett is in the last year of a contract that will pay him approximately $28 million dollars and in order for the Nets to acquire his services, they would basically have to gut their entire team, including Martin and Richard Jefferson. Unless the Timberwolves and GM Kevin McHale are willing to accept a package of Martin, Mutombo, and possibly, the Nets' first-round pick (good luck there!), Garnett in a Nets' uniform is nothing more than a mere fantasy.

Jermaine O'Neal is also an intriguing prospect and potential franchise big man. The "other" O'Neal has established himself as the best big man in the East with the Pacers and is an unrestricted free agent, able to sign with whomever he pleases. However, he will command a huge contract on the open market, one that doesn't fit in the Nets' salary cap-strapped plans, unless he's willing to sign for their mid-level exemption. But, that's about as likely as Shaquille O'Neal being the guest of honor at David Robinson's retirement party, which means no chance.

Anyway, he is rumored to be No. 1 (or 1A, depending on who you speak to) on San Antonio's summer shopping list, and if he decides to go there, would give the Spurs the most dominating frontline in the NBA for the next decade. (That, by the way, should be an extremely horrifying thought for the rest of the league).

Another player that could possibly entice Kidd to stay in Jersey if the Nets were able to sign him is Elton Brand. Brand has proven himself to be an all-star in both conferences, first with the Bulls and now with the Clippers. Although listed at "only" 6-8, Brand plays much bigger and would give the Nets the inside player that they lack. Brand is good for 20 and 10 nearly every night and with a magician like Kidd running the offense, Brand could have a monster year. However, unlike O'Neal, Brand is a restricted free agent, which means that the Clippers can match any offer he receives.

Clippers owner Donald Sterling is a notorious cheapskate, but he would have to be insane not to keep Brand around, no matter the cost. However, Sterling's miserly ways could actually benefit the Nets, because if Brand doesn't leave this year, he can leave next year when he becomes a unrestricted free agent, and the Clippers would receive nothing in return. If the Nets were to offer someone like Martin, who is under contract for another two years, and possibly a second-round draft choice, the Clippers might bite.

If I'm Rod Thorn, it's something that I would explore. It might not be popular with the fans that have grown to love Martin, but after seeing what Brand can do, not to mention that he's a local kid from Peekskill, it might not matter if it works out for the best.

However, a more controversial move, and one that could prove to be the better of all the moves that I've proposed thus far, would be to bring Rasheed Wallace to the Swamp. Rumor has it that he's worn out his welcome in Portland and that he may be on the block. What's the harm in picking up the telephone and finding out what it would take to get him to Jersey?

Although he's a certifiable head case, Wallace is unquestionably one of the most talented big men in the League. He can post-up inside, hit the outside jumper and, when he wants to, rebound with the best of them. He's 6-9, which fits the prerequisite for more size that the Nets need. If he keeps his head on straight, and his temper in check, he would dominate in the size-challenged East. If the Nets could pry him loose from the Blazers for K-Mart, a first-round draft choice, and a throw-in player to make the numbers work, they should make that deal without hesitation.

While Martin has loads of potential that he's just beginning to realize, Wallace is a legitimate all-star who would provide the Nets with the inside scoring threat that they so desperately need. And even though Wallace's deal expires next year, the opportunity to play close to home with the best point guard in the league, coupled with the chance to win a championship, should be enough to convince him to re-up with the Nets.

The Nets aren't that far away from realizing their dream of winning the NBA championship. It all starts with Kidd, though. Resigning him is the most important personnel move that the Nets have had since they traded away Dr. J. But, it's not the done deal that many in the organization would have you to believe. Kidd needs some incentive. Signing a legitimate big man for him to play alongside would be just the type of incentive that he needs.

Getting Kevin Garnett, while probably the most attractive move, is also the least likely and, potentially, the most damaging to the team's makeup. It would be like taking two steps forward and one huge step back. However, a trade for Wallace would make sense from both a basketball and financial standpoint. Giving up on Martin could eventually come back to haunt them in the future, but if the results are getting Kidd to resign and winning a championship, would that be so bad?

By adding Wallace and another shooter (Reggie Miller or Eric Piatkowski?) to the mix, the Nets would be the odds-on favorite to repeat as Eastern Conference champs. But, on top of that, they would be better equipped to handle playoff basketball wars with whatever team from the West emerges from the rubble of the Western Conference playoffs. And that's ultimately what these deals are intended to do. The ball is in your court, Mr. Katz and Mr. Thorn.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.