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Brooklyn Nets Predictions: 2012 NBA Future Lines & Gambling Analysis

Brooklyn Nets Season Preview – NBA Predictions

The Nets have definitely upgraded their talent over the last couple of years. However, I am still left wondering why they went after Joe Johnson and his monster contract.

Brooklyn Nets
Eastern Conference
2011-12 Record:  22-44
Odds to win title:  100 to 1
Odds to win conference:  40 to 1 Bovada

Key losses:

I hope it is not too rude to look at the players who left from last year’s team and say that none of them were really key performers.  I am sure someone is counting on them somewhere.

Top Newcomers:

Joe Johnson – The multi-talented two guard is paid like a superstar but is really only All-Star quality.
Reggie Evans – An offensive liability but pound for pound he might be the best rebounder in the league.  Will steal a couple of games.

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Andray Blatche – He can be a bit of a headcase but the reason teams keep taking chances on him is that he has talent.  Might do well in a role where he is not being expected to lead…at all.

Top Players:

Deron Williams – Easily one of the top 5 point guards in the league although he doesn’t get a lot of publicity.  Playing in Utah and New Jersey will do that but maybe he will be energized and hyped by the move to Brooklyn.
Brook Lopez – The 7 footer is a very good scorer who like Williams has flown under the radar throughout his career.  He played only 5 games last year and the Nets need him healthy to achieve any of their goals.
Kris Humphries – Yes that one.  He is a physical rebounder who has averaged a double-double the last two seasons.  That is a small club.

Johnson puts up numbers but I think Marshon Brooks could have done the same with added playing time.  I really like their frontcourt with a healthy Lopez, Humphries and Gerald Wallace at the three.  Lots of aggressive players who can rebound and put the ball in the hoop.

It is a whole new ball game with lots of new faces and the team now located in Brooklyn.  Improvement should be in order but it might take awhile for players to gel, especially Johnson who is used to having the ball in his hands a lot.  The Nets are likely to be a pretty poor defensive team with only Humphries better than average by my books.  Look for some high scoring games at the new Barclays Center.

Strengths

Love their depth up front as this team has a legit 4 and 5. Bringing in Reggie Evans is also a winning move as he rebounds like mad and plays smart except for the rare times he looks at the basket.  Blatche averaged 16/8 a couple of years ago in Washington and could be a great candidate for 6th man of the year if motivated and given consistent playing time. [ad-6571516]

Weaknesses:

I feel like I have written this before but this roster is missing a  pure shooter.  Joe Johnson had a bit of a comeback last year but the year before he nailed under 30% of his attempts from deep.  I would love to see a guy like Kyle Korver on the squad to take advantage of the space Deron Williams creates as well as the attention their inside people will command.

Prediction

The Nets should make the playoffs this year.  They may not have been able to land Dwight Howard in the offseason but they should be improved and in the Eastern Conference any team that is any good will make the playoffs.  Once there I think they can also advance a round, depending on matchups.  The new Brooklyn Nets should be a pretty entertaining team that will put lots of points on the board.

Situations to look out for…

The Nets were awful last year when facing off against Eastern Conference opponents – 18-29-1 ATS.  I expect that number to do a 180 as this high scoring team will catch some teams by surprise early in the season and use their youth to stay strong throughout the year.  You might want to back this team early on before the oddsmakers begin the slow process of sucking out the value.

By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.