NBA - Sports Rumors

Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:37 pm EDT

Jefferson: Kidd had to go, but Nets paying the price

By Michael Hurd

Richard Jefferson

Getty Images

Richard Jefferson finally admitted publicly what everyone knew the New Jersey Nets were feeling privately. The Jason Kidd situation was wearing everyone down. More than a month after Kidd's trade to Dallas and 15 games into the Devin Harris era, the Nets are clicking offensively and playing like a team that wants to be in the postseason. Jefferson said it's because the focus is on basketball now.

Earlier this season, Kidd's desire to be out of New Jersey and other players' concerns about where they would wind up were always at issue. If not for these factors, Jefferson said the Nets (31-41) would be preparing for the playoffs instead of in a battle to make it.

"I'm not going to lie," Jefferson said after Thursday's practice. "We were dead men walking with the Jason Kidd situation. Everybody knew that it was time, that he needed a change, that he wanted a change. So when we were losing nine games in a row, that stuff never would have happened if we were all of the right mind, the entire team. Now are we paying for it? Yes."

Source: Bergen RecordNew Window

digg delicious
more

23 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. umoney
    1. Posted by umoney Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:55 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    1st nets al daiy
  2. Edmund Y
    2. Posted by Edmund Y Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:52 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The Nets...what a disgrace
  3. shwereb
    3. Posted by shwereb Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:16 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    wouldnt it be ironic if the nets made the playoffs and the mavs missed out...i think atlanta will take the 8th spot therfore both of them will miss the playoffs and jason kidd will look like the biggest joke..plus avery will be looking for a new job
  4. Gina D
    4. Posted by Gina D Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:52 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    It would be awesome if the Mavs missed. If we make it, we still get a pick in the lottery, and if we don't, we get two lottery picks.
  5. kobe8
    5. Posted by kobe8 Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:55 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    LOL - The Nets are the East coast version of the West coast Clippers, NOBODY cares about you buddy.
  6. Nick M
    6. Posted by Nick M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Nets are feeling the price? What about the mavs haha? This was a horrible trade! They havn't beaten a playoff team yet and are on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs! You give up harris and diop? You need an extra big man to defend and play in the west amongst players like amare, shaq, duncan, gasol, bynum, chandler ect. Then you give up harris with the west having the best guards in the game? Jason kid can't guard the likes of nash, paul....anyone on the warriors, kobe, ganubli, parker ect. You gave up WAY to much. Sorry, denver will pass you for the 8th seed.
  7. Gary
    7. Posted by Gary Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:20 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Ok
  8. Mampre K
    8. Posted by Mampre K Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:56 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Nets will make it with carter's back on the wall his going average 25.9 points a game with 6 reb and 5 assist give the man his props
  9. Anton
    9. Posted by Anton Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:48 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The Nets got the best of that trade. And yes, I am a Mavs fan still in disbelief of that trade. Kidd is good but Harris is better against CP3, D. Williams and T. Parker. But I digress, it would be ironic if the Nets were to make the playoffs and the Mavs don't, but I highly doubt it with Dirk coming back and Atlanta hanging in there.
  10. Justin
    10. Posted by Justin Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:28 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The Nets got the best of the trade so far and it only seems to get better from here with Devin Harris being such a young point guard and only getting better. Also #4 is wrong if the Mavs don't make the post season the Nets get there 2011 1st rd pick insted of 2008.
  11. dre
    11. Posted by dre Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Nets may not make playoffs but Rod THorn sure did bend Dallas over backward. We got Harris, who now gives NJ three viable scoring options, Diop, who gives us a much needed paint presence defensively, and some throw ins. I'll take that and our impending lottery pick all day. Sorry to see J.Kidd leave. Dude gave NJ everything he had, but I'm glad his depature leaves the Nets with an optimistic situation for the future.
  12. mohamed h
    12. Posted by mohamed h Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:16 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I hope indiana makes the playoffs. With Oneal scheduled to return soon ,they have a better chance to get out of the first rounds instead of atlanta or new jersey.
  13. Leslie
    13. Posted by Leslie Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:49 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The Nets aren't paying the price. NJ is so lucky to get Harris.
  14. tiki
    14. Posted by tiki Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:36 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Lucious Harris for MVP!
  15. aallen3@...
    15. Posted by aallen3@... Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:43 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Go Harris,Go Harris!!!!!!!!
    Avery you better start lookin for another JOB!!!! lol
    Its all bout the Nets
  16. tiki
    16. Posted by tiki Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:36 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    no one noticed that i put LUCIOUS harris not DEVIN
  17. n/a
    17. Posted by n/a Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Preparing for the playoffs? With their record (31-41) they should preparing for summer vacation. But then again if Cleveland was in the west they wouldn't make the playoffs, real balanced (sic) league. LOL
  18. S.T.F.U.
    18. Posted by S.T.F.U. Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:27 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Neat.
  19. Pherm1
    19. Posted by Pherm1 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:19 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    eh!! Its not 2late for JERSEY 2 get there... But ATL look good both teams are one bigman away from being decent teams, however ATL got a dope young list..
    And the KIDD trade was a good deal for JERSEY!!!! Not so good for MAVS their chemistry is way off!!
  20. Mike D
    20. Posted by Mike D Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:51 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I have always been a nets fan. Thats why I liked Kidd, I like him more now that he left. As for the playoffs oh well theres always next year.
  21. getachew t
    21. Posted by getachew t Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:14 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    what ever the performance of new jersy in this playoff run,the trade made on kidd is one of the best trade made in 5 years in NBA.By removing the best p[int gard but loser, they have the best 24 year old point gard who could be a value for the team or futhure trade.New jersey need to work hard to deal on carter, i am sure Cuban will take him again.Dallas will never win shampionship with kidd unless they get a 20 10 big man who could play better defense and posting. new jersey will develop slowly to be a dominant team in the east,esspecialy if they could change the coach.
  22. Joe H
    22. Posted by Joe H Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Stop worrying about the Nets { good team on the rise with draft picks}. Playoffs are out this year. Labron James on the Nets in a few years { yes he will be coming }, he has a good friend in Nets ownership and team will open up the vault for him. Until LJ arrives team has set itself up with draft picks and will trade older players for more draft picks and expiring contracts.
  23. BBoyVyrusFullFx
    23. Posted by BBoyVyrusFullFx Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:03 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    As much as I liked Jason Kidd I think it was a good fair trade, he did the best he could he gave 8 years to the Nets and it seems they just couldnt finish it off you know. But hopfully they make the playoffs.

Sports Rumors

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]