Worst Team Ever?

For most basketball fans and casual Nets fan, the only interest in the 2009-2010 season lies in whether the Nets will overtake the 72-73 Sixers for the dubious distinction of worst team ever.

For us diehard fans this is obviously not our only concern (though still a main one). We want to see Brook's post up game develop and learn to handle double teams, we want to see Devin exploit his speed on both ends of the court, we want to see Terrence Williams learn how to act and play like a professional and finally get some good minutes, etc. and so on.

Other than the worst team ever talk, the only thing that garners interest from the rest of the basketball world is the Nets' salary cap space and the chance to land Lebron, or another superstar. Unfortunately the two are intimately related as the shedding of VC's contract both plunged this team into the abyss talentwise and also freed up salary space that will be used to woo free agents.

But if you have no talent, will anyone come? As has been discussed here among other places, the keys to the Nets sales pitch are Brook and Devin, budding stars at the two hardest positions to fill in the game. Brook has looked pretty good and is "untouchable" but Devin's shaky, oft injured season has made him "touchable". It is still unlikely they will move him, but it is good to know that Kiki and Rod Thorn are willing to do whatever it takes to make this team better going forward.

Speaking of which, it is also nice to see some fight from the front office for this season. They took on a bit of extra salary in the Eduardo Najera for Kris Humprhies/Shawne Williams swap, but it is only about 700k so it shouldn't damage their chances of landing a top flight free agent. Furthermore, Humphries has to be an infinite upgrade from Najera, the "energy" guy that never panned out...at all. Apparently more moves are in the works, as the front office is willing to do anything that will help this team moving forward. They may even take a risk and trade for a big name free agent to be now, so they can take advantage of the "Bird Rule" when free agency hits. For an explanation of the Bird rule, and any other Salary Cap questions you may have, check out this great site.

But even if that star arrives before the trading deadline on February 19th, this is a lost season for any casual fans(and a frustrating one at the very least for diehards). So will they turn out to be the worst team ever? You can track their progress here .