By: Yannis Koutroupis Last Updated: 8/19/10 5:24 PM ET | 5230 times read From 12 Wins To The Playoffs: Terrible, horrible, nightmarish, embarrassing, disappointing and awful are just a few fitting terms to describe the New Jersey Nets' 12-70 campaign last year. The only positive stemming from last season was the fact that they had enough cap room this summer to sign multiple max-contract players. The Nets set into the free agency period with high expectations, making pitches to All-Stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. When it became clear that they were a long shot to land any of their services they looked to second tier guys like forward Carlos Boozer and still missed out. A combination of new ownership and coaching staff didn't help the Nets in their quest to land a star. Instead their major moves consisted of signing decent role players in Travis Outlaw, Jordan Farmar, Johan Petro, and Anthony Morrow along with drafting promising power forward Derrick Favors with the second overall pick in the draft. The Nets definitely improved with their additions, but hardly enough to consider the playoffs a possibility. Postseason aspirations are a lot more realistic now though after the acquisition of power forward Troy Murphy in a four-team trade that went down last week. Murphy, who was good for 14 points, 10 rebounds and two assists a game for Indiana last year, is a New Jersey native and is excited to be joining the team that every high-profile free agent snubbed this past month. "It's not just because I'm from Jersey, but I couldn't understand when all these free agents were looking for places to go that so many of them overlooked the Nets," said Murphy to Dave D'Alessandro of The Star-Ledger. "Really, look at it ... objectively: Besides a great young center and an All-Star point guard, all the pieces are in place for this to be a very good team very quickly once we develop some chemistry. And by that I mean a playoff team. "I'm really excited about this — the change, the opportunity, the challenge, all of it. There's something special about playing for the team that you grew up watching, so you have to look forward to that. And I'm looking forward to working with Avery Johnson." Upgrading at power forward was one of the top priorities for Coach Johnson as up and coming center Brook Lopez needed some help inside. Lopez tore it up in his second season as a pro, posting up 18 points, eight rebounds and a block a game. Murphy is looking to potentially forming a very formidable inside duo with Lopez. "We can help each other become better players," acknowledged Murphy. "You know what I think of Brook — him being a load down low will make it much easier for me, because he can command a double. And I'll be able to help him by spacing the floor and letting him go one-on-one. It could be great for both of us." Murphy is obviously focused and excited about doing whatever he needs to in order to help the Nets become a factor in the Eastern Conference next season. However, his stay in N.J. could be short-term since he's set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. With Favors in the fold the Nets may not feel the need to re-sign Murphy, but he isn't letting that keep him from making the most of this year. "It is what it is," noted Murphy. "Really, I'm happy to be in this position. If it's just for a year, I will do whatever I can do for them in whatever role they want to put me in. I'll do the best job I can. I'm really looking forward to working with (Favors), and I'm hearing nothing but good things — he can be a stud." Few people share the optimism that Murphy has regarding the Nets. In fact, he's definitely in the minority, which is fine with him. "I think people are definitely underestimating us, but that's a good thing," he said. "It would be nice to sneak up on all these people, and I think we can. We have some great young talent that needs time, and good talent throughout the roster. So I'm definitely all right with this. And we have a shot at the playoffs, so can you imagine how special that would be for me to be a part of that?" The Nets making the playoffs would mark one of the biggest turnarounds in NBA history. It may seem outlandish, but Murphy's presence doesn't make it impossible. http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=17122 --

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