Nets Are Scorching

Team: Toronto Raptors

Last Year’s Record: 33-49 (4^th, Atlantic Division)

Head Coach: Jay Triano

Comings: DeMar DeRozan, Hedo Turkoglu, Antoine Wright, Amir Johnson, Sonny Weems, Reggie Evans, Jaerrtt Jack and Radho Nesterovic.

Goings: Anthony Parker, Jason Kopano and Roko Ukic.

Bloggers Talk: Scott Phillips of Raptors Republic:

“What are my expectations of the Raptors this season? Balls out. Chris Bosh is the face of this franchise, is a top 12 player in the league, and is entering a decision-making year. GM Colangelo has gone out and spent millions to put pieces around Bosh but at the same time has protected us from the evil of CB4 leaving this team. Rebounding will continue to hurt us, as will perimeter defense and we will have to continue to outscore opponents rather than stop them.”

Raptors Republic on the Nets:

“I truly like the Nets, especially without Raptor-Killer Carter. I think TWill will surprise some people and CDR will have a solid season if he keeps his mind in the game. Having Rafer worries me as he was a loose cannon in Toronto and could hurt the locker room. You guys will defend the hell out of every team you face but struggle to score against most teams. I think the Nets finish 12^th in the conference.”

Comparing the Starters:

Starting PG – Jose Calderon (12.8 ppg, 8.9 apg, 18.8 PER) vs. Devin Harris (21.3 ppg, 6.9 apg, 21.65 PER): One of the better point guards in the league, Calderon was second only to New Orleans’ Chris Paul in the John Hollinger metric pure point rating. Calderon also had one of the highest assist ratios in the league – which measures the percentage of a player’s possessions that ends in an assist. He’s a very accurate jump shooter, shooting over 40 percent from three-point land and more than 45 percent on long twos. He takes shots inside the paint 19 percent of the time, but had an effective field goal percentage of .764. He had an amazing year from the free throw line, shooting 98 percent last year. A hamstring injury limited his defense last year.

Advantage: Even. By importing Hedo Turkoglu, the Raptors have gien Calderon another target in the passing game and it may also allow him to spot up for more three-pointers, increasing his scoring average. Devin is the better scorer, but Calderon is the better passer and pure point guard. Thus, let’s call it a drawn.

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Let me start things off with a mantra: this is only preseason, this is only preseason, this is only preseason …

These games still mean nothing, even if it was the first opportunity for New Jersey Nets fans to see their team on the home YES Network. Still, you have to think on a night where the Boson Celtics were sitting all of their “Big Three,” and the Nets were playing with a healthy starting lineup before their anticipated first-ever game at the Prudential Center in Newark, that maybe, possibly, this was the night the Nets would pull down their elusive first win of the October “doesn’t count” segment of the season.

Instead, the healthy bodies became unhealthy as Devin Harris left another game, this time with a groin injury, bringing Yi Jianlian with him, who was suffering from a shoulder strain. A halftime lead of 13 (by way of 60 points), evaporated as the Nets were outplayed in the fourth quarter by a Celtics unit led by Rajon Rondo and Glen “Big Baby” Davis. The Nets, who looked soft and confused without Devin Harris running the point, scored only 11 points in the fourth quarter. The Celtics owned the offensive glass, grabbing 14 boards. Players like Eduardo Najera were airballing critical three-point shots in the closing minutes, while the Nets were apparently trying to set a screen for Brook Lopez from beyond the arc in a final attempt to tie the game – nevermind that he’s never sunk a three-pointer in his pro career.

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The Big Three-less Boston Celtics (3-1) defeated the Nets (0-4) 91-88 tonight at the first-ever basketball game at the Prudential Center in Newark.

• The Nets completely fell apart in the second half tonight, and specifically the fourth quarter after scoring 60 points and being up at 13 at the half. They were outscored 21-11 in the 4th against a Celtics team that was Rajon Rondo, Glen Davis and not much else.
• Courtney Lee had a great game in his first start of the preseason with 21 points on 7-12 shooting and 2-3 from three-point land.
• Chris Douglas-Roberts and Brook Lopez continued their strong preseasons. CDR, getting the start at SF, had 19 points and is now averaging 18.0 points in four preseason games. Lopez had 17 points, 10 boards and 3 blocked shots.
• The Celtics PF duo of Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis combined for 38 points and 12 boards.
• The Nets allowed the Celtics to grab 14 offensive rebounds, including a key one by Davis in the closing seconds on a Rajon Rondo FT miss.
• The team as advertised at full strength before the game, but Devin Harris and Yi Jianlian both left at halftime with injuries. Devin’s has been described as a groin strain and Yi a shoulder strain.
• The Prudential Center, in it’s basketball debut, had close to 13,000 Dave D’Alessandro at the Star-Ledger is reporting.

The Nets travel to Madison Square Garden on Friday for a preseason game agains the Knicks.

Update: Devin Harris is calling the groin strain mild, Dave D’Alessandro is reporting. He should be back by the weekend.

What’s the strategy for a healthy Nets backcourt? Run the ball, said Courtney Lee this morning.

Fred Kerber at the Post talks about the questionable depth behind Brook Lopez this season.

Dave D. echoes a theme brought up by NAS earlier this week: preseason or not, these two games at Newark could “mean something” to those wondering where the Nets franchise will ultimately play their home games.

Chris Douglas-Roberts is ranked the #3 Memphis athlete of the decade.

OK, we are going to try something new here.  In our continuing efforts to build a community, Mark and I decided to experiment with an open thread here.  Some of you may be familiar with the format, but pretty much I will make a post like this, and then you guys can talk about the game as it is happening in the comments.  Commenting Constitution rules still apply, but I thought it would be fun if we can get some people to participate.  If it goes well, we will keep doing this, if not, we will stop it, no harm…no foul…

Preseason game 4 scout.

I have class tonight, so I can’t watch, but Mark will be around to approve comments (new commenters need their first comment approved), so new commenters don’t be afraid to join in the fun…

Preseason Game 4 vs. Boston (2-1)

Projected Starting Lineup

1.   Rajon Rondo | 6’1″ | 171 lbs. | 21.3 MPG | 7.0 PPG | 3.0 APG | 35% FG | 0.0% 3 | 70% FT

Not the best outside shooter, wants to use his speed to get in the lane.  He can hit the floater and can finish in traffic.  He also does a very good job of setting up his teammates once he gets into the lane.  He is  Solid defender who uses his length and speed well.

2.  Ray Allen | 6’5″ | 205 lbs. | 22.0 MPG | 9.0 PPG | 2.7 APG | 44.4% FG | 25.0% 3| 76.9% FT

One of the league’s best shooters, and if starts hitting his range is 30 feet plus.  Age has slowed him down a bit, so you want to close out hard on him, forcing him to put the ball on the floor.  Average defender.  Run him through a lot of screens in an attempt to tire him so he won’t be effective on the offensive end.

3.  Paul Pierce | 6’7″ | 235 lbs. | 23.3 MPG | 14 PPG | 2.3 RPG | 46.7% FG | 33.3% 3 | 91.7% FT

Boston’s captain and best player.  Can hit the three, but would much rather pump fake, take one dribble, and hit the pull up jumper.  Not the fastest SF, so you want use your speed against him when on offense.  Clutch.  If the game is close, he is taking the shot.

4.  Kevin Garnett | 6’11″ | 273 lbs. | 18.7 MPG | 9.3 PPG | 6.3 RPG | 54.5% FG | 0.0% 3 | 100% FT

Celtics emotional leader.  DO NOT give him a reason to get fired up…because if he is, all bets are off.  Great from 15 feet in with a terrific back to the basket game.  Must attempt to be physical with him.  On offense we need to try and stretch him out and lure him out of the lane so he can’t help on the drive.

5.  Kendrick Perkins | 6’10″ | 280 lbs. | 19.3 MPG | 8.0 PPG | 5.7 RPG | 60% FG | 0% 3 | 54.5% FT

Must keep a body on him and keep him off of the offensive glass.  His offensive game is limited to inside of 10 feet.  On defense, he is a shot blocker.  Pump fake him and get him into foul trouble…he tends to pick up a lot of fouls. Bench

F.  Rasheed Wallace | 6’11″ | 230 lbs. | 20.7 MPG | 7.7 PPG | 6.3 RPG | 34.8 FG | 33.3 3 | 50 FT

Rasheed is probably one of the most talented players in the league, but he is way too passive at times.  He can hit the 3 ball, can hit the midrange jumper, and can play with his back to the basket.  Maybe the only flaw in his game is his handle.  You must make him put the ball on the floor!

F.  Glen Davis | 6’9″ | 289 lbs. | 21.0 MPG | 7.3 PPG | 5.3 RPG | 42.1% FG | 0% 3 | 66.7% FT

Likes to spot up on the wing and hit that little jumper when Rondo attacks and kicks to him.  That and after a couple of shots, he likes to pump fake then drive off of it.  On defense he is very physical, so don’t try to finesse him.

G.  Eddie House | 6’1″ | 175 lbs. | 22.3 MPG | 9.0 PPG | 2.7 APG | 47.4% FG | 50% 3 | 100% FT

Shooter.  That is it, close out hard on him, and he won’t even drive, he will just pass.

G./F.  Tony Allen | 6’4″ | 213 lbs. | 8 MPG | 0.0 PPG | 1.0 APG | 0% FG | 0% 3 | 0% FT

A defensive specialist who can do some things offensively.

G.  Marquis Daniels | 6’6″ | 200 lbs. | 18.7 MPG | 6.3 PPG | 2.0 APG | 41.2% | 0% 3 | 55.6% FT

Battling Eddie House for backup point minutes.  Capable scorer, your generic backup PG.

G.  J.R. Giddens | 6’5″ | 215 lbs. | 6.7 MPG | 1.0 PPG | 0.3 APG | 0% FG | 0% FT | 75% FT

Athletic wing.

G.  Lester Hudson | 6’3″ | 190 lbs. | 14.7 MPG | 4.7 PPG | 0.7 APG | 27.3% FG | 40% 3 | 66.7% FT

Unsigned Draft Pick

G.  Shelden Williams | 6’9″ | 250 lbs. | 9.7 MPG | 3 PPG | 3 RPG | 50% FG | 0% 3 | 55.6% FT

Undersized center in college trying to play forward.

F.  Brian Scalabrine | 6’9″ | 235 lbs. | 14.3 MPG | 4.3 PPG | 1.0 RPG | 50% FG | 75% 3 | 50% FT

Generic white guy on the bench

G/F.  Bill Walker | No preseason stats

Out.

Offensive Tendencies:

A lot of good options on offense, they have guys who can score from outside, score from inside.

Defensive Tendencies:

Besides Rondo, speed is an issue.  Must use your quickness to get around the defenders.

Keys To Victory:

Hope that Boston’s best 6 players are having off nights offensively.

For those hoping that the only court we would be talking about after tomorrow was the basketball court, I am sorry, but that isn’t going to happen.  Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn sent out a press release this morning stating that they, along with a few elected officials and the Straphangers Campaign have sued the MTA.  They are suing them for the June 24th deal it made to sell its 8.5-acre Vanderbilt Rail Yard to developer Forest City Ratner for its proposed 22-acre Atlantic Yards plan in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.

I think that it is important to note that this is coming on the eve of what was supposed to be the biggest court case in the whole Brooklyn situation.  This suit is yet another case that the Nets are going to have to deal with and resolve before they can put the shovel in the ground.  This might not be the last one either as Mark has alluded to, there’s buzz that they want to sue the Empire State Development Corp. as well.  This now turns into a clock management issue (mandatory sports term!) for the Nets and their lawyers as they continue to navigate the legal obstacles that DDDB put out.  This is because if construction doesn’t start by December 31, they may lose their tax exempt bond status.

Team: New York Knicks

Last Year’s Record: 32-50 (5th, Atlantic Division)

Head Coach: Mike D’Antoni

Comings: Gabe Pruitt, Darko Milicic, Jordan Hill (No. 8), Toney Douglas (No. 29)

Goings: Chris Wilcox, Quentin Richardson, Mouhamed Sene

Blogger Thoughts – Mike Knickerbocker.net

“You would think that it would be easy to come up with expectations for a team that kept most of their roster from the year before. However I’m not exactly sure what to expect from the 2010 Knicks. The new additions are minor (Darko, Hill, Douglas, a slimmed Eddy Curry), but New York suffered from a lack of depth last year. So while it’s easy to see a repeat of last year (low-30s) they should in theory surpass that estimate. I guess this year’s team might answer the question: how many wins is a decent bench worth?”

Thoughts on the Nets

“The transition from New Jersey’s powerhouse teams of the first half of the decade seems to be complete. Although the team does have a pair of promising youngsters in Brook Lopez and Devin Harris, the departure of Vince Carter marks the end of any star power in the Izod Center. With Carter they only managed to win 34 games last year, so you have to imagine a considerable drop this year. The Nets best chance of meeting or surpassing last year’s total would be to get an unforeseen boost from one of their lackluster neophytes like Sean Williams, Yi Jianlian, or Chris Douglas-Roberts.”

Comparing the Starters:

Quick Disclaimer, I have no idea what I am doing when projecting this line-up, I am going based on what I have seen in the preseason mostly.

Starting PG – Chris Duhon (11.1 ppg, 7.2 apg, 12.27 PER) vs. Devin Harris (21.3 ppg, 6.9 apg, 21.65 PER):

Chris Duhon played an ungodly amount of minutes last year, averaging 36.8 minutes per game (39 per game at the all-star break).  Duhon fits in the true point mold (turns over the ball waaay too much), but he can get a little shot happy (he is extremely streaky) every once in a while, and he averaged 8.6 shots per game, which seems high to me.   His assist numbers also increased with the increase in minutes.  He shot 39% from three and had a TrueShooting percentage 56.9%.  All these numbers were career highs.

Advantage:

Nets – Despite Chris Duhon putting up career numbers in pretty much every category last year, those should be down because there is no way he will be playing 36 minutes a game next year.  His numbers also seem a bit inflated due to the wide open system, a system the Nets will be using to some degree…Devin is a better scorer, a better ballhandler, and all around a better player.

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