Injury Report: Yi Sprains Knee
Yi Jianlian left the third quarter in Charlotte tonight with what is being called a sprained right knee, according to the Associated Press. Yi joins Devin Harris, Tony Battie, Jarvis Hayes and Keyon Dooling as part of the Nets infirmary. Lawrence Frank said he will get an MRI tomorrow.
Quick Recap: Charlotte Bobcats 79, New Jersey Nets 68
Nov 2, 2009 2009-2010 Regular Season, Nets vs. Bobcats, Quick Recap
The Charlotte Bobcats (2-2) defeated the Nets (0-4) by the score of 79-68 in Charlotte tonight.
- This game was ugly from the start, but perhaps the most telling stat for the Nets is they had more turnovers (26) than field goals (25). Their offensive efficiency was a terrible 74.3.
- With an 8 point lead at halftime and the Bobcats shooting under 20 percent, the Nets were outscored 20-7 in the third quarter by Charlotte.
- The Nets were outrebounded 51-33. Gerald Wallace led all rebounders with 20 boards. He also chipped in 24 points.
- Chris Douglas-Roberts led all Nets with 20 points on 7-17 shooting. He also grabbed 6 rebounds and 2 steals.
- Brook Lopez had 18 points and 4 blocks, but turned the ball over 7 times.
- This is the first 0-4 Nets start since the John Calipari era in 1996.
Game 4 Preview Vs. Charlotte Bobcats
Nov 2, 2009 2009-2010 Open Thread, 2009-2010 Regular Season, Game Preview, Nets vs. Bobcats
Looking ahead at the schedule, this could be the Nets only chance at picking up a W any time soon. Both teams had a day off yesterday, so expect both teams to come out at full-force. The Bobcats don’t have a lot of good shooters, but they can get into the lane, and they play pretty good defense. If you can keep them out of the lane, they won’t score much (see their 59 point performance earlier in the year).
Quick Note: I know I promised standing updates yesterday, but real life got in the way. Look for them on Tuesday.
Nets Starting Lineup
- PG – Rafer Alston
- SG – Courtney Lee
- SF – Chris Douglas-Roberts
- PF – Yi Jianlian
- C – Brook Lopez
Bobcats Starting Lineup
- PG – Raymond Felton
- SG – Stephen Graham
- SF – Gerald Wallace
- PF – Boris Diaw
- C – Tyson Chandler
Their Mismatches
Gerald Wallace vs. Chris Douglas-Roberts - CDR had a very nice game last time out, but he was going up against a smaller 3. Gerald Wallace is CDR’s height and has 20 pounds on him, so some of the drives he had against Washington might not be there against Charlotte if Wallace is covering him. On the defensive end CDR should be fine because Wallace isn’t a big threat, I am just worried about CDR getting bullied on the offensive end.
Our Mismatches
Courtney Lee vs. Stephen Graham – If Courtney is going to get into a rhythm this is going to be the game that it happens. He is going up against a career backup in Stephen Graham who is a serious drop-off from normal starter Raja Bell. Courtney Lee is much quicker than Stephen and he should be able to get to the lane. Lay-ups allow you to get in a groove, and if he starts making lay-ups he should be able to get his shot going. It is amazing to me that he is so off. He is making correct decisions, taking good shots, and using good form. It is going to change soon…it has to…
Matchup Of The Night
Brook Lopez vs. Tyson Chandler – One of the best defensive centers vs. a young player with a polished post game. This could be real fun to watch. Brook Lopez is much stronger than Chandler so he should be able to take advantage if he can get good post position.
Keys To Victory
Get Brook Touches Deep In Post - I mentioned this in yesterday’s video breakdown, but it is worth repeated. Brook is getting the ball/starting his moves too far away from the basket. If he can get deeper in the lane, he will be more successful.
Accumulate Fouls - The Bobcats aren’t really deep right now. They have two guys who would play significant minutes out with injuries. If we can get the starters (especially Tyson Chandler) in foul trouble and get the back-ups in the game, I think the Nets would be able to take advantage of that.
Prediction
Current Prediction Record: 1-2
With the Bobcats injury problems they aren’t very deep. If the Nets can get this team into foul trouble, they will be able to pick up the win. I think that will happen.
Daily Dime Chatting Tonight
Nov 2, 2009 Tooting My Horn, Truehoop Network
I am going to be chatting over at ESPN’s Daily Dime page again tonight, so come over and join in. I will put up the link as soon as it is available.
UPDATE: I promised you a link, and here it is. I will be chatting until around 8ish:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-091102
Game 4 Scouting Report
Nov 2, 2009 Nets vs. Bobcats, Opponents Scouting Reports
Game 3 @ Charlotte (1-2)
Projected Starting Lineup
1. Raymond Felton | 6′1″ | 198 lbs | 35.3 MPG | 13.7 PPG | 5 APG | 39% FG | 0% 3 | 75% FT
Felton is a solid all-around guard, but he can’t shoot. This allows defenders to go under screens with him, making it easier to keep him out of the lane. If he gets in the lane though, watch out. He can finish with either hand and he is a good passer and can find the open man.
2. Stephen Graham | 6′6″ | 215 lbs. | 25.7 MPG | 8.3 PPG | 0.3 APG | 44% FG | 25% 3 | 40% FT
A physical guard at his, best burrowing his way to the basket. Forced into the starting role with Raja Bell injured. On defense, Graham’s strength makes him a good rebounder.
3. Gerald Wallace | 6′7″ | 220 lbs. | 42.3 MPG | 13 PPG | 12 RPG | 27.5% FG | 0% 3 | 73.9% FT
Wallace is a do-it-all type guy who can attack the basket and get to the lane at will, and on the defensive end, his athleticism allows him to block shots, get rebounds, and get into the passing lanes. Would rather drive than shoot, back up off of him and give him the shot.
4. Boris Diaw | 6′8″ | 235 lbs. | 37 MPG | 10 PPG | 5.3 RPG | 37% FG | 28.6% 3 | 100% FT
One of the best passing bigs in the NBA. He maybe passes too much. Diaw can be out-matched physically, but that won’t be a problem against the Nets. He has turned himself into a good three point shooter, so you need to close out on him and can’t let him float. Be physical with him.
5. Tyson Chandler | 7′1″ | 235 lbs. | 23.7 MPG | 4.7 PPG | 7 RPG | 33.3% FG | 0% 3 | 50% FT
When healthy, he can be one of the best rebounder/shot blocking big man in the NBA. Lacks post moves and a back to the basket game, but when he gets around the basket, he can finish with the best of them. According to NBA.com,Chandler took 18 of 256 field-goal attempts from beyond the immediate vicinity of the rim. He made just two of those shots. Great off the pick and roll when he can slash into the lane.
Bench
G. D.J. Augustin | 6′0″ | 180 lbs. | 31.7 MPG | 9 PPG | 3.3 APG | 36.8% FG | 28.6% 3 | 68.8 FT
Small/Quick penetrator who gets into the lane a good amount of the time. He isn’t the fastest guard out there, but with the ball in his hands, he is quick enough. Disciplined defender, who has good fundamentals, but struggles with longer/more athletic guards.
F. Vladimir Radmanovic | 6′10″ | 235 lbs. | 20 MPG | 6.3 PPG | 1.7 RPG | 33.3 FG | 22.2 3 | 75 FT
Shoots the 3-ball well for a man his size. Defensively, he’s about neutral, with the ability to hinder jump shots because of his length but an inability to keep penetrators in front of him because of his general lack of foot speed and athleticism.
G/F. Gerald Henderson | 6′5″ | 215 lbs. | 16.3 MPG | 6.3 PPG | .3 APG | 41.2% FG | 40 3 | 75 FT
Henderson has posted consistently strong block and steal rates for his size throughout his college career. He has terrific athleticism and should be a plus defender at the NBA level. Offensively, he’s very good at getting into the lane, where he is both a solid finisher and he gets to the line often. For a two-guard, he’s a decent ballhandler and good passer. His shot is questionable at best, so back off of him and let him shoot.
C. Nazr Mohammed | 6′10 | 250 lbs. |12.0 MPG | 3 PPG | 5 RPG | 33.3% FG | o% 3 | 33.3% FT
Career backup center.
F. Derrick Brown | 6′7″ | 225 lbs. | 9.3 MPG | 3.7 PPG | 1.3 RPG | 50% FG | 0% 3 | 50% FT
His combination of height and athleticism allows him to be an immediate factor on the defensive end. Still isn’t polished offensive player. He is solid around the rim, but he needs to work on his shot and his face-up game.
C. Alexis Ajinca | 7′0″ | 220 lbs. | 5.5 MPG | 3 PPG | 0 RPG | 75% FG | 0% 3 | 0% FT
He displays a nice shooting touch and is already a good free throw shooter.
C. DeSagana Diop | 7′0″ | 280 lbs. | 1 MPG | 0 PPG | 0 RPG | 0% FG | 0% 3 | 0% FT
Good on defense. Bad on offense.
G. Ronald Murray | No Regular Season Stats
Out.
G. Raja Bell | No Regular Season Stats
Out.
Offensive Tendencies:
As a team without a proven shooter, the Bobcats thrive on getting in the lane and scoring on the fast break. If the Nets keep them out of the lane, there is a good chance they can win this game.
Defensive Tendencies:
In Tyson Chandler, the Bobcats have a human eraser that allows their guards/wings pressure the ball. Gerald Wallace loves getting into the passing lanes, so be aware of him.
Keys To Victory:
Keep the Bobcats out of the lane. Get Brook Lopez going. Try and get Tyson Chandler in foul trouble.
Do the Nets Need a Heart Transplant?
Nov 2, 2009 Brook Lopez, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Courtney Lee, Eduardo Najera, Lawrence Frank, Yi
It’s only been three games – including one game where the team blew a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter, and another game where they game up 123-points to a team that was missing two of their top scorers – but there’s already some buzz in the Nets locker room about “trust,” “toughness,” and “heart.”
The catalyst for all this were comments by Chris Douglas-Roberts Saturday night, who believed the team didn’t retaliate properly after he was slammed to the floor in the second quarter on a dunk attempt. “You have to protect each other,” CDR said. “It’s an unwritten rule. You protect each other. Later that night on Twitter, he wrote similar comments about the team needing to commit hard fouls.
In a report by Al Iannazzone in the Bergen Record this morning, more Nets echo these sentiments. Here are some of their quotes:
“I think people are afraid,” center Brook Lopez said of the defense. “It’s a team effort. [But] some guys are afraid that the help won’t be there.”
And here’s some more from Courtney Lee:
“That definitely has to do with trust,” defensive-minded guard Courtney Lee said. “You have to have trust in your teammates that they’ll have your back. If you’re out there pressuring the ball and the pick-and-roll comes and you’re a little late, you have to have trust that the help man is going to get the roll man so the big man can stay out a little longer.
When I first read the CDR quotes Saturday night, I was a bit annoyed and was ready to dedicate a post about him calling out his teammates, but I thought better of it. While there isn’t a lot to praise about the Nets defensive performance Saturday night, I do feel they made some attempts to get the Wizards back for the CDR foul. Specifically at the 5:01 mark in the third quarter, Gilbert Arenas had a free path to the rim, and Eduardo Najera came up on from behind and grabbed him by the shoulders to prevent the layup. Arenas didn’t crash to the floor in a heap, but the message was sent, so much so that Brendan Haywood starred to jaw with Najera after the play, who just smiled back and shook his head.
With that said, based on Iannazzone’s report, it’s certainly alarming that the team is already at the point of publicly questioning each other, specifically on the defensive end. Maybe they’re going to use theses words as a rallying cry headed into tonight’s matchup against the Charlotte Bobcats. But I’m not as sure about that.
Nets on the Net: 11/2/09 Edition
Nov 2, 2009 Brooklyn, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net, Rafer Alston
HoopsWorld examines in-house candidates who could take on the lack of scoring left by Vince Carter’s departure.
By way of NetsDaily, Bruce Ratner quietly trademarked the Russian translation of “Brooklyn Nets,” two weeks before Mikhail Prokhorov agreed to purchase the team.
With Devin Harris out and an 0-3 start, the team is turning to Rafer Alston to veteran leadership.
Two of Brooklyn’s priciest penthouses are competing for the services of Mikhail Prokhorov.