Some positive news from Nets practice. Direct from Chris Douglas-Roberts’ Twitter feed:
Hit the gym. Was much winded. Headed to Orlando.
That’s right, the freshest baller with H1N1 is back. I’m sure the beat guys will have a report or two on this, though I’ll be curious to see how close any of them got to interview CDR. It’s unclear if Douglas-Roberts is in shape to play this weekend, but any live body at practice is a good thing these days. There’s something about practicing with chairs that’s very disconcerting.
PS – Was a big fan of CDR giving a shot-out via Twitter to the YES crew last night during the game. For those who missed it:
@yesnetwork Feeling & looking Fresh. Let’s GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NETSSSSSSSSSS! I’ll be back in the gym tomorrow. Yes yess.
Update: As promised here are practice updates from Al Iannazzone, Colin Stephenson (filling in for Dave D.), Julian Garcia and Fred Kerber.
You would think after starting the season with eight consecutive losses these games would start to hurt less, but that’s just not the case. The Nets, who for the second straight game dressed only eight guys, are playing with so much heart right now. Unfortunately, there’s just too much talent sitting on the bench in suits, a fact that came back to haunt this team as they had three chances with less than 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter to either tie or take the lead against the Philadelphia Sixers but they couldn’t get a clutch bucket when they needed it.
Initially, the Nets had the right idea. With 21.7 seconds to go and down by 1, they got the ball to Brook Lopez who was pushed a bit out of the post by Samuel Dalembert, but was in single coverage. Lopez made a pretty spin move on Dalembert to get to the hoop but missed the shot. Replays showed that Brook was hit on the arm, but there was no call. Lopez was irate.
Despite the non-call, Lopez had another terrific game last night, and seems to be settling into quite a groove, after scuffling a bit when Devin Harris and some of the other starters first started to drop after the second game of the season. If 23 points and 14 rebounds wasn’t impressive enough, Lopez showed off his expanding repertoire of offensive moves. In a play that was aptly described by Netsbasketball on Twitter as “terrifying and amazing at the same time,” with about 3 minutes to go in the game, Lopez executed a dribble drive that would have made Devin Harris proud. Now let’s never see that move again Brook okay?
More on the game after the jump:
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Despite his early-season injuries, Devin Harris is one of the more active Nets in the community, as detailed by this New York times piece.
Tony Battie has the green light to rehab his knee more regularly.
Despite being the only starter on the court right now, Brook Lopez is responding with some great play, according to Ben Couch.
Apparently Courtney Lee and Terrence Williams are driving buddies.
With this new opportunity to start at the four, Josh Boone hopes he finally found a place for himself on this team.
