Thoughts On The Game: Nets Can’t Play Only 24 Minutes
by Sebastian Pruiti
Nov 28, 2009 Nets vs. Kings, Thoughts On the Game
GameFlow, Cowbell Kingdom, Sactown Royalty, Josh Boone Interview, Devin Harris Interview, Lawrence Frank Interview
It was a tale of two halves for the Nets last night. Going into the game, many were wondering what kind of effort the Nets would give. I talked about it too, but in the back of my mind, I didn’t really think it was anything to worry about. It was the Nets only chance to get a W in quite a while, so why would they come out flat. I wasn’t wrong initially, the Nets offense looked as crisp as it was going to be, and the Nets were getting looks, but they weren’t going in. That can be expected though, especially with this team. What was disappointing though was the defense, the Kings came out, just tossed the ball all around the court and ended up with easy looks which they made (they shot 60% in the first quarter, and put up 33 points). The lack of effort was noticeable, the terrific Zach Harper from CowbellKingdom said this in the Daily Dime Chat:
I don’t want to say anything about the effort of this Nets team because you guys know better than me but Lopez and CD-R seem to be the only guys with any fire tonight.
It wasn’t just the players though, Lawrence Frank made some curious decisions in the first half of this game. Lawrence Frank decided he wanted to go small (what else is new), and he did it, playing the 6-5 Trenton Hassell at the 4 for most of his 20 minutes in the first half. Now, when Lawrence Frank goes small, it doesn’t really work, and that was only amplified when you took a look at the line-up that the Kings trotted out. They had a very big front-line in Hawes/Brockman/Jason Thompson. This was the reason the Nets were killed on the boards in the first half (27 yo 11). With a very big front line there is no good reason that the only two PFs on the roster get a total of 11 minutes (they weren’t in foul trouble either). The playcalling from Lawrence Frank also left much to be desired. Brook Lopez outclassed whoever was covering him in the post that first half, and everytime he touched it, he seemed to get a bucket. The thing is, he didn’t touch it that often. Again, quoting Zach Harper from the Daily Dime (I am doing this because it is good to see an outside perspective sometimes):
Brook Lopez is having his way inside against Hawes. I’m perplexed by the Nets offense outside of him.
The second half was a completely different story for the Nets though, and dare I say it, Lawrence Frank made some nice adjustments. He came out with the starting line-up, Boone playing the 4, and stayed with it, the entire 3rd quarter (save Rafer entering for Devin a bit).
The players came out and gave a whole lot of effort as well. In the post game interview aired by YES, Devin said that the team “had an emotional halftime” so that might have had something to do with it. Devin seemed to return to form in the second half, attacking the basket and finding the lanes he was so good at finding last year, and although he missed a lot of lay-ups (those will come with more minutes), I was happy to see him getting to the line and converting. Brook also got a lot more touches in the post, and along with Josh Boone, the Nets were able to control the frontcourt. Speaking of Boone, he played very well tonight, for the first time in a long time, it looked like he actually wanted to play tonight, and it showed. If he can play like he played in the second half for the most part of the year, I will be happy with the effort. Some bullets after the jump:
- Another result of Lawrence Frank’s inexplicable decision to go small. Brook Lopez only had 2 rebounds in the first half. This is because the Kings were able to get two big bodies on him (Hawes/Brockman or Hawes/Thompson) and they pinched him, not allowing him to get the rebound.
- My ride on the Rafer Alston bandwagon is over. I have officially hopped off. That happens when you can’t execute a simple entry pass to Brook Lopez.
- The “When will CDR snap watch” is on right now. Twice in the first half CDR looked like he was going to fight someone, first after a turnover he clapped his hands together and started yelling at the team. Also, after a Donte Green steal, CDR fouled him upside the head real hard.
- Brook Lopez’s foul was not a flagrant. Not even close. NBA refs need to look at the actual foul and not the result.
- Both CDR and Brook Lopez seem to be the real deal, and in all these losses, that is something that can make you smile.
- I don’t think there is a better local-broadcast segment than “Ask The Announcers”
November 28th, 2009 at 11:44 AM
I think Rafer is officially a bust. The Nets should try to hoodwink some team that needs a point guard into taking him for someone who is either a big body or a 3 point shooter. Or both in one, like Ryan Anderson. Maybe we could throw in Tony Battie.
November 28th, 2009 at 12:38 PM
lol I personally feel harris did well this game. He’s working his way back. His forty piont game is coming soon, hopefully it comes 2moro lol
November 28th, 2009 at 12:55 PM
I think he’s saving that for BIG D after last time round.
November 28th, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Harris shot terribly but at least he can get his own shot. Essentially this team has no options on offense other than Harris, CDR, Lopez.
Nets management should be fired for assembling this roster not Frank. Who trades Ryan Anderson for essentially the layup missing Courtney Lee and then says the trade was about getting Lee? It was about giving more talent than they got to get rid of Vince’s contract. If they wanted Lee more than Anderson they would have drafted him.
When you look at the roster devastation associated with these financial moves, I wonder if its worth it in terms of the lost attendance/interest. This crap owner and his crap management are ruining this franchise. Can’t wait for the rich russian dude to take over. It can’t be worse than this.
Lawrence Frank deserves better. If he’s fired he will surely end up better off.
November 28th, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Harris shot terribly but at least he can get his own shot. Essentially this team has no options on offense other than Harris, CDR, Lopez.
Nets management should be fired for assembling this roster not Frank. Who trades Ryan Anderson for essentially the layup missing Courtney Lee and then says the trade was about getting Lee? It was about giving more talent than they got to get rid of Vince’s contract. If they wanted Lee more than Anderson they would have drafted him.
When you look at the roster devastation associated with these financial moves, I wonder if its worth it in terms of the lost attendance/interest. This loser owner – in over his head from day 1 – and his cyes man management are ruining this franchise. Can’t wait for the rich russian dude to take over. It can’t be worse than this.
Lawrence Frank deserves better. If he’s fired he will surely end up better off.
November 28th, 2009 at 7:38 PM
No comment on you Ratner bashing but I have to disagree with remarks about mamangement. Kiki is a decent gm and did a pretty good job rebuilding in Denver I’d say. I understand your frustration with the Lee/ Anderson thing I espressed the same frustration bellow but Lee has more potential at least. But yeah Rod Thorn is the shrewdest executive in the nba, he knew when to get Kidd and when to dump him. I mean the fact he got a guy who was going to be an all star the next season in return for 35 year old guard that demanded a trade is pretty impressive. I think Rod has done some great work rebuilding clearing cap space and putting a good core together. The guys that arne’t playing great won’t be here next year. And as for if it was worth it meh I think so. The nets probably had gone as far as they could go. I mean they weren’t exactly 1st in attendance and their trying to move the franchise thus get a new fan base so in the long run lost interest doesn’t mean much when they’ll have an exciting team next year nad hopefully a new arena in 3 or so.
November 28th, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Bigger question: when are we going to see the real Courtney Lee? Before the injury, this guy couldn’t throw it in the ocean. Last night, he played three minutes. Is he still hurt? Is the “centerpiece” of the Vince Carter trade in Frank’s doghouse after 16 games? The Nets are going to need his outside shooting because teams have already figured out the only two players they have to guard are Lopez and CDR, so they just pack it in and watch Rafer, Terence, Bobby Simmons (my god, what happened to his game?) and Devin toss up brick after brick.
Who’d have thought that the most crippling injuries they had were Yi and Jarvis Hayes, the two best open shooters?
November 28th, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Lol good point. I dunno I’m pretty frustrated with Courntey right now too. I really questioned the trade in a post earlier but then I remember how he played in the finals and decided we have to give him a chance. I have to admit though I hated it most at the time and don’t like it now that we had to give up Ryan in the trade. He was fun guy to have on the team, he was happy here and he’s having a good year. I think he’d be having an even better one starting with the nets.