Nets Are Scorching

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:

Read more…

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.

The ragtag Nets (0-8) continued their winless streak to start the season, as they fell in another heartbreaker to the Philadelphia 76ers (4-4) 82-79 in New Jersey tonight.

• The Nets actually had three chances to tie or take the lead in the closing seconds of the game, but couldn’t capitalize, most notably on the last play of the game when Rafer Alston threw the ball to Philly on the inbounds pass on an apparent miscommunication with Bobby Simmons.
• In a questionable play, Brook Lopez looked like he got hammered by Samuel Dalembert with under 20 seconds left and the Nets down 1, but doesn’t get the call.
• In his first career start, Terrence Williams had 10 points and 12 rebounds, but missed a long-two in the closing seconds that could have tied the game.
• Brook Lopez led all Nets in scoring and rebounding, getting 23 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. He even got to showcase his Devin Harris-esque dribble-drive in the fourth quarter.
• Trenton Hassell continues to be a pleasant surprise, chipping in with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
• Josh Boone was a spark, especially on the defensive end as he grabbed 8 rebounds and blocked 3 shots.
• Bobby Simmons continues to redeem himself with 11 points off the bench, though he was 1-5 from three-point land.
• On the Sixers side, Thaddeus Young had a nice bounce back game with 20 points.
• The Nets did a decent job taking care of the ball (14 turnovers) and outrebounded the Sixers 47-46, but at the end of the day they just didn’t have a single guy down the stretch who could hit the “big shot.”
• Next up on the Nets schedule is a two-game trip in Florida against the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat.

Not really Nets news, but still relevant, especially on the heels of a post from earlier today. From the AP:

Frustrated by the repeated questions about his future, LeBron James said Wednesday that he won’t talk about his possible free agency next summer until after this season.

The Cleveland star and reigning NBA MVP said before the Cavaliers’ game against Orlando that all the talk is “getting old.”

James cut off interviews after being hit with questions about free agency and teaming with Miami’s Dwyane Wade, who has said the two have discussed forming a mega-tandem.

“This free agent talk is getting old. It’s getting old and I think I’m going to stop. Tonight will be the last time I answer any more free agent questions until the offseason,” James said.

May I be the first to say, “good for you LeBron.” I’m sure there will be critics out there who say he invited the questions by not shooting straight with the media from the get-go (because remember, basketball is not a business, just as sports reporters and columnist don’t come up with nonsensical speculation to fill space), but I’m glad James is doing his best to put the kae-bosh on this.

Now is there any way LeBron can stop Knicks beat writers from talking about his free agency?

Meanwhile, from a Nets perspective, I wouldn’t read anything into LeBron’s comments today besides he’s sick and tired of answering questions about the topic. I still think he stays in Cleveland, because that’s the most logical place for him, but by refusing to answer any more questions, he’s not showing his hand one way or another.

One more step.  That’s all the Nets need to take to get a win tonight.  They went from not playing well in the third quarter to not playing well in the 4th.  Some of it probably has to do with the fact that they are only dressing eight players, so three days of rest probably did wonders for them (not being sarcastic at all).  With a Florida trip at Miami and at Orlando, the Nets need a win tonight against the Sixers to ensure that they won’t start the season with a double digit losing streak

Nets Starting Lineup

1. PG – Rafer Alston
2. SG – Trenton Hassell
3. SF – Bobby Simmons
4. PF – Eduardo Najera
5. C – Brook Lopez

Sixers Starting Lineup

1. PG –  Louis Williams
2. SG - Andre Iguodala
3. SF - Thaddeus Young
4. PF - Elton Brand
5. C - Samuel Dalembert

Their Mismatches

Thaddeus Young vs. Bobby Simmons – The Nets would be smart to put Trenton Hassell on Andre Iguodala since he is the better defender of the two.  That leaves Thaddeus Young for Bobby Simmons.  Thaddeus is a big guy who can use his dribble to get to the whole and he can hit the jumper consistently.   He will be a handfull for Simmons.

Our Mismatches

Brook Lopez vs. Samuel Dalembert – Brook Lopez was 10-13 from the outside last game.  If he can hit at least 50% of his jumpers, he will end up stretching out Dalembert which will allow him to be more comfortable in the post.  Let’s see if the Nets use Boone in the screen and roll again tonight.  It was successful in limited use last game.

Matchup Of The Night

Elton Brand vs. Eduardo Najera - Elton Brand and Eduardo Najera will battle in the “guys coming back from big time injury” matchup tonight.  I actually might like Najera’s chances tonight, considering, Brand won’t outquick or overathletic him, he will try to muscle Najera, and Najera loves that.

Keys To Victory

Make Shots - Same as last game, if they can hit shots, the Sixers need to respect it, and that clears the lane for Brook Lopez.  When Brook Lopez has room to work, he is good.

Keep Skip To My Lou Far Away – Skip to My Lou is the turnover prone Rafer Alston.  He made his first appearance against Boston, and he really hurt the team.  He needs to pick it up against Philly.

Stop The Three – The Sixers have shot 30.8% from 3 this year.  Their first game against New Jersey?  Against New Jersey, they shot 50%.  It has been a running theme all year, and yet, the Nets can’t figure out how to stop it.

Prediction

Current Prediction Record: 4-3

This is it, the game the Nets win.  I think they take this one, and end the losing streak.  Just a gut feeling.

Programming Note

I will be over at the Daily Dime tonight again so if you want to get your fill of Nets chat, head over there.  I will be around these parts, so anywhere you want to comment is good.  Now, another issue for those who listened to the WHEN stream, how’d I do?

Today with exchange some questions and answers with Carey Smith, from the TrueHoop Sixers site, Philadunkia.

NAS: A depleted Nets team was able to take the Sixers down to the final possession Friday night and then Philly followed-up with a loss to Detroit. Do you have any early-season concerns about the Sixers?

Smith: I don’t wanted to sound like the stereotypical “Negadelphia” fan but my list of early season concerns with the Sixers is very long, so lets just concentrate on the Sixers biggest issue so far in 2009-10. That issue is defense and everything that has to do with defense. Hell even spelling the word defense may be an issue for Eddie Jordan’s team. The Sixers are a horrible defensive unit – they can not guard the three; they can not pressure the ball; they can’t keep the ball out of the lane; they help way too much; they don’t take care of the defensive glass – and I do not see it getting better any time soon.

NAS: Elton Brand has scored in single digits his last few games. Any clue on why he hasn’t been able to regain his all-star form? What about the drop-off for Thaddeus Young?

Smith: It’s hard to regain your All-Star form when you are either on the bench or when you’re on the floor, no one cares to pass you the rock, no matter how bad of a miss match you have going that night. When he gets some tick and his teammates start passing him the ball, you’ll see a big improvement in Brand’s numbers, but I don’t know if he’ll ever get back to AS form with the Sixers. Thad’s drop off at the start of 2009-10 is just a shooting thing and he seems close to getting it straightened out – 5-10 for 15 points vs. PHX Wednesday night.

NAS: Are the Sixers wise to be shopping Samuel Dalembert?

Smith: Other then the rumors I heard this summer which I prayed were true, I am not sure they are shopping Dalembert. They should be, but I have not heard anything since the Sixers went to training camp on this front. Did you hear something, please tell me you have. I spoke with one Eastern Conference front office person who said that the Sixers did not find major interest in Sammy this summer and they may be stuck with him for a while. Although, I have this dream in which Ed Stefanski tricks Joe Dumars into trading Rip Hamilton to the Sixers for Dalembert. Believe it or not, the salaries work out. That’s crazy to think about, right?

NAS: Where would the Sixers be without PG Lou Williams right now?

Smith: The Sixers would be better, possibly even 5-2 right now without Louis Williams. I’m sure to those who simply see box scores and do not follow the Sixers closely on a nightly basis it looks like Louis is having a break out season. He is offensively, no doubt. However the Sixers defensive woes start with Louis and his inability to keep opposing point men in front of him, pressure the ball at all or guard the three point line. Once he’s beaten, which happens very often, the Sixers defense becomes a scrambling mess of switches and help defense and they are rarely ever able to recover in time. Until he gets better at defense or they put rookie Jrue Holiday in for major minutes the Sixers will continue to be awful defensively. Personally I don’t understand how a kid as quick as Louis can be so bad at defense every night, but it’s true, he horrible. After last night’s effort against the Suns in which Louis was taken to school by Nash (20 points & 20 dimes), several of us here at Philadunkia.com are asking for a switch to Jrue Holiday as the starting point guard. Holiday is a hound on defense thanks to playing for Ben Howland at UCLA and we’ll live with the growing pains at the other end because our fear is that if Iguodala doesn’t get some help on the defensive end soon, we’ll loose AI9 mentally for the season.

Game 8 vs. Philadelphia (3-4)

Projected Starting Lineup

1. Louis Williams | 6’1″ | 175 lbs. | 34.4 MPG | 15.0 PPG | 4.9 APG | 47% FT | 21.7% 3 | 81.5% FT

Not a pure PG, but somewhat effective when he is running the point.  Learning the position this year.  Looks to outquick defenders to get into the lane.  Solid albeit streaky shooter.  Must be physical with him.

2.  Andre Iguodala | 6’6″ | 207 lbs. | 38.4 MPG | 20.0 PPG | 4.7 APG | 51.4 FG | 36.4 3 | 68.6% FT

Eddie Jordan’s two guard set will allow him to bring the ball up every once in a while, along with Lou Williams.  The 6.0 assists per game average this preseason shows he may be embracing that.  Super athletic, great finisher when he gets inside the paint.  Streaky shooter, if he starts hitting, we need to watch out.  Solid defender, gambles a bit…might be susceptible to back-door cuts.

3.  Thaddeus Young | 6’8″ | 220 lbs. | 35.6 MPG | 12.9 PPG | 4 RPG | 40.7% FG | 8.3% 3 | 74.2 FT

His size at the 3 spot allows him to be a tough physical banger inside.   Good shooter when given time, but if you contest, he is wildly inconsistent.  Not the best ballhandler on the team, so you want to close hard on him to make him put it on the floor!  Defensively, need to use speed to get by him, probably won’t be able to out-muscle him.

4.  Elton Brand | 6’9″ | 254 lbs. | 27.6 MPG | 10.1 PPG | 5.6 RPG | 45.2% FG | 0% 3 | 83.3% FT

A PF that likes to bang inside.  Must be physical with him and can’t let him catch it deep in the post.  Face up game is solid too, and he can hit from 10-15 feet.  Good passer, so you must be careful where you bring the double from.  Tough rebounder, must box him out!

5.  Samuel Dalembert | 6’11″ | 250 lbs. | 22.1 MPG | 6.6 PPG | 6 RPG | 48.4 FG | – 3 | 84.2% FT

Not really an offensive threat from outside of 10 feet.  Struggles to hit from inside 10 feet as well.  Slow feet.  Can be taken advantage of in the pick and roll set.  Great timing and shot blocking ability though, must pump fake him!  Terrific defensive rebounder.

Bench

F/C.  Marreese Speights | 6’10″ | 245 lbs. | 23.4 MPG | 14.4 PPG | 6.9 RPG | 63.5 FG | 0 3 | 84 FT

We should all be familiar with this guy from summer league.  Possesses a great athletic ability for his size, and when he is hitting his shot he is tough to stop.  Needs to take a lot of shots to put up his numbers.  Good shot blocker, you can pump fake him though.  He has shown to be foul-prone.

G/F.  Jason Kapono | 6’7″ | 215 lbs. | 15.4 MPG | 6.7 PPG | 1.1 RPG | 50% FG | 45% 3 | 57.1% FT

One of the league’s best 3 point shooters.  Has 30-foot range.  Need to stick with him and can’t help off of him.  Doesn’t do much besides shoot, so close hard and make him put it on the floor.

G.  Willie Green | 6’3″ | 200 lbs. | 14.4 MPG | 6.3 PPG | 1.9 APG | 45.7% FG | o% FT | 80% FT

Not a true point either, but the truest point on the Sixers.  If they struggle getting into the offense, Green will come in off the bench to try and settle things.  Hard worker on defense, but he lacks the quicks to stay in front of his man from time to time.

F.  Jason Smith | 7’0″ | 240 lbs. | 14.2 MPG | 3.7 PPG | 2.2 RPG | 31.3% FG | 50% 3 | 75% FT

Missed all of last year with a knee injury.  Can play either the PF or C spot.  Has a nice back to the basket game and a nice touch on his mid-range shot.

G.  Jrue Holiday | 6’3″ | 180 lbs. | 11.7 MPG | 5 PPG | 1.7 APG | 75% FG | 75% 3 | 0% FT

Wildcard.  Athletic and quick, but is an inconsistent shooter and he sometimes is a little loose with the basketball.

G/F.  Rodney Carney | 6’7″ | 205 lbs. | 9.8 MPG | 3 PPG | 1.2 RPG | 35.3 FG | 33.3% 3 | 60 FT

Carney can run and jump as well as any wing player in basketball, but he’s a poor ballhandler who lacks good instincts. His lack of feel reveals itself in the poor assist rate and his inability to get shots near the basket to take advantage of his superior finishing ability.  A real tough defender.

G.  Royal Ivey | 6’4″ | 215 lbs. | 9.6 MPG | 2.8 PPG | 0.8 APG | 66.7% FG | 50% 3 | 50% FT

Defensive specialist with no real offensive game to speak of.  Quick and athletic.  Very aggressive and can be caught on back-door cuts.  Tendency to foul a ton.

C.  Primoz Brezec | 7’1″ | 255 lbs. | No Regular Season Stats

Played in the Italian league last year.  Nice touch for a big man.  Slow and weak on the defensive end.

Offensive Tendencies:

One of the worst three point shooting teams last year.  Kapono helps, but he is the only 3 point shooting threat.  Must keep their 3 front-court off the glass on both sides of the court.  Must keep AI from getting hot.  Eddie Jordan will be implementing a Princeton-style offense this year.  Expect a whole lot of movement.

Defensive Tendencies:

A lot of aggressive athletic players who like to take chances.  Need to pump fake on both passes and shots.  Backdoor cuts can work against these guys too.

Keys To Victory:

Get Brook touches inside.  He can out muscle Dalembert and negate his athleticism.  Keep AI from getting hot.  Rebound!  Don’t let Elton Brand get position inside.  Close out on Kapono, make him put the ball on the floor.  Must always know where he is, he is the only one who can hurt the Nets from three.