Nets Are Scorching

Those who thought the drama surrounding the New Jersey Nets would come to an end once they snapped their historic losing streak to start the season were seriously mistaken.

Instead, some recent comments and actions by select members of the roster have shed an ugly light on a situation that now falls on the shoulders of Kiki Vandeweghe– there may be a legitimate divide between some players, most notably, the veterans, and the Nets’ younger players.

Rafer Alston has been the source of a lot of these comments. After last night’s mind-numbing loss to the Golden State Warriors, where the Nets looked flat, and at points, lazy and effortless throughout the second and third quarters against one of the league’s most uptempo teams, Alston told reporters that he was disappointed in his teammates for not doing more to support each other:

“It’s mind-boggling sometimes when you don’t see the guys behind you doing that,” he said, after the Nets fell to 2-20. “That’s more hurtful than anything, is to not cheer your teammates on who are out there trying to get the job done. That’s the way I was taught to do it: Play together and root for your teammate, whether you’re in the game or not. The good teams do that. They stay together, no matter how the game is going.”

This statement comes on the heels of Terrence Williams’ recent issues, which includes “tweets” that put down the organization and its fans, and then staying out late Monday night and missing the bus to practice on Tuesday.

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Tried something new with the breakdown today, going all video.  There were some bad things from the game (Boone’s lack of fundementals, over-helping giving up the 3), but other than that, the Nets did a real good job with everything.  It is a shame that it couldn’t carry over to the Warriors game.

There’s been a lot of positive press about Chris Douglas-Roberts and his strong start this season where he’s averaging 16.7 points and 4.7 rebounds on 46 percent shooting. Dime Magazine even went as far as to call CDR the Atlantic Division’s most improved player for the first quarter of the season, and it’s hard to argue with that logic considering how Douglas-Roberts wasn’t even a part of the Nets’ rotation last year until the very end.

But lost in the positives are a couple of alarming statistical indicators that appear to demonstrate how Douglas-Roberts has also regressed in a couple of key areas from his rookie season. Let’s just say this – I’m going to stop short of calling CDR a ball hog, but if he’s ever going to reach that next level in the NBA, he would be wise to do more with the ball than just shoot it for the next three-quarters of the season.

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Warriors World, Golden State of Mind, View From the Couch, Brook Lopez Interview, Devin Harris Interview, Kiki Vandeweghe Interview

Last night’s 105-89 loss to the Golden State Warriors was really one of those games for Nets fans that tested whether or not you’re  a glass half-empty or a glass half-full kind of a person.

For those seeing it half-full, after getting blitzed in the second and third quarters, the Nets, playing their sixth back-to-back game of the season, were able to whittle a 20-point Warriors lead to 5. They had played a sloppy game, turning the ball over 22 times, including 17 steals by Golden State, but they were still in position to steal a win up until a bizarre four-point swing for the Warriors that sealed defeat for New Jersey. With about 3 minutes left, Brook Lopez missed an ugly baseline drive attempt under the basket which led to a halfcourt alley-oop layup by Monta Ellis off the Corey Maggette pass, and then two more points when Ellis stole the ball from Brook in the post and fed Mikki Moore for the layup. Just like that, the Nets were calling timeout and the game was essentially over.

For the half-empty fan, the Nets had yet another one of their too awful to stomach quarters – this time in the second, when they were outscored 38-21. The Nets actually entered the second quarter with a 7 point lead, but they missed their first 6 shots, and made 7 bad passes, and the Warriors held the lead the rest of the way, despite getting a below average shooting night from super scorer Monta Ellis (7-20 from the field).

What was most distressing about those turnovers, is that many of them came off lazy looking passes from a variety of sources – Chris Douglas-Roberts, Keyon Dooling, Rafer Alston and Brook Lopez. Yes, the Nets reportedly got in to Newark at 4 a.m. Wednesday night, but the Warriors are about as decimated by injuries as the Nets were a few weeks ago, yet they managed to play high energy for four full quarters with only eight players. The Nets take off way too many plays, and just look too lethargic for a roster that’s known for youth and potential.

At first glance, the box score will show Brook Lopez had a good night with 21 points and 10 rebounds, as he continues his march to prove John Hollinger wrong and average 20-10 for the season, but this game was a struggle for Lopez. Considering he had the likes of Mikkie Moore and game Randolph guarding him all night, Lopez should have had a dominant performance and instead he turned the ball over 6 times as he seemed totally completely befuddled by Golden State’s constant double-teams. He was also in foul trouble in the second half, forcing Nets fans to sit through 6 befuddling minutes of Sean Williams in the third quarter. Overall, this is not a game for Brook Lopez to hang his hat on.

Devin Harris was able to get to the free throw line all evening (11-15 from the charity stripe), but not much else. He was 4-11 from the field, and was only able to collect 2 assists versus 4 turnovers. He got whacked in the face in the first quarter by Mikki More, which forced him to leave the court for a few minutes, but I don’t think anyone is pointing to that play as a reason why Devo’s court vision seemed inflicted.

On the coaching end, Kiki was trying to make things happen with his rotations, going small throughout the second, even putting Chris Douglas-Roberts (10 points, 7 rebounds, 5 turnovers) at the four briefly, before reverting back to a more traditional rotation in the second half, but it didn’t make much of a difference. It was the frontcourt combination of Maggette (13 points, 9 rebounds) and Randolph (11 points, 9 rebounds) that seemed to turn the game to the Warriors favor. Add in the fact that CJ Watson had 18 points on 8-14 shooting off the bench, and the Nets never stood a chance. You can’t beat a high-energy team like the Warriors with a roster with no energy.

Click more, for the final bullet points:

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So apparently, Terrence Williams is in trouble with the team not because of his antics on Twitter, but because he missed the team bus to the morning shootaround on Tuesday, and was out later than he should have been Monday night.

A proposed plan that would land the Nets at the Prudential Center in Newark for the next two years would create a surcharge for all events at the Izod Center and The Rock.

Rafer Alston rips his teammates after last night for not sticking together more on the sidelines.

Those who like their basketball with a side of business should check out Forbes Magazine’s annual valuation report. The Nets are still losing money, which is a shock to no one.

Chris Douglas-Roberts talks about some of the physical mismatches he’s experienced playing SF.

There’s a screening at 7 p.m. tonight at NYU’s Cantor Center for Atlantic Yards Development-centric documentary, “The Battle for Brooklyn.”

A New York State Senator is calling on Gov. Paterson to step in and stop the Atlantic Yards project.

Just a little article about likely #1 draft pick next June, John Wall.

The Nets trimmed a 20 point second half deficit down to 5, making things interesting in the fourth quarter, but they ultimately fell to the Golden State Warriors 105-89 in New Jersey tonight.

• A sloppy game for the Nets, as they turned the ball over 22 times to go along with only 12 assists. The Warriors had 17 steals, inculding 5 for CJ Watson (18 points off the bench) and 4 for Monta Ellis (18 points on 7-20 shooting).
• The magic quarter for the Nets tonight was the second, as they were outscored 38-21.
• The Nets were also outscored 28-10 on the fast break.
• Up and down night for Brook Lopez who finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds, but turned the ball over 6 times, and had problems recognizing the double team throughout.
• Devin scored 11 of his 19 points from the free throw line, but is still struggling to get his points elsewhere, finishing 4-11 from the field. He also turned the ball over 4 times.
• Rafer Alston followed up his efficient performance last night with 12 points on 6-14 shooting to go along with 3 turnovers.
• Rought night for Chris Douglas-Roberts, collecting 10 points on 5-13 shooting and 5 turnovers.
• The Nets actually had an 11 point lead early on in this game. Yeah, I don’t remember it either.

Well, that was a fun game last night huh?  The Nets were faced in a situation just like the Bobcats game, coming off of giving up two threes to tie the game.  Again, the Nets rebounded, and they pulled away for the win.  This time, instead of Courtney Lee, it was Devin Harris who took over.

I mentioned it last in the Daily Dime chat, but it hurt to have Devin out for many reasons, but one was, there was nobody who could get their own shot late.  CDR has been great, but you can’t really ISO him yet, and you need someone to pass it Brook.  Last night, down one, we gave the ball to Devin and watched as he attacked the basket.  A subtle thing that nobody really talked about is that Kiki (Del reall) went small for that play, making sure that the Bulls had to worry about shooters.  If he kept Boone (or Battie) out there, they would just leave him and double Harris.  Taking him out prevented that from happening.  Oh and for what it’s worth, that foul late up 3 was a great call.  I honestly don’t think Lawrence Frank does that.

One final thing about the Del/Kiki coaching situation.  YES went to the bench late in the game after the Bulls made a foul-shot.  There, you saw Kiki asking whether or not he should call a time out.  Del said push it, and then you see Kiki tell Devin to push it.  It is good to see that Kiki knows his limitations when it comes to coaching and he is willing to ask Del questions late.

As for tonight’s game, the Bulls defense was bad, but according to Hoopdata.com, the Warriors are worse.  They are second worse in the league when it comes to Defensive Efficiency, allowing 109.8 points per possession on the defensive end.  In fact, when Brandon Jennings put up 55 on the Warriors, they played awful on the ball defense.  This could be enough to get Devin going from the field.  The Warriors line-up also matches up nicely for the Nets since they run a three guard line-up out there as well.  CDR could have a big game too.  Match-up time:

Devin Harris vs. C.J. Watson

The Warriors line-up is kind of funky, and I haven’t seen enough of them to tell you who is bringing the ball up, but my guess is that it will be C.J. Watson.  Like I said earlier, the Warriors are weak defensively, especially when it comes to the pick and roll, so expect to see it a fair amount tonight.

Advantage: Devin Harris

Courtney Lee vs. Monta Ellis

This is the first time since Courtney Lee has been healthy that we get to see him trying to lock up a big time offensive talent.  Monta Ellis sure can score, but he tends to turn the ball over a bit.  We might be able to see Courtney Lee try to get some steals when he is defending him on the ball.

Advantage: Monta Ellis

CDR vs. Stephen Curry

If this is the correct starting lineup, I expect to see CDR covering Stephen to start.  CDR is turning into a solid player, but as you saw last night, when he is matched-up against true 3s, they like to take him to the post.  Luol Deng (I have no idea if he is a solid post player or not) took advantage of him on the post a few times.  It is going to be nice to see CDR defending a guy who doesn’t weigh more than him.

Advantage: CDR

Vladimir Radmanovic vs. Josh Boone

Tough match-up for either Boone or Battie here.  Radmanovic is a shooter, and his best position is probably the 3, but for the Warriors he is playing the 4.  This could actually be a game where we see Sean Williams.

Advantage:  Vlad Rad

Brook Lopez vs. Mikki Moore

Mikki Moore probably had his best years on the Nets, and it is good to see that he is still starting somewhere (especially not the Nets).  Age seems to be catching up with Moore, and his activity and hustle (what made him so popular here) is starting to decline.  If the game slows down enough, Brook Lopez could have a big game.

Advantage:  Brook Lopez

I always love it when the West Coast teams come to town because we only get to see these guys twice a year, and only once in our time zone. On the flip side, that means this will be the one and only Bloggers Talk this season to feature the Golden State Warriors. With us today to talk Don Nelson, Stephen Curry and more is Rasheed Malek from Warriors World.

NAS: There seems to be increasing buzz about Don Nelson wearing out his welcome with the Warriors. How do you predict this situation going down, and do you think Nellie is deserving of the axe?

The situation will play out with Nellie finishing out his contract and retiring.  There is no way the Warriors will fire Nellie as they don’t want to take the pr hit nor do they have the fortitude to do so.  Nellie is not deserving of the axe because that would mean he is solely responsible for the Warriors’ misfortunes.  The Warriors’ futility can be attribute to multiple individuals not just Nellie.  For as much crap Nellie gets nowadays, He’s still the coach that got the team to the playoffs after a long long time.

NAS: The Warriors have been decimated by injuries all season. Can you think of any games specifically that could have played out differently for GS if they had a little more depth?

With the amount of injuries they’ve sustained its not right to simply pick one or two games which could’ve turned out differently.  I think the Warriors would be having a pretty good season if their roster was healthy as they’re missing key members of their lineup and its been that way since the start of the season.  I’m not too big on using injuries as a copout because other players have to step it up and pick up the slack.

NAS: What have been your early impressions of rookie Stephen Curry? Does he strike you as someone who’s going to stick around in the NBA going forward?

I’m a firm supporter of Curry and his abilities.  He’s going to be a great player in the league as there is nothing he can’t do on the court and his vision along with his basketball iq are what make him special.  He’s had a up and down beginning thus far but has shown he has all the tools and attributes to be successful.  Great guy off the court as well.

NAS: How legit is Monta Ellis’ season this year? Do you think he can keep up this high level of performance?

Monta is going to end up averaging 25/6/5 for the season and will be an all-star as he is playing at an incredible level right now.  His ability to get to the rim and finish is mindboggling and he might be the best finisher in the league as he can finish with both hands effectively.  He’s taken on the leadership role and re-focused on the defensive end where he’s guarding the best wing player on the opposing team every night.