Thoughts on the Game: Nets Stop Playing After 3 Minutes, Yet I Watch All 48
by Mark Ginocchio
Jan 6, 2010 2009-2010 Regular Season, Nets vs. Bucks, Thoughts On the Game
(You would think the AP would grow tired of taking the same pictures of the Nets bench)
HoopData Box Score – Bucksetball – Brew Hoop
The old adage about NBA basketball is it’s a game of runs. For the Nets last night, they got their one big run against the Milwaukee Bucks early – an 8-0 spurt in the game’s first three minutes, featuring alley-oops, transition offense and solid jump shooting. The Nets then proceeded to put up one of their bigger stinkers of the year – and for a team that’s now 3-31, that’s saying something.
The complete and utter collapse on both ends of the floor in the Nets’ loss to the Bucks started quietly enough. After falling behind early, the Bucks benched Andrew Bogut. Hakim Warrick and Brandon Jennings made a few buckets, while the Nets seemed to go cold. Yi Jianlian, who was one of the few bright spots for the Nets past the game’s opening minutes, finishing with 22 points on 7-12 shooting, got into early foul trouble and Eduardo Najera made a surprise return to the rotation. I would call it a trade showcase, but I don’t know who’s going to want him after scoring 0 points on 0-4 shooting. Not to mention a boneheaded play to end the first half when he failed to even attempt a box out on Francisco Elson, who got the offensive rebound and was then fouled on the putback, to get his first two free throws of the season. Isn’t Najera supposed to be one of those guys who does the “little things?”
What started out so promising turned into a very sloppy first quarter for the Nets as they finished with 10 turnovers, four in the closing two minutes. They went the final 4:10 without scoring a point and the Bucks continued to tack on points with layups and free throws.
In the second quarter, the Bucks bench took over. The shooting combination of Carlos Delfino (17 points, 7-11 shooting) and Luke Ridnour (11 points, 4-9 shooting) helped the Bucks push their lead into double-digits. Bogut then turned it on in the third quarter, scoring 8 points in the first three minutes, and finishing with 18 on 9-12 shooting. Still, the Bucks never had that big nail in the coffin-type quarter that usually puts a team away, so I kept thinking the Nets would be able to get back into this – they just needed to start getting some plays from Devin Harris and Brook Lopez. It never happened.
Lopez looked out of sorts all evening, which is no surprise, because he had trouble with Bogut and the Bucks when the two teams faced-off in November. While Bogut showed how a young center could overcome a rough start, Lopez only attempted 2 shots in the first half and six for the game, finishing with 11 points. He was able to get to the foul line six times in the first half, but that part of his game disappeared as well, as he only attempted two more FTs in the second half.
And what about Devin Harris? Was he even on the floor last night? Of course, I’ve been searching for the 2008-09 Devin Harris all season. He finished with 5 points on 0-4 shooting. Just doing a quick look on Basketball-Reference, it was Devin’s first game wit 0 FGs in 30+ minutes since December 10, 2007, when he was with the Dallas Mavericks.
Regardless of how well Yi Jianlian is playing, the Nets were/are a team built around Lopez and Harris, the point guard and center combination that was supposed to make this team attractive to this summer’s free agents despite the Nets overall team record. There’s obviously still plenty of time for both to get on another roll this season, but when both are simultaneously out of sorts, the Nets are going to resemble what they were tonight – the worst team in the league, and perhaps one of the worst of all time.
- On a positive note, it was great to see Jarvis Hayes back on the floor tonight. He was totally solid drilling his first FG attempt, a 18-foot jumper from the right side, en route to a 3-5, 7 point night. He even was active on the glass, grabbing 6 rebounds. His presence on the Nets bench is important, as he was one of their most consistent contributors last season. With him and Dooling back in supporting roles, the Nets could possibly get into a groove, if the starters could ever gain some consistency.
- The Nets just had no interior defense, getting outscored on points in the paint 44-16. Also, for those keeping score, make this the 22nd consecutive game the Nets have been outrebounded, extending their own record.
- Like the Cleveland game, Chris Doulgas-Roberts started hot with 10 points on 5-6 shooting, but he didn’t make another field goal the rest of the game, and he only got two more attempts in the second half, finishing with 12 points. He seemed to bang his ankle again in the second quarter, but returned later in the quarter.
- I alluded to it earlier, but there was no other explanation for Eduardo Najera being on the floor tonight unless the Nets plan on shipping him out in the near, near future. They guy just looked terrible, but the Nets seemed determined to prove he was healthy enough to play. I guess he was healthy, but he wasn’t good. What about playing youth Kiki?
- I’m starting to wonder if Courtney Lee is ever going to get it together from a consistency standpoint this season. I’ve accepted the fact that he’s not this hidden all-star as some were trying to make him out to be after he was acquired in the Vince Carter trade, but I’ve been adamant in trying to compare him to Kerry Kittles – a guy who, when hot, could take over a game offensively, but was best suited as a 13-15 points per game player with solid defense. Last night, Lee looked good early, hitting a few jumpers, including one with the shot clock expiring in the first quarter, but he was a mess afterwards, missing his next 9 shots, and finishing 3-12.
- I know Kiki Vandeweghe is experimenting with player combinations right now, but what kind of doghouse is Terrence Williams in that he only got 1 minute in garbage time, while Bobby Simmons got 5? Also, with the Nets getting killed defensively, why not get Trenton Hassell in there?
- I don’t have a stopwatch, but Michael Redd’s release on his jumper looks a bit slower than what I remember.
- Of Yi’s good games since his return, this might have been his most complete offensive effort. He successfully hit 5 jumpers in mid-range, and he took it to the hoop for two additional scores.
- You know an announcing duo is bored when they start debating their nicknames for dunks like Ian Eagle and Mike Fratello did. I also appreciated how the Czar didn’t know who “Kid” from “Kid N’ Play” was. Speaking of which, nice haircut Brandon Jennings.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:49 AM
Rediculous. Period.
Brook didn’t get the ball
CDR didn’t get it
There are some players that don’t deserve to touch the ball
Is DH playing blindfolded? Out played by a rookie! Again!
KiKi is tryin to lose. That’s the only conclusion I can come up with.
TWill got no time when the Nets were getting burned
Hassel BS and Najera need to be glued to the bench.
Buying out rafer makes the VC trade look bad but Lee makes the trade looks horrible, even though VC has been stinkin it up lately.
Chris Quinn? Why? Losing a trade exception for what?
JJ Reddick would have been a pickup.
Pietrus looks better than Lee too.
Maybe the Nets will have a good game in ATL,DH had some great games last year in ATL
January 6th, 2010 at 10:21 AM
I can’t believe I sat in the stands for 48 minutes. This was worse than the Denver loss because at least at that time you could say our starters were hurt.
When you are down 20 points and the team has quit, there is no reason Kiki shouldn’t throw in T-Will or Shawn Williams, I mean it can’t get worse!
Kiki looks like he could care less on the sidelines, which is something that was never said about Frank. Brook looks scared to post up, Devin can’t shoot beyond the paint it seems, and also spends more time on the ground flopping than controling the offense…UGH…oh and I could score 15 on Yi’s pathetic defense…why do I renew my Nets season tix again?
January 6th, 2010 at 11:05 AM
I loved jenning high top fade!
I don’t know why that style went away.
Anyways, this team looks so easy to coach on offense.
Yi high post, Brook down low, 3 small players RUN around the court to make space.
Brook and Yi could both average 20 and 10.
Too much dribbling,not enough movement.
I would be pissed if I were Brook, being called the future and not getting the ball. Meanwhile you are playing Najera?
The players know what’s going on. Management doesn’t want to win.
That’s why the effort isn’t there.
Brook is probably the only player guarunteed to come back. The rest are playing for self. Excluding CDR.
Brook needs to be the captain of this team.
Brook needs to be more vocal on the floor and to kiki.
DH shouldn’t be calling plays.
DH should be playing his heart out, knowing john wall maybe coming.
I’m just disgusted and ranting
January 6th, 2010 at 12:31 PM
This is the reality…. Najera was showcased last night, at the expense of the game. I’m not saying he lost us the game, but when we started to lose our lead in the 1st qtr, we were still hanging in, then Najera came in, and things went south quickly. I can’t help but feel that some players have resentment. Just how we notice who should get playing time, the players KNOW who should, and can affect them just the same. Now I really hope mgmt. didn’t screw up a trade with Dallas et al, because Najera showed what he really is, a scrub. There can be talk about leaders, but he’s not one of them, I’m sorry, you can’t convince me of that. Right now our servicable guys are Lopez, Yi, and CDR. Yes Yi. Get over it people, he’s not going anywhere, and for those of you say he’s soft….he’s been playing with the most heart these past few games. I invite you to name me someone (CDR) who’s played with more conviction. Kiki needs to; A. Let Del Harris take over, B. Let Tom Barisse take over (he deserves a valid opportunity). Winnable games are few and far between for this team. Last night was one of them. I understand the NBA is a business, and no other team has made that more apparent then the Nets. However, when you showcase a player, at the cost of a win, your fans’ agita, and possible developing chemistry of your team, that’s when a business move becomes a damaging move. Najera better have played his last game as a Net. I still think him, Boone, and Quin are not nets by the trade deadline, but this just hurt. I hope they know what they are doing. One thing was for sure…it was HILARIOUS seeing Najera labor down the court on that fast break, head bobbing like a chicken.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:51 PM
i agree with HAB
January 6th, 2010 at 12:52 PM
Dennis, Yi is acutally playing D .. whats wrong with you? why do you think he got into foul trouble?
January 6th, 2010 at 1:46 PM
a) DJ – I totally agree on your first post, I’ve wanted Reddick since the Magic trade.
b) Nice to see Hayes back, no clue what the Williams boys have to do to see the court.
c) If you truly want to trade Najera here’s a thought – don’t let anyone see how much he s*cks.
January 6th, 2010 at 2:46 PM
Watching Najera play basketball is extremely painful.
He killed he Nets when he played against us and he’s killing us now.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:30 PM
Agreed with Nigu, Yi’s D was not bad at all. He had 2 nice blocks and got totally screwed last night by the refs so he was playing with 4-5 fouls for much of the game. Offensively, the guy was just flat out solid. Brook’s D last night was pitiful. He was letting Bogut own him everytime he touched the ball in the post.