Game 55 Preview Vs. Toronto Raptors
by Sebastian Pruiti
Feb 19, 2010 2009-2010 Open Thread, Game Previews, Nets vs. Raptors
Before we get to the game tonight, I wanted to talk about a contest that the Nets are holding real quick. There is a Jay-Z concert on March 6th at the Izod Center. The Nets are giving away free tickets, and it is pretty easy to qualify for a chance to win. According to the site:
All one has to do is follow the Nets on Twitter (@netsbasketball) or Become a Fan on Facebook by March 1st, and retweet a message (Twitter) or fill out a brief form (FB).
Just thought some Nets fans would be interested in this info.
As for the game, no Chris Bosh tonight for the Raptors. Nets’ fans shouldn’t really be celebrating yet, because Bosh’s great play isn’t the reason why the Nets have been losing to the Raptors. Don’t get me wrong, he has been a factor, but the Raptors running and gunning is what has been giving the Nets problems. We shall see if the Nets can keep this from happening tonight. Onto the lineups…
Devin Harris vs. Jarrett Jack
Mark summed it up perfectly earlier today. Devin Harris is back, and it isn’t just because of the numbers either (I believe sometimes the numbers can lie to you), but if you watch him, he just looks better now. He looks like the same player as last year, and that is important.
Advantage: Devin Harris
Courtney Lee vs. DeMar DeRozan
Courtney Lee had a really good game in the Nets’ win against Charlotte. He then had a truly awful game against the Heat. That seems to be Courtney’s problem this year, consistency. It is understandable though. Last year, as the 5th or 6th option on that Magic team, Lee could afford to have a bad game here or there because the Magic weren’t relying on him. The Nets rely on him. He is this team’s third option, and he is going to have to be more consistent for the Nets.
Advantage: Push
Jarvis Hayes vs. Hedo Turkoglu
Hedo Turkoglu is one of the biggest flops (in terms of Free Agent signings) this year so far, and part of it is the way that he plays on the Raptors. Hedo is a guy who is at his best with the ball in his hands, he just seems more comfortable with that. The Raptors have a true-point guard, and they like to run their sets (not saying it is a bad thing), but this kind of keeps Hedo out of the loop.
Advantage: Hedo Turkoglu
Yi vs. Amir Johnson
I think Amir is going to be the guy who is going to replace Chris Bosh tonight, thought I am not really positive. Johnson might end up being a nightmare match-up for Yi, because he is a very athletic guy, and those are the guys who seem to give him the most problems.
Advantage: Push
Brook Lopez vs. Andrea Bargnani
Andrea Bargnani is going to present a unique problem for Brook Lopez. Bargnani isn’t going to bother him on the defensive end, but when on offense, Brook is going to have a tough time covering Bargnani. He said it himself (via @netsbasketball):
Brook, on Bargs: “It’s tough b/c he can shoot the ball, he’s big and can play in the post. You’ve got to try to make him rely on counters.”
To offset this, Brook really needs to get working in the post on the offensive end. Hopefully the contact and all that will tire Bargnani out and that will end up leaving his shots short. If not, this can happen.
Advantage: Brook Lopez
February 19th, 2010 at 7:24 PM
I think if Amir Johnson does start I would put Brook on him and YI on Bargnani.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:15 PM
Why am I listening to somone else broadcast for a home team. And why do they do this on the one announcer in the league I can’t stand. Ahhh gonna try and watch an alternate stream to league pas.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:25 PM
Im finding it hard to sy anything good about Yi. I’m feeling like he’s just not doing anything right atm. And seriously his basketball IQ his as low as they come. After the give and go with Brook he was not expecting that pass from devin. And then he stand in Devin’s way and Devin is just like, “move idiot”.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:27 PM
Gah!
February 19th, 2010 at 8:31 PM
You will know the Nets are a good team when Yi is no longer on it.
And I will be a happy man when that day comes.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:37 PM
nets aren’t playing defense slow the game down.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:40 PM
Yeah, you’re so awesome, Antoine Wright.
Scrub.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:40 PM
I hate these idiots. Who hired these schmucks…
February 19th, 2010 at 8:41 PM
I also hate Atoine Wright for a few reasons.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:04 PM
Yeah, Yi really is helpless and hopeless. Can you even imagine him playing with a competitor like Jordan or JKidd? They’d keep whipping passes into his face just to make him leave.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:05 PM
Yi just got destroyed by a man named Andrea.
There are times in life where there are no words.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:59 PM
TWill is awful.
That is all.
February 19th, 2010 at 10:12 PM
@Jordan – you’re a dolt. god forbid a rookie makes a bad pass. but I’m sure you were saying he was awful when he sauced both those three’s though too, right?
February 19th, 2010 at 10:29 PM
“@Jordan – you’re a dolt.”
His PER is 7.9. His win shares are in the NEGATIVE. That’s below replacement level. That’s what the average D-Leaguer does in the NBA.
He’s part of the reason why the Nets suck so badly.
And the next time you call someone a dolt, back up your argument with some substance.