Quick Recap: Indiana Pacers 91, New Jersey Nets 83
Nov 17, 2009 2009-2010 Season Preview, Nets vs. Pacers, Quick Recap
The nightmare that is the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets season hit a lower low tonight as they fell to the Pacers 91-83 to start the year 0-11.
- The good news is, the Nets held a pretty good offense to 91 points tonight. The bad new is, the Nets couldn’t capitalize and shot 36 percent from the field and turned the ball over 19 times.
- Huge night for Brook Lopez who finished with 26 points (on 27! shots), 16 rebounds and 5 blocks.
- Brook’s counterpart in the middle, Roy Hibbert, was pretty good himself, finishing with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks.
- Chris Douglas-Roberts looks to have all of the swine flu out of him, posting his first career double-double with 27 points and 12 rebounds.
- Rough night for Rafer Alston, who finished with 14 points, but was 2-12 from the field and turned the ball over 5 times. He did collect 4 steals.
- Danny Granger had a quiet 22 points on 6-16 shooting. Fortunately for the Pacers, Hibbert and Dahntay Jones had his back. Jones finished with 17 points.
- Indiana started both the first and second halves on 7-0 runs.
The Nets get a chance to earn their first win tomorrow night, but it won’t be easy as they draw the 5-3 Milwaukee Bucks and their rookie sensation Brandon Jennings on the road.
My High Hopes For The Year
Oct 28, 2009 2009-2010 Season Preview, Brook Lopez, Sean Williams, Terrence Williams
Yesterday we scared you guys. Mark and I each gave you a few concerns we had going into the season, but as Mark told you earlier, today is different. Today is opening day, the day when everyone is still in playoff contention (In fact we already have a better record than 4 teams – progress!). Here are a few things I am looking forward to seeing happen (and I expect most of these will) this year:
Terrence Williams Will Be A Top Rookie
You guys probably guessed that I would be talking about T-Will here. Terrence Williams had his struggles this preseason, but in that last game you saw what he can do when he put everything together. I mean look at his line – 23 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals. That’s fantastic.
We went into the preseason knowing that he could effect the game without scoring, but people were worried about his shooting. He put those doubts to rest though (in my mind at least). Terrence shot 42% from 3 (8-19) and and 39% overall (27-68). Terrence Williams has also started to attack the basket more often, going to the line 22 times total in his last 3 preseason games. Now I know that this is all in the preseason, but many people were expecting nightmarish shooting numbers from Terrence, and he showed us the opposite.
Read the rest of this entry »
What Makes Me Hopeful
Oct 28, 2009 2009-2010 Season Preview
Yesterday, you heard about some of our concerns for the upcoming season. But today, is opening day. This is the day where everything feels right for the team you root for. Those looking for insight and critical analysis about the New Jersey Nets from this site – don’t worry. The second the final buzzer sounds tonight in Minnesota, we’ll get back to breaking down the video. But for now – happy thoughts. Call it a moratorium on the mortifying.
I’m legitimately excited about watching the Nets this season – more than I’ve been on an opening day since the Nets fell short of beating the Spurs in the NBA Finals, and attempted to solidify their spot at the top of the East by resigning their franchise point guard, and importing Alonzo Mourning to play center. We all know how that turned out – but again, to quote the new hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals, I’m not here to talk about the past.
So why am I so excited about watching 82 games (and maybe more) of a team that is predicted by most around the NBA to win less than 30 games this season? It all starts with offense. Yes, I’m excited about watching a team that just traded Vince Carter, one of the league’s top scorers, because I’m looking forward to checking out this team’s offense.
Stop laughing now. Read the rest of this entry »
My Concerns For The Season
Oct 27, 2009 2009-2010 Season Preview, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Devin Harris, Josh Boone, Lawrence Frank, Terrence Williams
Mark and I are continuing the process of getting you prepared for the season, which couldn’t be closer. Mark already talked about one of his concerns for this year, and I decided that I would follow suit and give you some of mine. The following is stuff I am worried about going into the season. I don’t necessarily think that this stuff will happen, but these things just worry me. Here goes nothing:
Can CDR defend larger SFs?
This is my biggest concern going into the season. Now don’t get me wrong, CDR is a great offensive player, and this move is worth a shot to see if CDR can in fact defend the 3, but I am just worried that it won’t work. When CDR covered 2s last year, he was able to use his height and long arms as an advantage. The one game I specifically remember last year is when CDR covered Rip Hamilton. He used his slim frame to slip through screens, and he used his length to bother shots. When CDR slides to the 3, that advantage gets taken away. Most SFs are close to his height, which is ok, but they weight more. LeBron and Al Harrington have 50 pounds on CDR. Guys like Thaddeus Young have 20 pounds on CDR. My biggest worry is seeing guys like LeBron and Harrington just back down CDR into the post, and getting easy buckets.
This could also hurt him on the offensive end. Guys defending him are now taller than the 2s he faced last year, and that could effect his scoring. Also, if he is getting bodied up when he is playing defense, that could tire him out, and when that happens his shots could end up short later in the games.
The Nets are Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Oct 27, 2009 2009-2010 Season Preview
Watching the Nets this season, one of my biggest concerns revolves around what should I ultimately be rooting for.
Yes, I’m a Nets fan, so I’m instinctively pulling for them to win every time they step on the court. I want to see Devin Harris score and Brook Lopez rebound and block shots. I want to see Courtney Lee become a star, and Yi Jianlian justify the lottery pick he was selected with. I want to see Chris Douglas-Roberts build on his great preseason and old stalwarts like Jarvis Hayes and Bobby Simmons catch fire and shoot the 3-ball at a 40 percent clip all season-long. I want these things because that means the Nets are likely winning games – lots of them. If all of these things click at once, the Nets could potentially be one of the better teams in the East.
But, I understand the unlikelihood of all these things coming together so quickly and effectively. By most accounts, the Nets are not going to be a very good team this season. While people recognize their potential, they also recognize that there are going to be many nights where Devin Harris is shut down, Brook gets dominated by a more polished big man, Coutney Lee, Yi and CDR struggle and Jarvis and Simmons are ice cold.
So that’s why I ask, what should I be rooting for? Do I want to see this team exceed expectations and sneak into the playoffs as an 8th seed, or do I want to see them take their lumps, struggle, and get a high lottery pick in next year’s draft, where they could select another potential star, while luring a few quality free agents with all of the cap space they have coming to them?
Nets Over/Under Throwdown
Oct 27, 2009 2009-2010 Season Preview
You heard from the TrueHoop Network yesterday. Today, I thought it would be a good day to run some more predictions from people who know the Nets best. NAS asked an assortment of Nets beat writers and bloggers 10 over/under questions related to the upcoming season. While I’m not typically in the business of making predictions – putting things in writing hurts so much if you end up being terribly, terribly wrong – I thought this would be a quick and easy way to stir some debate between writers, bloggers and fans.
Participating in the “NAS Over/Under Throwdown” is Dave D’Alessandro of the Star-Ledger, Al Iannazzone, from the Bergen Record, Julian Garcia from the Daily News, Rory Toohey from Slippery When Nets, Gregory Hrinya from Nets Examiner, Henry Abbott from ESPN’s TrueHoop and Kelly Dwyer from Yahoo’s Ball Don’t Lie. Just to show that I’m not a total coward, I will also give you my responses to these questions:
1. Total Nets Victories – 34
D’Alessandro: Under
Iannazzone: Under
Garcia: Over
Toohey: Under
Hrinya: Under
Abbott: Under
Dwyer: Under
Ginocchio: Under
More from Iannazzone:
I think the Nets will need some time to gel, especially with all the injuries they’ve had this preseason. They have questions at power forward with Yi Jianlian and guys who have been banged up. And for the most part, their starting five is going to be inexperienced with one third-year guy and three second-year players. Still looking in the 20s for wins.
TrueHoop Network 2009-2010 Preview: The Teams
Oct 26, 2009 2009-2010 Season Preview, Truehoop Network
With the season being just one day away now (two for the Nets), the TrueHoop Network is starting to roll out our season preview. First up are previews for every team, which have just been published across the network. Click the logos below for full team previews, complete with a team’s best Tweet, best clutch play, quote of the year, biggest contract nightmare and more.
| TEAM | BLOGGERS SAY | WINS* |
|---|---|---|
 |
Bret Lagree | Hoopinion“The Hawks have not built, nor do they appear to be building, a championship contender. … Joe Johnson is poised to be a free agent in the summer of 2010. Johnson is not a franchise player, yet he’s the Hawks’ best player.” |
45 |
 |
Zach Lowe | CelticsHub“It seems reasonable to say anything short of an 18th championship would be a disappointment.” |
58 |
 |
Brett Hainline | Queen City Hoops“Great defense + equally bad offense = average. With an improving division around them, that equation does not get them their first playoff berth. But at least they won’t suck.” |
36 |
 |
Matt McHale | By the Horns“During the offseason, the Bulls lost free agent Ben Gordon, whom many people considered the team’s best or second-best player (after Derrick Rose). Memo to Chicago fans: Don’t sweat it. Seriously. Gordon will be replaced by John Salmons, who not only gave the Bulls almost as many points per game (18.3 versus 20.7) but was slightly more efficient in how he scored them.” |
43 |
 |
John Krolik | Cavs the Blog“After last season’s playoff heartbreak, Danny Ferry has changed up the equation … However, Shaq could disrupt the delicate offensive and defensive chemistry the Cavaliers rode to 66 wins and the conference finals, despite the fact he will be the best player LeBron has ever played with if he continues to play like he did last season. The big question for the Cavs this seasons whether they overreacted to two clutch 3s by Rashard Lewis, or made the risk they needed to take to finally get LeBron a ring.” |
61 |
 |
Rob Mahoney | The Two Man Game“’Rebuilding’ teams seek financial flexibility and the acquisition of young, productive assets. Quality squads amass veteran talent, no matter the cost, in pursuit of a title. Defying all logic, the Mavs have simultaneously moved in both directions.” |
50 |
 |
Jeremy Wagner | Roundball Mining Company“The only players still on the roster who exceeded expectations in 2008-09 were Nene and Birdman. It is reasonable to expect every member of the Nuggets, other than thirty-something Chauncey Billups, to improve.” |
53 |
 |
Dan Feldman | PistonPowered“However the minutes shake out between Chris Wilcox, Kwame Brown and Ben Wallace, they won’t be as good as Rasheed Wallace. But Sheed wasn’t that great last year. He looked old and disinterested, so the drop here won’t be too steep.” |
36 |
 |
Rasheed Malek |Warriors World“Under the ownership of Chris Cohan, the Warriors have made the playoffs exactly one time and have gone through numerous coaches, players and executives. Going into this season, Larry Riley is the man in charge taking over for Chris Mullin.” |
28 |
 |
Anup Shah and Brody Rollins | Rockets Buzz“The speed revolution has overtaken some of basketball’s peers, most notably football … Is basketball headed in the same direction? [Aaron] Brooks provides an excellent case study. Beginning the year as the Rockets number one threat on offense with Ron Artest’s departure and injuries to Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, Brooks will have every opportunity to prove that size really doesn’t matter.” |
39 |
 |
Jared Wade | Eight Points, Nine Seconds“It’s hard to believe that anything short of the postseason will remove the dark cloud over Conseco. … Ultimately, it will come down to one thing: [Mike Jr.] Dunleavy’s knee.” |
32 |
 |
Kevin Arnovitz | ClipperBlog“[Blake] Griffin and [Eric] Gordon may not be saviors, but they’re something. Griffin’s skills and his tenacious work ethic (the guy runs up sand dunes in his free time) will be a boon to a team desperate for cultural overhaul. Gordon offers an enticing combination of spot-up shooting and forays into the paint. He finished third in true shooting percentage among starting off guards in his rookie campaign, something that can only help a team that ranked dead last in offensive efficiency last season.” |
32 |
 |
Kurt Helin | Forum Blue and Gold“God, is it good to be hated again.” |
64 |
 |
Chip Crain | 3 Shades of Blue“The 2009-10 version of the Grizzlies have put together a starting five where every player scored 30 points or more in a game last year. The oldest starter is only 28 years old (Zach Randolph) and the youngest won’t turn 22 until after the start of the season (O.J. Mayo). They are young, talented and hungry for success. So why do most people focus on the two players not on a rookie contract this season?” |
20 |
 |
Matthew Bunch | Hot Hot Hoops“38.6 minutes. 30.2 points. 49.1 percent shooting. Five rebounds. 7.5 assists. 2.2 steals. 1.3 blocks. That’s what [Dwyane] Wade averaged last season. You’re going to keep that guy out of the playoffs? Good luck.” |
44 |
 |
Jeremy Schmidt | Bucksketball“If the Bucks get anything out of their three small forwards, if they can keep [Andrew] Bogut and [Michael] Redd healthy and if they get a season worthy of the number ten selection out of Brandon Jennings at the point, the playoffs will be within reach. But that’s a lot of ifs.” |
29 |
 |
Patrick Hodgdon | Howlin’ T-Wolf“”Ever since his arrival, David Kahn has had seemingly one mission, other than to look like the smartest guy in the room at every turn, and that is to get as much cap space for next summer as he possibly can. … The obvious question lies in whether or not the Wolves will actually be able to lure one of the better free agent players to come to Minnesota.” |
23 |
 |
Mark Ginocchio and Sebastian Priuti | Nets are Scorching“Lingering doubts about Brooklyn could spoil any chance the Nets have of landing a top free agent next summer.” |
29 |
 |
Niall Doherty and Ryan Schwan | Hornets247“Enter Emeka Okafor. He’s a near match to a healthy Chandler, is more durable, and doesn’t look like he’s having muscle spasms when making a post move.” |
47 |
 |
Mike Kurylo | Knickerblogger“2010 could be New York’s return to winning.” |
31 |
 |
Royce Young | Daily Thunder“The Thunder may not win more than half their games, but with over half the roster unable to get an alcoholic beverage still, steady improvement and progression is the name of the game.” |
34 |
 |
Zach McCann | Orlando Magic Daily“Take away either Hedo Turkoglu or Courtney Lee and the Magic aren’t getting to face the Lakers in the Finals. No way. But does that mean the Magic were wrong to let them go? Were the Magic foolish to allow a borderline All-Star and a possible future All-Star leave the team when both clearly wanted to stay in Orlando? Absolutely not. I believe the Magic are an entirely better team than they were four months ago.” |
59 |
 |
Carey R. Smith | Philadunkia“The travesty of a deal that Billy King gave to Samuel Dalembert remains easily one of the worst contracts in NBA history. Hopefully this season Dalembert, his inflated self-worth and his contract will be dealt for a couple of expiring contracts and some much-needed cap space.” |
39 |
 |
Michael Schwartz | Valley of the Suns“Two years ago the Suns were chic championship picks. Last year, the Suns were (accurately) thought to be a fringe playoff team. This year there are almost no expectations outside of their locker room. … There will be no mistaking what the Suns are this season: a lightning-speed team that will score points in bunches and likely give them up almost as quickly while struggling badly on the boards. But they will once again be the most exciting team in basketball.” |
46 |
 |
Max Handelman | Beyond Bowie“The Blazers effectively bumbled their way to a 54-win season despite a mediocre performance from Greg Oden, the loss of Martell Webster for the season, and at times starting three rookies. This team is only getting better, kids.” |
53 |
 |
Zach Harper | Cowbell Kingdom“Enter Tyreke Evans — a bulldozer-sized menace who will test the strength of every team’s defense at its entry point. He immediately creates matchup problems against teams with traditional point guards and will look to have a similar impact as fellow Memphis alum, Derrick Rose.” |
22 |
 |
Timothy Varner | 48 Minutes of HellDuring the Celtics heyday, Red Auerbach boasted a winning percentage of .719. In the modern era, Pat Riley’s Showtime Lakers played to the tune of .733. Phil Jackson’s Jordan Bulls dominated the 90s with an otherworldly percentage of .771. Jackson’s three-peat Lakers? .735. In his 12 seasons with San Antonio, Gregg Popovich, whose cynical disdain for the regular season runs more than skin deep, has, nevertheless, posted a winning percentage of .707. That’s the company the Spurs keep. What should we expect this season? 58 wins and a run at the title. Same as every other year.” |
55 |
 |
RaptorsRepublic“How is a rookie(ish) head coach going to integrate nine new players into a new system with two new assistant coaches?” |
41 |
 |
Spencer Ryan Hall | Salt City Hoops“With young Wesley Matthews providing the good luck charm, Boozer in a contract year, Deron Williams with a chip on his shoulder, and a new longer-haired version of Andrei Kirilenko the Jazz have no reason to be anything other than beastly this season. And I mean that in a good way. Every prediction from the Jazz camp, however, comes with the ominous caveat ‘If we can stay healthy.’” |
46 |
 |
Kyle Weidie | Truth About It“Flip Saunders has never gotten a team ‘there.’ That worn out cliché always runs rampant, plaguing almost every coach who hasn’t won … until they win. Red Auerbach (647), Larry Brown (1,900), and Dick Motta (738) all took their lumps before winning a championship (games coached before title season). Don’t be surprised when what you think is impossible becomes a reality. … 2010 is the Chinese Year of the Tiger. Factor in Gilbert Arenas’ stomach tattoo and the fact that the Wizards play their home games in D.C.’s Chinatown, and all the cards are in place.” |
42 |
* As predicted by a consensus of all TrueHoop Network bloggers. |
||
TrueHoop Network 2009-10 Season Preview: New Jersey
Oct 26, 2009 2009-2010 Season Preview, Truehoop Network
Last Year’s Record: 34-48
Crystal Ball
The consensus prediction of the TrueHoop Network bloggers … and the best hopes of NetsAreScorching.
Crowd Says: 29-53
NetsAreScorching Says: 35-47
Yes We Can!
The sun is out. The seas have parted. The basketball gods are shining upon us!
When it comes to building an NBA roster, the cornerstones of most teams are the point guard and the center. In Devin Harris and Brook Lopez, the Nets have two young affordable talents who make them the envy of most teams around the league. And that’s why the Nets are going to exceed expectations this season.
A lot of people wrote off the Nets in 2008-09. After disposing of two-thirds of their “big three” in Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, the Nets proceeded to win 34 games, hanging around in the Eastern Conference playoff race until the final six weeks.
The biggest roster change going into this season was the trade of Vince Carter, whom the Nets sent to the Orlando Magic for Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie. Carter’s offensive production will be difficult to replace, but by trading the aging star, the Nets managed to get a younger guard in Lee, who put together a solid rookie campaign, while also obtaining the expiring contracts of Alston and Battie, who can provide cap flexibility for the Nets headed in the 2010 offseason when a number of elite stars may hit the open market. Those expiring contracts, along with Bobby Simmons’ deal, could also make for attractive trade chips if the Nets are in a position to make a run for the playoffs this year. The Nets may also be in a better position to spend now. With Russia’s richest man, Mikhail Prokhorov, ready to take a majority stake in the franchise, the organization could soon have access to a wealth of resources.
While Lee has supposedly told buddy Dwight Howard that he’s still hurting afterleaving an NBA Finals team, he helps strengthen the Nets’ perimeter defense, which plagued the team at points last season. The Nets will also get help from lottery pick Terrence Williams, who may struggle initially without a true position or a great jump shot, but will likely get minutes if his collegiate defensive and passing games translate to the NBA.
Then there’s Yi, the x-factor. Yi packed on some bulk and had a strong run for Team China in the FIBA Asia Championship, posting a double-double in the tournament. The development of Yi is the key for the Nets building on their 34-win season and becoming a sleeper team in the Eastern Conference.
No You Can’t
A rousing dissent from a rival blogger.
Last season, Devin Harris said, “I knew we were going to be a playoff team.” The Nets won 34 games and finished 11th in the East. And without Vince Carter, they might not even be that good this season.
Matt McHale, By the Horns
All-A-Twitter
A 140-character insight into the soul of the team.
“In a tow truck w/a guy who looks like dustin Pedroia driving 100 miles. I’m living a movie. I’m w/my dog Tone Boogie so I’m half way good.”
- In mid-July, CDR’s tweet reflected a Coen Brothers’ movie when he was stranded in Stoudsburg, PA
On the Record
Single best quote concerning the team during the last 12 months.
“The feeling I get when I make a pass for an assist is like the one you’d get if you had a baby brother and every time he tried to walk, he fell down, until one time, he finally walked and you were there to see it. That’s the kind of happiness I get from seeing other guys score.”
- Terrence Williams on the feeling he gets when he makes a perfect pass.
The 2008-09 Almanac
Some key stats from last season.
New Jersey Nets
Offense: 16th
Defense: 24th
Pace: 23rd
Team Factor Strength(s): Turnovers (10th)
Team Factor Weakness(es): Free Throws Allowed (29th), Offensive Rebounding
(22nd), Shooting Allowed (22nd)
The Play
Down a single point with 9.2 seconds to play in a must-win game. What’s the play?
Without Vince Carter to dominate the ball in the final seconds, the Nets can run a pick and roll with Devin Harris and Brook Lopez at the high post on the right side. Spacing the court would be Courtney Lee on the ball-side wing and Yi in the ball-side corner a few steps in from the 3-point line. Coming off the screen, Harris would have plenty of options. He could attack the hole, take the jumper, hit Brook Lopez rolling, or find either Courtney Lee or Yi stepping in for a jumper if their defenders drop in to help on Devin coming off the screen.
The People’s Choice
The fan favorite the crowd will be chanting for to see some action.
Sean Williams’ game has never been the reason why he has been glued to the bench. Despite showing flashes his first two seasons, Williams has been marred with legal troubles. This athletic 4 has now been buried on the depth chart behind Yi, Battie and Eduardo Najera. If these three struggle fans could be clamoring for Sean Williams.
If You’re Watching the Bottom Line, You’re Watching This
The single biggest spreadsheet issue hanging over the team.
Is there anything looming larger for the Nets right now than their proposed move to Brooklyn? Years after first announcing their plans to move, ownership is still fighting legal battles and seeking financing to get ground broken for the Barclays Arena by the end of the year. The announcement that Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov intended to purchase a majority stake in the team could help get this project going, but any lingering doubts about Brooklyn could spoil any chance the Nets have of landing a top free agent next summer.