Some More Thoughts On The Nets “Big Three”
Mar 9, 2010 Brook Lopez, Courtney Lee, Devin Harris
While watching last night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, I couldn’t help thinking about Mark’s terrific post on the Nets new “Big Three.“ As I watched the game, I saw two thirds of this new big three play very well. Courtney Lee scored 30 points on 13-20 shooting and Devin Harris put in 28 points on 9-18 shooting. However the big man in this triangle of players, Brook Lopez, battled foul trouble in the first half and really seemed to struggle the entire game. Lopez scored 10 points on 3-10 shooting and was only able to pull down 7 rebounds (including a whopping 0 in the first half).
Now I am not going to get on Brook Lopez for one bad game. He has been the Nets’ most consistent performer all year and bad games are bound to happen. But what this bad game from Brook Lopez goes to show is how dependent this current roster is on the Nets’ new “Big Three.” For the Nets to get a win, they need Courtney Lee, Devin Harris, and Brook Lopez to all play well because there simply isn’t enough production coming from the rest of the roster. Look at last night’s game for example, if Brook puts up his average and scores 19 points, the Nets win. Instead, he scores 10 points and there is nobody there to pick up the slack. When good teams have their stars struggle, they usually can get someone else to help out in terms of scoring. Let’s use the Grizzlies as an example as their best player, Zach Randolph, ended up not playing. They needed some extra scoring to come from somewhere, and Mike Conley ended up picking up the slack scoring 21 (he averages 10).
Is there someone on the Nets roster who can do what Mike Conley did last night (pick up the scoring load when the main guys aren’t able to)? I don’t think so. Terrence Williams has been playing very well as of late, but he isn’t a scorer at this point in his career. Keyon Dooling and Jarvis Hayes are guys who can knock down jumpers, but they aren’t going to go out and get 20 points for you. Chris Douglas-Roberts has the potential to do it, but he is so wildly inconsistent you can’t depend on him. Then there is Josh Boone and Trenton Hassell. These are two guys who are going to work their butt of for your team, but they couldn’t score 10 points alone in a gym.
If the Nets are going to avoid infamy and get that coveted 10th win, the Nets are going to need to find someone who can provide a 4th scoring option, a guy who can help pick up the slack when either Brook Lopez, Courtney Lee or Devin Harris struggle. Who is that going to be? Well, when Kris Humphries arrived from Dallas, he was putting up great numbers, but now he is struggling. My candidate is Terrence Williams, because as teams start to play him for the pass, lanes are going to open up. If nobody steps up, the Nets probably won’t get to 10 wins unless Courtney Lee, Brook Lopez, and Devin Harris start combining for 80 points a game or something like that.
Nets on the Net: 3/9/10 Edition
Mar 9, 2010 Courtney Lee, Free Agents, Nets on the Net, Nets vs. 72-73 Sixers
With the Nets inching closer to all-time infamy, the Philadelphia Daily News gives a detailed look at the 72-73 Sixers. Fred Carter, the leading scorer of that team, wants to keep the record in Philadelphia.
Rudy Gay is quietly spreading the word that he would play in New Jersey, but the Memphis Grizzlies expect the restricted free agent to stick around: Grizzlies’ owner Michael Heisley told the Memphis Commercial Appeal, “I feel we’re going to sign him.”
Post columnist George Willis doesn’t blame David Lee for looking towards the Nets this summer.
Courtney Lee tells Al Iannazzone that he’s starting to regain that scorer’s mentality he had in college: “I was a scorer in college,” Lee said. “I went to the NBA and I had to switch my role. Just getting back into that scoring role like before, you have to be in tip-top shape and you have to definitely have your rhythm.
Is There a New Big Three in Town?
Mar 8, 2010 Brook Lopez, Courtney Lee, Devin Harris
The Nets haven’t had a legitimate “Big Three” since the days of Kidd-Carter-Jefferson, and even then, I don’t know how “big” those three players ever were since they never took the Nets any further than the second round of the playoffs.
Coming into this season, while no one ever proclaimd Devin Harris, Brook Lopez and Courtney Lee as the new “Big Three,” they were, arguably, the team’s three best options on the offensive end. Unfortunately, Lee struggled mightily shooting-wise and Harris had been erratic. It’s not until recently that the three have started to produce actual results together offensively, and it’s no surprise that the Nets are playing better as a team as a result.
In their last seven games together (starting 2/16 and excluding the last three games before Saturday when Lee was out with an injured ankled), Lee-Harris-Lopez combined to average 61.2 points per game, which, for you math majors out there, breaks down to about 20 points per player – not too shabby for the worst offensive team in basketball. Meanwhile, the Nets as a team have put together a 3-4 record in that stretch, which includes a win on the road against a tough defensive team in Charlotte, a stunning upset of the Celtics in Boston, and a great come-from-behind victory against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. You could accuse me of cherry-picking these seven games, but considering the Nets are still on pace to have the worst record in NBA history, any stretch where the team is winning 43 percent of their games, is something to take note of.
It makes sense that the Nets are most successful offensively with those three players clicking, because each one brings a unique ability to the team. Lopez is clearly the post presence, Harris is best when he’s breaking down defenders and driving to the hoop, and Lee excels as a three-point shooter, or a mid-range jump shooter in transition. When Lopez and Harris are excelling at their games, it opens up more opportunities for Lee and vice versa. It just makes sense that these three should work so well together. And unlike the period earlier this season where Yi Jianlian was scoring in bunches in what some thought was at the expense of other players, Lee, Lopez and Harris are all getting their opportunities as of late, with each player carrying the offense during certain stretches.
Nets on the Net: 3/7/10 Edition
Mar 7, 2010 Chris Douglas-Roberts, Courtney Lee, LeBron James, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net, Rafer Alston
Over at the 2010 MIT Sloan Sports Conference, where I’m beginning to think I’m the only TrueHooper not in attendance (see some of Sebastian’s coverage at NBA Playbook Here), Mikhail Prokhorov was mentioned as the “next generation” of sports owner.
Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy on yesterday’s superstar, Courtney Lee, as told to Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger: “He’s a very good player,’’ Lee’s old coach with Orlando, Stan Van Gundy, said of the 6-5 second-year guard. “His rookie year, he basically took open shots, moved the ball, played very good defense, didn’t make mistakes. And I think early in the year (with the Nets, after coming to New Jersey in the Vince Carter trade), trying to get back to the way he was in college and trying to be more aggressive was a little bit more of a challenge.
In Al Iannazzone’s recap, Courtney Lee says he sees yesterday’s game as a turning point for the team: “It feels good,” said Courtney Lee, one of the Nets stars with 25 points in his first game back after missing the prior three with a sprained ankle. “We’re starting to play together. We’re starting to understand and make the right reads out there. I feel finishing the season we’ll be a pretty good team.”
Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni is none too happy about last night: “It is as bad as it gets,” Mike D’Antoni said. “We just have to come back Monday and try to do better. I don’t have a lot to say; we just have to pull it together and find a little bit of a combination that works a little bit.”
Adam Jacobi at SB Nation, says last night’s game means two things:
- The world has gone completely crazycakes
- The Knicks are falling apart faster than 4-year-old’s alibi in the case of the missing cake frosting
Just thought I’d mention that this New York Post report refers to the Nets as “impotent.” Does this mean the players should have just been taking viagra all season?
Brian Windhorst of the Plain Dealer mocks Chris Douglas-Roberts for his recent cryptic comments about whether or not he would help recruit LeBron James to the Nets: That’s what the Nets get, apparently, for upsetting a player making the minimum salary who is averaging 10 points per game.
Old friend Rafer Alston, who hasn’t played any better since going to Miami, was indefinitely suspended by the team and is mulling retirement.
Nets on the Net: 3/5/10 Edition
Mar 5, 2010 Courtney Lee, John Calipari, LeBron James, Nets on the Net, Nets vs. 72-73 Sixers, Newark, Rod Thorn, Terrence Williams, Vince Carter
Ben Couch gives a nod to us, so let’s nod right back and mention his great piece on Courtney Lee, who was really settling into a groove recently until he injured his ankle: “Once you start getting back to your normal self and playing well, something always pops up. I just look at it as adversity, and I can overcome it: just continue to work on my game and just work myself back into shape and being healthy and go from there.”
However, Kiki lists Lee as “doubtful” for tonight’s game against his former mates.
Make sure you check out njnets.com at 1 p.m. as the live stream their press conference from the Prudential Center.
Rod Thorn, meanwhile, is unsure of the impact Newark will have on this year’s free agent class: “It’s hard to say,” Thorn said when asked if the Nets will have an edge because of their arena situation. “I think Newark will be a good place to play but I don’t know what it means for free agents.”
Kentucky coach, and former Nets coach, John Calipari talks with Al Iannazzone and pays a compliment to the current Nets roster, while naturally saying how bad the roster he took control of was in the 90s: “You got other guys that are legitimate NBA players,” he said. “I go back and look at our team my first year [1996-97], and whew. You look at our roster … when we won our 10th game I had a celebration because I thought we were only going to win nine. The team I had, I couldn’t believe it.”
Terrence Williams has been playing better lately, but as Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger captures, it hasn’t been easy for him this season: “I really didn’t know what to expect,” he said Thursday. “I tried to come here and use the same game that I used in college, but my shot wasn’t falling. I had to re-evaluate myself as a player and change my game to more so going to the hole, but still do the other little things that I do and love to do, as far as, like, passing, playing ‘D’ and rebounding.”
Al Iannazzone looks at whether or the not the Nets miss Vince Carter’s leadership.
Dave Markowitz of the Daytona Beach News Journal assures Nets fans that the 72-73 Philadelphia 76ers were worse. Meanwhile, the Orlando Sentinel looks at the worst team’s in sports history and mentions an NJIT team I believe Sebastian is familiar with.
Another “Buckeye” argues against LeBron bolting for NYC.
Nets on the Net: 2/28/10 Edition
Feb 28, 2010 Bobby Simmons, Brook Lopez, Courtney Lee, Nets on the Net, Rod Thorn
Brook Lopez is thinking what all Nets fans are thinking after yesterday’s shocking victory against the Celtics: “To finally break through against a good team like this shows us what we’re capable of,” Brook Lopez said after leading the Nets with 25 points.
Kevin Garnett, on the other hand, is saying what all Celtics fans are saying after last night: “I’ve got nothing to say,” Kevin Garnett said. “I feel disgusted.”
Speaking of Celtics fans, Zach Lowe of CelticsHub has some fun with video entitled how to lost to a five-win team.
Fred Keber of the New York Post, talks with Courtney Lee about his ankle injury: “It’s stiff right now because I just iced it,” said Lee, who hit one of the game’s biggest shots — a jumper in the third quarter when the Celtics were charging and the crowd was roaring. “Usually, when I sprain my ankle it’s something I can get over real quick.”
Bobby Simmons is one of the most expensive benchwarmers in the league, but he at least has a good attitude about it during an interview with the Daily News’ Julian Garcia: “It’s not really embarrassing because it’s out of my control,” says Simmons, who plays less than any of his teammates.
Rod Thorn remains coy about his future with the organization, according to Al Iannazzone: “Not a thing going on,” Thorn said. “Nothing at all. We’ll just see if and when Mr. Prokhorov takes over, he’ll do whatever he’s going to do. But until, as you’ve seen me quoted, I have nothing to say about any part of ownership. Period.”
Nets on the Net: 2/27/10 Edition
Feb 27, 2010 Courtney Lee, Keyon Dooling, Nets on the Net, Rod Thorn, Tony Battie
The Nets had a hard time dealing with the snow, including Keyon Dooling, who was involved in a minor car accident.
Courtney Lee was equally miffed by the weather, according to Fred Kerber: “This is pretty brutal,” guard Courtney Lee said. “I’ve been in snow situations all my life, growing up in Indianapolis and then in Kentucky and this was probably the worst. [In Indy], we got snow like this once a year.”
Is Tony Battie a buyout candidate?
Nets fans disappointed by the team’s lack of activity at the trade deadline last week should hear what Marc Spears of Yahoo is reporting: Thorn said most of the teams talking to the Nets were focused on acquiring center Brook Lopez(notes) or guards Devin Harris(notes) and Courtney Lee(notes). Thorn considers all three to be key pieces of the Nets’ future – regardless of whether Thorn is around to call the shots after the team’s sale is completed. The New York Knicks, meanwhile, made deals to allow them to potentially sign two top-tier free agents.
Looking At Courtney Lee’s Numbers Again
Feb 25, 2010 Advanced Statistics, Courtney Lee
Courtney Lee has been a tough player to evaluate. He has really been feast or famine, either going for 20+ points or less than 10, and nothing really in between. Also, since Lee was the big piece (and maybe the only piece that finishes the season as a Net) acquired in the Vince Carter trade we like to keep an eye on how he has been playing. We did one of these updates after game #17, and another after game #38. With a little lull in the schedule, I thought now would be a good time to look at Courtney’s numbers again.
All data from Hoopdata.com
Offensive Game
Usage & Turnovers
Courtney Lee’s usage dropped a touch yet again, going from 17.96 to 17.81. Now, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, since the big talking point going into the season was as Courtney’s usage increased, his numbers would drop. It is good to see the Nets keeping his usage as a manageable rate, because my fear was (and still is to a point) that Courtney’s usage would increase to over 20, making him inefficient. Lee’s Turnover Rate continues to rise (it is now sitting at 7.75), but it is still well below league average, so that means he is still doing a fantastic job of taking care of the basketball.
Courtney’s Shot
Courtney Lee’s shooting percentage is returning to the level he is shooting last year (he is actually shooting better this year from 10-23 feet), except for two key locations, the three point line and inside 10 feet (not at the rim). I personally think that this is due to the fact that he is being defended differently here in New Jersey than he was in Orlando last year. Last year, as the 5th or 6th option on that Magic team, Lee didn’t have defenses focus on him, this allowed him to get off a lot of open threes (we have discussed this in the past), but he was also able to get a lot of shots in the lane because teams would rather let Lee shoot than double off of Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard, or Hedo Turkaglu. This year, Courtney has settled into the third option, and with that he isn’t getting nearly as many open threes or runners in the lane.
These two locations are the main reason for his inconsistency. If Courtney Lee is hitting his three pointers and runners, he is going to have a big game. If not, he is going to have a game where he really struggles.
Defense
What has really impressed me about Courtney Lee is that no matter whether is his having a good game or an off-night, he brings it on the defensive end. In my opinion, Courtney Lee is one of the better defenders in the NBA, and the numbers back him up. Lee gets more rebounds this year, he gets more steals, blocks more shots, and takes more charges.
Nets on the Net: 1/22/10 Edition
Jan 22, 2010 Brook Lopez, Courtney Lee, Devin Harris, John Wall, Nets on the Net, Rod Thorn
A fantastic and thorough look by Matt Moore of Hardwood Paroxysm at the potential conundrum the Nets have on their hands if they trade Devin Harris, but fail to get PG prospect John Wall in the draft.
Speaking of trading Devin, Rod Thorn tries to put an end to these rumors: “It’s very, very unlikely that we’d trade Devin. I never say never, but it’s very unlikely that he’s going to be traded,” Nets president Rod Thorn said as he watched the start of practice at a health club in the city’s financial district.
Julian Garcia talks to Indianapolis native Courtney Lee about the Colts resting their starters down the stretch. I would like to add Go Jets (sorry Sebastian).
The San Francisco Chronicle profiles Brook Lopez, calling him one of the few bright spots on the Nets.
On the heels of his somewhat favorable comments about coming to the Nets this summer, the Bright Side of the Sun Phoenix Suns blog talks exclusively to Amare Stoudamire regarding his thoughts on getting trading and free agency.
Rory of Slippery When Nets fame, talks the halfway point of the season and Bon Jovi.
For those who want to keep reading up on John Wall, the Charlotte Observer looks at how the Raleigh, NC, native chose the University of Kentuckey over local powerhouse schools Duke and North Carolina.
Nets on the Net: 1/18/10 Edition
Jan 18, 2010 Chris Douglas-Roberts, Courtney Lee, Devin Harris, John Wall, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net, Terrence Williams
Howard Beck of the New York Times compares the Nets fortunes with the 72-73 Philadelphia 76ers.
Chris Douglas-Roberts is getting a radio show.
Any trades coming this week?: “Nobody’s safe,” Devin Harris said. “But that’s the way the business goes.”
Brian Lewis, of the NY Post, writes about Devin Harris, who’s still trying to recapture his all-star magic from a year ago: “My wrist was bothering me, my shot wasn’t going,” said Harris, whom the Nets might be willing to deal according to a recent ESPN report. “But I’m still going to attack the rim, get to the free throw line the way I did. I’m going to try and see if it works better for the team and if we play better.
Kiki Vandeweghe keeps talking about playing the kids, so Dave D’Alessandro asks where are the shots for Courtney Lee, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Terrence Williams.
Julian Garcia is the latest report to talk about the Nets and John Wall.
Al Iannazzone on the Nets: It’s all the Nets’ approach, how they compete and the point in which they start to hang their heads and feel sorry for themselves. They’re a mentally fragile team. Lately, it’s been the first half, but we’ve seen it happen in every quarter all year.
AK-47, the NBA’s only Russian player, talks more about Mikhail Prokhorov’s potential impact on Russian players.