Nets Playoff Recap...
I’ve wanted to keep a running diary of each Nets games during the playoffs, but I felt if I did something like that I would for one, jinx the Nets and two, would be copying something Bill Simmons, The Sports Guy, has done. But I need to talk about last night’s game and what has transpired over the course of the 1st round against the Indiana Pacers.
The win last night for the Nets was huge in terms of confidence and momentum. It seemed every time the Nets went on a 6-0, 7-0 or 8-0 run, the Pacers would come right back with their own mini run. And the Nets haven’t been able to shut down the Pacers. Even in Game 4, they were up double digits for the majority of the game, but they couldn’t close them out. But last night, even though the Pacers remained in the game and tied it up in the 4th, after being down double digits, the Nets did a fine job of staying calm and collected under pressure. Vince didn’t force any bad shots. Krstic hit free throws, RJ hit a key 3 and they made the crucial stops on the defensive end when they needed to be done. Well job done. And most importantly, they didn’t allow one player to beat them. Game 1 they allowed Anthony “Beatlejuice” Johnson beat them (with the help from Stephen Jackson), Game 3 Jermaine O’Neal controlled the game with his inside presence and staying out of foul trouble. Last night they were able to shut down almost everyone. They didn’t allow anyone on the Pacers to take control of the game for a long period of time. But here is a player-by-player analysis of those who have been playing significant roles/minutes for the Nets…
Kidd has stepped up his game in games 4 and 5. No, he hasn’t been scoring much, but they don’t need him to. Last night alone he dished out 15, yes that’s right, 15 assists. But all he has to do is keep feeding the ball to VC, RJ and Nenad. And then on the defensive end, he finally shut down Anthony Johnson, who had outplayed him for the first 3 games of the series, and can even argue Beatlejuice outplayed the more talented J-Kidd in Game 4. But it was nice to see him really step up the game significantly in this crucial Game 5.
VC also started to attack the rim rather than settling for bad shots from 15+ ft. Instead he is driving to the basket, making contact, and getting to the line. Let’s continue that and get Cry Baby O’Neal in foul trouble early in Game 6.
RJ is playing within himself. His defense is a little underrated but he has been so consistent on the offensive end. He makes his outside shots and has continued to drive to the basket. And on top of it, he is unselfish and just wants to do whatever needs to be done to win. He doesn’t call out anyone for calling plays for VC instead of himself (exception Game 1) even if he does have a hotter hand than Carter at that point in the game.
Jacque is underrated and can be argued he has done a better job than J out on the floor. He has had to come in and shut down Anthony Johnson, which he has done with his pressure defense. And on the offensive end he hasn’t really forced anything. He is just playing sound ball right now.
Jason Collins has played well defensively. He has tried his best to stay out of foul trouble, but it is tough to do so when you are going up against O’Neal. He has certainly played with a little passion and urgency than in the past.
Uncle Cliff has been the biggest disappointment. He hasn’t been making his shots and I feel as though his defense is a little overrated. But I do like his aggressiveness with a couple steals in games 2 and 5. And another thing, he has to learn to keep his cool. I don’t want to see him getting T’d up anymore.
Lamond Murray is playing a little much. He’s a liability on defense and isn’t consistent enough on the offensive end to be getting all these minutes. I understand why he’s in there when the Big guys are in foul trouble, but he doesn’t need to get this much P.T.
Nenad Krstic, all I can say is UNDERRATED. He doesn’t get any love from the national press. Yes, the local papers know how good he is, but on a national level the Nets are always referred to as the Big 3. I’m sorry, but they are the Big 4 now. Krstic showed his potential in the playoffs last year when they got swept by the Heat, but he was one of the few bright spots. And during their 14 game winning streak, he averaged a double/double. During this years playoffs, he is hitting his 15 ft. jump shot with consistency and confidence, can run down the floor on breaks, and he has been bringing down important offensive and defensive rebound. I get annoyed that no one is paying any respect to him. We are watching the making of a great player before our own eyes. Let’s pay him some attention.
The Nets have a lot of potential and can make a serious bid at the championship as long as they play cohesively on the defensive end and knocking down their layups (missed 14 layups in Game 1) on the fast break and start hitting the 3 a little more consistently. Just keep VC in check and have him attack the rim, Kidd dishing it off, RJ playing hard, Set Shot Willy (Collins) play D and crash the boards and Krstic as the ‘X’ factor, they will make noise, and hopefully, get some more recognition.
The win last night for the Nets was huge in terms of confidence and momentum. It seemed every time the Nets went on a 6-0, 7-0 or 8-0 run, the Pacers would come right back with their own mini run. And the Nets haven’t been able to shut down the Pacers. Even in Game 4, they were up double digits for the majority of the game, but they couldn’t close them out. But last night, even though the Pacers remained in the game and tied it up in the 4th, after being down double digits, the Nets did a fine job of staying calm and collected under pressure. Vince didn’t force any bad shots. Krstic hit free throws, RJ hit a key 3 and they made the crucial stops on the defensive end when they needed to be done. Well job done. And most importantly, they didn’t allow one player to beat them. Game 1 they allowed Anthony “Beatlejuice” Johnson beat them (with the help from Stephen Jackson), Game 3 Jermaine O’Neal controlled the game with his inside presence and staying out of foul trouble. Last night they were able to shut down almost everyone. They didn’t allow anyone on the Pacers to take control of the game for a long period of time. But here is a player-by-player analysis of those who have been playing significant roles/minutes for the Nets…
Kidd has stepped up his game in games 4 and 5. No, he hasn’t been scoring much, but they don’t need him to. Last night alone he dished out 15, yes that’s right, 15 assists. But all he has to do is keep feeding the ball to VC, RJ and Nenad. And then on the defensive end, he finally shut down Anthony Johnson, who had outplayed him for the first 3 games of the series, and can even argue Beatlejuice outplayed the more talented J-Kidd in Game 4. But it was nice to see him really step up the game significantly in this crucial Game 5.
VC also started to attack the rim rather than settling for bad shots from 15+ ft. Instead he is driving to the basket, making contact, and getting to the line. Let’s continue that and get Cry Baby O’Neal in foul trouble early in Game 6.
RJ is playing within himself. His defense is a little underrated but he has been so consistent on the offensive end. He makes his outside shots and has continued to drive to the basket. And on top of it, he is unselfish and just wants to do whatever needs to be done to win. He doesn’t call out anyone for calling plays for VC instead of himself (exception Game 1) even if he does have a hotter hand than Carter at that point in the game.
Jacque is underrated and can be argued he has done a better job than J out on the floor. He has had to come in and shut down Anthony Johnson, which he has done with his pressure defense. And on the offensive end he hasn’t really forced anything. He is just playing sound ball right now.
Jason Collins has played well defensively. He has tried his best to stay out of foul trouble, but it is tough to do so when you are going up against O’Neal. He has certainly played with a little passion and urgency than in the past.
Uncle Cliff has been the biggest disappointment. He hasn’t been making his shots and I feel as though his defense is a little overrated. But I do like his aggressiveness with a couple steals in games 2 and 5. And another thing, he has to learn to keep his cool. I don’t want to see him getting T’d up anymore.
Lamond Murray is playing a little much. He’s a liability on defense and isn’t consistent enough on the offensive end to be getting all these minutes. I understand why he’s in there when the Big guys are in foul trouble, but he doesn’t need to get this much P.T.
Nenad Krstic, all I can say is UNDERRATED. He doesn’t get any love from the national press. Yes, the local papers know how good he is, but on a national level the Nets are always referred to as the Big 3. I’m sorry, but they are the Big 4 now. Krstic showed his potential in the playoffs last year when they got swept by the Heat, but he was one of the few bright spots. And during their 14 game winning streak, he averaged a double/double. During this years playoffs, he is hitting his 15 ft. jump shot with consistency and confidence, can run down the floor on breaks, and he has been bringing down important offensive and defensive rebound. I get annoyed that no one is paying any respect to him. We are watching the making of a great player before our own eyes. Let’s pay him some attention.
The Nets have a lot of potential and can make a serious bid at the championship as long as they play cohesively on the defensive end and knocking down their layups (missed 14 layups in Game 1) on the fast break and start hitting the 3 a little more consistently. Just keep VC in check and have him attack the rim, Kidd dishing it off, RJ playing hard, Set Shot Willy (Collins) play D and crash the boards and Krstic as the ‘X’ factor, they will make noise, and hopefully, get some more recognition.
posted by Mark D. Miller at 12:25 PM
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