Bottomed Out

The Nets had all the stars aligned to end the losing streak and salvage one game on this horrific West Coast swing. A 15-point 4^th quarter lead, solid games from Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson, the worst opponent the NBA could offer in Minnesota. Then Poof. The Wolves dominated down the stretch, New Jersey went cold from the field, blowing a 7-point lead in the final 1:19 to lose 98-95. Nine straight losses, 10 of the last 11, 0 for 6 on the road trip, a disappointing 18-25 record, outplayed down the stretch by a hodgepodge of youngsters on the bottom feeders in the league – rock bottom.

Al Jefferson played like a man among boys, tossing in a career-high 40 points, and grabbing 19 boards, but his 2 free throws with 11 seconds left put the final nail in the Nets coffin.

RJ started out hot – 19 first half points despite foul trouble – yet Lawrence Frank called Carter’s number down the stretch. He rewarded the coach’s faith by missing a pair of off balance, 20-foot jumpers. Carter’s night was a microcosm of his season, flashes of brilliance - attacking the rim, getting to the foul line, abusing inexperienced defenders in isolation – mixed with long jumpers, slow passes off the double-team, and deferring to teammates too often.

After over three quarters of improved defense – not high praise after allowing over 100 points for six straight games – New Jersey reverted to its old ways in the fourth. Rashard McCants and Gerald Green, left open with the Nets forced to double-team Jefferson, buried backbreaking three point baskets to erase the Wolves deficit.

Led by RJ’s 35 points and Carter’s 25 points, the Nets offense played more aggressive, getting to the line 39 times against the NBA’s most penalized team. Once again, they could not capitalize, shooting only 67% from the line, leaving 13 free points on the court.

Outside of nailing three consecutive three-pointers late in the third – the last on a pray as the shot clock expired – Jason Kidd appeared to have one foot out the door already. Where was he when the Wolves made their fourth quarter run you ask – zero points, zero assists.

On a night the T-Wolves showcased the diamond of the Kevin Garnett package, the Nets received a reminder that their young frontcourt is still a work in progress. Jefferson dominated Josh Boone and Sean Williams, displaying every move in the book – baseline spins, jump hooks, outside shots – and scoring at will. Despite outrebounding Minnesota for the game, Jefferson single-handedly killed the Nets on the offensive glass leading to countless easy second chance points. Jason Collins did a solid job in the fourth of containing the 22-year old manchild, but too little too late.

At 18-25, with their star players head only half engaged, the Nets organization need to do some soul searching – everyone from the GM, to the coach, to the players. The team can go two ways after a loss like this, show resiliency, bounce back, and make a run at the playoffs, or fold it up and face the embarrassment of finishing behind the Knicks in the Atlantic Division.