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In another reminder of how disappointing the Nets underachieving season, TNT broadcasts tonight’s visit to Golden State nationally. When the networks and the league make the television schedule, it usually focuses on good teams, and star players. At 18-23 riding a six-game losing streak – or blowout streak - Turner wishes it had the NFL’s flex schedule option.

Problems occasionally come to a head on nationally televised game. Another lackluster effort, non-competitive loss where the defense gets beat around like a piñata and the embarrassment may force Thorn to make a coaching move, or pull the trigger. May sound extreme, but how many more games where the Nets play with less urgency than a charity game before Thorn, or even Bruce Ratner, have to rattle the cage?

Conversely, the Nets can make a statement. With Frank under mounting pressure, trade rumors starting to rumble, the players can do more than verbally defend the coach – play hard for him. Forget the coach, each player needs to show some pride, dig in on defense, dive for loose balls, and play 48 minutes hard. At this point, a competitive game would do, a win seems far-fetched after the past few games.

Prediction: If the Nets come out like they did against Pheonix, Baron and the boys may go for 100 points in three quarters.

Now is no time for finger pointing with the New Jersey Nets, losers of five straight and six of seven. Blame the coach, blame the big money shooting guard, blame the hall of fame point guard, blame the ball boy – everyone in the organization should be ashamed of the performance over the past two weeks.

After a tough fought home loss to Boston, the Nets have mailed it in. Romped by Portland and Phoenix, sandwiched around a pair of losses to the league’s bottom feeders, the Clippers and Knicks, now a combined 5-0 against the Nets. Effort and defense are the root causes. Not who has a good shooting night, or the rotation Frank uses, or even a bad match-up, all comparatively easy problems. Hustle, hard work, enthusiasm – intangibles players take for granted – should have Nets management worried.

Opponents have averaged 105 points over the seven-game slump, dropping the team defense to 16^th overall on the season (98.6 ppg). Unacceptable for a team struggling without an identity on offense. Most alarming, only one opponent over that stretch sits in the Top 10 in scoring. The Nets have been slow on transition defense, immediately exposed by Phoenix with a 35-point first quarter. Outside of Josh Boone, nobody consistently rebounds or boxes out. Chris Kaman owned the inside with 12 boards and 9 blocks on Saturday, Curry and Randolph dominated for the Knicks, while the Suns held a ten rebound edge. Tipped rebounds, loose balls, plays where desire takes over, all go against the Nets.

Unlike earlier this season, when inspired comebacks followed the early double-digit deficits, NJ threw the towel in the past week. Instead of rallying around each other, the team comes unglued - miscommunication leading to throwing passes away, lazy dribbling become turnovers and an easy buckets the other way.

Boki Nochbar sums it up best, “we need to show more pride.” Talent-wise the Nets can go toe to toe with most of the Eastern Conference, but heart and desire erase close the gap quick. After a slow start, the Nets have no room for error, and the schedule will only get tougher from here. Up next a rejuvenated Kings squad with a healthy Bibby, Artest, and Martin to supplement the supporting cast that blasted New Jersey last month, followed by visits to Golden State and Denver, two Western Conference playoff teams. Shooting woes aside, if the effort does not improve immediately the Nets will quickly become the easy game on other teams scheduled – if they have not already.

            After the loss to Boston Friday night Richard Jefferson magically transformed from small forward to soothsayer. Taking no solstice in the effort against Boston, RJ proclaimed “we’re not a good real offensive team…truth be told,” followed up by explaining the Nets should not be considered one of the better teams until they reach at least 10 games over .500. The Nets took it to heart, literally, validating his first theory on Monday night, thus dropping below .500 moving again.
            Off a 9-point 4^th quarter barrage on Friday, the Nets shot a dismal 4-19 in the first quarter, quickly falling behind by double digits at home, yet again, en route to a 99-73 loss to Portland. Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, and Jefferson, the All-Star trio expected to carry the team most nights, and pick each other up, posted a putrid 7-33 shooting night for only 29 points. Portland’s bench, led by such household names as Jarrett Jack and James Jones, outscored the Nets starters.
            More disconcerting than the numbers was the effort, or lack thereof. Outside of a 10-2 spurt by the Nets backups in the 2^nd quarter, Portland outworked, outhustled, and outplayed the Nets all night. Led by Joel Pryzbilla, the Blazers dominated the glass, seemed to grab every loose ball, and contested rebound. The Nets were slow rotating on defense all night, back to old habits from earlier this season not contesting shooters. Portland took advantage burying 60% from beyond the arc.
            Unlike the Boston game, where New Jersey fought through its offensive struggles, the Nets threw the towel in against Portland. Frank tried a small lineup to start the 4^th quarter to apply a full court press and try to force turnovers. Ineffective puts it kindly. Even after the starters returned the team had zero energy in the fourth quarter, allowing the lead to balloon to 26 points. Instead of forcing turnovers, the Nets turned it over. Miscommunication led to embarrassing passes landing in the first row.
            Maybe its one of those nights you forget about and move on. Coach Frank shouldered the blame for the lack of preparation. His offense looked lost against Portland’s zone, in an endless loop of drives and kick outs, failing to penetrate the zone.
            No secret, the Nets will not win many games with Malik Allen leading the team with 17 points. Teams play to stop the Nets transition game, which Portland did. When Carter struggles, or they do not get him the ball in good position, and the running game is shutdown, the Nets need to have other options on offense. The pick and roll with Boone, Williams, and Allen, looks effective at times, but they do not use it often enough. After early success, Jefferson’s priorities have shifted to looking for a foul on every drive, rather than scoring.
            Before a six-game West Coast trip, the Nets need a win against the lowly Knicks, who have now posted two straight wins, and beat the Nets in both previous meetings this season, including the infamous Jason Kidd migraine fiasco. The Nets need to come out of the gate hard, look to run on every opportunity, get Carter the ball on the blocks and let him operate the offense, and play tough defense. Its one thing for a young, upstart team to outwork you, but the Knicks are another story. 

Other Notes:

Portland can play. We all know about the tremendous winning streak, now 18 of the last 20, but its not a fluke. They have great chemistry, young athletes that can shoot, and a born leader in Brandon Roy. Roy deservedly gets the most publicity, but LaMarcus Aldridge (20 points, 7 boards) will become a monster on the blocks. He already shows an ability to score from inside and outside, and will only get better. Portland will be a perennial title contender within a year or two, as this core group develops.

Christmas, New Year’s, it’s a good time for one of those lists with gifts or resolutions. What do the Nets need? Well, if you have watched this season, you realize they have many needs, but I will keep this simple, so here goes:

1. Youth Movement - We may look back to mid-December, and point to inserting Josh Boone and Sean Williams into the starting lineup as the turning point of the season, if the season turns. The Nets need these two blossoming players to develop into consistent, night in, night out, forces under the basket, on both sides of the floor. But, maybe more so for the long-term prospects, Marcus Williams has to show the Nets something this season. The Nets need help on offense, Williams has immense offensive talent, here is his chance.
2. Health - I know, not the most creative gift, since each team wants health. They need the current team to remain in tact, that goes without saying. More importantly, The Nets want nothing more for Christmas than to see a fully recovered Nenad Kristic on the court playing at his pre-injury level. Hopefully, this gift arrives in January.
3. No Stupid Trades - Jason Kidd to Cleveland sounds silly, since the Nets are actually better than Cleveland, and many teams in the East for that matter. If they can straighten the ship, why not make a run at it. If you get into the playoffs in the East, can avoid Boston or Detroit in the first round, get hot at the right time, you never know. Address J. Kidd’s future in the off-season, he would still have a year left on his contract, presumably lots of value if his current performance continues, and the front office would have a much better idea of what Marcus Williams, and the other youngsters, are all about.
4. A New Home - The Izod Center is the NBA equivalent to a morgue. It’s painful to even watch games some nights, dark, quiet, no atmosphere at all. Forget the difficult access for fans, and the lack of any reason to go that area other than a game. Fans still flock to see the Jets and Giants, but football is different, its religion in this country, and its 8 times a year. Whatever the case, the Nets will never draw fans at The Swamp. They need to move, they need to move quick. Here’s hoping Brooklyn actually happens.
5. Shooters - Eddie House, where have you gone? Before the season I never realized how important Eddie House, or another killer shooter was, until you watch a team that cannot consistently bury outside shots. Without a dominant post presence, Jersey needs a knock-down shooter to spot up and give Jason Kidd a target on drives to the basket, and alleviate the double-teams that VC and RJ inevitably receive when they are hot.

Here’s to a great 2008, Happy New Year!

1-11 from the field, down 15-4 to Cleveland, facing another double-digit deficit not even half way through the first quarter, out came the Izod Center boo birds, and sighs of “here we go again”. Then something happened, the Nets came out of the timeout with an 8-0 run, Vince Carter played like a superstar, and Josh Boone and Sean Williams, finally teamed together, helped spark the Net run as they took control of the game. And for a change they maintained the momentum for four quarters. Carter answered each Cavs run with a basket to stop the momentum, while the defense kept Cleveland at bay. It all adds up to a Net win, in what is easily their best overall performance since the opening weeks of the season.

Here are the three keys:

1. VC traded in long-range jumpers for aggressive one on one moves toward the basket. Carter controlled the game, rather than settling. His aggressive approach, led to a better shooting night and more effective 30 point performance for him, and opened up countless easy baskets for his teammates, as the defense focused on Carter. Unlike past games when opponents turned two or three consecutive baskets into double-digit leads, VC answered the bell each time the Cavs made move. This is the $62 million man the Nets paid for.
2. Boone and Williams brought energy to the court and had a major impact on both ends. Boone followed up a 14-rebound effort against the Clippers, with 15 points, while Williams chipped in with 9 of his own. More important, the young guns ran the floor with Kidd, and allowed the Nets to capitalize in transition for the first time in weeks. Boone and Williams also hit the boards harder than their frontcourt mates, to help the Nets out rebound Cleveland by ten.
3. The Nets resorted to a match-up zone for parts of the game, which led to more aggressive defense, more steals, and less open shots. Not only did NJ force Cleveland turnovers, it led to 18 fastbreak points, the most since opening night. They pressured the Cavs for four quarters, with some trap and quality individual defense, a far cry from the lackluster performances during the losing streak. Another benefit, no easy second chance point, as the Nets controlled the defensive boards.

For one night, everything is great. Now the Nets MUST beat a struggling Knicks team that received 0 points from Eddy Curry last night. But winning streaks have to start somewhere.

Quick Notes:
Expect Marcus Williams to play by the end of next week, but do not hold your breath on Nenad Kristic. Still rehabbing, mid to late January sounds more likely for Kristic.

Keep an eye on Coach Frank’s starting lineups the next few games. Last night might mark a changing of the guard, with Boone and Williams emerging as the primary frontcourt players. Allen and Collins did start, but vanished to the bench after the first substitution for good. Will Frank finally make the paradigm shift? If not now, after Boone’s recent play, and the duo’s performance last night, then will he ever?

Jason Kidd sat out last night’s Net loss to the Knicks due to migraine headaches, just like half of working America conspicuously comes down with the flu the Monday after the Super Bowl. A week after the initial rumor that Kidd laid into his Net teammates when the team refused to provide him an extension, sources say the “Captain” missed last nights game in protest and will try to force a trade.

Kidd’s behavior is deplorable on many levels. Not only did he not suit up for the game, a game in which the Nets were already shorthanded, Kidd did not even show up at the arena. Meanwhile, teammate Josh Boone, also sitting out with migraines, was at the arena, and actually forced to suit up in the second half because of foul trouble. Leadership?

The Nets now have Kobe Bryant East on their hands, but at least Kobe spewed his venom in the off season, and last check he still shows up to play each and every night. Kidd will earn $19.7 million this season and another $21.37 million next, the same contract he started the season with, when he called this team “the most talented team I have played on.” My, how quickly things change. Once Kidd decided to take the floor with this team on Opening Night, without a complaint about the team or his contract, he committed to the Nets. Unwarranted in-season complaints make Kidd just another selfish, greedy athlete. If he wanted out, or a new contract, he should have made that clear in June, July, August, etc.

Three years ago Kidd ran Byron Scott out of town, he had a public break-up with his wife, and lest we forget this past summer’s run-in with a female accuser in Manhattan. The Nets stood behind him each time. Last season he openly campaigned to play with Kobe, over the summer he raved about playing with the Dream Team and how great suiting up with those players would be, wink, wink, then the Sports Illustrated article that made no secret that Kidd wants to join LeBron in Cleveland. The Nets front office eventually needs to weigh Kidd’s distractions and poor attitude against his contributions on the court. These actions disrespect his teammates, no matter what they say. He spit in their face by not showing up and saying they are not good enough.

Captain? Leader? Kidd hardly exhibits these traits off the court. If you point to the Nets record as the cause, then point to Jason Kidd as one of the problems because he has been on the court for all but one loss. The numbers are great, as good as ever, but Kidd has played sloppy at times, bad passes and lazy dribbling leading to a number of turnovers, and most important, when the Nets fall behind by 8 or 10 points and need on-court leadership, Kidd has not stepped up. He waits until after the game, using the media to deliver the message. Show some fire on the court, step up and make something happen when the team needs it.

Rod Thorn faces a defining moment for the franchise, stick it out, or trade Kidd and start to rebuild? If nothing changes on the court in the next few weeks, and we have seen no indication it will, Thorn has to seriously entertain a trade. But he should not let Kidd, or any team, hold him hostage since the aging guard is signed through next season, giving Thorn an entire off-season of sign and trade possibilities. But it looks inevitable, the face of the franchise will no longer be J. Kidd.

Vince Carter’s absence unmasked a weak offensive underbelly without the only bona fide scorer on the floor. Blaming the recent six-game losing streak an offense struggling to reach 80 points most nights hid another major problem the Nets have struggled with all season, perimeter defense. The statistics prove it, the boys from The Swamp are dead last in 3-point percentage against, yielding 42% shooting. Each game Nets opponents torch them from beyond the arc, Memphis to the tune of 50% shooting for 33 backbreaking points on Tuesday night.

The scenarios are all too familiar. Jersey double teams a strong post player or provides help defense on the blocks, a kick out and swing pass along the perimeter later an open shooter buries a three with a Net defender running at him late. Second, a Net guard get beat off the dribble, the interior defense collapses in the paint to stop the penetration, kick out open three from the wing. Finally, as Memphis accentuated on Tuesday night, off a Net miss, the opponent goes in transition, the Nets do not get back on defense, someone pulls up for an open 3. Professional players will not continually miss wide open shots. The latter scenario plays out when the Nets go into a malaise, the other team makes a run, they start taking bad shots, get lazy on defense, show that “glass jaw” Jason Kidd referred to, and allow leads to grow quickly from 6 or 8 points to 15 or 18 points. Grant it, Memphis, New Orleans, and Boston are Top 5 3-point shooting teams, but Miami, Orlando, and Portland, to name a few, also torched them.

On the flip side, the Nets take too many three pointers, particularly early in the shot clock. They are fourth from the bottom in 3-point shooting, yet they fire almost a quarter of their shots from downtown. Without a knock down long-range threat, say an Eddie House, the Nets need to focus on running sets and getting easy baskets. The big first half runs where the Nets continue to fall behind by double-digits go from bad to worse because the Nets get flustered and start to hoist three’s, or down by a few points late in the game, someone tries to go for the jugular with a three. Lawrence Frank needs to instill the old baseball axiom, you cannot hit a three-run homer with nobody on base. The Nets need to stop swinging for the fences, take the ball hard to the basket, run the motion offense, and settle for 10-12 foot jumpers if lay-ups are not there.

Despite including the recent three-game win streak, the Nets have allowed over 100 points in 4 of the past 5 games with those three point shots adding up. With the offense shaping up since VC’s return, it’s time buckle down on D.

Quick Notes:br />
Sounds like Marcus Williams is still a few weeks away. Reports this week say he cannot run on the injured right foot two days in a row, and he continues to experience soreness, common during the healing process. Still no timetable, but mid-December may even be too optimistic. Hopefully he returns at 100% before the calendar turns, then we have to see how rusty Marcus is.

Jason Kidd probably does not have a future as a motivational speaker. I agree with Kidd’s assessment of the Nets inability to weather the opponents storm, “we’re so quick to bail, in the sense of mentally letting go of the rope.” I disagree with the timing of his comments and the extreme negativity.

Whether Kidd said a word on Monday or not, the Nets faced a tall order traveling to Utah, still without Carter, in game one of a notoriously difficult West Coast trip, facing a very good Utah team, who is lethal offensively, strong at home, and a bit cranky coming off a blowout loss in Indy. Knute Rockne speeches work best when the team actually has an opportunity to respond…not before Monday night’s blowout loss to Utah. I think after that loss, with two beatable, inexperienced teams upcoming, the rallying cry may work better.

Kidd did not stop with the harsh assessment of his teammates, saying he sees “no light at the end of the tunnel.” Is Kidd waving the white flag after ten games? At 34, does Kidd want out before he watches another year fly by? Good leaders should call out their teammates for lackluster effort, a benign assessment of the Nets last six games, but “no light at the end of the tunnel” sounds bleak, as if the guys in the locker room do not hold the solution. Did the Nets suddenly make wholesale changes since Kidd proclaimed this team as “the most talented team I’ve been on,” [other than the Olympics] only 3 weeks ago?

One last word on J. Kidd - when you decide to open your mouth, back it up on the court. Prior to last night Kidd averaged 15.6 points 10.8 assists, and 10 boards during the losing streak, numbers that warrant calling out teammates for some help. Last night, after his heartfelt commentary, Kidd posted 2 points on 1-9 shooting and 6 turnovers, another blowout loss. Speak softly, but carry a big stick.

• The numbers look bad from every angle. 27th in 3-point shooting, 29th in FG percentage, dead last in points scored and point differential. The Nets cannot throw it in the ocean right now, but even worse, they insist on continuing to hoist up outside shots. Antoine Wright needs to take it hard to the hole, Boki Nochbar should stick the 3 point shot in his back pocket until he starts to hit mid-range jumpers. Boki aggressively drove to the basket a few times when he started against Orlando, before unsuccessfully returning to the 3-point line.

  Without Carter in the lineup, the offense is stagnant and lost. Kidd needs to keep pushing the ball, Coach Frank should spread the court and have them run more set plays, particularly the pick and roll with Sean Williams that was successful against Miami. Finally, the players need to go the extra mile, make hard cuts, set good screens, and get easy baskets. The best way out of a horrendous shooting slump - take easier shots. Wright and Nochbar both have the one-on-one skills to get in the lane, use them.

  Defensively teams kill Jersey with open jump shots. Check out the opponent’s 3-point percentage after each game, gaudy numbers. Same formula, guard gets in the lane or opponent grabs an offensive board, swing the ball around the perimeter, Nets rotate late…swish. Yes, the points against stat shows the defense playing better, but watch the games, this defense has struggled. Maybe just not as much as the offense.

• Portland and Seattle will both play hard, but are young, inexperienced teams the Nets should handle. Expect Carter to return in one of these games, where even at less than 100% his presence will boost the offense. A disgruntled captain, blowout loss after blowout loss, inconsistent playing time causing some grumbling, a coach who may go on the hot seat, and a star player that never takes the court at less than 100%, the Nets need a few wins NOW before the atmosphere gets anymore toxic.

Boston made the big acquisitions and I thought the superstar names blinded everyone to over hype a flawed team. The Celts start 4-0, but I say three wins came at home against struggling teams, and they only nipped Toronto. Now the Nets, rolling again after the aberration against Toronto, would show everyone the Celts are just another good team. After last night, all I can say…Believe the Hype!

When a struggling offense shoots over 70% from the field, and plays what most deem a very good defensive first quarter, but only holds a 27-26 lead, it’s not a good sign. Jersey came out firing, led again by Richard Jefferson (13 1st Qtr. Points), including some authoritative drives to the bucket. They kept Garnett in check, the Celts seemed out of sync offensively, but somehow you look up and they still score 26 points in the quarter.

While the Nets stayed in the game through halftime, Boston kept the pressure on offensively, and then came the second half. The Nets hot shooting turned cold, real cold, as in 0-9 to start the half cold, while Boston kept knocking down 3’s, exploiting a Net defense that was a touch late on rotations after doubling down on the post, a 16-3 led to a 28-14 3rd Quarter Boston advantage, and a blowout.

With three dominant weapons, and the right mix of role players, Boston is relentless on offense. Teams cannot afford to take off even one possession or someone will burn you. Each time the Nets tried to double KG, or provided help defense, the Celts swung the ball around to an open Ray Allen, who torched the Nets for 27 points. When it was not Allen, Paul Pierce man-handled Antoine Wright in isolation situations much of the third quarter, and buried 4-7 from beyond the arc himself, finishing with 28 points. Oh yeah, leave KG in single coverage and he burns you for 18 points.

As much life as the Nets showed in the 4th Qtr, after the game was out of reach, they lacked energy when the offense went south in the 3rd, which led to sloppy turnovers, bad shots, and uninspired defense. Give this Boston team an inch, and you are done. The one spot where New Jersey should have a decided advantage, bench play, Boston dominated. Boki Nochbar and Jamal Magloire played terrible, while Malik Allen barely saw the floor. With Kristic still a non-factor, the Nets are doomed against better teams unless someone steps up. Meanwhile, Eddie House torched his former team from the outside, and rookie Glen “Big Baby” Davis dominated the paint for 17 minutes, snatching 8 boards. When House and Davis impact the game, along with the Big Three, and a steady Rajon Rondo, opponents had better bring their “A” game just to stay within shouting distance, never mind the Celts were shorthanded without Brian Scalabrine and James Posey.

The Nets have now failed their two big early season tests miserably. The next exam comes Wednesday in Boston. It’s still early, but right now, until they prove otherwise, the prognosticators who buried the Nets as a 7th or 8th seed are right, and I am wrong.

* VC left the game in agony after landing awkwardly on his ankle following a one-handed dunk in the third. X-rays were negative, but ankles can be tricky. Doctors will reevaluate him, but do not be surprised to get a look at his collection of fine suits on Monday night. Ironically, the injury came one year to the day that RJ twisted his ankle, leading to months of agony, something the Nets cannot afford with VC finally showing signs of coming to life. Carter shot 8-13 before the injury, his best shooting of the young season.

Richard Jefferson remembered, but apparently his teammates forgot about the game against the Raptors last night. Outside of RJ, the Nets slept walked through an embarrassing 106-69 thrashing at the hands of the Raptors. It’s one of those guys not worth dwelling on, analyzing, or discussing, it was that bad. Teams inevitably have a few each year, put it behind you, and move on. Unfortunately, this putrid performance came in the second game of the season against a team they anticipate battling for the division crown.

Everything went Toronto’s way all night. They could not miss from outside, shooting 50% from the field, and 59% from beyond the arc. For New Jersey, only RJ cracked double-digits with 27, and Sean Williams made an impressive debut with 4 blocked shots in 20 minutes of action. At one point, I was so disillusioned that when Jorge Garbajosa checked in for the Raptors, I could swear I thought Eagle said we have entered garbage time.

Last night put a damper on a nice Opening Night win over Chicago, 112-103 in OT. Though far from impressive, beating a top flight Eastern Conference team in what turned out to be a nip and tuck battle towards the end, is a great way to start. However, blowing a 17-point 3rd Quarter lead, then watching your two star players hoist up air balls during crunch time, does not leave anyone feeling warm and fuzzy.

Vince Carter struggled. Sure, VC filled the stat sheet up (24 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast), but during two critical stretches of the game, when the Bulls went on a run in the third to eventually erase the 17-point deficit, and in the final two minutes of the game with the Nets clinging to a quickly evaporating lead in desperate need of a hoop, VC did not deliver. Carter signed the big contract, I said it in the Preview and all off-season, he needs to step up now. Not just score, but become the go-to guy when the Nets need a hoop. In Game One, RJ and Antoine Wright stepped to the plate while Carter sputtered, and in Game Two VC barely showed up, though he did reach 15,000 career points. If the Nets plan to make noise Carter must score meaningful points, or risk becoming the A-Rod of NY basketball – big numbers, but never when it matters.

And how about Antoine Wright. A career-high 21 points, but most importantly clutch 3-pointers down the stretch and in OT, when the Nets needed it most. RJ and Wright scored the big buckets, with Jefferson’s 29 points and 10 boards leading the charge. After two games, RJ appears out to prove the Nets made a good decision by passing on the trade rumors.

One major problem area exposed in both games, the defense, particularly in the frontcourt. Kristic is day light, and a dollar short on almost every play, and was hit with too many defensive three second calls, an unacceptable mental mistake. Paying close attention, I can see why Coach Frank sticks with Jason Collins so often. Collins plays tough D. The Magloire-Kristic combo, while enticing on the offensive end, looked scary on defense, almost as scary as the Knicks.

By the way, Ben Gordon can light it up. Overall, Gordon struggled shooting (8-25 FG, 3-10 3pt), but the streaky guard almost single-handedly erased the Nets lead during an impressive third quarter stretch.

After what amounts to a half night off, since the starters sat most of the second half, the Nets travel to Philly, who comes off a surprising win in Chicago. The game marks Nenad Kristic’s first back-to-back after the ACL surgery, and a chance to quickly erase any memory of the disgraceful performance against Toronto. Lets see how the Nets respond.