Posts tagged ‘Win’

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Devin Harris took the old saying to new levels, nailing his first six shots after debuting for Nets at the 2:30 mark of the first quarter Thursday night. By time his first run ended – 16 points, 2 assists, and 9 minutes later – New Jersey had busted off a 22-5 run en route to a season-high 68 point half and a 13 point lead. Harris slowed down in the second half, but 21 points in 21 minutes after sitting out for exactly one month is a nice debut. Parlaying the season-high points in the first half to a season game-high in a 120-106 win over Milwaukee makes it that much sweeter.

From the sounds of it, Nets fans may carry him straight to Canton if he keeps this up, saluting his first game in Jersey by chanting DEVIN-HARRIS-clap-clap Yankee Stadium style in the closing minutes of the fourth. Ironically, the same night Dallas lost to San Antonio with Jason Kidd watching the deciding second from the bench of all places, Harris looked in-sync with his new teammates, evidenced by his highlight reel, underhanded alley-oop to Vince Carter in transition.

Observers gushed over his speed, Ian Eagle already dubbing Harris “The Blur”. I prefer Roadrunner from the old Looney Tunes cartoons. He ran the break, pushed the tempo, exhibited a killer crossover dribble, extended the defense out, picking up closer to half court rather than laying back, similar to teammate Darrell Armstrong. Harris was not perfect though, Mo Williams took it to him a few times on his way to a solid 24 points, his shooting slumped in the second half, and he picked up a technical foul late in the game, but let’s not knit pick.

Lest we forget, it takes a team effort to post 120 points. Jefferson and Carter continued their solid play in the post-Kidd era with 19 points apiece on an efficient 14-27 combined shooting. However, Jefferson again struggled defensively against a big time offensive threat, as Michael Redd carried the Bucks back into the game in the second half, finishing with 33 points. With the game still in doubt, Boki Nochbar, rapidly losing playing time since the Kidd trade, stepped up to reel off 13 4^th quarter points – his only points of the night – to finish off Milwaukee. A big stretch for Boki, who has struggled through inconsistent play all season, and now seems lost in Frank’s evolving rotation. Clutch scoring with the game on the line will surely win some brownie points.

Overshadowed at the point by Harris, Marcus Williams posted another solid game with 11 points, 8 assists, and 5 caroms. Despite a rough shooting night, Marcus continued to control the offense, effectively run half-court sets, while picking his spots for transition. His biggest improvement is in decision-making, evidenced by the goose egg in the turnover column.

Frank has a good problem, finding time for everyone. Expect Harris to start within the week, if for other reason than they have to justify the Kidd deal. With Antoine Wright out of the picture, Williams solid play puts him as the first guard off the bench and should find himself 20 minutes a night. Expect Frank to use Williams and Harris together at times with RJ or VC on the bench, and each running the point with the stars on the court – Marcus has played his way into the picture.

Thursday was heaven on earth at the Izod Center. Sunday everything crashes back to reality with the defending champs invading the building ahead of a brutal road trip that features a visit to San Antonio, New Orleans, and the big match with Dallas and, what’s his name again. Oh yeah, Memphis fits in there, the must win of all must wins. Nobody should expect a five or six game winning streak, but the Nets need to beat some good teams or Thursday means nothing.

Some people just need a wake-up call to get going. Vince Carter took a standing eight count after a shot to the face from Brandon Bass, following Richard Jefferson as the second Net knocked out in a week. When Carter returned to the floor later in the 2^nd quarter, Nets trailing Dallas by ten about to have the doors blown off again, then something amazing happened. The old Vince Carter emerged.

The Nets ran off 21 straight points, only slowed by halftime, led by an array of dazzling Carter moves. Fade away jumpers, back cuts to the hoop for lay-ups, and the showtime drives to the basket off transition. Carter found the “zone”, rattling off 25 points on efficient 10-14 shooting after absorbing the elbow, en route to a game-high 29.

His partner in crime, Jason Kidd, commanded the game, dominating for a second straight outing. Assuming the floor general role, Kidd led the Nets to 21 fast break points, threading the needle on countless bounce passes to setup easy baskets. Toss in a few highlight reel lob passes among the 14 assists. Stats aside, Kidd controlled the game, forced the action, ran the offense, and even cracked a smile while doing it. Jason Kidd, enjoying the Nets play? Stop the presses.

Arguably more impressive than the Carter and Kidd offensive duo, was the Nets defensive effort. The high-powered Mavs managed only 84 points, and a combination of Boone, Sean Williams, Jefferson, et al. limited MVP Dirk Nowitzki to 4-16 shooting for a quiet 21 points.

Dallas shot only 36% from the field, but captured the first half lead with easy second chance opportunities, and a few layups on defensive breakdowns, leading to 18 first half points in the paint. When Carter reemerged the whole team came alive, started to box out and attack the defensive glass. Three-point defense, a recurring defensive problem for the Nets, excelled. The Mavs shot a putrid 2-18 from deep with the Nets contesting shots all night, ant Mavs having an off night.

In his second game back on the bench, Sean Williams excelled. Appearing refocused after Kristic replaced him the starting lineup, Williams provided a few highlight reel dunks and a thunderous block on a Nowitzki jumper that led to a Carter breakaway dunk, a microcosm of the night. He finished the night with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and two blocks, and exhibited good footwork in the post and nice touch from the outside. Rather than sulk after the demotion, Williams has stepped up.

The most promising play of the night might be a simple post move that resulted in two foul shots. Nenad Kristic caught the ball with his back to the basket, then put a quick baseline spin move to go by Josh Howard – reminiscent of the pre-ACL injury Kristic, the Kristic New Jersey needs. A small step, but Kristic emanated the confidence he lacked the first four games of his return, nailing a jumper, getting to the line, and crashing the boards for 8 rebounds. Knee problem, what knee problem.

While it’s only two games, barely a streak, this win was the most dominant outing of an otherwise disappointing season. Kristic, Carter, Kidd, a solid contribution from RJ, Sean Williams off the bench, suddenly the Nets have hope.

With Mark Cuban in full view, the Mavs starting PG JJ Barea netted zero assists as he watched Kidd tear his defense apart. Based on last night, Dallas needs guard help, albeit Devin Harris remained on the bench injured. Kidd played possessed, same as Friday, expect more of it Tuesday and Wednesday, during this extended audition. The question remains, if the Nets keep Kidd at the Meadowlands, will these performances come and go along with the trade deadline?