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Two critical wins against playoff caliber teams prove the Nets are capable of great things, however now is not the time to rest on those laurels. Tuesday starts of four games in five nights, 25% of the 16 remaining games, including the next two against the teams battling New Jersey for the final Eastern playoff spot.

Following Monday’s action, the Nets head to Chicago in 9^th place, two games ahead of the Bulls and ½ game behind Wednesday’s opponent, Atlanta. The next seven games, particularly these two, may well determine the Nets playoff fate. Six of seven against sub-.500 teams, five against teams outside the playoff picture, and five against the group battling for the final two playoff spots, if we stretch to include streaking Philly in that group. Besides taking advantage of the last weak portion of the remaining schedule, these head-to-head match-ups may have tiebreaker implications.

To earn a playoff berth, New Jersey needs to win some road games. The Nets dropped seven straight away from the Izod Center since the Kidd trade, and are 2-16 dating back to mid-January. Tomorrow is the perfect chance to get on track, against a Bulls team playing back to back nights after blowing a double-digit second half lead in New Orleans on Monday, and that the Nets beat twice already this season. Opening night seems like an eternity, two teams with high hopes battling into overtime. Looking back, that game was more April Fools for both teams, than it was Halloween.

Offense, Offense, Offense. Coach Frank raved about the improved passing the past two games, as Devin Harris finally took control of the offense, pushing the tempo whenever possible, setting up his teammates with open looks, and taking better shots himself. The Nets shot over 50% from the field two straight games for the first time this season, and they attacked the rim, scoring 48 and 62 points in the paint in the respective contest along with a season-high 50 free throws on Saturday. It adds up to two 100+ point games, a key barometer for success this season with a 17-7 record when they crack the century mark.

Two players to keep an eye on are Vince Carter and Boki Nochbar. Carter is the lone Net regular to struggle offensively the past two games. Despite the point total, VC has shot often, and shot the ball poorly. Though he did play aggressive Saturday getting to the line 14 times, a knock on him most of the season, Carter needs to become more selective when he’s misfiring and look to pass.

Meanwhile, Boki needs to get involved earlier. He provided the spark the Nets needed off the bench in the 4^th on Saturday, following up a solid 21-point effort against Cleveland. Similar to the Nets, Boki’s capable of great things, but consistency continues to allude him. With a contract on the line, and nobody else on the Nets bench stepping up, Boki can really give the Nets a lift with 15 points a night, and earn a few dollars in the process.

For one night, the Nets played like a playoff team – 51.3% FG, 30 assists on 39 baskets, 6 players in double figures, season-high 38 points in the first quarter – returning home to snap a six-game skid, 5 on the road trip, where they hardly looked like a team, never mind playoff team. One night wonder or new trend? Tonight will provide the first answer when New Jersey hosts the Utah Jazz in one of the seven remaining games against teams over .500 in the Nets 17-game fight to continue their playoff streak.

Utah wiped the floor with the Nets on November 19^th in Salt Lake City, 102-75. A game more remembered for Jason Kidd’s infamous “glass jaw” pre-game comments, the first of many in-season criticisms by Kidd, than for the 27-point drubbing the Jazz handed out. Vince Carter missed the game with a sprained ankle.

The Nets enter the game tied for 8^th in the Eastern Conference with Atlanta, at 27-38, in search of consecutive wins for the first time since a February 12^th win over Minnesota extended the last win streak to three. Ironically, that marked Kidd’s last game as a Net.

Sitting fourth in the ever-changing Western Conference standings, at least for today, Utah’s one kryptonite this season has been playing on the road. At 16-20, the Jazz have dropped games to 11 of the 14 teams currently outside the playoffs, including 6 of the 7 non-playoff teams in the East (Milwaukee the lone exception). Dissecting the stats, defense is the only notable difference, opponents average 94.9 points at Energy Solutions Arena, but the Jazz allow 104.6 ppg on the road, a large ten-point gap. Even in the Jazz recent string of 4 out of 5 road wins, they held the opponent under 100 only twice, and one was Memphis, so take that with a grain of salt.

Tonight’s key for the Nets is another efficient offensive performance to follow-up the Cleveland outing. Utah can score with the best of them, currently 6^th in the NBA in points scored, reaching the 100 point plateau in 46 of 67 games this season. In contrast, the Nets sit third from the bottom in points, and next to last in the field goal percentage, while Utah leads the NBA. To win tonight, New Jersey must score, not necessarily crack 100 points, but play efficient, shoot over 45% and get to the foul line. As evidenced Wednesday, it starts with passing and attacking the goal. Simply put, on the recent losing streak the Nets finished with 15 or less assists in 4 of the six games and did not crack 100 points, before the 30 assist, 104 point game against Cleveland. Passing and movement on offense leads to better scoring opportunities in the paint, and open jump shots off kick outs. Utah’s defense is susceptible away from home, and the Nets must take advantage.

Newly acquired Devin Harris gets another chance to win over Nets fans against an elite NBA point guard in Deron Williams, who dialed up a 32 point, 8 assist effort in last night’s win in Boston. In 5 head-to-head meetings, after Harris became a starter in Dallas, Williams holds a 3-2 advantage, averaging 21.2 points, 8.2 assists, and 5 rebounds to Harris’ 11 points and 6.4 assists, however Williams played more minutes and took an average of 7 more shots per game. Earlier this season, Williams lit up Harris and the Mavs for 41 points, but lost the game. During the road trip, Harris, noted for his quickness and stellar defense, struggled to stop penetration and watched Tony Parker and Chris Paul, two other elite Western Conference points light up the scoreboard in lopsided wins. Tonight, Harris gets another chance to prove his defensive prowess against the best, as do the Nets.

After the Utah game, New Jersey has a pivotal seven game stretch where they face only one team above .500 – Denver, who currently sits outside the Western Conference playoffs – and includes fives games against teams in direct competition with the Nets for the final few playoff berths in the East. A two-game win streak against top notch playoff teams would bolster confidences, and be a good way to head into that stretch.

The Nets never had a chance on this road trip. Five games against teams a combined 50 games over .500 at the time, a history of failure against the Texas triple, an MVP candidate and hot franchise in the fourth game, two teams riding double-digit win streaks, all while integrating a new starting point guard into the fold. Even with those odds, you figure the Nets could steal one game, or at least beat the Grizzlies. Think again.

Only the Rockets, riding an 18-game win streak, stand between the Nets and an 0-5 road trip, the second extended winless trip in two months after dropping six straight out West in mid-January. Do they miss Jason Kidd? Did the matchup in Dallas with Kidd’s Mavs Saturday distract the young team, who struggle to focus without any unneeded stress? No, on both fronts. They have played terribly inconsistent, on all fronts – similar to with Kidd before the trade.

Finally, everyone can put the Kidd hoopla aside – we think – now it’s time the Nets truly put up or shut up for the 2007-2008 season. Since the trade, Carter’s quotes have sounded like a countdown, “It’s the next 28 games,” “25 more games like that,”, …, now its down to 19. Time to stop talking about finishing the season strong and making the playoffs, and play like it.

Sitting outside the playoff picture in ninth place, even if the Nets earn a seventh playoff appearance it will likely end similar to this road trip, four painless blowouts. Lawrence Frank needs to start using players with an eye towards the future, towards evaluation, while still trying to win in the process. How you say, do they do that?

• Start in the fourth quarter, where New Jersey continues to fall apart every game. Get the ball to Nenad Kristic. He continues to improve, working his way back to pre-injury form, but only does his damage early in games.
• Stop shooting quick jumpers late in games. It starts with the point guard and the coach. Devin Harris needs to penetrate and run the offense, not take 15-20 shots a game from long range. If Harris insists on shooting too much, and Marcus Williams continues to play within the flow of the offense, Frank has to finish games with Williams on the floor until Harris gets the message.
• Attack the zone. Team will continue to throw 2-3 zones at the Nets until they show an ability to beat it. 63 games into the season and they still quiver at the site of the defense. Before the season ends, just once, look prepared to attack the zone. Flash Kristic to the high post, penetrate the seams, throw a lob over the back line.
• Use a rotation that gives the best chance to win…and allows Thorn and Kiki to make decisions about players for next season. Is Trenton Hassell in the Nets plans? Does he help them win? Self-explanatory, bench him. Ditto Darrel Armstrong. Is Swift in the plans? Lets find out.

The rest of the season starts tonight, now truly in the post-Kidd era. More than wins, the Nets need to compete, not show up for half the game. Show some resiliency in the fourth quarter. It starts with the leadership – RJ, VC, and Frank. Carter and Jefferson don’t need to score every basket, but act like leaders, make the big play, take the charge, throw the extra pass, get to the line, encourage the new guys and young players.

Check out the podcast for more thoughts on who the leader of the team, it’s more clear cut than you think.

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“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.

Ian Eagle is scheduled to check-in on the next NJNetscast podcast. Here’s your chance to chime in, send in your questions for the Nets play-by-play announcer on YES Network and NBA TV personality. Best question will make the podcast. Look forward to hearing from everyone.

Mark Cuban and Rod Thorn performed the Heimlich maneuver on the Jason Kidd trade during All-Star weekend. After applying pressure to the sternum area of a choking Jason Kidd, the trade demons coughed out Keith Van Horn and Trenton Hassell, allowing Jason Kidd to breathe easy again. Still pending league approval, no given in this situation, the Nets ship Kidd and Malik Allen to Dallas for Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Trenton Hassell, Mauric Ager, Keith Van Horn, two first round draft picks, and cash. Subsequently the Mavs send a second round draft pick to Jersey for Antoine Wright and a bottle of Advil – just in case that Kidd migraine problem pops up.

Again, nothing is official until its official. The teams tentatively scheduled a conference call to obtain league approval for Monday, with the use of Keith Van Horn, unofficially retired for two seasons and not expected to play, the only potential obstacle. This trade has had it all – weeks of anticipation after a public trade request, the Bird Exception, the Gary Payton rule, a semi-retired player about to get a few million dollars to show up for a physical. What’s next?

Both Dallas and New Jersey gave a little to solve the Devean George and Stackhouse problems from the original trade, which I thought were too much to overcome to get this trade done in under a week. Dallas takes a luxury tax hit by signing Van Horn to replace George in the trade, while the Nets assume more long-term salary in Hassell, who will earn double Stackhouse’s salary in 2009-2010.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized this trade had to happen. It passed the point of no return. Nowitzki’s comments about George, the fan reaction, Diop and Harris questioning if Dallas wanted them put the Dallas chemistry at risk, and the Nets faced an even more disgruntled Kidd, who booked his ticket out of town, magnifying an already toxic situation. Too much at stake for both teams to let a few million dollars here or there, a journeyman’s bonehead decision, and a veteran’s loose lips, to hold things up. Now, if the league office pulls the plug on the Van Horn loophole that will certainly end this trade without help from a third party.

Expect Kidd to rediscover his old self for Dallas, but the rejuvenated point guard may not be enough to overcome defensive deficiencies and lack of frontcourt depth to compete with the now ultra-competitive Western Conference. The trade at least puts them back in the discussion. Similar to Phoenix, the Kidd move is high risk, high reward. Dallas can go on to win the NBA crown this season, or they can give Kidd his extension, flop in the playoffs yet again, then find themselves saddled with a bad contract in salary cap hell two years from now. Replacing Kidd with Harris makes Dallas the oldest team in the NBA, a sure sign of win now.

Over the next few podcasts, and on the blogs, we’ll analyze why Harris is not a major downgrade from the 2007-2008 version of Jason Kidd. Ten years younger, signed through 2013 for significantly less money, a better shooter (not passer), arguably a better defender – all positives. Harris will never approach Kidd in his prime, but if he plays hard every night, fits in with the offense, continues to improve at the same curve he has since his rookie season, New Jersey still makes the playoffs in the tremendously watered-down Eastern Conference. More importantly, three years from now and five years from the Nets are in better shape after this trade.

Ironic Kidd’s last soiree as a Net came in the All-Star game, playfully chatting with future teammate Dirk Nowitzki on the court, while his real teammates sat thousands of miles away. Symbolic of how he played this season – more interested in playing with other teams stars, alienating the guys in his own locker room. All the trade talk must have confused Kidd, during his post game comments he was quoted as saying Jersey is great, has wonderful fans, and he wishes them the best of luck. Too bad he didn’t feel that way earlier this season. Hey, at least as Kidd mentioned, the golf is great.

For Dallas and New Jersey must complete the NBA front office version of the 60 yard hurdles to consummate the proposed Jason Kidd trade, at this point. Devean George stand as hurdle one, now the NBA stands as hurdle two, after Jerry Stackhouse cavalierly commentary about the Nets buyout and his return to Dallas raised red flags with other GM’s and the league office. The NBA prohibits trade announcements over All-Star weekend, nonetheless talks will continue but with the deadline six days away, two huge obstacles in the way with limited workarounds available, the trade looks dead unless a third team comes out of the woodwork.

Although he is well within his rights to block the trade to protect his Bird Exception status, which equates to more potential money next season, it’s likely to backfire. The Early Bird Exception allows a player with veteran status on a one-year contract in his second year with the same team to resign with that team for whichever is higher, 175% of his current salary or the NBA average salary. If traded George loses his rights and his chance at the payday.

George will come to regret the decision because he only benefits if Dallas resigns him, and agrees to pay that salary, an unlikely scenario. Throw in a paltry 3.8 points and under 3 assists in 15 minutes per game on top of the backlash he created with this fiasco, Mark Cuban will personally escort him out of town at his first opportunity – that is, if the fans don’t first. With an entire organization and its fan base turned against him, and not much production to support his case, George has little to no chance of ever cashing in those Bird rights. Why not go play for the Nets? Play being the operative word. Only a few weeks ago, George complained about his lack of playing time with Dallas and requested a trade out of Big D. Despite logging extended action the past week, George will find himself back to the bench when the Mavs get healthy, with little chance to improve his value for next season. By blocking the trade he may preserve future earning potential, but lose actual earnings when free agency rolls around.

The Stackhouse problem stems directly from his immature comments about resting and returning to the Mavs in 30 days. That statement hints at a pre-arranged future deal, a no-no in the NBA, a league already battling ethics questions after the gambling fiasco last season. Reportedly, other GM’s around the league are raising red flags behind the scenes. All indications are the league office will prevent Stackhouse from resigning with Dallas if traded, removing him from the trade since Dallas needs him for a legitimate title run. Ironically, Stackhouse shares the same agent as Jason Kidd. Jeff Schwartz flaunted the Kidd trade demands all season, now his own client shot him in the foot. Can’t blame Rod Thorn for this one.

Dallas had options to workaround the George problem, but Stackhouse and George is too much to overcome. The Nets will not take Trenton Hassell. Unless a third team helps, Dallas is in trouble. They now have two players, Harris and Diop, who have to return to a team that traded them, one player, George, who teammates and fans publicly criticized for blocking the trade. Dirk Nowitzki went as far as calling Devean George “selfish” for blocking the trade, putting himself ahead of the team. The fans booed him out of the building during a sterling 0-11 performance the night he exercised his rights. Stuck with the same team that had little chance of winning the West anyway, the struggling Mavs now have a fractured locker room with potential chemistry issues. Kiss this season goodbye.

Meanwhile, Kidd publicly says he’s OK with returning to the Nets. Kidd has to prove that with his play on the court. Another half season of half-hearted efforts will further diminish his future trade value, and kill the small glimmer of hope the Nets have this season. If he comes back focused, knowing Thorn did his best to accommodate the trade request and will try again in the off-season, Kidd can help the Nets turn the ship around this season. A healthy Kristic, two improving big men, another athletic option in the mix with Swift, Carter, well some nights at least – the Nets have the tools to make another second half run with Kidd. Unless another trade comes about before Thursday, unlikely but possible just like the Dallas trade suddenly came about last week, Wednesday we see if Kidd wears his happy face, keeps playing with the urgency he showed during his “trade auditions”, and start to learn if Kidd really is OK with staying in NJ.

The NBA exhaled after George held up the trade, preventing an unprecedented situation of an All-Star starter switching leagues before the game.

After months of complaints, public and private requests, a migraine induced walk-out, and sub-par effort, Jason Kidd finally has a reason to smile again. The Nets shipped the future Hall of Famer to Dallas in exchange for Devin Harris, Jerry Stackhouse, Desagna Diop, Devean George, and a pair of first round draft picks, sure to be late in the first round. Dallas also receives Malik Allen and Antoine Wright to equalize the salaries.

Recent speculation led many to believe Rod Thorn would hold Kidd until the summer, unimpressed by the current offers. That was until Mark Cuban witnessed Kidd’s personal audition on Sunday night, leading New Jersey to a blowout of a Dallas team that received ZERO assists from its starting point guard. Toss in the blockbuster moves by Phoenix and LA last week with and the Mavs path to the Finals, and Cuban knew he faced another disappointing playoff run without a bold move. Will Kidd put them over the top? Remains to be seen, since Harris played well prior to the injury, and Dallas has more weaknesses than just the point guard position.

The Nets obtain a potential budding star – though not projected to approach Kidd’s level – three expiring contracts, and draft picks. Probably the best Thorn could do. Harris, who turns 25 in two weeks, ten years younger than Kidd, is averaging 14.4 points and over five dimes a night. With Harris due almost $14 million less than Kidd next season, the Nets now have cap flexibility to pursue free agents or potential trades.

Insert Harris next to a still young Richard Jefferson, a blossoming duo of young, athletic big men, 24-year old Nenad Kristic, and the Nets have a young nucleus. All that’s missing is the superstar shooting guard/power forward. For now, it’s Vince Carter.

The Nets were not winning any championships with the current team, so keeping an unhappy Kidd around provided no positive. Teams often regret waiting too long to pull the trigger on moving an aging star player, Thorn decided to jump the gun instead of waiting it out. Does it make the Nets better today? Probably not, though Harris brings a better offensive game than Kidd – look forward to less 1-9 shooting nights – but puts another piece into place for the future. Now Thorn needs to work his magic, and get a big time scoring guard not named Vince Carter, not over 30 years old, into the Izod Center by next season.

More to come on the Kidd legacy…

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?