Odds and Ends

Dave D'Alessandro focuses on defense as an offseason priority in his game recap.

Defense still rules the NBA, and it always will. The top eight scoring defenses in the league are all going to the postseason, and the best of the group -- the Cleveland Cavaliers, who yield a stingy 91.1 points per night -- are the odds-on favorite to take the hardware this year.

He brings up great points that I will be addressing soon. Defense wins championships and the Nets will need to improve it they hope to make the playoffs soon.

Update: D'Alessandro's Notebook details Rod Thorn's desire for winner's.  It will be interesting to see how this effects the Nets' drafting strategy, and whether they will focus on players from winning programs.

It's all about this: Who can you play that can help you win games? To me, that's all that counts -- can they help you win, going forward?

Game 82 Recap: Nets at Knicks

Any team playing without its 2 best players is going to have a tough time winning, even against the Knicks.

Tonight was no exception. Without Harris and Carter the Nets were lifeless and showed little-to-no passion or fire needed to win.  A look at the box score tells most of the story.  You just can not win in the NBA while shooting 31%...even against the Knicks.  

Offensively there was little ball movement, which did not matter since the ball was going in the hoop.  Without their two offensive catalysts the Knicks had no one on the floor who could create their own shot which turned the team into jump shooters.

The Nets needed a big night from Lopez, but unfortunately he was overmatched by more physical David Lee.  All night there was just no answer to the physical presence of Lee.  And offensively there was no answer to the Nets quick guards who overmatched the backcourt of Dooling and Roberts.

No need for individual observations.  This was not the true Nets that we have seen show up this year.  Hopefully this tough loss will give the front office the kick-in-the-pants it need to improve the bench this season.

Gameday Thread: Nets at Knicks

Should be an interesting game.  Hopefully the starters will get solid minutes so the Nets can notch a win to improve on last year's record.  

This could be Frank's last game as head coach so don't be afraid to kiss the TV one last time...I joke, I joke...  But here is to hoping for some momentum going into this offseason both for the players and the fans. 

Carter Wants To Remain A Net

Dave D'Alessandro has an article up on The Star Ledger addressing Carter's future with the team.

"As far as I know, I'll be here next year, that's why I'm trying to do what I have to do for this team -- to keep us together and build something for next year."

The Nets will have some tough personnel moves to address this summer.  We will have to wait to see how current, or possibly new, management will handle Vince.

Game 82 Preview: Nets at Knicks

The Nets enter the final game of the season .5 games in front of last season's record.  Even if it is just one game it can be a direct showing of improvement from last season's disappointment.  

The Knicks are an improved team from last year.  Although still just as Jekyll and Hyde (more Hyde) as ever, they are an offense focused team thats only purpose is to outscore the opponent.  The Nets are 2-1 against them this year, all three times scoring 100+.

The Knicks are currently playing for nothing but ping pong balls, so do not expect to see a defensive battle.  They are colder than cold at the moment, only registering 3 wins in the last month. 

Keys to the Game:

1. The Nets, cough*Brook Lopez*cough, must keep the Knicks out of the paint. At this point in the season their entire game is drive and kick. 

2. Devin Harris must abuse the paint against the Knicks. If he can penetrate the game is over.

3. Lopez needs to hit the boards hard.  If the paint is shut off the Knicks only hope will be getting second chance points off long rebounds because they will be a jump shooting team.  If the Nets can crash the boards, with help from the guards, it will be an easy win.

Last Note: It will be interesting to see how the fans react to the recent job acquisition of Isiah Thomas.

Welcome!

As the season wraps up a new day begins.  Although the Nets earned a similar record to last year the team has  shown strides toward improvement and a bright future.  

Join Net's Nation as we blog about the offseason and follow the Nets toward the 2009-2010 season.

It is an exciting time to be a member of Nets' Nation so join now!