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Backlash Addresses
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The Beef With Byron
Joe:
Game 36: vs. Sacramento - Byron sticks to a questionable rotation, putting in Anthony Johnson at the six minute mark against the second best team in the league. As the Nets lose the lead, Byron does not put in Jason Kidd. He waits until the end of the quarter to do this.
Game 25: @ NY - Byron's unnecessary comments make the Nets arrogant and the Knicks determined.
Game 18: @ Seattle - Instead of calling a time-out, Scott lets Rogers pass it to Richard Jefferson, one of the chokiest players (see Indiana Game 5).
Game 16: @ LAC - Clippers need a 3, Byron runs a zone, which leaves 3 pointers usually open. This could be credited to Eddie Jordan, who runs the defense, but Scott should have taken charge and changed it to protect the perimeter.
I'm only sticking to this season. Last year, there were plenty more, but Byron's improving (somewhat).
- Rory, January 11, 2003
Rory,
You're certainly not alone in your criticisms of the coach. How much is truly his fault only his coaches and players (and probably Rod Thorn) know for sure, but he is still the head coach of the East's best team. Rightly or wrongly, he deserves some of the credit, if only for his motivational skills. We're sure there is much more going on that we're not aware of (and probably Eddie Jordan and Jason Kidd are running the team anyway).
- Joe
Ode To A Winning Streak
Joe:
Well, it was fun while it lasted. But all good things must come to an end, in this case, a loud, miserable ending.
Let's all note that during New Jersey's 10 game streak, Dikembe Mutombo never got out of street clothes. As mean as it sounds, Mutombo's absence led to New Jersey's success. I mean, Jason Collins is no offensive wizard, but at least he can execute it to the point where he's getting to touch the ball. I think Twin has played great basketball, he's such an underrated postman.
Another thing to note, Jason Kidd didn't have to single-handedly win every game. JKidd didn't have to score every point down the stretch, and he had many off-games during the 10 game run.
Kenyon Martin really stepped it up inside. Martin began to grab offensive rebounds like there's no tomorrow. The best part, though, was that KMart just found ways to score. He's starting to develop some range from the outside and is finding new ways to exploit defenders with his jump-hook. On defense, Martin has shut down just about everyone thrown at him. He's really become the Nets' top stopper for all superstar players who aren't point guards.
And can you say enough about Lucious Harris' play in the starting lineup? Sweet Lou was just shooting out the lights on some occasions and quarterbacking the fast break on others. Harris even forced Byron Scott to start Kerry Kittles on the bench. Make no mistake, Lou was playing All-Star caliber ball.
Let's not forget our bench. The Nets' pine has lost Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins and Lucious Harris, yet they all continue to step up their games. During the run, Rodney Rogers found the shooting touch he had lost in the preseason. Rogers and Aaron Williams were consistent in sparing the frontcourt whenever needed. We also discovered a potential diamond-in-the-rough, Anthony Johnson. AJ really promoted teamball, like Kidd, and was making unreal passes and timely steals, like Kidd.
If you're looking for negatives, the injuries to Kittles and Mutombo were somewhat negative. RJ was very streaky, although there was no doubt he was playing solid ball most of the time. Even the very end of the bench was putting up numbers during the streak. Brian Scalabrine was pretty impressive during his limited minutes, pumping up an adoring crowd full of Veal-lovers. Tamar Slay and Brandon Armstrong both appear to have nice games. It's just a matter of showing them off now.
Hey, it was fun while it lasted. Look out Sacramento! See you in the Finals.
- Matt King, January 10, 2003
Matt:
Thanks for your recap. Unfortunately, the Kings game brought all that good will to a screetching halt, didn't it? Now, let's see how the Nets react (and beating the Raptors doesn't count).
- Joe
Kingsfan/Champagne Smack War
[Ed. Note: Below is the full "Smack War" correspondence between Joe's foolish attack dog Champagne and the proprietors of KingsSuperfans.com.]
Queens Fans:
Ready to get your asses kicked? Those cowbells you beef-jerky-chomping bumpkins love to wack on are going to be sounding a death-knell for Bibby and the Boys after they crawl their way out of the Foam Dome Thursday night (aka The Continental Arena).
Oh, okay, sure, not very many people will see your team get whupped. Yeah, we know, the Nets don't draw that many people. Our sophisticated fans usually have something better to do, like organizing tailgate BBQs, face-painting, and getting smashed on schnapps in anticipation of Jets playoff games. We're a busy, late-night people with a wealth of entertainment options beyond square dances and gang-raping the fattest chick at the near-beer party.
Ain't it gonna be ironic, you Alanis Morrisette lovers, when you get past the Lakers this season only to have your corny butts handed to you by the goddamn New Jersey Nets.
The Nothing-But-Class representative of Joe Netsfan.com,
– Champagne, January 7, 2003
Champagne:
Wow, now that was some smack! Sorry it took so long to reply, but, you know SOMEONE has to milk the cows and rape the fattest Chick, it just happens to be me this week.
Lucky for you the game is nationally televised, so everyone will get to see the preview of the Nets get swept by the Kings in the Finals.
BTW, are we that corny, I mean, really? And what is with the Alanis Morrisette reference? You should have gone with Tracy Chapman or something along those lines, might have worked a bit better. And 'Queens' fans? Is that the best you could come up with? Because that is ALL Shaq (your other nightmare) could come up with and we all know how smart that guy is.
Well, enjoy the game, well, at least as much of it as you can (the first two minutes), because it may be your last with Jason Kidd. After the whuppin' he's going to get he may just go home and take it out on his wife, then it's time in the clink.
- As always, best, Jim KingsSuperFans.com, January 9, 2003
P.S. Go Kings!!!
BTW, we no longer have Near-Beer parties. My cousins friend, Jethro, who lives on the north-west section of the beef jerky farm, got a job at the market in town and now we kin git real beer! Yeeehaw!
Jim:
Remember to kick the clods off your shit-kickers when you enter our fancy-pants arena, you goat-ropers. We know you guys don't get to town often and we'd hate to have the Continental's floors get dirty.
It ain't gonna be like the pitbull fights you hold out back behind your crystal meth lab, but tonight's game ought to be entertaining enough, nonetheless...and about as brutal. Mike Bibby will be desperately trying to hold his guts in after Jason Kidd rips right down his middle again and again.
And hey, why not take in "The Lion King" while you're in town?
- Champagne, January 9, 2003
Champagne:
You better dispatch the police out to Jason Kidd's neighborhood so [Mrs. Kidd] has a chance. I hope your goddamn New Jersey Nets brought their thinking caps so they could learn a little something from the clinic that the Kings brought along with them because they sure as heck didn't even bring their 'F' game tonight...
Final score: Kings 1 Billion, NJN Incomplete.
I hope that your NJN (ahem) fan had something else to do tonight because that would have been a HUGE waste of his precious time to watch that game.
Let me know when your 'team' is ready to play some ball.
- Jim Schroeder, January 9, 2003
P.S. Go Kings!!! BTW, thanks to my TiVo I can rewind and replay every clanked shot the Nets threw up tonight. ;-)
Jim:
Only a vulgarian would celebrate such a lopsided victory so boisterously. Picky Netsfans prefer tighter 17-point winning margins, not sloppy Anna Nicole Smith-sized 36-point yabbos.
Pig! We'll see you in Sacto on the 21st!
- Champagne, January 12, 2003
Tiny Bubbles
Champagne:
You want to talk smack???
I can't believe that YOU, the same guy who embarrassed JoeNetsFans with your terrible, as you call it, "smack" with the KingsFans guy, actually wants to match wits with me, the Great NetsNut!!!
I'm prepared, but it's hard to have a battle of wits with someone as unarmed with you...It would be a futile attempt on your part...
First off, you go by the moniker, "Champagne" which is known for tiny bubbles, which makes me question your manhood or lack of...To me it sounds like you hang out in the Starlight Lounge with Biff and Buffy and they are both guys!!!
Now back to Byron Scott...Danny Ainge (Kidd's coach in Phoenix) said it best..."Coaching Jason Kidd is mindless, all I had to do was throw him the ball"...That describes Byron Scott perfectly...Mindless is a better term then "Moron"... I will admit I did get carried away with "moron" just a little bit... But I have to say that I'm startled to hear that you are giving credit to Scott for turning this franchise around...
Look, any longtime fans that I know of are ecstatic about the turnaround, me included, but unlike most fans I don't believe that the Nets have accomplished anything by coming in second... "The view is the same from second place or twenty-second place," you're still looking up someone's ass!!! An NBA Title is what I, as a longtime, loyal Nets fan, long for, nothing less...I don't believe Byron Scott can deliver that...If you remember, my concern for him is during crunchtime, when he makes all the decisions...His decision making sucks, plain and simple...
Again I say this to put the record straight, Scott has gotten better, for that I'll give him credit, he now relies on the coaching staff for the X's and O's but not during crunchtime...You will see, if you pay attention and I know that's hard for someone like you who suffers from A.D.D. (Acute Dumbass Disorder) but try to the next few games and you'll see what I'm talking about...He calls the timeouts, which control momentum in a game... He makes the substitutions which, whether a player is hot or not, makes no difference...And he DOESN'T bring confidence to his players...From what I'm told and see, his players don't respect him, they respect Jordan...He's a figurehead for cryin' out loud...I would even go so far as to say that you can coach them!!! "Champagne the Coach" has a certain ring to it, doesn't it??? Jingle, lingle, ling, fruitcake...I can hear you in the locker room now, "Oh my, you boys look so scrumptious..." That's another story in itself...
Rod Thorn put this team together, I know that for a fact and Byron had little to do with that...Thorn is the disciplinarian for this organization, not Scott...Here's the perfect example...Chris Childs was suspended by Thorn, not Scott!!! Like you said, Eddie Jordan is the X's and O's guy, they have player aids so Scott has nothing to do with the players off court stuff, he makes no decisions on the court besides playing time, timeouts and substitutions and even in the games that they win, he's terrible at best at that, and you and some of your readers think he's a good coach??? I don't get it...
Look, I would be the first in line to give him credit for being a good coach if he was but he's not... I don't dislike him personally, not at all... I don't like him as a coach because he doesn't coach!!!
As far as the rest of your readers that don't agree with me about Scott...I would bet that there isn't a guy or gal for that matter, who disagreed with me about Scott, that's either over 25 years old or hasn't been a fan for more than 5-6 years...
The one thing the Nets have always come up short on is coaching...When they had good ones like Larry Brown, Chuck Daly and Bill Fitch, Nets management took sides with players and drove these guys away...I also liked Stan Albeck and Kevin Loughery...
This organization always has had a bubblehead reputation, no pun intended sweetcakes, (Bubblehead/Champagne – Get it?) when it comes to organization...Now that Rod Thorn has made the Nets a legitimate and reputable place to hang your hat as a player, the organization turns on it's fan base...Well, you all know how I feel about that...
Here's the bottom line for me about "Passenger Scott"...
Definition, Passage: Someone who is along for the ride.
You made some points about leadership, letting the X's and O's guys take care of the X's and O's and all that and that's wonderful but when it matters a leader/coach needs to instill confidence during the times when it's needed..."Passenger Scott" doesn't provide that my friend, Jason Kidd does... Anyone with any knowledge of the pro game knows that...
If you or any of your younger and inexperienced readers actually believe that Byron brings that attitude and confidence, then there is something I can do for you and that's teach you a lesson...
Lesson 1 - Nets without Jason Kidd and Byron Scott coaching: 26-56.
Lesson 2 - Nets with Jason Kidd and Byron Scott coaching: 52-30.
Lesson 3 - Nets without Jason Kidd due to injury – see Lesson 1.
It's that simple my friend...I'm ecstatic that the Nets are winning, make no mistake about that...But as a fan an NBA title is what I desire, nothing less...I don't believe that Byron Scott is good enough to do his part for the Nets so they can achieve that...And if the Nets really want to win a title then they need to address this...
Because the organization is run by a bunch of assholes now, it's hard for me jump for joy...Having a financial stake in all this makes a difference...It makes you look at the team, coaching and the organization...If you just watch the games from TV, it's easy for me to understand why you would question me about my LOVE for the team, why I'm so upset at management and why I'm complaining...
As for "Passenger Scott," being a longtime fan, who attends about 50+ NBA games a season and countless College and High School games (I'm a basketball official) I know good coaching when I see it...I don't see it from him...I deal with coaches day in and day out, there are some great ones out there, "Passenger Scott" isn't one of them...The players don't love him, for any of you who think that...They know who they are playing for and who the "real" coach is...No big deal...But come crunchtime, you will see another meltdown from "Passenger Scott"...Honestly, I hope he, "Passenger Scott," proves me wrong for ONCE!!! But I doubt that will happen...
So that's it for now Champagne, my jock sniffing, tiny bubble friend.
- NetsNut, January 10, 2003
NetsNut:
This time you really made me laugh. Happy to see you have crystallized your arguments down to the most simplistic of points.
Question: I see Don Chaney drawing up a lot more plays for the Knicks than Phil Jackson seems to do for the Lakers. Who's the better coach? Besides, isn't it a basketball coaches' primary job to have his players fully prepared for game contingencies before the game is played? Or would you rather have a stamping, shouting control-freak? Maybe allowing Kidd be himself, to get out there and dare to make those passes, is a kind of wisdom. No?
Question: So Stephon Marbury's locker room poison, and mass Nets injuries had nothing to do with that 26-win season? Also, I wonder how many winning coaches had brilliant first seasons?
Being critical of Byron Scott is one thing, being completely dismissive is another. We can all remember Nicky Knicksfan and his pea-brained pals calling for Van Gundy's head early in his coaching stint. The way Van Gundy left the hideous Knicks management in the lurch almost makes a guy want to reappraise Pat Riley's awkward exit. (Who deserves to be quit-on more than the Dolans?) Now Nicky Knicksfan is stuck in the Chaney Era, pure basketball limbo. I can remember the limbo of the Casey Era here – you can't tell me the Nets go to the Finals last season with Don Casey coaching, Eddie Jordan on his staff or not.
I wouldn't be so hasty to shout Byron down. There seems to be a system in place. It seems to be running well. Why smear Scott and paint everything so 2 dimensionally (Kidd + Thorn = it doesn't matter who coaches)?
– Champagne, January 12, 2002
Operation Keep Kidd
Hi Joe:
Just wanted to let you know I was recently turned on to your website and think it is great. My family (I am 33) has been season ticket holders since the Nets moved to NJ and played at the RAC. I am a die-hard fan and my lifetime sports wish was almost answered last year. Obviously they fell a little short but it sure was exciting considering the best moment in franchise history was almost twenty years earlier when they beat the Sixers in Philly in Game 5. I remember listening to that game on the radio because it was on tape delay on WOR. I even got my ten minutes of fame last year as there was a picture of me in the Star Ledger wearing my Jason Kidd jersey and high fiving Jason as he walked out of the tunnel after they beat Charlotte in Game 5.
I will get to about 15 games during the regular season and went to 10 of the 11 playoff games last year (missed the first game of the playoffs because of business). I would go to more but have two kids under 3 and my wife would kill me if I went to anymore. Although I like our team, the future of our team depends on the ability to get Mr. Kidd to stay in NJ. At this point I think it is 50/50 or 60/40 in our favor.
I had a thought that you may be able to help with. I think we should start a slogan called O.K.K. (Operation Keep Kidd). We need to get the fans to do a better job of making Jason feel appreciated. Yes it was great during the playoffs with the MVP chants but we need to do something now. Every fan should be on their feet when he is announced at the beginning of the game and he should also get a standing ovation when he leaves any game. We need to get the true fans who go to the game to really let him feel appreciated. I even thought about contacting Rod and ask for help in sending a letter to season ticket holders with this idea. Unfortunately my time is limited.
Look forward to your thoughts. Big game tomorrow night as we look to set other franchise records. Keep up with the great job.
- Jason, January 9, 2003
Jason:
First, thanks for the praise. I can certainly sympathize with your life story (read my Bio). Anyway, we should be getting all hot and bothered over the whole Kidd scenario. We started a movement at the beginning of the season, asking to "Keep Jason Kidd in Jersey." You can support the movement by buying a Keep Jason Kidd in Jersey rally teddy or t-shirt (we'll put more up there shortly) available at our on-line store. Maybe we need a KJKIJ towel for all to wave at games. Bottom line, Netsfans – let's do whatever we can to make sure Jason Kidd sticks around.
- Joe
The Other Jason
Joe:
Re: Jason Collins.
He's done an alright job so far but he needs to get stronger and quicker. I thought he was going to be a top center in the league because of his performance as a rookie but he hasn't really impressed me as a starter. Granted it's only his second year but I would like to see A-Train get his most deserved turn at the center position.
- Gaston, January 3, 2003
Gaston,
I agree with you, for the most part. Collins hasn't looked quite like the same player that he was last year. But he was coming off the bench for short stints – now he's on the firing line at the beginning of games. Some players don't adjust to that well. A-Train won't start because he is shorter than Collins, I would guess. In any case, Collins has become more agressive in the last two games, which is good to see. Hope he keeps it up and continues to progress.
- Joe
Veal Appeal
Joe:
I am sick about this "Veal Appeal." This guy is a joke. Sure, he hustles, but other than that, he is a joke. The only reason he is on the team is because he is cheaper than signing a veteran player that could actually help us (coulda had someone like Walt Williams). As much as I hate Mark Cuban, he at least signs 11th and 12th men who can still play. If Scalabrine still has a career in 3 years, remind me to kill myself.
- Rory, December 21, 2002
Rory,
I'm sorry this reply is so late – it must have gotten stuck in the mailbox during the Christmas rush. OK, so you're not a fan of Veal, but really, how much time is the Nets' 12th man gonna see, anyway? Veal is like the first crocus in Springtime – when he pops his head up, you know the warming trend of a blowout game has appeared, and all is well.
- Joe
The Ethical Right to Boo
Joe (and all Nets fans):
Re: an article which appeared in the NY Daily News on Sunday, January 12th [click here]. It took me a few reads of this article to make sure I was reading it properly, and I felt it had to be shared with all Nets fans in some way or another.
There are a few major issues surrounding it that I think we could discuss. I have described them below. I hope others could respond to these issues, as I am more a Knicks fan than a Nets fan, and I would like to hear intelligent Net fan opinions.
1) Why is Byron Scott complaining about boos? The fact of the matter is that the Nets deserved to be booed, and any fan who bought tickets to that debacle has effectively purchased the right to boo or cheer for whomever they see fit. The Nets, who inexplicably draw just 14,000 to games, finally had a sold-out game, and instead of giving the fans that were there a reason to come back, they gave them a reason to boo. Then Byron comes out and says that only the 'diehards' should have the right to boo? Umm... I don't think that's right. Obviously, it would help if the tickets didn't cost $30 more per than they did last year, but still – you don't say fans don't have the right to boo. When you go to a show, [for example, to see] a comedian, and the show is bad, you boo. You voice your displeasure, and often you get your money back. Unless Byron is paying for those tickets, he should shut HIS mouth. Finally, if you don't like the boos, then don't give them a chance to boo. I will go to a Knicks game and boo all I want, as I will at any other sporting event if I see a team play so poorly.
2) What is Richard Jefferson talking about with this quote: "I think we can't win every game by 45 points, we can't win every game on the road, can't win every single game at home, we can't be competitive every single night." BS you can't. You are a professional. It is your job to be competitve every night. He is right [to say that] they can't win every game on the road or at home, or by 45 – but their fans can expect a team that is expected to win the Eastern Conference to be competitive in every single game. [Richard Jefferson's attitude is] not the attitude to have if you plan on winning a championship. Do you see/hear Kobe saying things like that? No. What about Chris Webber (who used to be the picture of complacency when it came to winning and losing)? No. That is just a very rookie attitude from a guy who is no longer a rookie.
I don't know. I realize that I am not a big Nets fan, though I am a fan. I also realize that it had to be hard for the Nets to get such a rude wake-up call, both from the Kings and from the fans. But both those [comments] are just ridiculous.
Just my two cents. I'd love to hear other people's opinions...
- Anthony L. Macri, Jr., January 12, 2002
Arrogance Thy Name is Byron
Joe and Champagne:
I'm a long time fan and that cigar store Indian (posing) from LA thinks he has the right to tell me what to do at a game when I pay $150 per seat per game? The "ego has landed." I see this coach at probably 35 plus games per year and the playoffs for three years – he has never even cracked a smile. My group sits right behind the bench – along with all the other poor saps in all of the middle sections on both sides who pay about $150 per ticket. Byron, Rod gave you one more year, so get ready to pack your boxes and head to LA – isn't it too cold here?
Oh by the way Byron, if you looked up at the stands you would see about 9500 people at most games – you probably have time to count them since your coaching style is on auto pilot anyway (see NetsNut). OH! That's right, you went to AZ State – they only require a 510 on the math SAT. I'll take the under on that one!!
I don't hear any cursing/swears in our section, no one gets out of hand or throws anything (would you like to be in Philly or Boston?) so be a man and a coach and try to get a top effort every night – we don't expect a win but an effort – and that includes the coach. Your fans are the most loyal in all of sport and are knowledgeable, and also have suffered through over thirty years of tragedy – except for a few ABA years. I still have flashbacks to Barry, Paltz, Tart, Melchionni, and others.
In all my years of watching and rooting for this team you are the most arrogant of all which includes quite a roster (Fitch, Beard et al) and you are this way only three years into the job! ("In this league" – your quote.)
Hey Byron, there are a few things you will never change! The fans who love the Nets will be here after you are gone. And also that you are the second best player to ever come out of morningside high school in LA. Damn that Lisa leslie...
Hey JNF, where is the artwork for this guy and the rest of the staff??
Next time I will write you about a game with the Kentucky Colonels that had the smallest crowd in history. So small even Byron could have given us an accurate count!! It was years ago probably before you were born.
I'm new to the site – a friend told me about it – keep up the good and truthful work.
- Njamericans67, January 12, 2003
Njamericans67:
Thanks. As it is, I could barely get the player caricatures done while trying to keep up with the site. But I'll take a stab at drawing the coaching staff (and Thorn and Lamoriello) one day for sure.
Pretty smart of Scott to alienate the fans at a low-point in our attendance, huh?
- Champagne, January 12, 2003
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