Game 7's a roll of the dice
Do Or Die Time
I have no words of wisdom about Game 7, Netsfans.
You've read all there is to read out there in the media, spent hours debating this series with your friends and colleagues, and probably even skipped Sunday night's episode of the Sopranos just to watch Game 6, and what you thought would be another Nets closeout.
Frankly, I'm as baffled as you are about the loss. Does this mean, that according to speculation, Kidd is hurt worse than he lets on (isn't he always)? Clearly, without a capable Kidd, the Nets are asking for a miracle in Game 7. If Kidd is on, we all know what the result is likely to be.
Memo to Rod Thorn: find Jason an experienced backup in the off-season. If you can find the pocket change, and the new owners approve of the spending.
Speaking of the new owners, wonder if they're willing to finance the continued run of these Nets by re-signing Kenyon Martin, adding Nenad Krstic to the mix, and finding replacement parts for several positions. Nothing will drag this franchise back to the bottom faster that not investing in the players that brought it to this level. Remember that, Brooklyn fans, when your man Bruce Ratner balks at the price of success.
Anyway, back to Game 7. Time to roll out each and every sports cliché you can think of . Because it's do or die time.
On one hand, it would be fitting if this season ended here. No Eastern Conference Finals, no chance for chance to play for another title, given the unsettled nature of the year that was.
And yet, it would seem to make sense that this team continue rolling. They've done everything the hard way since Jason Kidd re-signed for $100 million plus, and brought Alonzo Mourning along with him. Think back to the excitement that quickly turned to disappointment, when Mourning announced he needed a kidney transplant just days after his blowup with Kenyon Martin.
But even after the long slide to mediocrity that led to the firing of Byron Scott, the hiring of Lawrence "Interim" Frank, and the incredible winning streak that immediately followed, the Nets just continued pushing huge rocks up long, steep hills. Injuries to Kidd and Martin ruined any chance of gaining home court advantage for more than the first round of the playoffs, but they still won an Atlantic Division title and swept the Knicks in the first round.
So why would it get any easier now?
Losing Game 6 just sets up the Nets for an epochal Game 7, one that either cements the Nets' reputation as a tough, talented and experienced team that just wins no matter what, or a team that struggled to get to the finish line this year because of all that change (and all those injuries).
It's a roll of the dice, Netsfans.
Detroit's defense, especially in one game, could easily make the difference, just as the Nets' fast break could push the Pistons over the edge. Could be Kidd, could be Richard Hamilton. Martin or Ben Wallace (or Rasheed Wallace). Who knows how it ends?
Oh, we'll talk all about it on Friday morning, win or lose. We'll either be amazed that the Nets pulled it out despite going down 0 - 2, then losing a potential clincher on their home court, or we'll ruminate over whether Kidd is too hurt or just played too much, whether Martin or Jefferson or Kittles or even Jason Collins could have done more.
in the end, though, you can't ask for better drama, now, can you?
It's time, Netsfans. Win or go home. No bigger cliché than that.
See you on the other side.
But we all know who's going to win, right?
- Joe
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