Opponent 81: Washington Wizards (45 - 35) - Tuesday,
April 19, 2005 - 7:30pm EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Veto Power
New! Getting
closer to being elected into the post season does not mean things are
getting easier for the Nets, who face ex-coach Eddie Jordan and the Wiz
in a matchup that promises something for every voter. The Wiz have had
the Nets' number this season (3 - 0, with an average margin of victory
of 20 points), but the Nets need to win at all costs to assure the eighth
playoff position stays in New Jersey...It's down to the last 2 games of
the season...Read
on...
Opponent 80: Philadelphia 76ers (41 - 38) - Sunday, April 17, 2005, 6:00 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
Little Rocky
Allen Iverson's like a modern-day Rocky, the underdog who just keeps fighting until he's the one left standing. No one hits the floor more often, yet he bounces back time and again to the tune of being the NBA's leading scorer this season. The Nets face A.I. and the Sixers in the biggest game of the year - win and pull closer to the Cavs for the eighth spot (the Cavs have the streaking Pistons on their schedule), lose and watch the Sixers clinch a playoff berth...Read on...
Opponent 79: Toronto Raptors (32 - 46) - Friday, April 15, 2005, 7:00PM EST - Air Canada Centre
Hell Hath No Fury Like A Country Scorned
Think those Canucks from up North want to help bounce Vince Carter and the Nets out of their playoff hopes? Rumor has it that the entire basketball nation of Canada (or at least what passes for it) will be out in force to spew invectives at Carter for leaving the country in such a fine way. The Nets just need wins - metric, English, whatever...Read on...
Opponent 78: Indiana Pacers (42 - 35) - Wednesday, April 13, 2005, 8:00 PM - Conseco Fieldhouse
It's One Last Miller's Time
One last drink for the Batboy, Reggie Miller, and his evil ways as he plays his way to retirement at the end of this season. It's likely to be the last time the Nets face him, so get a good glimpse while you can as both teams have struggled through injury to get hot at the right time. The Nets need wins, period - will Miller Time get the best of their plans to make the E. C. playoffs? Read on...
Opponent 76: New York Knicks (29 - 44) - Thursday, April 7, 2005, 7:30 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
Nicky's Nightmare
Think it was Nicky Knickfan's biggest nightmare on Tuesday night, listening to cheers for retiring Pacers' legend (and Knickfan Spike Lee's famous foil) Reggie Miller receive chants of "Reggie! Reggie" while booing the hometown boys? That's what it's come down to as the Nets take on the reeling Knicks, losers of seven straight...Read on...
Opponent 75: Cleveland Cavaliers (38 - 34) - Tuesday, April 5, 2005, 7:00 PM - Gund Arena
Money Ball
The new internet millionaire owner of the Cavs is about to find out that money isn't enough to take LeBron James and his minions deep into the playoffs. The Nets take on another interim coach in Brendan Malone as they try to sneak into the playoffs via Cleveland...Time's running out...Read on...
Opponent 74: Orlando Magic (34 - 38) - Saturday, April 2, 2005, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Cursed Fate
vWho's taken the Magic out of Orlando? Someone should look at Magic GM John Weisbrod, says Joe, as the struggling Magic come to the CAA trying to figure out what went wrong after such a fine start. Firing the coach and replacing him with a neophyte, suspending your star player and dealing with injuries have the Magic losing their illusion of the playoffs, and a GM who should be held accountable (remember, this is the guy who chased Tracy McGrady out of Orlando)...Read on...
Opponent 73: New York Knicks (29 - 41) - Friday, April 1, 2005, 8:00 PM - Madison Square Garden
That Joke's Still Funny
So much for the best-laid plans of mega-spender Isiah Thomas and those Knicks...an April Fool's matchup between the Nets and the Knicks brings another chance to laugh at another's misfortune. Can the Nets keep their (slim) playoff hopes alive by knocking the Knicks dead? Read on...
Opponent 69: Memphis Grizzlies (38 - 28) - Thursday, March 24, 2005, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Bear Necessities
New! Those pesky Western Conference Grizzlies, coached by Jersey guy Mike Fratello, are in town hoping to take some of the hunt out of Vince Carter and the Nets' playoff drive. Every win is necessary from here on out, with only 14 to play, for the Nets to reach the road to playoff Utopia...Read on...
Opponent 68: Indiana Pacers (33 - 32) - Tuesday, March 22, 2005, 7:30 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
Pulling No Punches II
We've already been through the particulars, so no reason to discuss them again. But each and every game is now important for both the Nets and the Pacers, with the playoff berth battle hitting fever pitch. Can the Nets remember the physical play of Sunday afternoon and knock Indiana's block off? Read on...
Opponent 67: Indiana Pacers (33 - 31) - Sunday, March 19, 2005, 3:30 PM - Conseco Fieldhouse
Pulling No Punches
Still standing on their feet despite that brawl in Detroit, the season suspension of Ron Artest, and numerous injuries, including stud Jermaine O'Neal, the Pacers are still punching their way to sixth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race. With a home and home series against a team in front of them, now is a good time for the Nets to land a haymaker...Read on...
Opponent 66: Utah Jazz (20 - 44) - Friday, March 18, 2005, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Cashing It In
The bad news Jazz come stumbling into the CAA having lost seven straight, thereby setting it up for the "trap" game in which the Nets must avoid a letdown if they want to make it to the playoffs. Jazz G Raja Bell summed it all up nicely for us: the Jazz have "cashed it in" - let's hope they don't do the same against the Nets...Read on...
Opponent 65: Chicago Bulls (32 - 28) - Wednesday, March 16, 2005, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Trimming The Fat
The Nets need wins, period, to stay afloat in the cesspool of Eastern Conference playoff hopefuls. Can the Nets sweep the season's series against the Bulls by trimming the fat from Chicago's young high-fliers, who hold the sixth seed in the East? Or will the Bulls hack the Nets' playoff dreams into little pieces? Read on...
Opponent 64: Orlando Magic (31 - 30) - Sunday, March 13, 2005, 6:00PM EST - TD Waterhouse Center
Revenge Of The Nerds
Heading south faster than a bunch of nerds on Spring break, literally and figurative, the Nets get the chance for some revenge against the Magic. With the hope of the playoffs fading faster than a Nerd social encounter, can the Nets salvage their weekend Florida exam? Read on...
Opponent 59: Miami Heat (42 - 16) - Thursday, March 3, 2005, 7:30 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
'Zo Heated In Miami
Alonzo Mourning comes back to New Jersey as a member of the Miami Heat, finally getting his way after complaining and blackmailing two teams into getting his freedom. And he's still spitting venom at the Nets...Go figure. Read on...
Opponent 58: Philadelphia 76ers (27 - 29) - Wednesday, March 2, 2005, 7:00 PM - Wachovia Center
Caught In A Webb
Allen Iverson gets his wish, and the Sixers are now a more dangerous opponent thanks to the acquisition of Chris Webber. But is there enough basketball to go around? Can the Sixers spin a web around the Nets' playoff hopes? Read on...
Opponent 57: Cleveland Cavaliers (31 - 22) - Sunday, February 27, 2005, 1:00 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
No Mistake By The Lake
The Nets stole a win from LeBron and the Cavs last time these two teams met. Make no mistake, they'll not make the same mistake twice if LeBron the legend (in the making) has his way...Read on...
Opponent 56: Charlotte Bobcats (11 - 40) - Friday, February 25, 2005, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Bobbin' On The Line
The first-year Bobcats are casting the waters for talent in this investment year, hoping to add to a rep as a tough team to play (but not necessarily to beat). Can the Nets catch a win by putting the expansion Bobcats on the hook? Read on...
Opponent 55: Milwaukee Bucks (23 - 30) - Wednesday, February 23, 2005, 8:00PM EST - Bradley Center
Redd Alert
Michael Redd and the Bucks are next on the schedule as the Nets take aim at the playoffs. Redd is sharpshooting but potentially on the trading block. Will he have the motivation to go gunning for the Nets and stop them dead in their tracks? Read on...
Opponent 54: Toronto Raptors (21 - 32) - Tuesday, February 22, 2005, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Eighty Percent Unhappy
Maybe it has something to do with the exchange rate, because none of the players acquired for Vince Carter have worked out very well for the Raptors. Sliding downhill with Mourning already gone, both Williams' unhappy and hardly playing and Rafer Alston and Sam Mitchell at each others throats while Carter has elevated to a whole new level for NJ - not the stuff great trades are made of...Read on...
Opponent 53: Sacramento Kings (33 - 19) - Wednesday, February 16, 2005, 7:30 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
King Neptune
The always-tough-on-the-Nets Kings come to town swimming underwater lately, losing 5 out of 6. But when it comes to the Kings, the Nets always seem to be taking swimming lessons themselves. The last game before the All Star break beckons...Read on...
Opponent 52: Minnesota Timberwolves (25 - 27) - Tuesday, February 15, 2005, 8:00pm EST - Target Center
Flipping Off
What the flip is going on in Minny? Chemistry gone bad, a gimpy KG, and now Flip Saunders axed? Are we witnessing the end of the killer Wolves? Read on...
Opponent 51: Denver Nuggets (23 - 27) - Sunday, February 13, 2005, 6:00 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
Welcome Back My Friend
Here comes our old friend (and former heart and soul of the franchise) Kenyon Martin back to NJ to all the insanity (or Vinsanity) that is the '04 - '05 season. Will Martin return to cheers or jeers? More importantly, can the Nets, losers of two straight fall from ahead losses, rip a win right out from Kenyon's hands? Read on...
Opponent 50: San Antonio Spurs (39 - 11) - Friday, February 11, 2005, 7:30 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
Saddle Sore
The Spurs come amblin' into town perhaps without their best all-around player, Tim Duncan (ankle), while still wondering if ageless Karl Malone is eventually going to join the gunfight come playoff time. Will the Nets catch a break with the Duncan-less (game time decision) Spurs sporting saddle sores? Read on...
Opponent 49: Los Angeles Lakers (24 - 22) - Wednesday, February 9, 2005, 7:30 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
No Kobe Beef
Kobe's on the shelf, Rudy T's already left town and Big Chief Triangle is rumored to be returning. Kobe says that's no problem - everyone got that? Confusion is the order of the day in LA, where they're serving up losses (6 out of 8) along with gossip...Read on...
Opponent 48: Philadelphia 76ers (23 - 24) - Monday, February 7, 2005, 7:30 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
A.I. Vs. T.O.
Now that the Eagles have lost the Super Bowl, wanna bet that Allen Iverson is the most popular player in Philly? T.O may have played and played well, but he's got nothing on the Sixer sparkplug, who has his team near first place in the Toilet Bowl Atlantic Division. Both teams need wins - can the healthy Nets hunker down at home and shut Phillys Finest down? Read on...
Opponent 47: Detroit Pistons (28 - 18) - Saturday, February 5, 2005, 1:00 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
Dr. Brown's Fizzy Ale
Sour, never sweet, and always unhappy, Larry Brown denies he has eyes for the Knick coaching job. That long pause in between saying he did, and confirming he didn't must have gone down like Cel-Ray soda in Detroit. In any case, can the Nets continue to drink up wins against the getting-stronger-by-the-day Pistons? Read on...
Opponent 45: Chicago Bulls (22 - 20) - Tuesday, February 1, 2005, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
No Bull Bleep
I kid you not - the Bulls are 22 - 11 since starting the season 0 - 9 - go figure that one out. Youth is served in Chicago, as the young turks are (finally) leading the Bull revival. The Nets are back home against the Bulls, whom they've beaten twice this season. Is the third time the charm? Read on...
Opponent 44: Utah Jazz (15 - 29) - Saturday, January 29, 2005, 9:00PM EST - Delta Center
Boozer In A Dry County
New! Carlos Boozer left LeBron James for this? Up in the clear air of dry Salt Lake City, the Jazz signed Boozer to combine with Andrei Kirilenko, but that plan has been on hold while Kirilenko succumbed to injury. Now back in the Jazz lineup, can the AK47, Boozer and their shaky PG's drive the Nets to drink? Read on...
Opponent 42: Golden State Warriors (11 - 21) - Wednesday, January 26, 2005, 10:30 PM - Arena in Oakland
Rich Man, Poor Men
Jason Richardson returns from injury for the Warriors, another of their many first round draft picked that haven't translated into success. Can the Nets finally cash in a road win against the fellow downtrodden? ? Read on...
Opponent 41: Sacramento Kings (27 - 12) - Tuesday, January 25, 2005, 10:00 PM - Arco Arena
Anger In The King's Court
Will the Kings take out their anger over a 30 point whipping by the Spurs on the nomadic Nets? Losing by that much on the home court never makes for a happy opponent in the next game, does it? Read on...
Opponent 40: Phoenix Suns (31 - 10) - Sunday, January 23, 2005, 8:30PM EST - America West Arena
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
Jim Carrey as Steve Nash? Anyway, the Nets start their 5 game, make-or-break West Coast swing with a tough matchup out in Phoenix? Can the Nets remember the joy of the win against an NBA powerhouse? Read on...
Opponent 38: Milwaukee Bucks (13 - 23) - Wednesday, January 19, 2005, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Headlights Are Calling
Which 13 win team will get the far-away look in their eyes - Nets or Bucks? The Bucks and Nets each won for the first time on Monday after matching 4 game losing streaks, and while Keith Van Horn is back for the Bucks, his NJ replacement, RJ is on the shelf. Will there be roadkill in the Continental? Read on...
Opponent 37: Atlanta Hawks (7 - 27) - Monday, January 17, 2005, 2:00 PM - Philips Arena
Hiding In Plain Sight
New! On to Atlanta for a King Day matinee to face the Hawks, are are last in the league in seemingly everything but riding a 2 out of 3 winning flight. Can the Nets stop their slide against the team Joe considers to be the worst in the NBA? Read on...
Opponent 36: Dallas Mavericks (22 - 11) - Saturday, January 15, 2005, 8:30 PM - American Airlines Center
Gunslingers Of The West
The roughest, toughest, gunslingers from Texas are next on the schedule. The Dallas Mavs feature that marvel of German engineering, Dirk Nowitzki, and a band of shootests that average better than 100 points per game. Can the Nets avoid being targets down in Big D? Read on...
Opponent 35: Houston Rockets (17 - 17) - Thursday, January 13, 2005, 8:00pm EST - Toyota Center
McNuggets Of Wisdom
What? Tracy McGrady didn't give his all last season amongst all the losing in Orlando? And he feels bad about it now that he's in Houston? Perhaps Vince Carter and Tracy can get together and commiserate...In any case, the Rockets are next, in the first game of this 3 game swing in the road month from hell...Read on...
Opponent 34: Detroit Pistons (18 - 14) - Tuesday, January 11, 2005, 7:30 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
Restless Engine
A rare January home game gets the Pistons inside the Continental for some down and dirty driving. Sputtering since winning the championship last year, can Larry Brown get Detroit to "play the game the right way" against the Nets? Read on...
Opponent 33: Orlando Magic (17 - 14) - Saturday, January 8, 2005, 7:00PM EST - TD Waterhouse Center
To Hill And Back
New! No matter what, you have to be proud of the NBA's best comeback story, Grant Hill. But, the Magic are another team full of defensive lapses - could they be coming up on the schedule at the right time for New Jersey? Read on...
Opponent 32: Golden State Warriors (11 - 21) - Friday, January 7, 2005, 7:30 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
Robinson Crusoe
New! Stranded on an island of high scoring losses, the Nets have set their sites on power forwards to obtain, one of which belongs to the Nets' next opponent, the Golden State Warriors? Will Robinson help the Nets off the bottom of the standings in the near future? Read on...
Opponent 31: Milwaukee Bucks (9 - 19) - Wednesday, January 5, 2004, 8:00PM EST - Bradley Center
Bucking Disaster
Those January road-warriors find themselves headed to Milwaukee for the third of their 12 road games this month. The Bucks are struggling with injuries and inconsistency, while missing ex-Net Keith Van Horn, the poster boy for both issues...Read on...
Opponent 30: Washington Wizards (16 - 13) - Tuesday, January 4, 2005 - 7:00pm EST - MCI Center
Presidential Timber
The Nets' two ex-presidents - Carter and Jefferson - look to rock the vote and the house down in D.C. With two blowouts under their belts already (both before Jason Kidd's return), can the Wiz veto the Nets' win drive? Joe's on the White House beat...
Opponent 29: New York Knicks (16 - 13) - Saturday, January 1, 2004, 7:30 PM - Madison Square Garden
The Stinging Pain Of Rejection
Vince Carter's not a Knick but a Net, stolen out from Isiah Thomas' desperate attempts to make him a Garden favorite. Think Isiah's got some post-holiday depression? As if the rivaly needed any more juicing...Read on...
Opponent 28: Indiana Pacers (14 - 13) - Thursday, December 30, 2004, 7:30 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
Suspending Belief
Could it get any more insane this NBA season? This year's bad boys, the Pacers, come to the CAA trying to balance themselves after so much change due to suspension and roster shuffling. Jermaine O'Neal's back, at least until Thursday, when the NBA gets its day in court. Unbelievable...Read on...
Opponent 24: Charlotte Bobcats (6 - 14) - Tuesday, December 21, 2004, 7:00PM EST - Charlotte Coliseum
Carolina Blue
New! The Nets are in Carolina without Tar Heel Vince Carter, but all this losing is making them as blue as the famous uniforms. Can the Nets stop the slide while still shorthanded in Charlotte? Read on...
Opponent 23: Toronto Raptors (8 - 17) - Sunday, December 19, 2004, 3:00PM EST - Air Canada Centre
Start Of The Williams' Boys Era
Eric Williams and Aaron Williams face their ex-mates immediately following their trade to Toronto for Vince Carter (Mourning, still recovering from numerous maladies, isn't expected to play). Is it the start of a new era in Canada, or just more of the same old thing? Read on...
Opponent 22: Memphis Grizzlies (9- 15) - Friday, December 17, 2004, 8:00PM EST - The FedEx Forum
The Czar Joins The Bizarre
Hubie Brown's out, Mike "Czar of the Telestrator" Fratello is in, and the uneven play in Memphis continues. Absolutely spanked down here last year (in the old Pyramid), can the Nets bully the Czar and his squad into a revenge win? Read on...
Opponent 21: New York Knicks (10 - 10) - Tuesday, December 14, 2004, 7:30 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
Fugazi For Revenge
Tim Thomas is back in town, having a fugazi season but part of a Knick squad that has gone from first round Nets' sweep to first place in the Atlantic Division. It's the perfect pre-Christmas gift - the revenge motive, that is - for Knickfans. Will the newly regifted (with Jason Kidd) Nets be up to the task? Read on...
Opponent 20: Atlanta Hawks (4 - 15) - Saturday, December 11, 2004, 7:00 PM - Philips Arena
Hawkwind
They're nearly anonymous in Atlanta, but the Hawks are trying to get something going, if not now then for next season. Everyone's favorite whipping boy, Antoine Walker and his trippy space-rock boys are next on the schedule...Read on...
Opponent 19 : New Orleans Hornets (1 - 16) - Friday, December 10, 2004, 7:30 PM - Continental Airlines Arena
(Not So) Great Scott
Guess who's coming for dinner? Better still, guess who won't be invited to the party? Yes, the ex-Net reunion tour continues, this time with ex-Net coach Byron Scott and his moribund New Orleans Hornets (which include the injured Rodney Rogers, as if this is a surprise). Think Byron and Jason Kidd will discuss history? Read on...
Opponent 17: Toronto Raptors (7 - 12) - Monday, December 6, 2004, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
The End of Vinsanity?
Stop the madness! Is Vince "Vinsanity" Carter being traded to Portland? Is Jason Kidd going to play in his first game since his off-season knee surgery? Will Alonzo Mourning complain so more about being stuck in New Jersey? The Purple Dinosaurs are back in town, reeling and complaining...Read on...
Opponent 11: Los Angeles Clippers (5 - 6) - Thursday, November 25, 2004, 10:30 PM - Staples Center
A Slice Of Turkey And Some Kittles
Old friend Kerry Kittles comes calling in this annual Thanksgiving basketball feast. Can the Nets carve up a win after 6 straight losses? Read on...
Opponent 10: Denver Nuggets (5 - 5) - Tuesday, November 23, 2004, 9:00 PM - Pepsi Center
No More KMart Discount
Off to the West Coast, where old friend in new surroundings Kenyon Martin awaits. Just like retailer KMart, which has moved on and hooked up with Sears, Martin is still adjusting to his new surroundings, but the hope for the future is certainly brighter than the place he left, where the struggle is just to compete...Read on...
Opponent 9: Washington Wizards (4 - 4) - Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 8:00pm EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Washington Week In Review
Eddie Jordan and the Jordanaires come to town to do battle with the offensively offensive Nets. Since Jordan knows the Nets' offense better than they do, what do you bet this will be another slop-fest? Joe has his "Washington Week in Review all cued up...Read on...
Opponent 8: Seattle SuperSonics (6 - 1) - Wednesday, November 17, 2004, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Coffee Jones
Caffeinated Sonics rule the West! OK, not so fast, it's early, but for a team expected to be on the same level as New Jersey, Seattle sure is steaming up the standings. How are they doing it? Here's a tip - THEY CAN SHOOT THE BASKETBALL! Joe's got all the stats...Read on...