Joe Netsfan Opponents | 2005

Opponent 78 - Cleveland Cavaliers (46 - 32) - Thursday, April 12, 2007, 8:00PM EST - Quicken Loans Arena
Speed Dating
New! Could these two teams be pairing up again in the playoffs? A lot rides on this game and the rest of the season for the Cavs - if they regain the #2 seed, it's the Nets they'll be facing. But stay in that #5 slot where they live now, and it's the Heat for them...Can the Nets slow down LBJ, and find love in all the right places (like the paint)? Read on...

Opponent #74 - Atlanta Hawks (27 - 47) - Wednesday, April 4, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Hawks vs. Doves
New! What a mess in Atlanta - playing out the string again, with a dysfunctional ownership group, injuries everywhere, and yet another season of "what 'til next year!" Read on...

Opponent #72 - Detroit Pistons (45 - 25) - Friday, March 30, 2007, 8:00PM EST - Palace At Auburn Hills
Results, Not Activity
The Pistons have it, the Nets pretty much don't. It's all about results, and wins, and boy could the Nets use a big one out in Detroit. Since Chris Webber arrived, things have been good, but the Pistons are one sickly and beat-up squad at the moment. Could be the perfect time for the Nets to show us something...Read on...

Opponent #71 - Indiana Pacers (31 - 39) - Wednesday, March 28, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Falling Down
Like Michael Douglas in "Falling Down", the Pacers by now should have reached wits end, ready to fire away at anything in its path after a long, long decline this season. Like the Nets, they could be labeled a big disappointment, only with firearms and trouble. Can New Jersey disarm the once-proud Pacers? Read on...

Opponent #69 - Orlando Magic (31 - 38) - Friday, March 23, 2007, 7:00PM EST - Amway Arena
Florida Sinkhole
What is going on down in Orlando, where the Magic continue to sink lower and lower (and potentially out) in the playoff chase in the East? Somehow, we think this will be a tough opponent for the Nets, desperate for their own way out of the depths and straight into the playoffs...Read on...

Opponent #64 - Memphis Grizzlies (16 - 48) - Monday, March 12, 2007, 8:00PM EST - FexEx Forum
Grizzled And Bitter
The Nets move on to Memphis hoping to stop the losing, against a defensively challenged Grizzlies bunch. With the team again rumored on the move, and the resident star looking for a way out, the Nets may have found the perfect distraction, if they aren't too distracted themselves...Read on...

Opponent #63 - San Antonio Spurs (44 - 18) - Saturday, March 10, 2007, 8:00PM EST - SBC Center
From Bad To Worse
The last thing the Nets need is a second game of a back-to-back in San Antonio, winners of 11 straight and playing their best basketball of the season, but that's what they're up against. Duncan, Parker and Ginobilli vs Kidd, Carter and Jefferson - shut down the other's superstars? Find out tonight, in Texas...Read on....

Opponent #62 - Houston Rockets (37 - 24) - Friday, March 9, 2007, 8:30PM EST - Toyota Center
Selected Target
The Nets are getting closer to blowing it all up as they face the second Western nightmare in Texas, the Houston Rockets. Sturdy enough to survive the loss of Ming for 32 games while whistling silently through the schedule, the big man is now back and McGrady's been large. Can the Nets hit the target in Houston? Read on...

Opponent #57 - New York Knicks (25 - 31) - Sunday, February 25, 2007, 6:00PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
New York's Finest?
The battle for the best in NY, or at least the tri-state area, comes to the Continental where the Knicks take on the Nets. Not yet Brooklyn, but still in Jersey, the Nets of Jason Kidd and Vince Carter are looking to get on a roll, while the hated Knicks are looking to get even with the Nets in the battle for a playoff berth. Should be a good one...Read on...

Opponent #56 - Sacramento Kings (23 - 29) - Friday, February 23, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
No Way Out
Two very similar teams rumored to be making a deadline deal meet at the CAA - but neither team did anything and so they'll play the hands they were dealt. Last we checked in with the Kings, they were beating the Nets by a point, the first of three straight last second defeats by a point NJ would suffer. Playing out the string, who will come out on top? Read on...

Opponent #55 - New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (25 - 28) - Wednesday, February 21, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Stealing Back The Day
Much like the city of New Orleans, the Hornets are trying to battle back from adversity to make the playoffs, but that inconsistency is a killer. Just ask the Nets, who are practically the mirror image of these Hornets. The second half begins with many more questions than answers as both teams try to get to the playoffs, get healthy, and in the Nets case, get acquainted if there's a trade in the wind...Read on...

Opponent #53 - San Antonio Spurs (33 - 18) - Tuesday, February 13, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Brr In The Saddle
With their annual road trek in mid-swing thanks to the rodeo, the San Antonio Spurs are as frigid as the Eastern chill, going 2- 4 on their 8 game trip. Can the Nets make their night cold by climbing closer to .500? Read on..

Opponent #49 - Philadelphia 76'ers (15 - 33) - Monday, February 5, 2007, 7:00PM EST - Wachovia Center
Bad To The Bone
The Nets have been bad of late, but the Sixers, after letting go of Allen Iverson and Chris Webber to rebuild, are still worse. What happens when these two teams get together, though, can never be predicted...Read on...

Opponent #47 - Orlando Magic (24 - 22) - Friday, February 2, 2007, 7:00PM EST - Amway Arena
Helluva Hill To Climb
The Magic are sinking quickly in the East, and now find themselves without hardluck victim and good guy Grant Hill, out 2- 3 weeks with a knee sprain. The Nets can't be sympathetic, though, with injuries of their own, and a poor performance on Wednesday night to boot...who climbs the victory hill? Read on...

Opponent #46 - Detroit Pistons (25 - 17) - Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Tangled Webber
Chris Webber's in Detroit, demands were apparently met, and now the Pistons are the favorite to make it out of the East. It's a tangled web when these two teams meet, especially since the Nets salvaged a long road trip and found the Carter they had been searching for...Read on...

Opponent #45 - Utah Jazz (29 - 16) - Monday, January 29, 2007, 9:00PM EST - rlines Arena
No Heavy Boozing
The end is near, the Nets are headed to Utah, and they may not have to start drinking in that notoriously dry town...Andrei Kirilenko is out, and Carlos Boozer might be as well...The Nets want to finish up with a win, but can they stand a night in Salt Lake? Read on...

Opponent # 42 - Golden State Warriors (19 - 23) - Wednesday, January 24, 2007, 10:30PM EST - Oracle Arena
Nelly, Not Smelly, Ball
Getting players he wanted to play "Nellyball" is good, I guess, but acquiring Stephen "Crazy Train" Jackson to be part of it? That's a bit rank, says Joe, but offense lives on in Oakland, JKidd's hometown. The Nets flat out stunk in the fourth quarter at Sacramento to start this trip, is there some redemption in the offing? Read on...

Opponent #41 - Sacramento Kings (15 - 23) - Monday, January 22, 2007, 10:00PM EST - Arco Arena
Change Is Not Always Good
Change is in the wind as the Nets start a West Coast swing against the Kings, where RJ is out indefinitely after getting the wheel fixed just as things were rolling, and Sacramento is dealing with a new coach and a tired cast of characters, along with the chief looney...Read on...

Opponent #39 - New York Knicks (17 - 23) - Friday, January 19, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Madison Square Garden
Borough Envy
Timing their press conference about the new arena in Brooklyn just a day before this Knicks Nets matchup at the Garden is a bit like rubbing salt into a wound, but it's time to get in on for the battle of the boroughs...The Knicks are remade under coach Isiah and behind Eddie Curry, and they've got something to play for...Read on...

Opponent 38 - Charlotte Bobcats (12 - 24) - Wednesday, January 17, 2007, 7:00PM EST - Charlotte Bobcats Arena
Relocation Program
Jeff McInnis - does anyone remember him? You'll get your chance tonight in Charlotte as the Nets take on the Bobcats...even if we've get to see the player he was traded for (Bernard Robinson). McInnis was relocated as part of the witless protection program, but everyone's moved on...Read on...

Opponent 37: Indiana Pacers (20 - 17) - Monday, January 15, 2007, 3:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Daytime Emmy
With enough plot twists to supply a soap opera a year's worth of material, the Nets face the daylight and take on the Pacers in this MLK Day extravaganza. Can the Nets work up a script good enough to get a win? Read on...

Opponent #35: Chicago Bulls (20 - 16) - Thursday, January 11, 2007, 8:00PM EST - United Center
Bulloney or Cujones?
The Nets take to the road, having won 4 of 5 despite their ongoing issues, while the Bulls, opponent next, have lost 4 of 5. The Bulls, are mightly at home, and wimpy on the road, so we'll see which team(s) show up to play this one...Read on...

Opponent #34 - Toronto Raptors (15 - 19) – Tuesday, January 9, 2007, 7:30PM EST – Continental Airlines Arena
By Way Of Extinction, They Rise Again
They're in first place in the Pathetic Division, thanks to a rebuilding job and an international expo of a roster. The Nets may be facing the same tune, and soon, if they injuries and the inconsistency don't stop...Read on...

Opponent #32 - Chicago Bulls (19 - 13) - Friday, January 5, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
The Bull And The Ball
The Bulls are in town, streaking, and the ball will be new (old), but for the Nets, the first game of 2007 brings back Uncle Cliffie and the chance to find some consistency. The break is over, the schedule gets much harder from here, and it's time to see what these Nets are made of...It's all about the leather...Read on...

Opponent 26: Los Angeles Lakers (17 - 9) - Friday, December 22, 2006, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Bear Bryant
He's a handful, that Kobe Bryant - can he get in the way of the Nets' attempts to string together a decent winning streak? Big Chief Triangle has the Lakers playing well, even without Lamar Odom...Can L. Frank match up? Read on...

Opponent #25: Cleveland Cavaliers (14 - 9) - Wednesday, December 20, 2006, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Mr Big Stuff
He's LeBron and you're not...he's got the NBA cred, the slick commercials, and the teflon persona, but can he lead the Cavs to a title? Better still, can he lead the Cavs past the Nets, who may have briefly remembered how to play defense on Monday night? Read on...

Opponent #24: Golden State Warriors (12 - 13) - Monday, December 18, 2006, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Worry Not
Don't worry about Baron Davis and the Golden State Warriors, who have been infected with new coach Don Nelson's high-octane offense. It's not likely Davis will be moved for disgruntled Allen Iverson, as the rumors say, but then again, who knows? The Nets just need to worry about getting a win at home any way they can...Read on...

Opponent #23: Detroit Pistons (13 - 8) - Saturday, December 16, 2006, 8:00PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Carter & Wallace
Vince Carter needs some help, Rasheed Wallace is looking for some too, and the whole thing (on ESPN) between the Nets and the Pistons inexplicably brings up a personal products company in Joe's fractured mind...It's gonna be a battle, but the Nets need to stop VC from going off prematurely and finding a way to win...Read on...

Opponent #21: Milwaukee Bucks (8 - 12) - Wednesday, December 13, 2006, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Like Royalty
The Bucks want to act like NBA royalty, and they do get up and down the court to the tune of over 100 points per game, but what's with the defensive numbers? Giving up almost 104 points per game, and allowing your opponent to shoot nearly 50%, is a big reason why the Bucks are as inconsistent as the Nets. Can they be beheaded at the CAA? Read on...

Opponent #20: Memphis Grizzlies (5 - 15) - Monday, December 11, 2006, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Get On With It
One of the worst teams in the league comes to town with too many ills to even list - but yet, they're not that far off the Nets' record. Can the Nets get a win against anybody right now? We'll find out, even if we're not sure we can watch...Read on...

Opponent #19: Boston Celtics (5 - 13) - Saturday, December 9, 2006, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Is The Answer Coming To Beantown?
Allen Iverson is on the market - is he coming to Boston? The Celtics are in need of a shakeup, with a 5 game losing streak and middling interest up in Beantown. They're injured and reeling, but will they be the answer for New Jersey? Read on...

Opponent #18 - Phoenix Suns (10 - 6) - Thursday, December 7, 2006, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Black Hole Suns
They're on fire! The Suns sport a seven game win streak, an impressive early offensive run last time these two teams met, and all the firepower the Nets somehow seem to be missing. Will the CAA get dark early or will the Nets find a way to come out of their funk and play up to the level of their competition? Read on...

Opponent #17 - Dallas Mavericks (12 - 5) - Tuesday, December 5, 2006, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Unlucky 13
The red-hot Mavs were cooled off last night going for consecutive win number 13 against the Wiz, and now face the thus-far underachieving Nets in their second game of a back-to-back. Can the Nets find some more of those winning ways against Nowitzki and co? Read on...

Opponent #16 - Philadelphia 76'ers (5 - 9) - Saturday, December 2, 2006, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Breaks Of The Game
New! The Sixers, part of the broken-down Atlantic Division, are struggling with injuries and inconsistency (sound familiar?) - the latest being a gruesome injury to C Shavlik Randolph. It's a tough game, but the Nets are hoping to be healthier than they've been all season, and look to break out following their losing streak snapping tour de force in Boston...Read on...

Opponent #15 - Boston Celtics (5 - 8) - Wednesday, November 29, 2006, 7:00PM EST - TD Banknorth Garden
C's Minus
A six game losing streak for the Nets, but at least they're not calling for the coaches head. Yet. In Boston, it's a similar story, but the coach is already being prepared for a "F". The second game of a back-to-back has yet to be successful (0 - 2) for NJ, but dying to pass the test just once to bring home a win, you might see an all-nighter out of L. Frank...Read on...

Opponent #14 - Charlotte Bobcats (3 - 10) - Tuesday, November 28, 2006, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
The 'Stache And The Legend
MJ the legend has assumed command down in Charlotte, but it's a certain mustachioed rookie that has captured the league's fancy. No, he's not a porn star, but Adam Morrison's got the look. The Nets, meanwhile, are looking for anything resembling a win, be it good, bad or just plain ugly...Read on...

Opponent #13 - Los Angeles Lakers (8 - 4) - Sunday, November 26, 2006, 9:30PM EST - Staples Center
Surf's Up In La-La Land
The Nets, bobbing in the ocean of mediocrity while out West, just need one good ride against the Lakers to erase the doubts and set them once again on the path to righteousness. Or at least a winning streak...Read on...

Opponent #12 - Phoenix Suns (5 - 6) - Friday, November 24, 2006, 10:30PM EST - America West Arena
Sun Shine On My Shoulders
Three straight losses, and now the Nets face a hot, hot team in the third game of this mirage of a road trip. Steve Nash and his crew are shining right now, having won 4 of 5 despite not coming close to burning up the court. It'll be a desert storm...Read on...

Opponent #11 - Portland Trail Blazers (5 - 6) - Wednesday, November 22, 2006, 10:00PM EST - Rose Garden
C'mon Over To Zach's Place
New! The party's in Portland, and everyone's invited to see if the Nets can dance to a different tune other than the one that's seen them drop two straight, and in less than stellar fashion, against the Sonics and Blazers...Read on...

Opponent #10 - Seattle Super Sonics (4 - 7) - Monday, November 20, 2006, 10:00PM EST - Key Arena
Space Needled
Onward then to Seattle and the West Coast, where the revenge factor is in play, but sharp objects should be kept from L. Frank after Saturday's comedic turn. Can the Nets thread the needle against the Sonics? That's what we're all hoping for...Read on...

Opponent #9 - Portland Trail Blazers (4 - 6) - Saturday, November 18, 2006, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Get Out Of Jail Free
Formerly known as the Jail Blazers, the inmates from Portland have been re-assigned elsewhere, and a fresh crop has been brought to town. But injuries and some more interesting developments have made things sort of the same for the Blazers...Read on...

Opponent #8 - Indiana Pacers (4 - 4) - Friday, November 17, 2006, 7:30PM EST - Conseco Fieldhouse
Hoosier Daddy?
The Pacers are having issues, especially with the big daddy Jermaine O'Neal. Trying to set a rotation with 4 point guards and having the Stephen Jackson issue hanging over them, Indy's ripe for being taken at home, even with the Nets being banged up (now Marcus Williams is doubtful with a heel injury)...Read on...

Opponent #7 - Milwaukee Bucks (2 - 5) - Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Redd Hot And Blue
Michael Redd is red-hot for the Bucks, but his team is not. Why so blue? In a word: defense, or at least the lack of it. The Nets need a rebound win, or even just a rebound every now and again - are the Bucks the perfect bounceback opponent? Read on...

Opponent #6 - Seattle Super Sonics (3 - 4) - Monday, November 13, 2006, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Caffeinated Dreams
After five games in nine days on the road, the always-offensive Sonics are going to need some strong caffeine to get through this game against the Nets. With the tough second-game of a back-to-back that has already drained the Nets, playing some defense may be the way to another win...Read on...

Opponent #5 - Washington Wizards (3 - 2) - Sunday, November 12, 2006, 6:00PM EST - Verizon Center
Arenas Rock
They run and gun and stun, and score like crazy, led by Gilbert Arenas and former Net brain Eddie Jordan. But the Wizards are also horrible defenders, so the Nets need to find a way to overcome the loss of Richard Jefferson and play some defense, or it'll be a mind-numbing night of heavy metal for New Jersey...Read on...

Opponent #4 - Miami Heat (2 - 2) - Friday, November 10, 2006, 8:00PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
Tearing Down An Old Shaq
Like Pedro, he offers you his protection, but only when he's in the lineup. Aging and injury-prone, Shaq may not play in this rematch from last Friday as the low-scoring Heat take on the Nets...Can the Nets build a new foundation without Shaq in the game? Read on...

Opponent #3: Utah Jazz (4 - 0) - Wednesday, November 8, 2006, 7:30PM EST - Continental Airlines Arena
No Wrong Notes
The Utah Jazz come to town making beautiful noise in a 4- 0 start, led by a resurgent Carlos Boozer and a host of little-knowns. The Nets need to act like a big brass band to sound off against the Jazz 'D", but Richard Jefferson is at less than full speed, which makes the symphony a bit tinny...Can New Jersey turn down the Jazz? Read on...

Opponent #2 - Miami Heat (0 - 1) - Friday, November 3, 2006, 7:30PM EST - American Airlines Arena
Heat Of The Moment
The ecstasy to the agony, all in one opening night flameout for the Miami Heat. After losing by 42 points, the Heat will be out to show they didn't grow old overnight, while the Nets want to keep on the roll and keep the turnovers on ice. Read on...

Opponent #1 - Toronto Raptors (0 - 0) – Wednesday, November 1, 2006, 7:30PM EST – Continental Airlines Arena
IHOP
Fast food or an international track meet? That's the big question as the Nets open the 2006 -2007 season against the revamped Raptors. That foreign flavor and page out of the Suns playbook comes from new GM Bryan Colangelo and his Assistant GM all the way from Italy, Mauricio Gherardini. How does it translate? That's what the Nets will be hoping to find out...Read on...