Joe Netsfan Game x Game 11 - Jazz 102, Nets 75

Stop the bleeding

Jazz 102, Nets 75
Game 11 File
First game of the West Coast swing, same lousy result. The losing streak hits six and the Nets give it a go for about a half, then sink into the mire that is that offense. Don't worry - the defense was shredded too, and the Captain was horribly outplayed by the young fella, so all that's left is for the Nets to wait for Carter's return.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 4 - 7
Home Record: 3 - 5
Away Record: 1 - 2
Division Record: 1 - 3
Conf. Record: 4 - 5
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Richard Jefferson, 22.
• Assists: Jason Kidd, 8.
• Rebounds: Wright and Boone each had 5.
• Steals: Kidd, Wright, Nachbar and Gill each had 2.
• Turnovers: Jason Kidd, 6.
• Blocks: Sean Williams, 3.
• FG Percentage: Eddie Gill, 80.0% (4 - 5).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 35.2%
• FT Percentage: 59.4%
• Rebounds: 34
• Rebound Differential: -9
• Turnovers: 19
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 16
• Bench points: 33
• Bench points Differential:+3
• Steals: 10
• Blocks: 4
• Points in the Paint: 28
• Double-Doubles: 0
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 4
• Nets Fast Break Points: 11
• Kidd's FG Percentage: 9.9% (1 - 9).
• Scoring Differential Kidd in the game: -24
• Scoring Differential Kidd out: -3 (Gill)
• Double-Doubles this Season: 5
• Triple Doubles this Season: 2
• Career Triple Doubles: 89

Nets Media
Bergen Record | Nets
Newark Star-Ledger | Nets
Newsday | Nets
NY Daily News | NBA
NY Post | Nets
NY Times | Pro Basketball
YES Network | Nets

Nets Team Pages
CNNSI.com | Nets
ESPN.com | Nets
FoxSports | Nets
NBA.com | Nets
Sportsline.com | Nets

Jazz Media:
The Salt Lake Tribune | Jazz

Game 11: Jazz 102, Nets 75 – November 19, 2007
Beaten Up And Beaten Down
Well, there doesn't seem to be anywhere to go but up for the Nets after this latest thrashing at the hands of the Jazz, and now losers of six straight. The storylines sure were intriguing: would Vince Carter return to the lineup? Is Jason Kidd really as angry and fed up as it sounded? Would the Nets find some offense? Could there be a good start to the West Coast trip?

The answers were startlingly simple: No VC. Kidd really is angry, as his pre-game comments (after not speaking for 3 days) called out his teammates as soft and lacking in fortitude. No, they would not find offense. And, it was a lousy start to the left coast jaunt.

How do we sum up this one? It was competitive for nearly a half, though you never, ever got the sense that the Nets would hang in for 48 minutes. The Nets hung tough for 6 minutes, fell behind by as many as 15 before settling on 10 at the half, and then, once again the bottom fell out in the second half, as the Jazz started finding their way, going on an extended 25 - 11 run over the first seven minutes of the third to put this one away. Other than Richard Jefferson, who did all he could to lead the Nets with 22 points, there wasn't much going on offensively until garbage time commenced.

Once again, no flow (or energy) to the offense, plenty of missed shots, too many turnovers, and an all-around sense that they were overmatched from the opening tip. Jason Kidd was not nearly efficient, with 6 turnovers and 1-9 shooting, so no leadership by example was happening tonight. And really, what else needs to be said? A dreadful game, one that makes us wish for the Stephon Marbury days, for crying out loud. Game 2 of the swing is Wednesday night against Portland, a young but scrappy bunch.

Taking A Whack At The Pinata
Mentally Incapacitated? - At this point, with all of the ills of the Nets offense being repeated over and over and over in the media, the locker room and lord knows where else, is it now deep in their heads? I mean, are they stepping up to shots thinking they're going to miss? Without Carter, there is less space on the floor for the others to do their thing, whatever it is. Kidd to drive and pass, RJ to drive to the hoop, Boki to spot up, etc. So when they get the ball in their hands, it's a force that they think they're going to miss...sure looks that way. You can't just shoot your way out of this kind of slump, because there is no bailout, as Kidd was saying. They can't defend it away, create turnovers and run the ball down peoples' throats, so what else can they do but what for Carter to return?
Leadership 101 - Kidd is the Captain, right? I would never for a moment question his mental toughness or his desire to win, but you have to walk the walk, so to speak. Kidd is fourth in the NBA in turnovers, many of which he can't blame his teammates for. He's also not shooting well, and getting beaten by the younger guards in the NBA (Deron Williams was great, Kidd was not), so he can't exactly grouse about others right now...Kidd was trying to do too much tonight, granted, but he needs to slow down and set the example for his teammates, and find ways to get others besides RJ and Sean Williams involved...oh, and hope Carter comes back real soon. Kidd seemed to be questioning Carter's toughness as well, since he's missed 5 games with the ankle sprain while Kidd has played major minutes with two thigh bruises and now a cold.
Get Centered - Rookie Sean Williams is still playing above his head. If you take away the minute in the first half of the Magic game when he picked up 3 quick fouls in the first half, he's been much better than anyone expected thus far. He brings energy, mad hops, some challenging defense, and of course those blocks. He had another, come from behind to bust up a breakaway but Gordon Giricek last night that should have been a NBA highlight for the night if it wasn't. Plus, he's got a chemistry with Kidd that allows him to run the floor and do some damage. And, he makes free throws, better than many of the Net vets. Great pick thus far.
Stats Rap - Here are the numbers that continue to be concerning: The Nets shot 35% for the game (that puts them next to last at 39% - the Bulls are 38.8%), and with this latest 75 point night are now last in scoring at 84.7. Also, turnovers - the Nets are overachieving there as well, leading the league in T/O's with 18.7 per game. These are exactly the kind of stats a veteran team looking to go deep in the playoffs shouldn't be ringing up. The Nets are 4th in the league in blocked shots at 5.63, as Sean Williams (remember he's a rookie) is fifth at 2.5 blocks per game, but leads the league in blocks per 48 minutes at 5.81, for players playing more than 10 minutes per game.

Walking On Eggshells
Their best player is angry and spouting off. Their next best player is hurt, and not on the court. Most of the rest of the Nets are just confused and angry over the six game losing streak. And now thanks to the likes of Deron Williams, Andrei Kirilenko, Mahmet Okur and a whole host of youngsters playing the right way, the Jazz absolutely kick the dog when he's down and hand the Nets a brutal loss. Time to regroup and come back with some major effort in all phases of the game against the Blazers on Wednesday night, or else the though is going to be that the Nets are digging themselves a hole they won't get themselves out of come February, March and April. It's not exactly the time to walk away, but it sure is time to strap on some manhood and will a victory. It starts with Jason Kidd, so here's hoping he finds a silver lining here somewhere before it's too late.
-Joe