Joe Netsfan Game x Game 45 - Nets 87, Bucks 80

Even as he waits to exit, he brings home a win

Nets 87, Bucks 80
Game 45 File
A workman-like effort against a beaten up team gets the Nets their first win in 10 games, as Vince Carter leads the first half and Richard Jefferson the second. No protest by fans over Jason Kidd's post-get-me-out-of-here appearance, and no bad behavior by Kidd, but defense returns to the Izod.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 19 - 26
Home Record: 10 - 14
Away Record: 9 - 12
Division Record: 2 - 7
Conf. Record: 14 - 13
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Richard Jefferson, 20.
• Assists: Jason Kidd, 11.
• Rebounds: Vince Carter, 12.
• Steals: Jefferson, Allen and Collins each had 1.
• Turnovers: Richard Jefferson, 4.
• Blocks: Sean Williams, 2.
• FG Percentage: Richard Jefferson, 66.7% (8 - 12). Josh Boone was also 4 - 6.

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 40.5%
• FT Percentage: 73.3%
• Rebounds: 50
• Rebound Differential: +10
• Turnovers: 15
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 12
• Bench points: 27
• Bench points Differential:+14
• Steals: 3
• Blocks: 5
• Points in the Paint: 30
• Double-Doubles: 1 (Vince Carter: 16 points, 12 rebounds)
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 3
• Nets Fast Break Points: 14
• Kidd's FG Percentage: 16.7% (1- 6)
• Scoring Differential Kidd in the game: +4
• Scoring Differential Kidd out: +3 (M. Williams)
• Double-Doubles this Season: 24
• Triple Doubles this Season: 11
• Career Triple Doubles:98

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

Bucks Media:
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Bucks

Game 45: Nets 87, Bucks 80 – January 29 , 2008
Bucking The Trend
When all else fails, follow the controversy right back to where it usually begins - with Jason Kidd. Using that philosophy to back up the trade winds surrounding Kidd and his soon-to-be-infamous "get me out of here" discussion with ESPN, the Nets watched (probably in awe) as the Captain shut out the distractions, scored 7 big points late in the fourth, and helped stopped the Bucks attempt to again pull the rug out from under the Nets. The win at the Izod stops the losing streak at 9, and as usual focuses all eyes on Kidd.

So Kidd wants out? Well, luckily his teammates didn't freeze him out tonight, and he responded by playing well enough to collect 11 assists and doing that thing he does so well (and hasn't been doing during the long losing streak), marshalling the troops with the endgame in sight and pulling them home to a victory. With a 12 point lead early in the fourth quarter, the Nets did their usual fade, the Bucks eventually cut it to one, but Kidd hit a huge three (his only make of the game, by the way), notched up the defense and helped force the Bucks into mistakes or misses, and sealed the deal with four free throws. Whether he had something to prove, nothing to lose, or whatever, he still has his teammates' back (when he wants to, apparently).

The rest of this one was workman-like for a team that can't put even crippled opponents away - Carter was aggressive and carried the Nets in the first half, even though he wasn't shooting particularly well. Richard Jefferson came alive in the third (and the Nets made a point to ride him), and his 14 point quarter carried the Nets to that 12 point cushion. But despite taking control in the second quarter, having the lead for much of the game, and finally playing some defense, the Nets didn't put themselves in a position to coast, and well, it's small steps for now.

Especially as this whole changing of the Nets starts to take shape. Getting off the losing streak was important, but far more important is what comes next, not in terms of wins but whether Kidd stays a Net or not, and what shakes out from there.

Hunting For A Win
Story Of The Season - Well, at least it's official - Jason Kidd wants a divorce. The Nets say they won't do it for the sake of doing it, and if tonight is any indication, whatever respect he may have lost in the locker room hasn't affected anyone on the court. In fact, it might have galvanized the team somewhat, even if it's against Kidd (or ownership) and not the opposing team. Kidd wasn't particularly special tonight, but he did play defense, he didn't force nearly as many passes as he has been, and the Nets were still able to count on him to nail down the win. All in all, it's a shame it has to end this way (or does it?), but if the Nets win, I'm sure no one will mind the continued controversy (except maybe Rod Thorn).
New Trend Or Old Habit - The Nets played defense tonight - hurray for that! No, it wasn't championship caliber defense, and it comes against a team weakened by injury, but holding the Bucks to 37.5% shooting and clamping down at the end after it appeared the Nets might yet again blow a large lead late is nothing to be upset over. Especially since the Nets gave up about 1000 points during the West Coast swing (ok, it was an average of 108, but who's counting?)
Big Three All Business - We already discussed Kidd (who was 9 - 5 - 11 on the night, nothing unusual there except even less shot attempts than normal (6)), but what about Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson? Carter came out like he wanted to perhaps prove something to Kidd, taking 14 first half shots (about a game's worth lately) and though he wasn't terribly accurate, he still took over the game with 14 first half points. And true to this team, if VC or RJ are rolling, the other tends to stand around and watch, so when RJ picked it up (and the Nets made the effort to get him more touches), Carter went silent, getting only 6 shots off in the second half (and making 1), while Jefferson finished with 20 points. They are still too unbalanced somehow to do anything to the better teams in the NBA, but at least they were able to provide a victory.
Rookie Roundup - Sean Williams continues to struggle with his offense, and his foul shooting, but you have to love the energy on the defensive end (ok, the silly fouls, he's out of position far too often on defense, or he's too easily faked out, but it'll come with time). He was 7 points, 7 boards and 2 blocks, one that was exciting to watch (he essentially swallowed up Charlie Villanueva's shot with his hand). Let's hope no matter what, Williams is groomed to be the next KMart (without the nasty streak, unfortunately).
Boki Ball - Boki Nachbar shot only 4 of 10, but he hit big shots to extend the lead in the early stages of the fourth quarter to help build that 12 point lead. He had 14 points in 17 minutes, which is exactly what the Nets needed.
Turn, Turn, Turn - Still too many turnovers - 15 tonight. They ultimately didn't come at a cost, but this was the Bucks without Michael Redd, so there wasn't anyone there to punish them. That's got to change (although, if Marcus Williams is in charge full time when/if Kidd leaves, expect that number to skyrocket).

Controversy Is The Norm
This year, anyway. Jason Kidd wants out, but yet he helps lead the Nets to a win with a big pressure shot late and some defense. The Bucks are heading nowhere without Michael Redd (he might be back as early as the Bucks next game), so it's not exactly a world beating performance (since the Nets can't ever throw the knockout punch), but it's a start. Getting off the long losing streak was important, winning at home more so, and proving that the distraction that is Kidd won't stop them from playing is perhaps the most important part of all. It's going to be a bumpy ride the rest of the way out, as Kidd does or doesn't go, but how the team handles it will go a long way toward establishing some sort of identity (us against them, or us against Kidd?) for the longer term. Here's a starting suggestion - trade Kidd to Cleveland to pare up with LeBron, then sign both of them for the 2010 season (when Bron becomes a free agent) and Kidd can make a cameo with him. Just a thought.
- Joe