Joe Netsfan Game x Game 50 - Nets 104, Bobcats 90

Smokin'

Nets 104, Bobcats 90
Game 50 File
The Nets roll behind a dominant Jason Kidd-led first quarter and break their three game losing streak. Kidd, Carter and Jefferson all have their moments, some defense was played, and everything seems to have come together for the Nets one game after Lawrence Frank appealed to their pride.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 21 - 29
Home Record: 10 - 15
Away Record: 11 - 14
Division Record: 2 - 7
Conf. Record: 16 - 15
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Richard Jefferson, 23.
• Assists: Jason Kidd, 13.
• Rebounds: Kidd and Boone each had 11.
• Steals: Vince Carter, 3.
• Turnovers: Jason Kidd, 5.
• Blocks: Sean Williams, 3.
• FG Percentage: Antoine Wright, 80.0% (4 - 5).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 48.2%
• FT Percentage: 78.9%
• Rebounds: 50
• Rebound Differential: +7
• Turnovers: 15
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 12
• Bench points: 30
• Bench points Differential:-3
• Steals: 6
• Blocks: 10
• Points in the Paint: 40
• Double-Doubles: 2 (Jason Kidd: 19 points, 13 assists; Josh Boone: 12 points, 11 rebounds)
• Triple-Doubles: 1 (Jason Kidd: 19 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists)

The Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 5
• Nets Fast Break Points: 13
• Kidd's FG Percentage: 50.0% (7 - 14)
• Scoring Differential Kidd in the game: +13
• Scoring Differential Kidd out: +1 (Armstrong, M. Williams)
• Double-Doubles this Season: 27
• Triple Doubles this Season: 12
• Career Triple Doubles:99

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

Bobcats Media:
Charlotte Observer | Bobcats

Game 50: Nets 104, Bobcats 90 – February 8 , 2008
Tobacco Road
Smoke 'em if you got 'em, Netsfans, because someone might have finally gotten through to this Nets team. After Lawrence Frank's calling out of his team in public to play with some damned pride, the Nets string together a great effort and wrap it up with a triple double from Jason Kidd to beat the Bobcats and get off the three game skid. And if the purpose of Frank's have some pride speech was to motivate Kidd most of all, well, for the first time since he publically declared he wanted to be traded, he rang up a triple double. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.

The Nets appeared to be in control throughout, thanks to a dominant performance by Kidd in the first quarter. Kidd exited late in the first quarter with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists in leading the Nets to a seven point lead, which of course should have been greater but the Nets just can't seem to handle success or kick the habit of allowing bad teams to get back into games. And so went a string of runs in which the Nets would open the lead up back to double digits, only to see the 'Cats slink back to within a few points. The Nets had a 5 point halftime lead despite blowing smoke all over Charlotte, but their inability to guard that three point line of course kept things close.

And in the second half, the Nets lit up every time the Bobcats made a run at them, starting with a then-struggling Richard Jefferson finding his stroke and topped off by Sean Williams' two consecutive slams off 'oops from Kidd highlighting the quarter. It was a seven point game after three, and then in the fourth the Nets finally found the stuff to run the 'Cats out of their building, taking a good run from Antoine Wright as well as energy frrom Vince Carter, Josh Boone, Kidd and Jefferson. Expanding their lead as high as 19 points in the fourth, the Nets could finally settle back and light that victory cigar, in no small thanks to the guy who apparently decides when he's going to come out smoking or not...

As good as it is for the Nets to get a much-needed win, they come home to face Dallas on Sunday, starting a 3 game stretch (with the T-Wolves at home, then Toronto on the road) before the All Star break. Oh, and the trading deadline, which is now but 12 days away.

Smoking Section
Smokin' Aces - Cause and effect? After finally (49 games into a lackluster season) calling out his team and asking them to play with some pride, Lawrence Frank got the needed effort from his team, especially his Aces. Jason Kidd was dominant, lighting the torch in the first quarter with as complete a peformance on both ends of the court as he's given all season. He was the reason the Nets got off to the good start, and his 19-13-11 line was more impressive considering how lousy he's been playing since requesting the trade (and he had the thing late in the third quarter, again telling us how easy it is for him when motivated). Vince Carter looked good again, making good decisions (and not trying to do more than he needed to) and carrying the load with Kidd out on rest and Jefferson struggling. And then Richard Jefferson found his missing game in the second half, finally finding his range with his jumper. One big complaint - not many trips to the free throw line (Carter had zero again).
Where There's Smoke - Wow, some great athletic hustle plays from Sean Williams tonight. Three impressive blocks, one in which he appeared to be totally unable to make a play, but somehow rose up without fouling and getting the ball just before it got to the hoop. The two 'oops with Kidd (including one on an inbounds play) were pretty terrific too. He took his demotion (Nenad Krstic was moved into the starting lineup with Josh Boone up front) well, and came out and made plays. Nicely done, and what hope for the future.
Smokers Lounge - A good game defensively for the Nets, holding the 'Cats to 41% shooting, although they were lousy again guarding the three point line in the first half, where they should have put the game away. They also had 10 blocked shots and 6 steals and were strong on the boards despite facing Emeka Okafor, who always seems to get 20 rebounds against them (he had 17 on the night).
Smoldering - Antoine Wright made a great contribution to the fourth quarter (where the Nets went 31 - 24, but 29 - 17 before the starters were lifted), scoring all 8 of his points (on 4 - 5 shooting) and playing defense (he wasn't up to snuff in the first half). The Nets sure do need more contributions from the bench...
Smokey Debut - Stromile Swift finally got activated and played 3 garbage time minutes (he had a bucket). Jamaal Magloire was deactivated to make room for him, and at this point it's likely official that Lawrence Frank won't use him unless injury occurs. Look for the Nets to move him by the deadline.

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
Oh, the feeling of a victory, in which you can clearly see what this team is capable of when motivated and lacking distraction. The Nets used Jason Kidd's brillance to establish their credentials, then Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, Josh Boone, and Sean Williams helped to smoke out the Bobcats on their home court. Don't be blinded to the fact that this was only one game against one of the weaker sisters of the NBA, and that things could regress quickly against Dallas on Sunday, but for the moment this is a game the Nets needed to win, and did, so celebrate that for the next 30 seconds or so, then keep wondering which team will show up next.
- Joe