Joe Netsfan Game x Game 53 - Raptors 109, Nets 91

Can't watch the future...

Raptors 109, Nets 91
Game 53 File
AWithout Jason Kidd, who was held out after being traded to Dallas, the Nets showed little of what to expect for the future, falling behind by double digits early and never mounting a charge. Midway through the fourth quarter, it was then found out that the big trade was on hold, and the Nets needlessly held out Kidd, Malik Allen and Antoine Wright (along with Jamaal Magloire), sort of an exclamation point on this Nets season that they were shorthanded for no reason. To the All Star break, and lots of confusion, then.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 23 - 30
Home Record: 12 - 15
Away Record: 11 - 15
Division Record: 2 - 8
Conf. Record: 16 - 16
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Vince Carter, 15.
• Assists: Vince Carter, 7.
• Rebounds: Sean Williams, 7.
• Steals: Darrell Armstrong, 4.
• Turnovers: Marcus Williams, 4.
• Blocks: Sean Williams, 2.
• FG Percentage: Sean Williams, 80.0% (4 - 5).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 48.6%
• FT Percentage: 92.9%
• Rebounds: 28
• Rebound Differential: -13
• Turnovers: 15
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 14
• Bench points: 42
• Bench points Differential:+17
• Steals: 8
• Blocks: 2
• Points in the Paint: 34
• Double-Doubles: 0
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The (No) Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 6
• Nets Fast Break Points: 14
• Kidd's FG Percentage: N/A
• Scoring Differential M. Williams in the game: -20
• Scoring Differential M. Williams out: -2 (Armstrong)
• Double-Doubles this Season: 28
• 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

Raptors Media:
Toronto Star
Toronto Sun | Raptors

Game 53: Raptors 109, Nets 91 – February 13 , 2008
(Not) Ready For The Future
By any measure, the game between the Nets and the Raptors was unwatchable if you are a Netsfan. But, making matters worse, in a game the Nets played without Jason Kidd, who may be on his way to Dallas (and may not), if this was the first glimpse of the future, I'm not ready for it. Neither were the Nets, as the Raptors made it a stomping (for the second time this season) of the rudderless, Kidd-less team, ending the three game win streak and sending New Jersey into the All Star break with chaos and questions.

As for the game, well, it was over early, as the Nets seemed to lack any sort of competitiveness without the captain in the lineup. Playing shorthanded as Kidd, Malik Allen and Antoine Wright were all held out of the lineup (supposedly on their way to Dallas) and Jamaal Magloire left home out of courtesy (?), the Raptors came in waves, took advantage of the unsteadyness of replacement PG Marcus Williams (who hasn't played much this year), and bombed away from outside. Before the game was eight minutes old the Nets were already behind by double digits, and unable to use Vince Carter or Richard Jefferson to much effect, it was a 13 point hole after one quarter. Though they would briefly rally to cut the lead down to eight in the second quarter, it was really just extended garbage time, as Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani, and Jamario Moon took turns abusing the Net defense.

But really, it appeared the Nets were psychologically damaged by the supposed Kidd trade (which of course faced a major challenge when Devean George invoked his right to veto the trade), lacking any sort of backbone or killer instinct from the opening tip. With All Star break now here, and uncertainty the name of the game in New Jersey, something will need to be done to change the chemistry of these Nets, and quickly.

Back To The Future
Reality Bites - So we learned before the game that Jason Kidd had essentially been traded to Dallas (along with Malik Allen) for Devin Harris, Devean George, Desagana Diop, Jerry Stackhouse, and Maurice Ager, along with 2 first round picks and cash. Plus, potentially a separate deal for Antoine Wright, going to Dallas for a second round pick. With Kidd, Allen and Wright all sitting this one out, first we found out that in Dallas George and Diop were playing, and then that George had invoked his right to veto the trade, throwing the entire deal into jeaopardy. Not a good sign, since Kidd wants out and is likely to be very unhappy to have to return to NJ. And the Mavs, who appear to already have some issues heading towards the playoffs, keeping their lot won't be great for chemistry, especially since this comes off as a vote of no-confidence in Devin Harris. The Nets need to end the Kidd era, and find a way to start building for the future. Rod Thorn did about as well as he could, getting the young PG Harris and clearing some cap space with the retiring contracts of George and Diop after the season. Word is the Stackhouse would be bought out, allowing him to return to Dallas after 30 days (but then we hear that after running his mouth, Stackhouse is likely out of the deal as well). These unsettled times for NJ continue, and with no word still as I write this Sunday night, it could turn out to be a most interesting week for the future of a franchise.
Face The Future - Marcus Williams showed only that he was overwhelmed by the veteran Jose Calderon on both sides of the ball tonight, letting every Netsfan know that he's not ready for prime time status. The foot injury in camp really set him back, and without a regular turn in the rotation since his return, Williams is likely looking at a lost season. Darrell Armstrong, who didn't start, was much more able to handle the young Raptors attack, and he's 39...
No Future - If this is what the Nets world will look like without Kidd, well, stop the world, I've got to get off. Defensively the Nets were a disaster, once again getting burned from behind the arc, but they also couldn't stop any penetration to the hoop. The Raptors shot 13 more free throws, shot 51% from the field and 40% from behind the arc, with the Nets putting up little resistance (and again showing they have no clue how to defend Chris Bosh). Marcus Williams was outclassed by the point guards (Calderon and Carlos Delfino), while the front line took some abuse. Offensively, the Nets struggled to get anything going, settling for outside jumpers (again, the zone defense kills them) and not able to get either of their two remaining Big Three going. They got hammered on the boards, and though they kept the turnovers to a minimum, it still was a flat, lifeless effort.
Future Forward - The two best performers for the Nets tonight? Try Sean Williams and Stromile Swift, especially when playing together. Helluvan effort from both, combining for 20 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Future Shock
The end of an era in New Jersey doesn't come easily (but with a whimper, apparently). Jason Kidd is (probably) moving on to the Mavs, traded for a young PG and some expiring contracts and picks and cash, we think. A great warrior, if somewhat moody, Kidd redefined the franchise the moment he stepped on the court, boldly predicting victory when everyone thought otherwise. He kept up the run, leading the Nets to two straight NBA Finals, the playoffs six straight seasons, and 5 Atlantic Division titles. Unfortunately, with Kidd sitting out unnecessarily (thanks to the last minute snag in the trade), Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani, and Jamario Moon combined to knock the Nets into the reality they likely face post Kidd. We'll miss Kidd, no question - what he did on the court, and what he did for the franchise off it - but it was time for all parties to move on, and this might just be the best possible outcome, assuming the deal eventually goes through. Take care, Jason Kidd - thanks for the memories.
- Joe