Joe Netsfan Game x Game 58 - Nets 120, Bucks 106

Love-fest for Harris

Nets 120, Bucks 106
Game 58 File
This new point guard thing might work out after all - Devin Harris comes off the bench to score 21 points, dish out 5 assists, change the energy level almost instantaneously, and make a New Jersey crowd fall in love with him, at least for one night. His 16 point outburst in the first and second quarters carries the Nets to a 17 point lead, and NJ successfully hangs on to blow out the Bucks.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 26 - 32
Home Record: 15 - 16
Away Record: 11 - 16
Division Record: 2 - 8
Conf. Record: 19 - 18
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Devin Harris, 21.
• Assists: Marcus Williams, 8.
• Rebounds: Boone and Swift each had 7.
• Steals: Marcus Williams and Diop each had 2.
• Turnovers: Nenad Krstic, 2.
• Blocks: Jefferson, Boone, Diop and Swift each had 1.
• FG Percentage: Bostjan Nachbar, 80.0% (4 - 5).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 50.6%
• FT Percentage: 67.7%
• Rebounds: 40
• Rebound Differential: -3
• Turnovers: 9
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 13
• Bench points: 49
• Bench points Differential:+41
• Steals: 9
• Blocks: 4
• Points in the Paint: 50
• Double-Doubles: 0
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The (No) Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 6
• Nets Fast Break Points: 25
•Marcus Williams' FG Percentage: 27.3% (3 - 11)
• Scoring Differential M. Williams in the game: -4
• Scoring Differential M. Williams out: +18 (Harris)

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 58: Nets 120, Bucks 106 – February 28 , 2008
Devin Does Jersey (Proud)
Let's just say that after tonight's debut for the new Nets point guard, things are off to a love-fest of a start. With Devin Harris single-handedly changing the Nets attitude as well as their tempo, the Nets took control with a freaky-fast 10 -1 burst when he first entered the game, going a long way toward taking down the Bucks at the Izod. But that's not the best part - what was perhaps more encouraging was the way he seemlessly interacted with his new mates, his infectuous smile lighting up the floor and lifting his teammates. One game, we know - but don't you feel like your watching a collection of players whose burden was lifted, and can now just go out and play?

Of course, these were the Bucks, who are struggling to stay relevant, not the upcoming Spurs, but love was in the air in Jersey when Harris took the court, and it exploded into full-out lust after seeing him turn on the afterburners and go coast to coast for a score. That 10 - 1 run boosted the Nets lead to 32 - 23 after a quarter, and Harris was just getting warmed up. Opening the second with a three, an assist on a Desagana Diop bucket, that coast-to-coast layup and another three, Harris gave the Nets a 15 point lead (and it would go as high as 17) in less than five minutes. What more could Netsfans ask for?

Without much defense being played by either squad, the Nets used the three ball (they would make 11 on the night) to keep the lead at a comfortable distance through the next two quarters. The Bucks got within six in the third quarter, but Harris was there to restore order. Michael Redd was starting to heat up, and no lead can ever be safe with him around, but after cutting the lead back down to seven in the fourth, Boki Nachbar went busting loose, scoring 13 points on a wide variety of effort in a two-and-a-half minute span to kill off the Bucks last chance.

And so, Netsfans, we seem to have a point guard who isn't afraid to play, and play off those around him. How can he fail if he's going to play like this every night? Well, of course that can't happen, but lightning quick, defensive mindset, and accurate shooter and just three terms to describe Devin Harris, and if he's isn't Jason Kidd, well, Kidd isn't Devin Harris either. Should be fun to see how it plays out for the rest of the season.

Pick Flicks
Bursting With Flavor - Talk about extreme makeover - the Nets scoing 120 points is about the equivalent of the Devils winning 10 - 8 (that's hockey, folks). I'm sure Devin Harris had a lot to do with it - his speed and energy were contageous, and of course making shots helps a whole heck of a lot. He brings a different dimension to these Nets, and the way the team is retooled, hopefully they can bring more fast break points because of it (they had 25 tonight, but it seemed like 50). He can shoot and score, knock down a three, and defend the dribble, and he was +17 on the evening along with his 21 and 5. One game, I know, but let's see where he takes these Nets.
Pride And Prejudice - This team doesn't exactly look like they want to play a whole lot of defense, but they do have the capability (look at Harris, Trenton Hassell, Desagana Diop, and even Josh Boone and Sean Williams) to defend the rim, and maybe the rest of the world as well. When the game started to get tight again in the fourth, look at what they did - the Bucks went 4 of 8, but with 2 turnovers and a blocked shot as well, while Nachbar was going wild. That was the capper to this one.
Foreward Ho - Stromile Swift got a chance to be the first big off the bench (in place of Sean Williams, which frankly we're confused over), but he did a credible job on both ends of the court. He hit a buzzer beating rainbow at the half, he had a nice blocked shot, and he grabbed a team-high-tying 7 boards. But what of Sean Williams? Don't the Nets need to develop him ASAP? Of course, they want a playoff berth, but you have to give him more than 2 token minutes, especially with Nenad Krstic still struggling. Krstic continues to look a bit skittish, though it was nice to see him actually get a dunk. And while we're on the forewards, how about the run that Boki Nachbar put together? He was on fire in the fourth, and was almost the sole offensive reason why the Nets were able to boost their lead back up so high to close out the Bucks. This ever-evolving front line situation (Diop was also pretty good) will be watched to see how Lawrence Frank works it out (of course, depth is a good thing to have).
Three Coins In The Fountain - Again, another blizzard of 3's from the Nets - they were 11 - 23, with Harris hitting 3 - 6, Jefferson 2 - 4, Nachbar 3 - 4, and Marcus Williams 2 - 4. I guess this might be a new component of the Nets offense, which is great if they can make them (we know they can drive and kick - Harris, Carter and Marcus Williams are all adept at it already...).

Hero
We are so used to having this space very often dedicated to the Nets point guard - based on tonight's Devin Harris show, we expect that might continue. Harris was brilliant off the bench, injecting the needed life and lift to the Nets squad. But he had help - Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, Josh Boone, Boki Nachbar and even Marcus Williams were all up to the task of chipping in and helping out. With 6 double digit scorers, the balance was enough to keep Milwaukee guessing all game long, without being able to key on any one Net. Let's hope the run continues, although we certainly understand that perhaps the toughest week of the season is coming up, with a training camp on the fly, to be honest. Stay tuned, Netsfans - let's see if they can grab .500 for the trip (and if Devin Harris plays the endgames of tight contests...Kidd's head must be spinning...)
- Joe