Joe Netsfan Game x Game 63 - Mavs 111, Nets 91

Does he still bleed Nets blood? Nope

Mavs 111, Nets 91
Game 63 File
It's another wipeout, this time in Dallas, as the road trip from hell continues. Despite a subpar game from Kidd (he only had 13 assists), Dirk Nowitzki and mates pick it up and beat down the downtrodden Nets for an easy victory.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 26 - 37
Home Record: 15 - 17
Away Record: 11 - 20
Division Record: 2 - 8
Conf. Record: 19 - 18
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Richard Jefferson, 22.
• Assists: Vince Carter, 3.
• Rebounds: Bostjan Nachbar, 9.
• Steals: Richard Jefferson, 2.
• Turnovers: Richard Jefferson, 3.
• Blocks: Desgana Diop, 3.
• FG Percentage: Marcus Williams, 60.0% (6 -10).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 38.6%
• FT Percentage: 67.6%
• Rebounds: 41
• Rebound Differential: -12
• Turnovers: 9
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 17
• Bench points: 31
• Bench points Differential:-13
• Steals: 7
• Blocks: 6
• Points in the Paint: 38
• Double-Doubles: 0
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The (No) Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 4
• Nets Fast Break Points: 20
•Devin Harris' FG Percentage: 25.0% (3 - 12)
• Scoring Differential Harris in the game: -13
• Scoring Differential Harris out: -7 (M. Williams, Armstrong)

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

Mavs Media:
Dallas Morning News | Mavs/NBA

Game 63: Mavs 111, Nets 91 – March 8 , 2008
Just A Kidd At Heart
Turns out Jason Kidd is just fine in Dallas, even if the results thus far have been just average. With Kidd controlling the tempo, and the Nets laying down and dying early against more competition than they could handle, the Mavs take the reunion matchup with ease. The Nets fifth straight loss (and fourth on this road trip) leaves them at 3 - 7 in the post-Kidd era, and perhaps more importantly, highly rudderless as the season heads to its final turn.

Despite subpar first half in which the Mavs starters were less than stellar, the reserves picked it up and behind Brandon Bass drilled the Nets into submission only one quarter in. It was a nine point lead after one, an eighteen point lead at the half, and the anticipated matchup between old and new point guards was a flop, as Kidd had 3 points, 5 rebounds and 13 assists for the winners, and Devin Harris had only 9 points (on 3 - 12 shooting) and 2 assists taking over for Kidd in New Jersey. And once again, when push came to shove early, the Nets let go of the rope, cried uncle and headed for Houston, which was unfortunate since there are still 19 games remaining in this season.

Not nearly enough from Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter or Devin Harris, not nearly enough defense, not much from the bench, and just a sense that everything has broken down into either a stale, muddled mess, or this team has already given up and flown home. The big excitement for Kidd was beating his former team and getting Dirk Nowitzki (whom the Nets couldn't stop) enough points to set a new franchise record, which was successful.

Really, how often can we keep writing the same story for the Nets? With the new, fresh legs but largely lacking that huge intangible of leadership that Kidd brought to the table even in his worst game, the Nets are struggling to stay relevant and more importantly stay focused on playing like a team. For anyone to suggest that they're playing for a playoff berth, though, is totally out of the question right now, as this Nets squad does not appear to have it in it.

But you know Jason Kidd still does, and he's dying to lead the Mavs deep into the playoffs. Whether he can or not remains to be seen, but wouldn't you rather have him on your side?

Experince Vs. Youth
Old PG vs. New PG - OK, Netsfans, it's going to take some time, but how did you like the new PG Devin Harris in his first matchup with the old PG Jason Kidd tonight? Not so great, right? Harris still needs to get acclimated, but c'mon - he should have put up a better effort (we know, nerves of coming back to where he started) against the Mavs and Kidd. As for Kidd, well, we know damned well that even when he's not spectacular, he's engaged and willing to do anything to bring home a "W".
Rubber Spine - This is the fourth successive game where the Nets disappeared into thin air once they got pushed. Only, this time it was so early in the game that I'm not sure the Nets didn't defeat themselves before the stepped on the court. They got beat up by the likes of Brandon Bass, which is the third successive night the Nets allowed career-type nights to an underling, but then Dirk got going and watch out. Where's the toughness, the defense, they never-say-die spirit? Oh, that's right, it left with Jason Kidd. Vince Carter sure isn't going to provide it.
Carter And Co. - Once again, the Nets get a small game from Vince Carter (13 points, 6 rebounds,3 assists, -17) when they needed a more dramatic statement. Richard Jefferson was about the only bright spot, as were Marcus WIlliams and Boki Nachbar off the bench (15 and 13 points, respectively). But where is Carter's head these days? This could be his team, but he doesn't appear to want it, frankly, and is that worth paying $62 million for? The Nets need answers, and fast.
Changing of the Guard- Ok, anyone realize that Kidd had more assists (13) than the entire Nets team tonight (12)? That's really sad, Carter led the team with 3 assists, the 2 point guards combined for 3, and that means that the ball was certainly not moving around enough (or the Nets were doing an excellent job standing still and pretending they were shrubs). Harris needs to get the team moving, plain and simple.

It's All About The Kidd, Isn't It?
So Jason Kidd spent the days leading up to this one talking to the media about how everyone had it all wrong, he didn't give up on the Nets but everything wasn't going to get better. Naturally, this falls on everyone but Kidd, and if you can't see the flaw in his argument, well, then you're simply a Kidd apologist and we can part as friends, even if we disagree. In tonight's game, Kidd had enough help from the likes of Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse, help he didn't get enough of when he was in New Jersey, and help that he needs to further his ambition of an NBA championship. No, he likely won't get it in Dallas (all roads still go through San Antonio), but he showed he he certainly wasn't going to get it with the Nets, either. His replacement, Devin Harris, still has a long way to go towards uniting this team (if it stays together) toward a playoff run next year, but every game is important at this point, so Rod Thorn and co. can figure out what next season should look like. Heaven knows changes need to be made, a collective spine needs to be grown, and some meanness and toughness need to be acquired. That's the only way the Nets can make a run toward the playoffs in Joe's view...
- Joe