Joe Netsfan Game x Game 80 - Nets 111, Bucks 98

This is the end

Nets 111, Bucks 98
Game 80 File
Falling behind by 10 points early, the Nets rally over the shorthanded Bucks behind the playmaking of Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson and Devin Harris. That's not to say that things were any different in this one, defensive indifference being the main issue again, but the Nets are able to beat up on the weak. Two game remaining before it mercifly ends.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 33 - 47
Home Record: 20 - 20
Away Record: 13 - 27
Division Record: 4 - 11
Conf. Record: 25 - 25
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Richard Jefferson, 24.
• Assists: Vince Carter, 10.
• Rebounds: Stromile Swift, 6.
• Steals: Devin Harris, 6.
• Turnovers: Devin Harris, 5.
• Blocks: Diop and Swift each had 1.
• FG Percentage: Bostjan Nachbar, 75.0% (6 - 8).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 56.3%
• FT Percentage: 100.0%
• Rebounds: 28
• Rebound Differential: -6
• Turnovers: 14
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 21
• Bench points: 41
• Bench points Differential:-1
• Steals: 11
• Blocks: 2
• Points in the Paint: 54
• Double-Doubles: 1 (Vince Carter: 21 points, 10 assists)
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The (No) Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 5
• Nets Fast Break Points: 15
•Devin Harris' FG Percentage: 50.0% (4 - 8)
• Scoring Differential Harris in the game: +15
• Scoring Differential Harris out: -2 (M. Williams)

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 80: Nets 111, Bucks 98 – April 12 , 2008
Frankly Speaking
So Lawrence Frank managed to squeeze a win out of the Nets and avoid the 50 loss mark for this mangled remnant of a season. Too bad it came against the injury depleted and more pathetic Bucks, where defensive indifference is a way of life. And with two games remaining, we're seeing some strange calls on the Nets sideline, like keeping Sean Williams buckled in his seat while giving enough minutes to Marcus Williams to allow him to prove he's probably got to be moving on. Lawrence, we think you've got some things to worry about, friend...

As for the game, well, the Nets allowed the Bucks to get to the rim, grab rebounds and find second chances despite a good start from Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, and Devin Harris. Both teams were defensively indifferent from the start, but after taking a 10 point lead, the Bucks decided to take the rest of the night off. The Nets comeback in the second quarter started with a desperate heave from Vince Carter against a zone defense that had NJ watching the shot clock almost go to zero - and what do you know, it went in. From there the Nets followed Carter for awhile, and the result was to break the game wide open in the third quarter, finally shaking off those pesky Bucks by making shots (and watching the Bucks take themselves out of the game with turnovers and poor shooting). The Nets moved the ball well (34 assists on the night, 26 by the Carter/Jefferson/Harris trio), found easy shots both inside and outside, and never saw anything resembling an effort from the Bucks once the second half got going.

But what of Lawrence Frank's future with the organization? Does he really have the stuff to rebuild this team, letting go of perhaps favored veterans and adding the youthful players he obviously doesn't have the patience for? Is that what this team needs here and now? Some of the information coming out over the last few days makes me wonder if he's really got a handle on this team. Sean Williams appears to have major league athleticism, but a third grade handle on the game. Marcus WIlliams' head is so screwed up he can't seem to take two steps without making a problem for the Nets. These were supposed to be important building blocks for these Nets - have they maxed out under Frank's watch? Do they need to move on for the sake of their careers, or does Frank need to go? I think I know your response to that last question, and we'll probe that in the coming days ahead.

For now, Lawrence - better take the fall for this season, and start making plans to fix it, before you wind up in Isiah territory. Ok, that last crack is totally unfair, no one could match Isiah for self-immolation, but the pressure has to be on big-time.

Discussions For A New Day
Frank Talk - Once again tonight, even in victory all of the Nets flaws were readily apparent. A lack of toughness, the second chances given up, the matador defense by anyone who saw court time, and a rookie who can't get on the court because the coach wants to win games. A noble cause for Lawrence Frank, but at this point, a better draft pick (even if it's traded away) might be a better use of his time. Also, finding more minutes for the guys who the Nets need to make decisions on - Sean Williams and Marcus Williams are the two most immediate examples - might not be a bad idea as well. Does Lawrence Frank have what it takes to get the Nets through a likely gutting of the roster and a rebuilding season?

It's a big question - one right now that I'm not sure anyone has the answer for. Frank seems to have lost his ability to motivate this group to play on the same page, and focus on defense. The worst example of late has been Richard Jefferson, who always could be counted on to play some defense, but now seems at best indifferent and more interested in offense. In fact, most of the Nets look that way. I place the blame squarely on the shoulders of Lawrence Frank for this, even if the team was ripped at the seams by Jason Kidd's request to leave. Could it be true that Richard Jefferson is more selfish than we'd imagine, as Dave D. said in the papers today? Was Kidd the only one keeping him honest? If so, that doesn't speak well for Lawrence Frank, or his incessant stomping and screaming on the sidelines.

Maybe he's lost this team. Perhaps if he's handed a new and differennt one, he can get them back. But maybe he'll struggle early, and lose his job because his team (whomever's left) isn't behind him. Frank has been good about taking the blame and placing the credit in bad times/good times, so he's not thrown anyone under the bus yet. But, he's also probably not the favorite of either Williams boys, and likely there are others. Once the foundation cracks, though, like it has after a long string of successes, every rock needs to be overturned to be sure that the Nets aren't missing any of the warning signs of a team not playing as a team.

As I would suspect this team is at this point.

Moving some bodies will help - although it still seems that RJ is going to be trouble to unload, if that is the plan, unless you get someone's headache back in return. Carter appears to be firmly in the Frank camp, so he needs to lead by example, like he's done since Kidd left town. In a way, that could be a golden opportunity, if the Nets brass can surround Carter with some talent. Otherwise, next season might be Carter and Frank together on a leaky boat...

Talking Tough
Someone has to, anyway, because the Nets sure don't play tough. They beat a non-competing team full of injury and apathy, and we'd expect that frankly. Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson and Devin Harris all played major roles in the win over the Bucks, and we'd expect that as well. As things devolved this season, however, the one sure thing was this Net team lacked toughness, and along with a defensive mindset (any defensive mindset), were the big things missing and what Lawrence Frank, Rod Thorn and Kiki Vanderweighe need to address in the off-season. How many second chances did the Bucks get tonight on the glass? How many open buckets? Driving to the basket with no worries of a hard foul is a common sight against the Nets, and if they want to contend next season, that needs to be changed as well. As we count the minutes to the off-season, many more discussions need to be had and while it's a painful thing for this team not to make the playoffs, it's a big chance to change out all that is wrong in Netsland and get the team back on track. Remember, it's been done before - the Celtics this year (though there is no Kevin Garnett in the wings), the Raptors the year before. Talent is out there, and needs to be found asap. Maybe even a new coach, if this one can't find a way to blend old and new, young and old and make a winning season out of it.
- Joe