Joe Netsfan Opponents | 2007

Opponent #78 - Cleveland Cavaliers (42 - 35) - Wednesday, April 9, 2008, 7:00PM EST - Quicken Loans Arena
Cavaliscious
LeBron is hurting and may not play, which would certainly help the Nets remote playoff chances and road woes as New Jersey travels to Cleveland. So much at stake, it's Cavaliscious...or not, since the Nets are banged up and in need of a miracle. Read on...

Opponent #75 - Philadelphia 76'ers (37 - 37) - Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Change In Direction
Anyone who thought that the Sixers would be headed up while the Nets headed down when the season started, please raise your hand. No cheating, then. It's a complete change in direction for both teams, since Ed Stefanski took the helm of the Sixers, and Jason Kidd decided he wanted out. Needing to gain 3 games with eight remaining to make the playoffs, however, seems like too tall of an order to us...Nets vs. Sixers, from the Izod. Can you say playing out the string? Read on...

Opponent #71 - New York Knicks (19 - 50) - Monday, March 24, 2008, 7:30PM EST - Madison Square Garden
Disturbing Trends
The Knicks are long since out, but the Nets are trying to remain in the playoff hunt. The Nets have the better record, but have lost all three games to the Knicks this season. What gives, exactly? Disturbing trends for both New York area teams, indeed...Read on...

Opponent #67 - Chicago Bulls (26 - 39) - Tuesday, March 18, 2008, 8:30PM EST - United Center
Bullish, Or Bearish?
It's not just the stock market, or the economy, but the chances of the Nets beating out the Bulls for the final playoff berth. With only 16 games remaining, can the Nets make a run for the number #8 spot? The Bulls will be trying to do something about that...Read on...

Opponent #66 - Utah Jazz (44 - 23) - Saturday, March 15, 2008, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Rope Burns
Will the Nets let go of the rope? Read on...

Opponent #59 - San Antonio Spurs (40 - 17) - Sunday, March 2, 2008, 6:00PM EST - Izod Center
The Cowboy Killer?
They called Devin Harris the Tony Parker killer while he was with the Mavs, but can the Nets translate that into stopping the again-rolling Spurs? The first of a home-and-home and a tough week on the road finds these Nets again stepping up in class and wondering if they have th stuff to be Cowboy Killers...Read on...

Opponent #58 - Milwaukee Bucks (22 - 35) - Thursday, February 28, 2008, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Royally Bucked
Michael Redd and the Bucks, 3 - 1 since the All Star break, come to town having beaten some NBA royalty over the last week. But the Nets, who may have Devin Harris' NJ debut, shouldn't show the proper respect to a team that's also 6 - 24 on the road...Read on...

Opponent #57 - Orlando Magic (36 - 22) - Tuesday, February 26, 2008, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
This Magic Moment
OK, time for the Nets to step up in class against the Orlando Magic, who come to the Izod prepared to make a run at the Eastern Conference title. Can Marcus Williams lead the Nets to a most surprising win? Don't change that dial...Read on...

Opponent #54 - Chicago Bulls (21 - 31) - Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
No Bull, It's A Whole New Deal
Jason Kidd is off to Dallas, and as the Nets get ready to face the Bulls, it's a whole new deal. Chicago has underachieved, just like NJ, but as of yet haven't made any moves save firing the coach back at Christmas. So, can the new look Nets catch fire and roast the Bulls in the first game of the post-Kidd era? Will new PG Devin Harris even play? Stay tuned...Read on...

Opponent #50 - Charlotte Bobcats (18 - 31) - Friday, February 8, 2008, 7:00PM EST - Charlotte Bobcats Arena
Small Decisions
Earl Boykins is the latest one to sign on to the Bobcats' roster, which is desperate for help thanks to injury. But will that small decision be a big factor against the desperate-for-a-win Nets tonight? Read on...

Opponent #47 - Atlanta Hawks (18 - 24) - Saturday, February 2, 2008, 7:00PM EST - Philips Arena
Bird Brained?
The Hawks have lost 6 of their last 7 (sound familiar), and the coach is on the hot seat. The Nets, meanwhile, would like to win for Nenad Krstic's return, Jason Collins' last game as a Net (as far as we know) and come back home with a three game win streak...Read on...

Opponent 46 - Miami Heat (9 - 35) - Friday, February 1, 2008, 8:00PM EST - American Airlines Arena
Fiery Fall
Things have gone up in smoke completely in Miami, losers of 17 of 18 and without Shaq, Alonzo and Udonis (and potentially Dwyane). Can the Nets light their fires on the depleted and hopeless 9 - 35 Heat down in Miami and find themselves with a two game win streak? Not so fast, as usual...Read on...

Opponent #45 - Milwaukee Bucks (18 - 27) - Tuesday, January 29, 2008, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Deer Me
Can the Nets find themselves a win at home against the similarly struggling Bucks, who are missing Michael Redd? There are many subplots for the Nets upon their return from the disasterous West Coast, but chief among them is the status of Jason Kidd, so this one should prove interesting...Read on...

Opponent #39 - Los Angeles Clippers (11 - 24) - Saturday, January 19, 2008, 10:30PM EST - Staples Center
First Stop Hollywood
The Nets first stop on their West Coast journey - the lights of LA, where the striking screenwriters hopefully don't get in the way of a Hollywood ending for the Nets. The Nets will take anything, as long as it's a win...Read on...

Opponent #38 - New York Knicks (10 - 26) - Wednesday, January 16, 2008, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Team Turmoil? Which One?
Oh, those hated Knicks are in town in the last game before the West Coast swing for the Nets. New York has been its usual controversial self, from Isiah Thomas on down, but the Nets haven't exactly been free of turmoil themselves...the Nets need a win, but can they get their act together? Read on...

Opponent #37 - Portland Trail Blazers (22 - 14) - Monday, January 14, 2008, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Youth Shall Be Served
Two losses in their last 19 games? That sounds a lot like the Celtics, but, in fact it's the Portland Trail Blazers, who come into town tonight after a late afternoon, double-overtime loss to the Raptors yesterday. Another chance for a quality win, but are the veteran Nets up to the task? Read on...

Opponent #36 - Boston Celtics (29 - 4) - Friday, January 11, 2008, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
The Green Movement
Let's hope the Celtics don't take out their anger over losing only their 4th game of the season on Wednesday night to the same Bobcats team that dismantled the Nets on Tuesday night out on NJ. It's been a Green Movement all the way so far in the NBA, but can the Nets give them their first two game losing streak of the season? Read on...

Opponent #34 - Charlotte Bobcats (11 - 21) - Tuesday, January 8, 2008, 7:00PM EST - Charlotte Bobcats Arena
Declawed
They're not the team that many expected this season, and now they're dropping leads, and games, at an alarming rate. The Nets hope to continue their recent run with a victory over the declawed Bobcats, but you know what happens when you expect something to happen in the NBA...Read on...

Opponent #32 - Charlotte Bobcats (11 - 19) - Friday, January 4, 2008, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Retirement Village
The New Year brings our first look at the Charlotte Bobcats, struggling down in Charlotte despite playing 21 of their first 30 games at home. More rest is needed, says coach Sam Vincent. In the NBA? Hopefully, the Nets can get them some rest with a blowout...Read on...

Opponent #31 - Orlando Magic (22 - 11) - Wednesday, January 2, 2008, 7:00PM EST - Amway Arena
Presto Chango!
And just like that, it's 2008, and those 4 wins in 5 games to close out 2007 are meaningless. Time to face the Magic down in Floriday, and we don't mean Mickey's Kingdom either, but rather the land of Dwight Howard and friends. The calendar has rolled over, but can the Nets pull a rabbit out of the hat in Orlando? Read on...

Opponent #28 - Detroit Pistons (20 - 7) - Wednesday, December 26, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Factory Finish
The well-oiled Pistons are rolling out of the showroom and putting the finishing touches on opponents, going 12 - 2 over their last 14 games. Of course, one of those rollovers was against the Nets in early December, so if the Nets are going anywhere this season, they need to seal the deal on their home court against the best of the East. Read on...

Opponent #25 - Sacramento Kings (9 - 14) - Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Moore Better?
Old friend Mikki Moore returns back to NJ, to face a Nets team more than a bit desperate for what Mikki used to bring. Mostly, though, the Nets are desperate for a win...Read on...

Opponent #17 - Detroit Pistons (10 - 5) - Sunday, December 2, 2007, 6:00PM EST - Palace At Auburn Hills
Firing On All Cylinders
Despite winning four of their last five, the Nets change the quality of the opponent drastically with the Sunday evening battle in Detroit. It comes at a bad time for the Nets, who are still trying to find another identity other than the "dig a deep hole early" persona they've sported, because the Pistons are firing it up right now...Read on...

Opponent #16 - Philadelphia 76'ers (5 - 10) - Saturday, December 1, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Six Shift
Playing in their fourth (yes, fourth) game in the time span since the Nets last played (that was Tuesday, if you can remember that far back), the Philadelphia 76'ers are hoping to have enough gas left in the tank to defeat the crash-and-burn-at home New Jersey Nets tonight...Read on...

Opponent #15 - Memphis Grizzlies (4 - 9) - Tuesday, November 27, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Grin And Bear It, For Now
Rebuilding with youth is always tough, especially when you mix in a new coach, new GM and new philosophy. Such is the case of the Grizzlies of Memphis, who hit the Izod with the Suns philosophy, but not quite the defensive game to match...Should be an interesting night for the Nets...Read on...

Opponent #14 - Los Angeles Lakers (7 - 5) - Sunday, November 25, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Staples Center
Reunion Of Lost Souls
They both spouted off about their respective teams, and after spending part of their summer together, perhaps Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd would like to play on the same team once more. Well, they'll play against each other in the Nets final game of this West Coast swing, but no telling what the future holds for both...Read on...

Opponent #12 - Portland Trail Blazers (4 - 7) - Wednesday, November 21, 2007, 10:00PM EST - Rose Garden
Give Thanks
The Nets may be giving thanks after facing the Jazz on Monday night that they're in Portland, home of good but young talent. The Blazers have defensive challenges, Vince Carter may return to the lineup and the Nets are looking at this pre-Turkey Day game as a way to straighten out their ills...Read on...

Opponent #11 - Utah Jazz (7 - 4) - Monday, November 19, 2007, 9:00PM EST - Energy Solutions Arena
Mirror Image
Deron Williams vs. Jason Kidd out in the Great Salt Lake, as the first game of the always dreaded West Coast swing gets underway. The two point guards are mirror images at times, but who will have the upper hand? Both teams are looking for a much-needed win, the Nets are just looking for a return by Vince Carter (not likely tonight, but you never know...). Read on...

Opponent #10 - Miami Heat (1 - 8) - Saturday, November 17, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Battle Of Evermore
Yes - it's the battle of scoring supremacy, coming live from the Izod Center in downtown East Rutherford, NJ. The Nets and the Heat are finding themselves, let's just say, challenged, offensively, with the Nets next to last and the Heat last in the NBA in scoring (that's 85.6 and 85.4 points per game, if you're keeping score). But D. Wade is back, VC isn't and well, things will be interesting tonight...Read on...

Opponent #9 - Orlando Magic (7 - 2) - Friday, November 16, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
The Orlando Magic come to down with a perfect road record and Manster Dwight Howard showing more impressive growth in his game. Can the swooning Nets stop the red-hot Magic, or will they crash and burn yet again at the Izod Center. Read on...

Opponent #7 - New Orleans Hornets (5 - 2) - Monday, November 12, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Back On The Town
Back as permanent residents of New Orleans after several years of New Orleans/Oklahoma City, the Hornets come to town with the league's assist leader, Chris Paul, and many more athletic weapons. For a team missing Vince Carter, the Nets need to find a way to step out on the town against Byron Scott's boys...Read on...

Opponent #6 - Boston Celtics (4 - 0) - Saturday, November 10, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Mean Green Steam Machine
They're celebrating in Beantown, as the rejuvinated Celts are 4 - 0 and flattening opponents every chance they get. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen join Paul Pierce as the Boston Big Three, and they're getting it done offensively and defensively. Take a look at the KG the Nets could have had, and their potential Eastern Conference foes come playoff time...Read on...

Opponent #5 - Washington Wizards (0 - 3) - Thursday, November 8, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Disappearing Act?
They were a hip pick to make some noise this year, but the Washington Wizards are thus far 0 - 3 and disappearing quickly, with Gilbert Arenas struggling and Etan Thomas lost for the season. With defense in short supply in Washington, can the Nets pull a rabbit out of the hat in the Izod Center? Read on...

Opponent #4 - Atlanta Hawks (1 - 1) - Tuesday, November 6, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
New Look, New Respect?
New! The new-look Hawks are young but growing up fast, with a win against the Mavs and a near win against the Pistons to their credit. Now all dressed in black, can they find some respect on the Nets home court, or will Kidd and Carter look to teach the youngsters a lesson? Read on...

Opponent #3 - Philadelphia 76'ers (1 - 1) - Saturday, November 3, 2007, 7:00PM EST - Wachovia Center
Six Degrees Of Separation
First road game of the year, in that classic trap situation for NJ. Except that the Sixers heavily used their starters last night in a win over the Bulls, while the Nets starters, uh, rested in their loss. Not too early to put some separation between the upper and lower halves of the East, says Joe...Read on...

Opponent #2 - Toronto Raptors (1 - 0) – Friday, November 2, 2007, 7:30PM EST – Izod Center
Slaying The Dragon
New! They have the Atlantic Division title the Nets want back, but the Raptors are the one that hold the memories of a first round knockout at the hands of the Nets...this matchup is destined to become much more than just a rivalry...Read on...

Opponent #1: Chicago Bulls (0 - 0) - Wednesday, October 31, 2007, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
No Tricks, All Treat
A new season begins, and on Halloween no less! The Chicago Bulls are in town in a Halloween opener that promises to shock and thrill you. Netsfans, beware of the spooky Bull roster that promises all types of chills and spills (but still no scary Kobe Bryant)...Read on...