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Here’s just how bad it was:
• The Nets had as many fouls (22) as they had made shots (22).
• They twice as many turnovers (18) as they had assists (9).
• They shot 22.5 percent in the first quarter and scored 11 points.
• They never led and trailed by as many as 39 points.
The Nets PR staff was generous to the media in giving out these two tidbits:
• The Nets loss by 36. Their largest margin of defeat last season was 32 points on Jan. 28 at Indiana.
• The Nets scored 30 points in the first half. Their season-low for points in the first half of any game all of last season was 31 at Atlanta on March 26. And get this:
• Two seasons ago, the Nets started 0-18 and became just the fifth team in NBA history to lose 70 or more games. None of them were this bad.

Mike Mazzeo, ESPN New York -- Nets embarrassed in their home opener

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After a wholly weird and roller-coastery game in Washington last night ended with the Nets victorious, the Nets take no time off. They'll face the Atlanta Hawks at 7 P.M. in the Prudential Center. The Hawks are one of two teams whose season begins tonight. This is the Nets' 35th and final home opener in New Jersey.

Joining Chris Hooker & myself to talk Hawks is HawkTalker Bret LaGree, the founder, owner, operator, writer, and hipster of Atlanta Hawks blog Hoopinion. Our thoughts, including the game's X-factors and our predictions for victory, after the jump.

1. Can the Nets hang with Josh Smith and Al Horford?

• Chris Hooker: Well, it will certainly be harder than Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee. Much of this will depend on Kris Humphries' defense. Hump (as well as Damion James) had an above average defensive performance and grabbed a ton of boards. The Nets need to control the glass and make buckets in the paint early on -- they simply can't let Smith or Horford grab offensive boards out of the gate. Coming back against the Hawks is much harder than coming back against the Wizards.... MORE →

Avery Johnson had a good point after the Nets’ 90-84 victory Monday, because I’ve asked myself the same question over the last two games: Why are these people hating Kris Humphries? Why was he booed by the visiting crowd, both in New York and Washington? Why was he voted the most hated player in the NBA? We all know it’s Kardashian-related, but my reaction to seeing Humphries get dragged through TMZ’s mud is compassion, not anger. Apparently Johnson feels the same way. “I don’t know why. I’m trying to figure out, what did he do?” Johnson said. “I’m serious. Maybe because I don’t follow reality TV, I don’t know all the ins and outs of it but it’s pretty hilarious to me. I don’t know if they even know why they’re booing him. Keep booing him, we’ll take the 20 and 16.” Humphries, who brushed the heckling off his shoulders and dropped 21 points with 16 rebounds, said he’s now using the boos as “motivation.” “This was nothing compared to New York. This was a walk in the park. I love going on the road, people are screaming at you. It’s all good.”

Stefan Bondy, New York Daily News -- Avery Johnson: Why all the Humphries hate?

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With under two minutes left in the game and a five-point lead in the season opener against Washington, the Nets got a key three from Anthony Morrow to essentially put the game away. Morrow shot poorly throughout the game, but had started to find his touch in the fourth quarter, and got a wide-open look to seal the game.

The Nets executed well, but frankly it was both a poor choice of defense by coach Flip Saunders and an even worse read by Andray Blatche that sealed the deal. Let's do this one Sebastian Pruiti-style and break it down.

After the Nets pull down a rebound and break a 3/4 court press, Deron Williams sets up the play on the right side. The Wizards are playing a 2-3 zone, made obvious by the fact that Nick Young is playing nobody at the top of the key and Andray Blatche is the only soul close to Morrow. Reading the play, Deron calls for a double-screen with Petro and Humphries.... MORE →

New Jersey Nets	90	Final Recap | Box score	84	Washington Wizards

Deron Williams 8-20 FG | 8 REB | 8 AST | 23 PTS | +22 Easily the star of the game for the Nets. Deron came out strong immediately, finding teammates for open looks off by drawing defenses into the paint. Problem was, nobody could make a shot until the second half. Deron's late-game execution was excellent, save one turnover in the final minute, and the numbers tell you the type of impact he had.
Anthony Morrow 4-13 FG | 1 REB | 0 AST | 16 PTS | +13 When you're a shooter, just keep shooting. Morrow was off all night despite getting open looks, until connecting on three shots in the fourth quarter -- including a huge 3 off a Deron Williams feed to put the Nets up 87-79. When his shot's not falling, he's valueless on the floor, and if he hadn't started the game 1-9, the Nets might not have had to rely on late-game execution.
Damion James 2-7 FG | 14 REB | 0 AST | 6 PTS | +13 Nearly invisible on offense, but grabbed all the rebounds Kris Humphries didn't get his hands on. Made smart cuts to the basket, and generally didn't play outside of himself, but didn't add much outside of the glass.
Kris Humphries 9-14 FG | 16 REB | 2 AST | 21 PTS | +24 Humphries had the type of game you want from him -- rebounds everywhere, lots of shots at the rim, the occasional 12-to-15-foot jumper, and decent enough man defense inside and out to get by. If tonight is any indication, last year wasn't a fluke. He was, at worst, the second-best Net on the floor tonight.
Johan Petro 5-8 FG | 5 REB | 0 AST | 11 PTS | +21 Played better than expected, but that's saying little. His mid-range jumper was falling, but the fouling issues he's always had aren't slowing down and he was invisible inside. With Okur looking heathy, he's assuredly not the long-term starter.
Sundiata Gaines 3-7 FG | 4 REB | 4 AST | 7 PTS | +3 Gaines played as the primary backup to Deron Williams tonight, and also ran a two-guard set with him during the second-quarter run that erased the 21-point deficit. Was on the floor in the final moments of a close game. He easily outplayed Jordan Farmar tonight, and Avery's choice to leave him in speaks volumes.

Five thoughts on the game

• 1. Transition defense has to improve. The Nets' transition defense has to improve. It came and went in spurts over 48 minutes: non-existent in the first quarter, shut-down in the second, then came and went throughout the second half. John Wall is fast, but John Wall wasn't the only Wizard hurting them in the fast break. When the transition game is working, it's the easiest way to score in the game. They can't waver in and out of caring about it. For what it's worth, the defense across the board needs help; the Nets only picked up seven steals and two blocks in the contest, and allowed 14-16 shooting at the rim. Luckily, they were facing the IsoWizards, who fell in love with their craps-table luck from outside of 3 feet and rode it out of the game.
• 2. Kris Humphries will get booed all season. When did sympathy for Kim Kardashian become so prevalent? There's no serious reason to hate this guy, and the boos are raining down hard. He's become the most disliked guy in the league because he married a billionaire that then left him. Hey, as Avery himself said after the game, keep the boos coming. The Nets will gladly take the 20-16.
• 3. Nice comeback, and the late-game execution is there. After falling behind by 21 in the first half, the Nets didn't take their ball and go home; they cut off the transition opportunities, starting attacking the basket, and clawed their way back into the game by halftime. They rode Deron Williams throughout the second half, and as a team were nearly flawless late in a close game. D-Will drew in defenses and kicked out, Humphries grabbed every board in sight, even Petro got in on the offense a little bit. To be fair, it's the Wizards -- the team that didn't foul for about 9 seconds when down with no shot clock remaining. But even so.
• 4. Make some shots, please. The Nets shot considerably poor from two areas -- from 3-9 feet (5-19) and three-point range (6-24). The first one is understandable, as without Lopez the Nets don't have any bigs that can create their own shot in the post. But Anthony Morrow had an off night until the fourth amd Shawne Williams hit zero of his patented corner threes.
• 5. Deron Williams is healthy. We did not see this Deron Williams last season. At 100%, he's a complete game-changer. Take away the ugly first quarter, and the Nets win by nearly 20. I hope -- and would argue -- that the last three quarters are more indicative of the Nets than that first one.

Sure enough, basketball exists... for one more year in Newark, anyway.

The Nets start Deron Williams, Anthony Morrow, Damion James, Kris Humphries, and Johan Petro, and Avery cautioned that the lineup out there tonight may not be the one that starts tomorrow against Atlanta.

They'll go up against the Washington Wizards in Washington, and to help us answer a few questions we've asked Kyle Weidle of Truth About It to join us in our pregame 3-on-3.

1. First order of business: How do you stop John Wall?

• Justin DeFeo: Not sure if you stop John Wall entirely, but the Nets can make him less effective by finding him early in transition and slowing him before he gets a full head of steam, and sagging off him, daring him to make jump shots. At the risk of sounding cliché, however, no one man can stop John Wall. Our army of point guards will do their best to slow him, but it's going to take a team effort to truly contain him.
  

• Devin Kharpertian: John's court vision, quickness, and speed separate him from the average into the freakish. Luckily, he's not surrounded by great off-ball players, so the primary way to contain him is packing the paint with anyone and forcing him into beating you with his midrange game. Wall only shot 29.5% from 10-23 feet last year, so if they can keep him in that area, they'll have a shot at keeping him under wraps.
  

• Kyle Weidle, Truth About It: The best way to stop Wall is to not allow the Wizards to get out and run. This may mean less offensive rebound opportunities for New Jersey, but maybe that's okay with Brook Lopez out. Otherwise, continue to go under the screen against Wall -- the temptation could lead to bad shots for Washington's offense. And if New Jersey does find themselves defending against Wall's transition run, communication is key, as is keeping an eye on passing lanes to corner threes.
  

2. Second order of business: Can the Nets compete inside?

• Justin DeFeo: Quite possibly our question of the year. Once you get past Kris Humphries, our interior players are either of the backup quality (Shelden Williams, Petro), undersized (Damion James, Shawne Williams), unproven (Dennis Horner, Jordan Williams) or coming off injury (Mehmet Okur). While Washington isn't overwhelming inside, Blatche, McGee and Turiaf are true professionals, and will probably have a slight edge inside.
  

• Devin Kharpertian: Yes, but, no. Mehmet Okur can't contain Javale McGee, as Okur is not a helicopter, but luckily McGee's pretty good at mentally containing himself. Humphries has physical and talent advantages over Blatche and Turiaf if he's at full strength. Of course, when the backups come in, the story switches entirely.
  

• Kyle Weidle: I'm afraid without Lopez to make JaVale McGee work on both ends of the floor, New Jersey could be in trouble. There is simply no one on the Nets roster who can compete with his athleticism and length, especially when it comes to lobs from John Wall. The best hope is for someone to get physical with McGee to the point where he falls too much in love with rushed post moves and the interesting hook shot he is trying to develop.
  

3. Final order of business: who emerges victorious?

• Justin DeFeo: The Nets. Why not? First game of the season after an extended off-season, and both teams are trying to fit in new pieces without lots of practice time to really smooth things out. It's going to be a funky beginning of the season to say the least, and will be that way until things even out as the season progresses. The Nets have the best player in this game (Deron Williams), and he'll put forth enough of an effort to get the Nets the W tonight.
  
  
• Devin Kharpertian: I'm full of optimism today, so let's keep that train moving and say New Jersey. Sure, the Nets don't have Brook Lopez, but neither do the Wizards! If Okur's at full strength, he'll stretch McGee out of the paint, opening up a huge hole inside for James and D-Will to get buckets. Plus, Anthony Morrow can't go 0-10 again, right? ... Right?
  
  
• Kyle Weidle: With Lopez out, it's Washington's game to win, even though the Wizards looked very bad, and then okay-ish in two preseason games against the Philadelphia 76ers (who, give them credit, are a very decent team). Deron Williams is certainly capable of carrying New Jersey coming off strong performances toward the end of his run in Turkey, but he also didn't have to check anyone like Wall over there either.

High five! ... Please?

The 2011-12 New Jersey Nets season kicks off in a little over five hours. Here's what we do know.

The Nets boast, at worst, the third-best point guard in the league in Deron Williams, and two quality backups behind him. No one will argue that Jordan Farmar and Sundiata Gaines are starters, but as your second and third point guards, they add up to a deep point guard slot.

Despite his wrist injury last season, Deron put up averages of 20 points & 10 assists for the first time in his career. He's the catalyst of the franchise's offense, its de facto leader, and the unofficial assistant to the assistant GM. At full health, he's a top-10 player in the NBA.

The Nets ran a fair amount of sets with two point guards, though they've bolstered the wings enough to temper that possibility going forward. With Deron likely playing anywhere from 35-40 minutes each night, both Farmar and Gaines are both expendable should the Nets seek a trade or buyout.

Grade: A... MORE →

It's been a wild year.

Here's to many more.

As the season draws nearer, as does our need to improve our blog's ranks with great writers. The latest? Chris Hooker. Here's a little about him:

Chris Hooker is currently a junior at Susquehanna University, located near Amish country Pennsylvania, with a major in creative writing. He grew up in Livonia, New York, a small suburb outside of Rochester. He's been a diehard New Jersey Nets fan since he discovered them on the YES Network during the first year of the Jason Kidd era, and has continued following the team closely since then. More recently, the days of "The Decision," the Melodrama and the Dwightmare have all taken a difficult toll on Chris' social and academic life.

Before joining Nets Are Scorching, Chris published both fiction and nonfiction in the Eunoia Review and, wrote sports columns at the sports site BareKnucks. Despite his love of writing fiction and memoir, sportswriting has always been his goal. Nets are Scorching is Chris's first chance to get his foot in the door with real basketball analysis and opinions that don't result in brutal arguments with his friends. You can follow him on Twitter @chrishooker9.

Join me in welcoming Chris to the NAS crew. You'll see his writing here in the days, weeks, months, et al to come.

Name: MarShon Brooks

Position: SG

Date of Birth: January 26, 1989

Hometown: Tucker, GA

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 200

Experience: R

Drafted: 1st round, 25th overall by the New Jersey Nets in 2011

College: Providence

2011-12 salary: $1,110,120 (approximate)

No NBA Stats

An interesting nugget from 2009 found its way into my e-mail this morning, uncovered by Noah Galuten and forwarded to me from Henry Abbott:

PHOENIX -- Phoenix Suns center Robin Lopez will have surgery to repair a broken bone in his left foot and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

Lopez broke his fifth metatarsal -- the long bone on the outside of his foot that connects to the little toe -- in the second half of the team's intrasquad scrimmage Saturday in San Diego.

Team officials say the procedure to insert a screw in Lopez's foot will be performed Tuesday at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix.

Associated Press - Phoenix Suns' Robin Lopez out 6-8 weeks with broken left foot

Lopez underwent surgery on the foot on October 6th, 2009, and was activated from the IL roughly seven weeks later on November 27th.

If that same timeframe applies to Brook's recovery, that'd put his time back on the court sometime around mid-February. That's a very good timetable for his recovery -- he'd be back on the court less than halfway through the season, and 35-40 intensely compacted games are better than 66. And, of course, in this instance he'd ideally be back at full strength a full month before the trade deadline.

While very injury and recovery is different, as far as player comparisons for expected recovery go, it's hard to get a closer match than an identical twin.

Brook Lopez suffered a stress fracture to the fifth metatarsal of his right foot yesterday. Now, if you're like me, the moment you heard that, all you saw was the words "fracture" and "foot," filled in the rest as medical jargon, and began panicking. Well, after a bit of research, here's what that jargon means, and why the panic is somewhat warranted -- but not entirely.... MORE →