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Previewing the Pacers with 8 Points, 9 Seconds

Posted on: April 12th, 2013 by Justin DeFeo No Comments

 

Tonight's Nets vs. Pacers game is pivotal for Eastern Conference playoff positioning. With a magic number of two, the Nets are looking to lock up the fourth seed while also simultaneously chase down the Pacers in a last grasp chance at the three seed. A heads up win tonight will help both of those causes. Here to help us preview the matchup is Jared Wade of the ESPN Truehoop Network Pacers blog, 8 points, 9 Seconds.

Justin DeFeo: What needs to happen for the Pacers in the post season for this year to be dubbed a success?

Jared Wade: Reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. They played the Heat tough in round two last season and showed something the year before in round one against the Bulls (though they lost in five games). This followed a near-decade of nonsense and mediocrity after the brawl in Detroit.

So as long as they make that one additional step in the 2013 playoffs, it will be an excellent year. Or, as much as Pacers' fans would hate to admit it, even losing a really good series in the second round that goes seven games and stays close would be satisfying. With no Danny Granger, just getting closer towards being relevant in June again is what the franchise needs. Speaking of the playoffs, who would the Nets most like to see in the first round?

DeFeo: Great question, can I choose none of the above? I think of the teams in range for the Nets to play in the first round, the Celtics, Hawks and Bulls all present different problems to the Nets and would all be tough outs. Of those three, the Nets would probably like to see the Bulls and Celtics least, so by process of elimination that leaves the Hawks as the most favorable first round matchup. But I think we can all agree that every team in the East is trying to avoid the Heat in any round like the plague. Early this season the Pacers were being picked as a team that could beat Miami in a series. Do you think thats still possible if they meet?

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Nets vs. Pacers: The BK Game Streak

Posted on: April 12th, 2013 by Justin DeFeo No Comments

 

There is a few remaining regular season games for the Nets and they each have added importance as the Nets look to lock up home-court for the first round of the playoffs. Tonight's opponent is the Indiana Pacers and like always, it's time to play "The BK Game Streak," where you can build a streak predicting how well the Nets will do in each game for a chance to win a $200 Amazon Gift Card!

The game is as simple as it sounds:
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Should the Nets be running more?

Posted on: April 2nd, 2013 by Justin DeFeo 4 Comments

 

To run or not to run, that is the question.

The Nets pace (or lack there of) has been a topic of discussion amongst those following the franchise all season. The Nets play the second slowest pace in the NBA, as they are just a shade quicker than the New Orleans Hornets. There are advantages and disadvantages to playing at such a slow pace and we're taking a deep dive into both styles. After presenting the arguments for each speed, we're asking you the reader to decide which way is best for this Nets team. Let's get to it.

Reasons NOT to run.

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

As stated earlier The Nets are almost the slowest playing team in the NBA, edging the Hornets for the right to be the league’s sloth. Despite this slow pace though, the Nets score 104.4 points per 100 possessions, an efficiency rating that puts them ahead of all but eight other teams. They are outscoring opponents by 1.1 points per game and their 42 wins (so far) have them in contention for a division title and an outside chance at the East’s number two overall seed. Point is, the Nets’ pace works for them and they project to finish right in the range that most basketball savvy pundits predicted they would, or should.

Knowing that the status quo isn’t always a great thing to stick to, would an innovative coach change things up and attack more in transition? Perhaps. But the fact is, two different head coaches have taken a look at this roster, weighed its strengths and weaknesses and both have decided to play at a super-slow speed. That should tell you something. As the old saying goes, if your basketball system ain’t broke, don’t fix it. ... MORE →

Sunday 3-on-3: Atlantic Division

Posted on: March 31st, 2013 by Justin DeFeo No Comments

 

The NBA regular season is nearing a finish and with that, a clear pecking order is starting to show in the Atlantic Division. But, with three teams sure to appear in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Atlantic Division has plenty of story lines. To flesh some of those out, we're hitting you with a Sunday roundtable, but because this topic is so important we're shifting from our normal three-man crew to four. Boom.

1. Fill in the blank: _________ will win the Atlantic Division?

  • Justin DeFeo: The Knicks - I think the Nets have a slightly softer schedule than the Knicks to end the season, but with a four game cushion, I'd expect the Knicks to cling to their lead and wrap up the Atlantic Division for the first time in nearly 20 years. By the way, Nets fans should lose no sleep over the Division title, but whats more important here is avoiding Miami in Round Two.

  • Andrew Gnerre: The Knicks. The Nets are 4 games back with nine to play. The Knicks schedule is much tougher (eight of their 11 remaining games are against playoff teams), but that's just a lot of ground to make up on a team that's won seven straight and looking more like that group from November. And good for them. I'd hate to see them go 20 years without a division title. Unrelated, the Nets have won the division four times since 2002. Oh I'm sorry, did I say "unrelated?" I meant to say "very related and SHOTS FIRED."

  • Max Weisberg: Knicks. You can blame this on the Nets’ inability to “finish the deal” as well as the Utah Jazz organization. Multiple times were the Nets a half game back of the Knicks in March, and each time, things didn’t pan out. 3/17, the Nets trailed the Knicks by a half game and couldn’t beat the team from Atlanta that unloaded Joe Johnson on them in a salary dump this summer. 3/18, a helpless Jazz team who at the time, was a half game back of the Lakers for the 8th spot, couldn’t beat a severely depleted Knicks team IN UTAH.

  • Benjamin Nadeau: The New York Knicks will win the Atlantic Division. There's just too much that needs to happen at this point for the Nets to take the crown. It would probably involve rushing back Joe Johnson before he's healthy too. It would really be nice to move up to 2nd or 3rd, to avoid Miami as long as possible, but I'm not really sure if PJ is the type of coach that will concern himself with the Atlantic Title. There's just far too much inconsistancy here from the Nets to catch the Knicks now.

2. The most dangerous team in the Atlantic Division in the playoffs is ________.

  • DeFeo: Again, its the Knicks. Tyson Chandler has a chance of being the most dominant defensive player and Carmelo Anthony the most dominant offensive player in any given series, including one with Lebron James in it and that should scare any team. Also, their three-point happy attack adds a bit of variance to every game.

  • Gnerre: Just like, physically? The Celtics because Kevin Garnett is an unhinged maniac. But in terms of winning games? The Nets. I know that when hot, the Knicks have looked better this season, but it's close enough to the playoffs for me to flip the switch to full-blown irrational fan mode. Vintage Deron, Breakout Brook and Healthy Joe haven't all showed up to the same game yet, but they could. And that's a better team than Melo going nova surrounded by JR Smith and old guys. Speaking of old guys: Et tu, Kenyon?

  • Weisberg: Highest seed. Going into the playoffs, I believe that the Nets will be a better team than the Knicks. Unfortunately for Brooklyn though, they are currently sitting 3.5 games (assuming Knicks win tonight, Nets lose tonight) back of NY in the standings with 9 games to play. What this means is that they will likely get the four seed. And if they advance past the first round, they would have to play a team in the second round that just won 27 games in a row and are the defending world champions. Goodnight Brooklyn.

  • Nadeau: The Brooklyn Nets are easily the most dangerous team. It seems, at times, that the Knicks' season is unraveling more and more by the day, if it wasn't for a surging J.R. Smith, the Nets might have the division lead right now.If the Knicks can get all their pieces back and healthy, it could be a different story, but Felton has been garbage lately and any team that starts Kenyon Martin at this point has more issues than the team that starts Reggie Evans. Nets, somehow, play better team ball and that will benefit them in the playoffs.

3. T/F: An Atlantic Division team has any shot to beat Miami.

  • DeFeo: False. The Nets have not been competitive with the Heat since The Decision and although the Celtics and Knicks could pose a threat, no team in the East can win four out of seven.

  • Gnerre: False. Very false. If I knew any other languages I'd be saying the word "false" in those languages right now to drive the point home. The only team in the league with a chance to beat the Heat is the Spurs, no matter what that elderly man on the bus back to Jersey from the Nets-Grizzlies game says. (That guy thinks the Pacers can beat the Heat; that guy thinks so many things.) But yeah, this is false. Very falska.

  • Weisberg: Only true if ALL of these things occur before the playoffs; First, LeBron James will have to abruptly retire and announce that he is going to attempt a career in professional baseball. Second, an asbestos leak must occur inside American Airlines Arena, thus forcing the Heat to play all four of their “home” games inside their opponent’s arena. Third, Chris Bosh must get so upset from the first and second events occurring, that he goes and punches a fire extinguisher and is forced to miss the entire series. So yes, it is possible.

  • Nadeau: False. It's tough, as a fan and somebody that spends so much time caring about this team, it's always hard to take off your homer glasses sometimes. But this one is easy, there's really nobody in the Eastern Conference in Miami's league this season. I think there's something to be said about the way Chicago played and rattled them last week (hard, physical fouls, refusing to let them get dunks, transition points at any cost) and if other Eastern Conference teams adopt that strategy, they could steal one or two. The problem is winning four. I don't think anybody is beating Miami this year, unfortunately, and it's possible that only San Antonio can take them from the West.

Nets vs. Bulls, 8:00 p.m. EST, TBG Open Thread

Posted on: March 2nd, 2013 by Justin DeFeo 1 Comment

 

GRADE THE GAME AT ANY TIME!

Tonight: The Brooklyn Nets (34-25) head to Chicago tonight to take on the Bulls (33-25) at 8 p.m. EST. The Nets are fresh off a concerning loss at home to the Mavericks while the Bulls are recent victors over the 76ers. In the battle for Eastern Conference mediocrity, the Nets and Bulls sit one game apart, with the Nets holding the 5th spot while the Bulls fall comfortably in 6th.

Watch and Listen: Tonight's game will be broadcasted on YES Network and also simulcasted on WFAN and in spanish on WADO.

Out: Nets - Jerry Stackhouse. Bulls - Derrick Rose, Rip Hamilton, Taj Gibson.

Projected Starters:
Chicago Bulls: Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah, Marco Belinelli, Kirk Hinrich.
Brooklyn Nets: Gerald Wallace, Reggie Evans, Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson, Deron Williams.

What to Watch For:

  • Toughness: As in does this Nets team have it? After last night's disheartening loss there is no question their mettle and collective resolve will be tested against a gritty Bulls team. The Bulls' defense will unearth any offensive issues you may have and after last night's 19 turnover performance the onus is on P.J. and the gang to figure things out, quickly.
  • Rotations: Still a question mark for P.J. Carlesimo that needs to get answered as the Nets struggle to find consistency in cohesion. The front court seems to be the most fluid, but a backcourt with gimpy feet has now raised questions on that part of the court. Who will be closing this game out tonight? No really, who? Do you know?
  • Joakim Noah: The Bulls center is coming off is finest game as a professional, wreaking triple double havoc (23 points, 21 rebounds, 11 blocks) on the Sixers in their last game. The long-limbed, frenetic menace is exactly the kind of player that could give Brook Lopez and the rest of the Nets front court fits.

    • Nets 119, Nuggets 108: Nets Post Game Plus

    Posted on: February 14th, 2013 by Justin DeFeo No Comments

     

    Video: C.J. Watson’s High Arching Floater

    Posted on: February 13th, 2013 by Justin DeFeo No Comments

     

    Hello Offense: Nets 119, Nuggets 108

    Posted on: February 13th, 2013 by Justin DeFeo 6 Comments

     


    Joe Johnson SHOOTING GUARD

    He dominated the third quarter in the Nets’ game deciding run. Continued his dominance in the 4th as well, in a way we haven’t seen often from him. He abused his matchup with Corey Brewer, but also operating from the middle of the floor was a great playmaker, hitting for nine assists.

    Gerald Wallace SMALL FORWARD

    Wasn't much of a factor on offense, but showed some great activity on the defensive end, including a highlight worthy chase down block.

    Kris Humphries POWER FORWARD

    Found himself in lots of good spots offensively and was a boost off the bench for the Nets tonight.

    Brook Lopez CENTER

    Normal, steady production from Lopez tonight, but he gets bumped up half a letter grade for his sweet new hairdo.

    C.J. Watson POINT GUARD

    Great response from his lackluster first game as a starter, Watson looked the part tonight. His five threes were all huge, but his also penetrated and caused breakdowns in the Nuggets defense resulting in more offense for others.


    Video: Javale McGee Uses Gerald Wallace As a Ladder

    Posted on: February 13th, 2013 by Justin DeFeo No Comments

     

    Video: Gerald Wallace is a Flying Block Machine

    Posted on: February 13th, 2013 by Justin DeFeo No Comments

     

    Video: Brook Lopez Shows All-Star Touch

    Posted on: February 13th, 2013 by Justin DeFeo 1 Comment

     

    Watch Brook Lopez show off his All-Star talents: first with a running hook, then a ridiculous turnaround fadeaway.

    Nets vs. Nuggets, 7:30 P.M. EST: TBG Open Thread

    Posted on: February 13th, 2013 by Justin DeFeo No Comments

     

    Grade the Game At Any Time!

    Tonight: The 30-22 Brooklyn Nets host the 33-20 Denver Nuggets tonight at Barclays Center at 7:30 P.M EST. Most recently the Nets managed to squeeze past the Indiana Pacers in overtime on Monday night and are looking to head into the All-Star break on a positive note. The Nuggets had been on a nine-game winning streak before losing their last two, including a 109-108 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday.

    Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be broadcasted on YES Network and the radio broadcast will be on WFAN and WADO.

    Out: Deron Williams is out for the Nets (synovitis in both ankles). Danilo Gallinari and Andre Iguodala will both sit for Denver.

    Projected Starters:
    Nuggets - Ty Lawson, Andre Miller, Corey Brewer, Wilson Chandler, Javale McGee
    Nets - C.J. Watson, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace, Reggie Evans, Brook Lopez.