Nets Fall To Spurs, Because Duh (GAME GRADES)

C

Final: 11/22/2014

L 87 99

I hope you didn’t expect anything good tonight. The Nets historically struggle against the Spurs, no matter what Nets roster goes up against the Spurs’ long-term core, and tonight was one of their better efforts in San Antonio. They even cut the lead to single-digits in the fourth quarter, which feels like an anomaly.

The Spurs were just tooo good for 48 minutes, as the reigning NBA champion that keeps its core tends to be. But you should take some optimism from the fact that the Nets had even a fighting chance with all but two of their players struggling throughout.

Now: three desperately needed days of rest for the Nets.

Brook Lopez

D

The stats: 6 PTS, 3-8 FG, 4 REB

Other than one nice move — a fake and up-and-under for a layup early — hard to find too many positives for Lopez, who looked frustrated and outclassed by Tim Duncan, the man Nets brass once compared him to when Lopez was still a prospect. It was staggering to watch; Duncan nearly put up the rare 5×5 box score in the first half as Lopez got out-rebounded by his own point guards.

Hell, he was outplayed by Jerome Jordan, who was best-known six weeks ago for having a first name as a character in “Martin” that Kanye referenced in Bound 2.