Ouch. The Nets lose a heartbreaker in New Orleans tonight, 103-99.

• The Nets were actually up 99-98 with about 13 seconds left in this game, after being down 9 with less than 3 minutes to play. Courtney Lee stole an inbounds pass with 13.5 seconds left and the Nets down one, and was fouled going to the rim, sinking both FTs. Chris Paul responded with a layup and the foul, off the pick and roll to put the Hornets up 101-99. On the Nets last offensive set of the game, Yi Jianlian got called for an offensive foul when he set a moving screen.
• Lee had a fantastic game. In addition to the steal and some late FTs, he scored 28 points and collected 6 assists. He was 5-7 from three-point land
• Keyon Dooling also had a great shooting night, collecting 21 points in 23 minutes, including 4-7 from three. Overall the Nets were 9-17 from three.
• For the first time in 23 games, the Nets won the rebounding battle, 44-41.
• Chris Paul didn't have his best night scoring-wise with 11 points, but he contributed 18 assists, and made the plays when his team needed them most. Devin Harris on the other hand was a non-factor, scoring 4 points on 2-9 shooting. Harris was actually benched with about 3 minutes left, but was reinserted when Chris Douglas-Roberts was taken out of the game with an eye injury.
• David West had a monster night with 32 points and 11 rebounds, leading all scorers.
• For those keeping count, Brook Lopez had 14 field goal attempts, and Yi had 10. Neither one had a great game, with Brook collecting 14 points and 9 rebounds, and Yi with 8 points and 10 rebounds.

Mark Ginocchio

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In his mailbag over at the Star-Ledger web site, Dave D'Alessandro speculates that talks between the Nets and the Dallas Mavs regarding a Eduardo Najera for Kris Humphries swap are heating up and a deal is "imminent."

There was a little confusion about this when we posted about it earlier in the week so let me source Dave D. here. He believes adding Humphries for Najera would add about $700K to the payroll, not a significant amount.

Humphries, a PF, is averaging 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in about 13 minutes of play this season.

In another nugget from the mailbag, Terrence Williams' playing time has been reduced recently because he slept through the team's shootaround before the Bucks game on Tuesday. Maybe if more Nets players overslept, they wouldn't look like they were sleepwalking out there, right?

Mark Ginocchio

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The last two games sucked.  We know that.  The game against Atlanta was especially depressing.  The Nets are going to have some bad games, they are young and there have been nights that the effort wasn't there.  The good thing though was they always came back strong and put out a good effort, and that is why I have expected the Nets to keep Wednesday night's game close.  It wasn't close.

Seeing the Nets play against a real run and gun team makes me wonder about why Kiki still insists of having a run and gun team.  The Nets are good at pushing the ball when they have the advantage (when they get a turnover or have a guard/wing get the rebound and just push it up) but if they don't have the numbers, they need to pull it out and run their half court set.  That is where Kiki loses me, he seems to encourage the Nets to run it no matter what, no matter the situation.  As I showed you the other day, the Nets' offensive sets are pretty good, and against a team like the Hawks, they should have been slowing the ball down and running those sets, not trying to out run them...onto the matchups!

Devin Harris vs. Chris Paul

Last year, this would have been a fun matchup to watch.  This year, meh.  I have fears that Chris Paul will just run circles around Devin.  He did that last year, but Harris was able to respond.  This year, Devin Harris is struggling on both sides of the basketball.  I have been watching past Nets' games trying to see what the problem is with his defense, and I think he uses his hands too much (there will probably be a post on this soon).  He reaches too much instead of relying on his feet and staying in front of his man.

Advantage:  Chris Paul

Courtney Lee vs. Devin Brown

You wouldn't believe me when I told you this, but Devin Brown is actually the key to the Hornets success.  Don't laugh, I am serious.  They are 11-1 when he scores over 11 or more points.  This makes sense when you think about it though.  You are going to get your points from Peja, Paul, and West, so if the Hornets get a 4th guy to go into double figures, it means they are flowing on offense.

Advantage:  Courtney Lee

Chris Douglas-Roberts vs. Peja Stojakovic

CDR has been one of the few bright spots for the Nets.  His offense was always expected to be there, but on the defensive end, CDR has been able to hang with guys like Peja.  Peja, doesn't have the speed to get by you and he isn't really that good in the post, so you just gotta watch the shot, and I think CDR's long arms will be able to effect him.

Advantage:  Push

Yi vs. David West

These are the games you worry about Yi...even "new Yi."  West has a nice touch from the foul line extended, and he with his nice size he has a good back to the basket game.  I can't wait to see how Yi handles West, I am looking forward to this, this can be the matchup of the night.

Advantage:  David West

Brook Lopez vs. Emeka Okafor

If you want to see how Brook will do against Emeka, just look at his performance against the man he was traded for, Tyson Chandler.  Both Emeka and Tyson are tall/athletic shot blockers.  Brook played well against Chandler because he was able to get into his body and negate his athleticism, I think he can do the same to Emeka.

Advantage:  Emeka Okafor

Sebastian Pruiti

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A year ago, a January match-up of Chris Paul and Devin Harris would have been touted as a game highlighting two of the best young point guards in the league. Unfortunately, for Harris and the Nets, tonight’s game against Paul and the Hornets no longer seems to have that feel to it.

Devo’s decline from last season has been well documented at Nets Are Scorching. But tonight’s game got me thinking about how Harris now stacks up against the rest of the league’s point guards. After having the fourth best Player Efficiency Rating (PER) among point guards last season, I think an argument can be made that the 2009-10 version of Devin Harris is not even a top 20 point guard in the league.

Trust me; this is not a statement I make lightly – especially because so much of the Nets rebuilding efforts are centered around the idea that they currently have young talent at PG and Center – two of the hardest positions to fill in the NBA.  But stats are stats – and currently, Devo’s stats are very mediocre.

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Mark Ginocchio

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Allright, this is going to be a quick one, short and sweet.  We are going to be looking at defense exclusively here.  In each one of these games, the Nets couldn't stop one thing.  Against the Bucks, the Nets couldn't stop the pick and roll.  Against the Hawks, the Nets couldn't stop the three point shot.  After the jump, we are going to look at some clips.

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Sebastian Pruiti

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Tonight matches up two coaches in Kiki Vandeweghe and New Orleans' Jeff Bower, who were just GMs before the season began. Plus here's a money quote from a scout, as reported by Al Iannazzone: As the Nets were blown out by 22 and 30 points in consecutive games against Milwaukee and Atlanta, the little life they showed came in the form of frustration and bad body language. One NBA scout said the Nets are "playing like 15 guys in the last year of their contracts."

The Nets have banned gambling on the team plane which is an indicator that Gilbert Arenas' indefinite suspension, was not only about guns.

Dave D'Alessandro talks to Rod Thorn about what might happen with the head coach position once the summer comes: “We’re still going to have a large number of young guys next year no matter what happens in free agency,” Thorn said the other day. “So undoubtedly the next coach has to be good at working with young people, because he’s going to have to bring out the best in those people. Somebody who’s a good X-and-O guy also.”

Bruce Ratner may have some legal trouble.

Apparently Fred Kerber and Terrence Williams have kissed and made-up as Kerber talks to TWill about his recent lack of playing time: "I'm learning from Trenton and KD and these guys [say], 'Worry about what you can control. Don't give anybody a reason to take your money or humiliate you,' " said Williams, the rookie selected No. 11 from Louisville.

Brook Lopez is featured in a NBA.com video about Centers:

Mark Ginocchio

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It's a topic that's been slowly gathering steam since Yi Jianlian's return from injury a few weeks ago - yes, Yi has been a revelation on the offensive end, averaging 20.3 points per game, but is his success coming at the detriment of Brook Lopez?

The Star-Ledger's Dave D'Alessandro officially opened this Pandora's Box when he asked Brook Lopez before yesterday's game against the Hawks if Yi's return has contributed to Brook's recent slump (he's averaged 14.3 points the past 7 games). Brook responded in the affirmative:

“Yeah, I think it’s just been a tough adjustment having another post guy out there – reading when and where he is, and where I need to be, I guess,” Lopez said.

Here are the facts: Since Yi's return, Brook has averaged 10.6 field goal attempts per game. Before Yi came back, Brook was averaging 14.6 shots per game. Yi meanwhile is averaging 14.7 shots per game since his return.

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Mark Ginocchio

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Hoopdata Box Score - Hoopinion - Peachtree Hoops

Is there was ever a better analogy for the New Jersey Nets 2009-10 season than last night's 119-89 drubbing to the Atlanta Hawks? Poor shooting and defense puts the Nets in an insurmountable hole early on, yet they found themselves down only 14 with about 4 minutes left in the third quarter. The Hawks then put the jets on again, and ended up winning by 30.

Four days ago, I was recapping a loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers and I thought the Nets were maybe turning a corner. Sure, they still lost the game, but they were at least competitive in their loss, and they were still relatively fresh off of beating the Knicks and earning their third victory of the season. I wasn't predicting a run at the 8th seed after an 0-18 and 3-30 start, but was it wrong of me to think that maybe the Nets would soon find themselves past the dreaded 9 win total so the talk of "worst team ever" would die down?

Simply put, yes. If Tuesday night's waxing by the Bucks was an embarrassment, than last night's loss to the Hawks kicked it up yet another notch. The Nets don't even look competitive out there folks, and I think if the league started tracking "demoralizing losses" it would be the one thing the Nets would head their class in.

How do you even break this game down? The Nets went nearly 6 minutes without a field goal to start the game and found themselves down 17-3 against the league's best offense. And just when you thought they maybe were going to show some pride, cutting the lead to 14 in the third and possibly making the Hawks work for the victory, Atlanta went on a 20-6 run to start the fourth quarter, essentially building a palatial estate on top of a Nets team that was already buried six-feet underground.

I don't know how those of us still trying to play armchair psychiatrist with this team can keep coming up with more theories. First it was the injuries. Then it was the coach. Then it was the lack of veteran leadership because Keyon Dooling and Jarvis Hayes hadn't played much this season. Then there was talk that Rafer Alston's attitude was starting to irk the team's younger players. There was even talk that Yi Jianlian, a guy who couldn't hit water from a boat with his jumper last season, was the missing link. Yi actually put together another decent night (19 points, 11 rebounds). So the squad is (relatively) healthy, Lawrence Frank is gone, Jarvis and Keyon are playing, Rafer was bought out and Yi has been pretty good since his return. Is any of this making a difference? Sure, the Nets, even when they're at their best, are not expected to beat a team like the Hawks on the road, but to consistently come out, night after night and lay up eggs … I think the optimist in me was trying to avoid this kind of talk at all costs, but after the last two night's - I think it's fair game: watch out 72-73 76ers. You may have company soon.

A few more quick thoughts.
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Mark Ginocchio

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Chris Quinn, welcome to the New Jersey Mess: "Hopefully, I can bring a positive attitude and some positive thoughts and maybe help swing it in the right direction to some extent," said the 6-foot-2, fourth-season guard from Notre Dame who was inactive all season with Miami after spraining an ankle in training camp and never cracking the rotation.

Nets react to the Gilbert Arenas suspension (per Al Iannazzone):  “It’s unfortunate,” said Jarvis Hayes, who played with Arenas in Washington. “I’m at a loss for words. It’s a serious matter. Commissioner Stern did what he thought he had to do to gain control of the situation I guess.”

Keyon Dooling defends the perception of the NBA in light of the Arenas situation:  "I think our league is a great league," Dooling said. "However, there are slip-ups. Sometimes one bad apple can have an effect on the whole bunch. Me personally, I would like some of our positive things to get the same attention as our negativity, because people do so many great things."

In news that has my 1993-self marking out, the arcade classic NBA Jam is making its return with a rumored Wii-exclusive. One blog takes a gander at who the twosomes will be. Can you guess the Nets twosome?

Quick, someone let Brook Lopez tell Brook Lopez about The Onion.

A little late to post, but NBA.com looks at the impending summertime showdown for free agents between the Knicks and Nets.

Speaking of free agents, Hawks free agent to-be Joe Johnson cares about the record of the team he signs with next summer.

In former Nets news, John Hollinger argues against the Heat picking up Rafer Alston.

Video Clip of the new Atlantic Terminal Pavilion opening, which will eventually tie-in to the Nets new arena in Brooklyn (hat tip NetsDaily).

Mark Ginocchio

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Maybe we're better off pretending this game didn't happen as the Hawks dominated the Nets from start to finish, winning 119 to 89 in Atlanta tonight.

• The Hawks jumped out to a 17-3 lead in the first quarter, and finished the first up 32-15.
• Similar to their first match-up last month, the Nets were defenseless. The Hawks shot 57 percent from the field and were 13-22 from three point range. They also outrebounded the Nets 42-32. The Nets have now been outrebounded for 23 consecutive games.
• Meanwhile, the Nets shot 42 percent and were only 3-13 from three. They were led in scoring by Yi Jianlian who had 19 points on 7-17 shooting. He also had 11 rebounds.
• Devin Harris had 15 points, 9 from the free throw line. He chipped in with 8 assists.
• Chris Quinn made his Nets debut, netting 7 garbage time minutes and scoring 3 points.
• The Hawks were led by former-Knick Jamal Crawford who finished with 29 points on 10-14 shooting, including 4-7 from three. Joe Johnson pitched in with 20 points.

Mark Ginocchio

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Last night was rough huh?  It is starting to become a pattern though, right when you think that the Nets are going to take the next step, they regress.  It's like I said over at the Daily Dime this morning:

This has been a trend for the Nets all season. Whenever one of the top teams plays New Jersey, the Nets seem to hang for a half or longer, but when they play lesser teams, it usually ends in an embarrassing loss.

This is a young team, and they are going to have to realize that they will be getting everyone's best effort from here on out.  Team's don't want to be the next team to lose to the "sorry ass Nets," so they are going to come out and play their butts off.  The Nets aren't going to be able to take nights off, and if they do, it will be a repeat of the Bucks game.  As for the lineups, here they are.  Oh and Chris Quinn is here!

Devin Harris vs. Mike Bibby

Devin Harris has been playing poorly, there is no question about it.  I just can't not give him this match-up though.  This is a perfect chance for Harris to get himself out of this funk (he had 23 and 9 on 9-18 shooting last time they played).  Sure Bibby can knock down a three or 2, but he is slow defensively.  The only way Harris won't get in the middle is if Harris starts settling for jumpers.  I don't think that will happen though.

Advantage:  Devin Harris

Courtney Lee vs. Joe Johnson

Lee did an ok job on Joe Johnson last time out (yes holding Johnson to 21 one is an ok job.  He could drop 30 at any point).  Lee hit his first 3 shots last game, and they were open shots where he could step into the pass and take the shot.  The rest of them looked forced.  He needs to let the game just come to him, he can't force shots.

Advantage:  Joe Johnson

Chris Douglas-Roberts vs. Marvin Williams

After Brook saw his touches in the second half diminish, it is now CDR's turn.  He had a solid first half, but only got two shots in the second.  It was especially interesting to see it in last night's game because nobody except Yi was even close to being effective, so why didn't CDR get more shots.

Advantage:  CDR

Yi vs. Josh Smith

This is the first time since we have seen "new Yi" play against a PF like Josh Smith.  A smaller but athletic guy.  I don't know how Yi is going to be able to defend him, but I can't wait to see Yi take advantage of this mismatch in the post.

Advantage:  Josh Smith

Brook Lopez vs. Al Horford

Look at the post I did on the Nets' offense today.  Notice how all of the successful plays the Nets run go through Brook Lopez.  None of that happened against the Bucks.  When the ball gets passed to Brook Lopez, it makes the entire defensive unit react.  You want a defense to react like that, the ball needs to go to Brook Lopez more.

Advantage:  Push

Sebastian Pruiti

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On Sunday, Dave D'Alessandro wrote some very interesting stuff about the Nets, and their search for an offensive identity:

But one of the emerging problems is their lack of an identity at the offensive end, particularly since point guard Devin Harris has returned from injury and Kiki Vandeweghe has taken over as head coach.

It was funny though, because I was working on a post about the Nets and a few new wrinkles they had on offense.  What I have been noticing is that the Nets have been running the pick and roll less and less.  Even though they aren't really good at running it, it was still their bread and butter (sounds silly I know).  As they continue to shy away from the pick and roll, the Nets are starting to run some new stuff, and some of it seems to be working pretty well.  After last night's game against Milwaukee (don't get me started), I feel like there is enough of a sample size to look at some sets that the Nets have been running, and to see which one is their new, "bread and butter" offense.  A offense they can go to whenever they need a bucket, whether it be early or late.

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Sebastian Pruiti

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