After an up-and-down start that left them down 7 at the half, the Nets clawed back into this one with a surprisingly effective third quarter and stifling defense in the fourth, taking control in the final few minutes. The Brooklyn Chant came together chillingly and perfectly, and the Nets rode Brook Lopez’s offense, Joe Johnson’s jumper, and Reggie Evans’s Reggieness to victory. Here’s your Net Worth:
Not Williams’s best game, particularly shooting the ball (which has been an unfortunate early development), and had some confounding moments of clock management, but in a game like this, hard to complain too much.
Put together offense for the first time throughout a game in a Nets uniform. Didn’t do much else except score, but it was refreshing to see good, smart jumpers, floaters coming off backdowns, smart shots in and out of the lane.
Presence felt, as always, everywhere. Hit the ground, dove Has started to exhibit one negative tendency: gambling on steals and blocks that leave him out of position. A function of his style. To his credit, when he’s out of position, he doesn’t give up on the play.
Got a quick hook tonight, and the way Evans filled the role, not hard to understand. Quiet one. Evans earned his rotation spot tonight.
Scored in bunches, as he is wont to do. Finished an awful lot of dunks inside and got most of his offense in the paint, which is always refreshing. Hit some incredible shots in the fourth. Had another frustrating night on the glass, but when he scores like this, he almost makes up for it. Almost.
There is no Nets experience more maddening, more akin to riding a sparking roller-coaster than watching Andray Blatche play basketball. He compounds moments of wizardry with a frustrating airheadedness.
What an unbelievable amount of energy from Reggie near the end. Impossible to understate how well he played down the stretch. He undoubtedly earned his spot on the floor at the end of the game, even above Humphries. Played with an inspired defensive ability and chased after boards as only Reggie can. Also: SHOT A THREE AND ALMOST MADE IT!
