Call It PayBlatche: Nets 101, Magic 90 (GAME GRADES)

Call It PayBlatche: Nets 101, Magic 90 (GAME GRADES)

Jason Terry POINT GUARD

I like Jason Terry. I thought Jason Terry could be a funnier C.J. Watson for the Nets this year, hitting threes, taunting opponents, and generally laughing en route to being this team’s unofficial mascot. But so far, Jason Terry has just been brutal on the court, and that didn’t change tonight until garbage time.

Mason Plumlee CENTER

DUNKED IN GARBAGE TIME

DOVE INTO THE STANDS

PLUMDOGGIN’

Paul Pierce POWER FORWARD

Some good moments in the post as a power forward and got into the lane. Had some flat outside shots in the first half but made up for it in the third quarter with some vintage Pierce shots.

Shaun Livingston POINT GUARD

Perplexing game from the intelligent Livingston. Forced a few bad shots throughout but looked comfortable playing with Deron Williams in the game and had some nice feeds throughout.

Andrei Kirilenko SMALL FORWARD

Spindly and sneaky. Great defensive effort and snuck behind the defense under the basket on more than one occasion. But for your own sake, leave the jumpers to everyone else.

Kevin Garnett POWER FORWARD

Didn’t protect the lane as much with jump shooter and former teammate with the Boston Celtics Glen Davis as his main defensive assignment, but hit his jumpers with ease and was a key cog in Brooklyn’s sublime ball movement in the game.

Alan Anderson SHOOTING GUARD

Poor Alan Anderson.

Besides the head follies, Anderson played well: solid defense and hit his shots.

Deron Williams POINT GUARD

The pass he hit Andray Blatche with in the third quarter was vintage D-Will: fast-break, no-look, led to a layup. His on-the-ground moves are back. Came off the bench for the second straight game and will do so for the foreseeable future, which could mean that today was his last day coming off the bench. Played like his legs were under him, which is an excellent sign following the treatment.

Joe Johnson SHOOTING GUARD

Was the focal point of the offense early, but only scored six points thanks to some ferocious on-ball defense by Arron Afflalo, who fronted him at every chance in the post and forced Johnson to move the ball out of his hands. Was barely needed in the second half.

Andray Blatche POWER FORWARD

Phone rings.
“…Hello?”
“Hello, this is Billy King. I’m looking for a player with the size to dunk on Kyle O-Quinn, the range to hit a corner three-pointer, and the total lack of self-awareness needed to do both in rapid succession.”
“Hold please.”

“Hello, this is Andray Blatche, I was referred to you?”

Mirza Teletovic POWER FORWARD

Good stuff in the second quarter, scoring in the post and hitting a three-pointer, and followed it up with some exciting three-pointers in the fourth to pour on the blowout. Nice block on Victor Oladipo after Teletovic accidentally passed it to him on the inbounds, too.