Net Worth: Nets 83, Bobcats 74, I guess

nj20
New Jersey Nets 83 Final
Recap | Box Score
74 Charlotte Bobcats
Kris Humphries, PF 45 MIN | 7-15 FG | 6-8 FT | 15 REB | 1 AST | 20 PTS | +5

Without D-Will on the floor, Humphries resorted to a series of isolations, which didn’t work out too badly for him. He was the best player on the floor after Deron Williams’ injury, and still resorted to shooting a healthy number of mid-range jumpers. This was the best part of tonight’s game.

Shelden Williams, PF 29 MIN | 2-4 FG | 2-2 FT | 13 REB | 2 AST | 6 PTS | +9

Chris Carrino compared him to Moses Malone at one point. So there’s that. But seriously, Shelden hit the offensive glass hard tonight. He’s become so valuable, especially with the sheer number of missed shots the Nets pick up. Late in close games, it’s so key having someone who attacks the glass on the offensive end like he does.

MarShon Brooks, G 30 MIN | 3-11 FG | 2-4 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 8 PTS | +2

Cold night for the rookie. After Williams’ departure, Brooks became perimeter target #1 for the Bobcats, and most of his shots came from his own design, resulting in off-balance, contested shots.

Jordan Farmar, PG 26 MIN | 3-12 FG | 5-6 FT | 4 REB | 7 AST | 11 PTS | +2

Did not play like a starting point guard tonight, though if he’d shot a little better from deep he’d have a better statline. Created an end-of-game, open three-pointer for Anthony Morrow off the dribble that all but sealed the game.

Anthony Morrow, SG 21 MIN | 6-14 FG | 4-4 FT | 3 REB | 0 AST | 17 PTS | +8

Caught fire in the fourth quarter. Scored all 17 of his points in the 4th quarter, including his only three-pointer of the game: a dagger from the corner that put the Nets up eight and sealed the victory with one minute left. The Nets don’t win this one without that boost, but the Nets could’ve put this one out of reach earlier had he hit some in the first half.

Gerald Green, SG 20 MIN | 4-9 FG | 0-1 FT | 6 REB | 1 AST | 8 PTS | +6

He is not shy. At all. And thus far, it’s working. He’s the type of player that can create so many mismatches, solely due to his ability to out jump nearly anyone. Helps when he’s hitting a midrange jumper, as he did tonight on a few occasions. Also got some nice blocked shots. After his performances, I can’t imagine the Nets release him after his second ten-day contract

Five Things We Saw

  1. Deron Williams left the game in the second quarter with a sore right calf, and the lack of a creator was blatantly evident — the Nets didn’t get many open looks without their best scorer and passer on the floor. As a result, the Nets ran a fair amount of isolation plays, the NBA’s version of roulette; you may get lucky and ride a “hot hand” for a little time, but stay at the table too long and you’re going to lose. Luckily for the Nets, they played the worst team in the NBA tonight.
  2. There’s a difference between passing and creating. So much passing in tonight’s game. So little creating.
  3. The Nets found themselves ice-cold in the second quarter, missing midrange jumpers from all around the floor. The Bobcats stifled them in the half-court, forcing them to shoot nothing but midrange jumpers, and the few open looks they found clanged off the rim. That allowed the Bobcats to claw their way back into a game that, frankly, neither team had much business being in.
  4. Much of this game had a streetball feel: guys attacking one another in isolation, lots of fast breaks, and the curious combination of very little defense and poor shooting efficiency. Lots of rampant, flailing attacks at the rim as well. Neither team could find a rhythm in the half-court, but both picked up their fair share of points in transition and on pull-ups.
  5. One more time:



    EXPERIENCE IT!