Picked a hell of a time to find his jumper, hitting a three-pointer off a curl screen (not an isolation!) to put the game out of reach with 1:04 left and adding a layup off a nice Gerald Wallace feed. Outplayed by Jrue Holiday until the final few minutes, and got into some foul trouble, but attacked the basket around screens with purpose in intermittent times.
LET IT RAIN, JOE. Hit two maniacal three-pointers late in the third quarter — the first from 27 feet, the second from 31 — to put the Nets up five going into the fourth. Worked well within the offense to create open shots for others off double-teams too. Struggled to hit shots in the post early, but the Nets found him with some incredible (relatively speaking) ball movement to get him some open shots, and he delivered.
Just a little bit of everything. Was on triple-double watch throughout the first half and made some preternatural hustle plays going after loose balls and rebounds.
Not really a D. Just a D for DNP.
The Brook Lopez Struggle Face was in full effect in the first six minutes. Just embarrassingly bad shots and moves, including one layup where it looked like he tripped over his own awkwardness. Sat in favor of Blatche for a fair portion of the night, even at the end.
Went point center in the second quarter, isolated at the top of the key, and spun into the lane for a layup. Took a charge on the next play. Scored on a nifty move in the right post later, then stepped back for a 3 he had no business taking, then scored on a nice cut to the basket off a Gerald Wallace feed. This was all in about six minutes. Then, in the fourth, Blatche missed an easy defensive rotation, ran point center again which led to a layup, posterized Spencer Hawes with a one-handed cock-back dunk, blocked Thaddeus Young on a hook shot, and kept Brook Lopez on the bench in a good way. All aboard the Andray Blatche train! Bring a barf bag.
Earned the starting spot by default as Kris Humphries firmly entrenched himself into Avery Johnson’s doghouse. Scored some quick points, including a surprising steal and fast-break layup in the first quarter that may be the most fun thing Keith Bogans has ever done in a basketball game.
After his trip-dub for the Springfield Armor, Toko Loco earned some early playing time and didn’t disappoint, only getting a dubious travel call against him. I’m impressed with his defense in short stretches, mini-Wallace-esque.
JERRY STACKHOUSE IS A 38 YEAR OLD SHOOTING GUARD AND CAN STILL DUNK. I AIN’T GOTTA SAY NOTHIN BOUT NOTHIN EXCEPT THAT JERRY STACKHOUSE IS A 38 YEAR OLD SHOOTING GUARD AND CAN STILL DUNK. I DON’T CARE THAT HE MISSED EVERY CORNER 3. I DON’T CARE THAT HE HAD THE TEAM’S WORST PLUS-MINUS. JERRY STACKHOUSE IS 38 YEARS OLD AND CAN STILL DUNK. FORGET THE HATERS, JERRY STACKHOUSE, AND KEEP ON.
