Attacked the lane over and over again after a slow start, using the Nets’ flex-y and UCLA sets to his advantage. Found Brook Lopez on some really nice passes and, in what’s starting to become a trend and not an anomaly, hit his jumpers.
Started clowning as the game went on, hitting absurd isolation jumpers for no reason to extend the lead. Forced offense early, but when it falls, no one’s complaining. Got free for some nice spot-up looks from Deron Williams and Keith Bogans. If the Nets get this Joe Johnson every night, they are a dangerous squad.
Couple of nice shots but got frozen on pick-and-roll defense in bothersome ways. Calderon figured out his weakness: Lopez will step out to try to cut off the ballhandler, but if the ballhandler keeps moving past him, he won’t slide his feet to adjust to the defense — he’ll just freeze. That leaves a lane behind him wide open.
Other than that issue, Lopez with another excellent night both scoring and rebounding, particularly drawing contact close to the basket.
Was clearly hindered by his illness, but seemed to get stronger as the game went on, finishing shots in the lane, getting easy looks for dunks, and getting one huge block on a layup.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Nets play best when they have Keith Bogans on the floor with their best players. Found Joe Johnson for an open three, hit his corner 3, and snuck two quick fast-break layups.
Played some very good minutes off the bench early in the first half. With Jerry Stackhouse’s depressing inevitable slide, a minutes gulf has suddenly opened for Brooks, and he’s taking advantage.
All of the woofs. Got burned defensively by Alan Anderson and airballed an open corner three. I’m so sorry, Jerry.
Mirza Teletovic enters the game for the first time. Mirza Teletovic shoots a three immediately upon touching the ball for the first time. Mirza Teletovic hits the three. I’m just glad that last sentence is now applicable.
And it didn’t end there. He did everything — hitting threes, even driving the lane, getting blocked shots, striking fear into an opponent.. Teletovic has undoubtedly earned himself some more playing time with this performance. #Fearza
