NBA: Nets News

2008-11-26T14:05:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving, Nets fans!

2008-10-30T09:48:00.001-04:00

Make your voice heard! Vote for president on November 4th!

Happy Boss's Day!

2008-10-16T12:02:00.002-04:00

I'm pretty sure my boss had this exact conversation with the HR guy this week. Now that I think of it, maybe I shouldn't be mocking him on the office computer during work hours. Hmmm.

Random Brook Lopez Video

2008-07-07T21:50:00.001-04:00

Let's hear it for YouTube, the world's greatest time waster. I've been watching stuff like this for 2 hours now. Must. Stop. Watching.

Where is our site admin?

2008-02-14T14:27:00.002-05:00

I don't write as much as I should, I know. Fact is I'm too busy reading NetsInteractive.com to post stuff on my own. Their forum in particular is really active, and a good place for Nets fans.

Okay, I've admitted it! I feel better now.

Nets take on Cavs at home

2007-05-10T15:38:00.000-04:00

The Nets-Cavaliers series for the Eastern Conference semifinal continues Saturday at home. The Nets are trailing 2-0 in the series, whose first two games were played in Cleveland. One point of weakness was the Nets' inability to contain Cleveland's rebounding.

2007-01-16T16:10:00.000-05:00

I gotta say it--Mikki Moore is awesome with the New Jersey Nets. The ball just finds him on the court!

Nets Host the Warriors

2006-12-18T11:43:00.000-05:00

The New Jersey Nets will be hosting the Golden State Warriors tonight which will be a battle of below .500 teams. But the good news for the Nets is that they are only 1 game out of first place for their division behind the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics. The Atlantic division is in such sad shape it's embarrassing to watch. But it's not helpful to dwell only on the bad, so let's dwell on the good. Jason Kidd is averaging 13 points, 9.4 assists, and 8.7 rebounds per game. And last week he had a triple-double leading the Nets to a win against the Milwaukee Bucks. If the Nets are going to have a chance at all this season, Kidd will need to have many nights like that one.

Trying to Find Their Way

2006-12-11T11:33:00.000-05:00

The New Jersey Nets are still trying to find their way in this young season. They've lost 9 of their last 11 games. They couldn't even beat the Boston Celtics when they had a 16 point lead after the first quarter. And the amazing thing is that they lead their division despite being 7-12. I also want to take some time to talk about the 161-157 loss in double overtime to the Phoenix Suns. What an amazing game that was, I'm still thinking about it.

Kidd in the spotlight

2006-12-02T15:50:00.000-05:00

Increased scoring from Jason Kidd helped the New Jersey Nets end a long losing streak. Kidd scored 19 points as New Jersey snapped a six-game losing streak with a 106-103 win at Boston on Wednesday night. Kidd also added eight rebounds and nine assists, turning around a five game streak of scoring in single digits.

"There is no one we would rather have lead our team than Kidd,'' praised coach Lawrence Frank.

Up and Down with the Nets

2006-11-22T13:21:00.000-05:00

What a year this seems to be for the New Jersey Nets! We have a win, we have a loss--still, we don't want the consistency of a longer losing streak. Luckily, I think the pattern should signal that we're due for a win against the Portland Trail Blazers, who just beat us (badly, I'm afraid, as in 86-68) here last weekend.

There really is some good in having even a poor encounter fresh in your mind, and the Nets need to capitalize on what we picked up from that. And if we want to be consistent, let's hang tough in the final quarter, on defense as well as offense.

Nets’ Rookie Williams Looking Good

2006-10-27T12:14:00.000-04:00

I hear that the Portland Trailblazers’ Brandon Roy has Rookie of the Year nearly in the bag, and that’s before the NBA regular season has even started. I’ve got another candidate: New Jersey’s Marcus Williams. He looked great at both ends of the floor against the Celtics. (Who BTW we beat 109-107 .)

Ready for the Return of the NBA

2006-10-14T19:08:00.000-04:00

I can't believe the Nets will be back in action tomorrow. Too bad it's up in Toronto, and then we play in Boston. But we'll be back in Continental Airlines Arena in less that a week now. Gotta get me some Nets tickets for next Friday. Nothing but Nets!

Adams on board

2006-10-02T19:08:00.000-04:00

Second-round draftee Hassan Adams is expected to add energy to the team after earning a spot on First Team All-Pac-10. Although Adams spent most of his time at shooting guard at Arizona, Coach Frank foresees stints at both forward positions for Adams as well. As usual, the hope is that a fresh face can bring renewed vitality to the team. Currently recovering from his foot injury, he is still operating at less than full strength, but the expectation seems to be that he’ll be ready to go when the season kicks off.

The Nets could be there too. With just a little tweaking.

2006-06-10T23:37:00.000-04:00

Well the Miami Heat have made it past the Detroit Pistons and into the NBA Finals with the Dallas Mavericks. I really don’t know who to cheer for. On one hand I want the Miami Heat to win because they beat us and it hurts less when you get beat by the best. But the Dallas Mavericks have come a long way from being the losing-est team in the NBA and I really think they deserve a ring. I certainly believe that their young coach Avery Johnson deserves all the positive attention he is getting. All the Maverick players have grown under his leadership and have changed to better compliment the talents of their fellow players. Maybe I am just buying in to all the hype but I think they are the most well-rounded team in basketball right now.

I hope the New Jersey Nets can take a page out of the Avery Johnson handbook and make something happen next season. We have the talent. I’d like to see us playing with the synergy and speed the Dallas Mavericks are capable of.

Nets fall to Miami

2006-05-24T16:41:00.000-04:00

Well the New Jersey Nets put up a good fight but were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Miami Heat. I did not think we would loose four games in a row, but I guess it was for the best. I think we need to rework this team a bit before we are going to be championship material. What changes do you think we could make to make this Nets team wi\n a championship? Get rid of who? New coach? What?

I just can’t talk right now. Too nervous.

2006-05-14T21:29:00.000-04:00

Man – I haven’t written anything about the playoffs so far because I am afraid to jinx my team. The Nets have done really well and I am so excited for the Nets to have gotten this far but today’s 92-102 loss to the Heat got to me a little. The Heat now have home court advantage for game 5 and we are down 3-1. It has been done before so I believe we still have a chance to come back and that’s all I am saying.

I remember it like it was yesterday.

2006-04-18T21:23:00.000-04:00

The Nets are headed for fifty wins and the playoffs. I can’t wait to see the Nets battle it out with the best teams in the league. We may not be first but we are certainly not last and our record will hold up if our starters do. The last time we made it to 50 wins we also made it to the finals. Go Nets!

Nets surge to 40 and 28

2006-03-27T21:02:00.000-05:00

The New Jersey Nets won their eighth straight game on Sunday. We skunked the Pistons on the road in a low scoring defensive battle. Ben Wallace and the Pistons were looking for their 17^th home win and were denied in style by Vince Carter and the Nets. The final score was 79-74 with Carter walking away with 22 points to Jason Kidd’s 14 rebounds.

Can the Nets make it?

2006-02-28T11:38:00.000-05:00

The New Jersey Nets did not have a spectacular January of 2006, but this month they have all but made up for it with an impressive winning streak and some very strong defense. Despite the fact we lost to them, the Nets held the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs to under ninety points. With two months left what are our chances of making the playoffs?

It was a dark and stormy night.

2006-02-12T23:39:00.000-05:00

The New Jersey Nets win over the Milwaukee Bucks was a prime example of this team’s chemistry and skillful collaboration. The Nets had 32 assists for the game. Vince Carter and Jason Kidd led the charge and their aggressive intensity fed to the team. In their fervor the Nets forced 19 turnovers and the Bucks hardly challenged them

If you think that’s bad…

2006-01-30T12:31:00.000-05:00

I am the only New Jersey Nets fans who didn’t know but I just found out about the Vince Carter statue scandal. Apparently his mother donated a life-size sculpture of him to his Daytona Beach high school. I hope someone has told her that pride is still a sin.

Listening to a Jersey Beat

2006-01-22T00:55:00.000-05:00

Vince Carter didn’t have to do a thing after the first quarter of the New Jersey Nets game against the Boston Celtics. Of his 25 points, 18 were earned before the third quarter and every other Net player got juiced up by his intensity. It was like watching a really good band play. Each member feeds off the other using their different instruments with perfect timing to create one beautiful song that ebbs and flows.

Don’t Let Dallas Get those Rebounds

2006-01-14T20:15:00.000-05:00

Our loss to the Memphis Grizzlies was our worst game all season and lowest scoring. We put up only 69 points and star players had low numbers like Vince Carters 14 and Marc Jackson’s 10. The game was hard to watch and we got spanked but the team had an off day. When you win ten in a row you are entitled to a few losses. Hopefully they will be turning it around against the mighty Mavs in Dallas tonight. The key is going to be using an aggressive approach on offense and getting as many rebounds as we can grab.

Carter Takes Nets on Winning Streak

2006-01-07T20:09:00.000-05:00

Vince Carter is very much the best player on this team. He is the driving force that guides the New Jersey Nets and has been named the Eastern Conference Player of the week for games played in December. This is not a surprise because we have seen him play but now the rest of the country knows that he is hot right now. We can say for sure that he has made a difference because we have won eight games in a row and have turned this season around. We were up and down for quite some time and it is refreshing to be at the top now.

Nets Win Seven Consecutive Games

2005-12-29T18:52:00.000-05:00

The New Jersey Nets broke the Cleveland Cavaliers six game winning streak this week in their 96-91 victory. The only thing the Cavaliers had going for them was the expert play of LeBron James, but his 31 points were not enough to dominate the game without the help of the other players. We are on our way to play the Hawks, Magic, and Pacers in the next few days and our schedule be easy enough to extend our seven game winning streak. We beat the magic four games back and can certainly do it again. With Vince Carter on our side anything is possible. He is a powerhouse player and great defensive force.

Carter and the Nets Finish Orlando

2005-12-23T20:32:00.000-05:00

This has been an up and down season to say the least. It seems like we are going through winning and losing streaks like paper plates at a barbeque. We have extended this winning streak to four with our victory over Orlando 96-85 on their home court. Vince Carter had 32 points and seven rebounds for our New Jersey Nets. Jason Kidd played over 35 minutes on the court and had only 9 points and six rebounds but racked up six assists and played great defense for his part. Jefferson was impressive as well with 18 points and five rebounds. The star performer and producer of the game was Vince Carter.

Nets Reunion with Kenyon Martin

2005-12-16T17:58:00.000-05:00

With the New Jersey Nets losing three games in a row, I am worried about the team’s reunion with Kenyon Martin and the Nuggets on Friday. In our game against the Nuggets in November, five of our players scored in the double digits and we won 101-92. Jason Kidd performed well under pressure and led this team to the victory with grace and fire. Hopefully the Nets can focus on the game and won’t let the recent slump control their minds and affect the game. We are facing the Hawks and Cavaliers after the Nuggets so hopefully we can pull out some easy wins.

Nets Get Set with Free Agents

2005-12-09T13:47:00.000-05:00

The Nets are having a mediocre season. Some say they will be ok once the new players get used to Lawrence Frank’s system. We have signed a few players in the last few weeks. Scott Padgett, Jeff McInnis, Marc Jackson, Lamond Murray, and Linton Johnson have been added to the team’s roster and owner Rod Thorn now thinks we have the depth to become a winning team this season. Vince Carter needed some help out there and I am glad that the Nets management decided to make some changes. Can these new free agents really make the difference or are we doomed already?

Billups and Hamilton Bury Nets

2005-12-02T12:51:00.000-05:00

The Detroit Pistons came out strong and led early in the game. Vince Carter dominated the second quarter for the New Jersey Nets, but it wasn’t enough as the Pistons then had a 17-7 scoring run in the third quarter. Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups ruled for the Detroit Pistons and even with Vince Carter and Jason Kidd on the court we could not stop the duo from going to the net over and over. They are the reason the Pistons have the best record in the NBA. Let’s hope Vince Carter and the Jersey boys will have a better game against the Raptors, 76ers and Bobcats.

Kings Royal Victory over Nets

2005-11-25T13:50:00.000-05:00

The Sacramento Kings and Kevin Martin snatched victory over the New Jersey Nets two days after a loss to the Golden State Warriors. Vince Carter was out with a back strain and Jason Kidd and the others fell to the fired up Kings. We had the points and the rebounds to secure the win but Mike Bibby, Bonzi Wells and Brad Miller of the Kings dominated the score board. Nets coach Lawrence Frank believes we are a better team that the win loss ratio is showing but notes that we are consistently giving up way too many rival points in the third quarter. What can we do to turn this season around?

The Question

2005-06-09T19:32:00.000-04:00

Who is better Shaquille O’Neal or Wilt Chamberlin?

Now before anyone decides to answer this question, one should take time to think about it. To think about all the factors that comes into play.

For one I am not a big fan of Shaq but the man is very good at what he does and will some day join Wilt in the Basketball Hall of Fame. But consider it was two different eras and two different styles.

So what do you all think?

Don't Forget the Name

2005-06-01T13:15:00.000-04:00

When people think of the New Jersey Nets certain names come to mind. Such names include Jason Kidd and Vince Carter.

But does anyone know who 21-year-old Nenad Krstic is?

Well in the 2002 NBA Entry Draft he was selected as the 24th pick overall. The guy stands 7-feet tall weighing in at 240 pounds. Krstic’s assignment was to guard the most dominate player in NBA, the big man him self, Shaquille O’Neal. In doing so, Krstic made a name for himself holding Shaq to under his season average of points and rebounds. On top of that the kid was averaging 18.3 points a game as well as 7.5 rebounds.

“The sky’s the limit. He did a great job with Shaq and he’s 21 years old. He’s just going to get better. He’s the first one in the gym and the last to leave. He’s a workaholic.”-Captain Jason Kidd

So let the name be known. There is a new face in town, and he has come to play.

Something New

2005-05-26T13:13:00.000-04:00

Teams are always trying to improve themselves and always trying to cover every angle of the game. Well, the New Jersey Nets are not any different. In fact, the Nets have decided to improve an aspect of the game that would make the fans happy. The Nets hired an arena designer and developer, Michael Hallmark, to work on the new planned arena to be built in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 2008.

"Michael is the most innovative and successful arena designer in the field. He has established himself as a leader in trendsetting arena development worldwide. Michael's experience and deep understanding of sports arenas will help the Brooklyn Arena become one of the premier facilities in the world." - Nets owner Bruce Ratner

Under Heat

2005-05-23T13:35:00.000-04:00

The Nets failed to beat the Miami Heat at least one time this season and now the Nets are at home watching the playoffs on TV. The Nets do have a nice team still intact, so if they can hold this team together all they would need is another big man to complement Nenad Krstic, and they should have a pretty well rounded team next season.

KId to Second-Team

2005-05-16T15:23:00.000-04:00

from NBA.com

New Jersey Nets guard Jason Kidd has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. Kidd finished with a total of four First Team votes and 16 overall points in the voting, conducted by the league’s head coaches.

Krstic Named to NBA All-Rookie Second Team

2005-05-09T14:55:00.000-04:00

from the official site of the New Jersey Nets

Nets center Nenad Krstic has been named to the got milk? NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Krstic, who underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, led the Second Team honorees with seven first-place votes and 30 points in the voting, conducted by the league's head coaches. Joining Krstic on the Second Team were Josh Smith and Josh Childress of Atlanta, Jameer Nelson (Orlando) and Al Jefferson (Boston). The First Team consisted of Emeka Okafor (Charlotte), Dwight Howard (Orlando), Ben Gordon (Chicago), Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia) and Luol Deng (Chicago). The last Net to make the All-Rookie team was Richard Jefferson (Second Team-2001-02).

Game 1

2005-04-25T14:35:00.000-04:00

Richard Jefferson is back and had nine points, three boards and two assists in his 23 minutes against the Miami Heat in the Nets first playoff series this post-season. Vince Carter posted up 27 points, 10 rebounds along side eight assists as the Nets lost to the Miami Heat yesterday in game one 98-116. Seemingly enough Carter’s effort wasn't enough as the Heat’s Wade and O’Neal dominated in the backcourt.

The Playoff Push

2005-04-12T15:01:00.000-04:00

Vince Carter is defiantly out to prove something, The Nets Knew in acquiring Carter he would bring many things to the table so to speak. Prince Vince outscored the Boston Celtics in the 1st quarter alone.

The first 24 points in the 1st quarter were just a build up to the 99-86 victory over the Celtics. Carter was on his way to a career best game, but fell sort of his 51 point performance against Phoenix in 2000. Carter still had 45 points and Jason Kidd had a season high 17 assists and Nenad Krstic had 17 points of his own.

"That's the beauty of being a teammate of Vince; you see that in practice all the time.” No Kidd, tell us how you really feel (sarcasm) about your teammate Vince.

The Nets are now (38-39) and have at least five games left to play. And down this stretch it is possible to surpass Philadelphia or Cleveland for that 8 seed in the playoffs representing the Eastern Conference.

"If everybody is together and everybody is focused, we're a pretty tough team to beat," Carter said. "From the time I woke up until game time, the same thing ran through my head. I wanted to make sure everyone was in it. With a team like Boston, it's important for us to play our best basketball early."

Nets' last run dooms Pacers

2005-03-24T15:51:00.000-05:00

by the Associated Press, from ESPN.com

Just in time for the stretch run, the New Jersey Nets have put together their longest winning streak of the season.

The Nets won their fifth straight game Tuesday night, getting 33 points from Vince Carter and outplaying the Indiana Pacers in the fourth quarter of a 98-91 victory.

"Since I've been a Net, it's never been about how you start, it's how you finish the marathon," Jason Kidd said. "Right now we're playing our best basketball, but at the same time we have a lot more to give and also to learn, and we look forward to that challenge."

Rookie center Nenad Krstic scored seven of his 15 points during a 14-2 run that put the Nets in control midway through the final period, and Carter and Travis Best provided enough offense the rest of the way to give New Jersey a sweep of their back-to-back set against the Pacers.

The Nets gained a game on Indiana, which began the night in seventh place in the East, and moved within one game of Philadelphia for eighth place.

With 14 games remaining, the Nets' playoff hopes are very much alive.

Not bad for a team that began the season by losing 11 of 13 games, then lost Richard Jefferson for the season.

"It's kind of hard to put it in perspective because at the start of the season we had a totally different team," coach Lawrence Frank said. "We've had this group for a while and we're making strides. We've obviously had some highs and some lows, and I think now what we're in search of is consistency, and we're starting to see that."

Stephen Jackson scored 23 points for Indiana, but was limited down the stretch because of foul trouble. He complained bitterly after drawing his sixth foul while trapping Best in the backcourt with 1:10 left, and Best knocked down both free throws for a 95-87 lead.

Reggie Miller added 18 points and Austin Croshere 15 for Indiana.

Kidd had 16 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for New Jersey, while Carter surpassed 30 points for the fourth time in five games and the 16th time since the Nets acquired him from Toronto.

"It's been an interesting couple of games to see the level of intensity and level of focus we've found," Carter said. "We have the mentality (to be a playoff team), we just now have to finish the job."

The game meandered along for the first three quarters, the slow pace being set in the first period when the referees whistled 19 fouls leading to 29 free throws. Indiana held the lead most of the way, but New Jersey went ahead briefly in the third quarter and trailed just 70-68 entering the fourth.

Krstic scored on a jump hook for a 78-78 tie with 6:21 left, and the Nets went on the fast break moments later when Miller appeared to be hacked on a drive but no foul was called.

Carter missed a layup but tipped in his own miss to put New Jersey ahead for good, Kidd followed with a 3-pointer and Carter hit a jump hook to complete the 14-2 run and give the Nets an 87-80 lead.

"It's a big loss at this point in the season," Croshere said. "We definitely wanted to come back and even the score."

Embarrassing

2005-03-06T15:23:00.000-05:00

The Orlando Magic embarrassed the New Jersey Nets 105-81 Saturday night in New Jersey.

Ouch!

Vince Carter did his best by leading New Jersey with 20 points, and FYI, that was his 18th straight game that he has scored 20 plus points. It seemed though that Carter was the only that showed up to play for the Nets.

Think about this stat; Orlando 63.9 shot percent in comparison to New Jersey 31.1 shot percent. You could see the loss coming after New Jersey missed 11 of its first 13 shots of the game.

Kidd was not any help, which is odd. Kidd just couldnt get going, and left during the third quarter after committing five fouls. Kidd with his uncharacteristic play only shot 2 out of 10 with 4 assist.

Not done Yet

2005-02-20T19:11:00.000-05:00

We are 23-30 and still 4 games behind the division leading Boston Celtics. Which puts me at awe consider we have players like Kidd and Carter. It is not surprising to me in the Atlantic Division, but lets just face it, the east is has been some what non-existent this season... With the exception of Miami.

Milestone

2005-02-08T19:08:00.000-05:00

Vince Carter is something else. He must like it New Jersey. In last night game he scored 43 points. Now, this is special for two reasons.

Well for one, in those 43 points Vince Carter scored has 10,000 points in his career, and it was the first time since 1978 that a Nets player scored 40 plus points in back to back games..

In the game Vince had an additional season high 14 boards and helped his team to win an over time battle against the Atlanta Hawks.

All about Vince

2005-01-30T16:22:00.000-05:00

New Jersey accomplished a successful back-to-back road set after defeating the Utah Jazz 99-82 on Saturday night.

And it was all about Carter, as he went 5-for-5 from 3-point range and his second straight 30 point game for the Nets. Carter also had 10 assists and was just 2 rebounds short from a triple double. Whoa!

Carter wasn’t the main reason for the win; Utah only shot 38 percent from the field so I am sure that helped.

Bye-bye Loosing Streak

2005-01-18T13:06:00.000-05:00

The good new is that the New Jersey Nets broke a 4 game loosing streak and broke a 5 game road hiatus with a sweep of the Atlanta Hawks last night.

The bad news is that I am not sure if the Nets should have won the 85-84 contest between these two Eastern teams. Through out the game the Nets only shot 39 percent which is equivalent to 32 of 82 shots, and the Nets where also out-rebounded 52 to 38 by the Hawks.

Seems like Kidd and Carter owe a thank you to Atlanta's All-Star, Antoine Walker for playing so poorly. The Nets regardless one and need to make turn this season around with all that talent.

Not Looking Good

2005-01-11T19:12:00.000-05:00

It is hard to believe through the outcome of this season so far that our New Jersey Nets are the three time defending Atlantic Division Champions. It will be hard to regain that crown this year as we sit with a 12-21 record.

And adding insult to injury...

Wait, rewind...

And adding injury to insult, the Nets leading scorer Richard Jefferson is out for the rest of the season. Jefferson will have surgery on his ruptured ligament in his left wrist in a few weeks, after foul that was committed by Detroit's Chauncey Billups.
``This is a tough blow,Richard, in my mind, he's an All-Star player this year. You could depend on him as a guy who has played great for us. He's a guy who plays hurt and cares about his teammates. He's the kind of teammate everyone wants. It's a tough loss.'' - Rod Thorn

Nets - Knicks a rivarly that never sleeps

2005-01-02T15:52:00.000-05:00

Stephon Marbury had 31 points and 8 assits.

But that still wasn't enough to stop the Kidd and his new best friend Vince Carter from taking away Marbury spotlight. Im sure Carter doesn't mind his new point guard either.
"It is fun (playing with him)," Carter said of Kidd. "He puts you in positions to succeed and all you have to do is make it. He makes it easier for everyone."

Carter also got a taste of the New York - New Jersey rivarly for the first time.

Nets-Raptors Preview

2004-12-19T16:42:00.000-05:00

from Foxsports.com

STANDINGS: Nets - 4th place, 4{ GB, Atlantic Division. Raptors - 5th place, 5 GB, Atlantic Division.

PROBABLE STARTERS: Nets - F Jefferson, F Brian Scalabrine, C Jason Collins, G Kidd, G Rodney Buford. Raptors - F Morris Peterson, F Chris Bosh, C Loren Woods, G Jalen Rose, G Rafer Alston.

TEAM LEADERS: Nets - Jefferson, 21.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 4.2 apg. Raptors - Rose, 14.9 ppg; Bosh, 7.3 rpg; Alston, 6.6 apg.

SEASON SERIES: Nets, 1-0.

LAST MEETING: Dec. 6; Nets, 88-86. At East Rutherford, N.J., Kidd made his season debut and assisted on Jefferson's winning basket with 7.1 seconds left. Carter led Toronto with 22 points, but missed a potential tying layup at the buzzer.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Nets - 2-8 on the road; Raptors - 6-4 at home.

INJURIES: Nets - C Jabari Smith (ankle); G Zoran Planinic (hand); G Ron Mercer (knee). Raptors - C Rafael Araujo (back); F Pape Sow (knee); G Alvin Williams (knee).

Nets Acquire Five-Time NBA All-Star Vince Carter

2004-12-19T16:39:00.000-05:00

from the official site of the New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets have acquired five-time NBA All-Star guard/forward Vince Carter from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for center Alonzo Mourning, center/forward Aaron Williams, forward Eric Williams and two first round draft picks, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today.

“We are very excited to add a player of Vince's caliber to the Nets roster,” said Thorn. “He is a proven All-Star who brings a unique dynamic to any team of which he is a member. Vince's ability to run the floor fits in very well with our desired style of play, and his ability to create his own shot will elevate the productivity of our halfcourt offense.”

Five-time NBA All-Star Vince Carter comes to the Nets with career numbers of 24.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.33 spg and 1.03 bpg in 403 games over seven NBA seasons. The 6’6” guard/forward was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 2001, the All-NBA Third Team in 2000, was the NBA Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie First Team in 1999 and was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team in each of the past five seasons. Carter has been voted as a starter in the All-Star Game for the past four seasons (did not play in 2002 due to injury) and is currently the leading vote getter among Eastern Conference forwards (619,959) for selection to the 2005 All-Star Game. A member of Team USA, Carter won gold in both the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, as well as the 2003 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico. In 20 games with the Raptors this season, Carter has averages of 15.9 ppg and 3.3 rpg.

Mourning, who signed with New Jersey as a free agent on July 16, 2004, has played in a total of 30 games with the Nets, averaging 9.4 ppg 7.4 rpg. After playing in 12 games during the 2003-04 season, Mourning was forced to stop playing basketball due to focal glomerulosclerosis. Mourning then underwent kidney transplant surgery on December 19, 2003, causing him to miss the remainder of the 2003-04 season. In his comeback this season, Mourning played in 18 games with New Jersey, averaging 10.4 ppg and 7.1 rpg while shooting 45.3% from the field and ranking ninth in the NBA with 2.28 bpg. In his 12th NBA season, Mourning posts career marks of 19.8 ppg 9.6 rpg and 2.96 bpg over 652 games. Mourning is a seven-time NBA All-Star, a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and has earned First Team All-NBA honors once, Second Team All-NBA honors once and First Team All-Defensive honors twice.

Aaron Williams played in 336 games with New Jersey after signing as a free agent on August 10, 2000. In his four-plus years with the Nets, Aaron averaged 7.2 ppg and 4.7 rpg. Currently in his 11th NBA season, Williams has career averages of 6.5 ppg and 4.2 rpg while shooting 49.1% from the field in 576 games played.

Eric Williams signed with the Nets on August 6, 2004. In just 21 games with New Jersey, Eric was second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.6 ppg while pulling down 4.5 rpg and shooting 47% from the field. Currently in his 10th NBA season, Williams holds career numbers of 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 575 games played.

The two first round selections sent to Toronto were originally acquired from Denver as part of a trade made this past summer. The draft picks include Philadelphia’s first round pick in 2005, protected 1-8 or 2006, protected 1-5 or 2007, unprotected and Denver’s first round pick in 2006, protected 1-5, 2007, protected 1-2, 2008, unprotected.

Nets-Cavaliers Preview

2004-12-07T17:49:00.000-05:00

by the Associated Press, from Foxsports.com

GAME: New Jersey Nets (5-12) at Cleveland Cavaliers (11-6).

TIME: Tuesday, 7 p.m. EST.

No player has meant more to the New Jersey Nets than Jason Kidd.

With their floor leader healthy and back in the lineup, the Nets look to win their season-high third straight game as they visit LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Gund Arena.

Kidd made his season debut Monday, assisting on Richard Jefferson's game-winning jumper from the lane with 7.1 seconds left as the Nets edged the Toronto Raptors 88-86.

After sitting out the season's first 16 games while recovering from left knee surgery, Kidd had 10 points, six rebounds and three assists in 21 minutes with the Nets limiting his playing time.

The Nets went just 4-12 without their All-Star point guard, who has led the team to two NBA Finals appearances and three straight Atlantic Division titles since arriving in New Jersey in 2001.

The Nets trailed 78-73 when Kidd returned to the game with 5:54 to play. His 3-pointer with 1:56 remaining tied the game at 84-84, setting up his last-second heroics on the feed to Jefferson.

"Watching a lot of basketball, watching the great shooters like Ray Allen, they don't think, they just shoot," Kidd said. "When you start to think about maybe passing, that's when your brain might get in the way of the shot. My new philosophy is just let it go.

Jefferson finished with 26 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for New Jersey, which is still in last place in the Atlantic Division, but only 3{ games out of first.

"It was a whole different feeling when he was out there," Nets forward Eric Williams said of Kidd. "We got the ball up and down the floor, and the game just looked a whole lot better."

New Jersey has now won two in a row and three of their last four games since a season-high nine-game slide.

Cleveland has won five of seven to move a game ahead of Indiana for first place in the Central Division. The Cavs boast a 7-1 record at home this season.

It's still very early in the season, but James is enjoying his team's first-place status.

"I'd rather be in first than last," he said. "It's good to get off to such a good start."

The 6-foot-8 swingman leads the Cavs with 25.1 points and 6.5 assists per game.

James had 27 points, 10 assists and six rebounds as Cleveland beat the Raptors 105-97 on Saturday. Drew Gooden added 27 points with 15 rebounds and Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 21 and 13 as Cleveland won its seventh straight at Gund Arena.

STANDINGS: Nets - 5th place, 3{ GB, Atlantic Division. Cavaliers - 1st place, Central Division.

PROBABLE STARTERS: Nets - F Williams, F Jason Collins, C Alonzo Mourning, G Jefferson, G Kidd. Cavaliers - F James, F Gooden, C Ilgauskas, G Jeff McInnis, G Ira Newble.

TEAM LEADERS: Nets - Jefferson, 21.1 ppg, 8.4 rpg and 4.1 apg. Cavaliers - James, 25.1 ppg and 6.5 apg; Gooden, 10.2 rpg.

2003-04 SEASON SERIES: Nets, 2-1.

LAST MEETING: March 27; Cavaliers, 107-104. At Cleveland, James had 41 points and 13 assists to help end the Cavs' four-game losing streak. Jefferson led New Jersey with 35 points.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Nets - 1-6 on the road; Cavaliers - 7-1 at home.

INJURIES: Nets - G Awvee Storey (hamstring); G Zoran Planinic (hand); G Ron Mercer (knee). Cavaliers - F Anderson Varejao (knee); F Luke Jackson (knee).

Blazers Claw Past Nets

2004-11-29T11:07:00.000-05:00

from NBA.com

The Portland Trail Blazers and New Jersey Nets threatened NBA records for futility.

The teams recorded the second-lowest first quarter in NBA history and tied the record for fewest combined points in the first half in the Trail Blazers' 83-71 victory.

The first quarter ended with the Nets - who have lost nine straight games - holding a 10-9 lead. Only Fort Wayne and Syracuse in Nov. 1956 combined for fewer points in an opening 12 minutes, when they were tied 9-9.

"It wasn't pretty out there for a while," Portland forward Zach Randolph said. "You've just gotta try and stay aggressive until a rhythm gets going."

The Nets and Trail Blazers then tied a more recent record with 55 points combined at the half.

Portland held a 30-25 lead at the break, matching the 55 points that San Antonio and Houston combined for on Dec. 11 of last season.

After struggling to find any offense in the first half, the teams combined to score 47 points in the third as Portland opened a 56-46 lead heading into the fourth.

"This game was ugly," Trail Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks said. "It continued to stay that way until we started making some shots and that changed the game."

New Jersey scored six points in the first 1:15 of the second half to take a 31-30 lead on Alonzo Mourning's jump hook with 10:45 left in the third. But Portland went on a 16-1 run to take control of the game.

"We came out real strong in the third, made a couple of easy shots, but we couldn't sustain our energy," said Nets guard Travis Best, who made just his second start of the season and scored 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting. "They got it going a little and we couldn't catch up."

"We just started moving the ball around a little bit faster and quit lagging around," Portland guard Derek Anderson said. "Once you knock down a couple shots, it can change the whole momentum just like that."

Anderson and Shareef Abdur-Rahim combined to score 13 points in Portland's third-quarter spurt. Anderson scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half and Abdur-Rahim added 12 of his 17 in the final two quarters.

Randolph posted a double-double for the winners, scoring 23 points and snaring 15 boards.

"It's easy to get rebounds when there are so many shots being missed," said Randolph, who had 11 points and 13 rebounds at the half. "Making and missing shots is contagious. Once we started hitting, things got a lot easier."

New Jersey forward Richard Jefferson scored 20 points but was just 3-of-13 shooting going into the fourth quarter.

The Nets have not won since a 64-60 triumph over Portland on Nov. 9, and things seem to be getting worse.

"Pretty disappointed," Nets center Alonzo Mourning said. "Guys are content with losing. We've got to find some sort of electric resolve, something to get us out of this."

"We've got nowhere to go except back to New Jersey," a somber Nets coach Lawrence Frank said after being asked where the team goes from here. "We've just gotta find a way to put it together for 48 minutes and that's not being done."

Sides Can't Agree to Financial Terms

2004-11-09T16:42:00.000-05:00

by Associated Press, from ESPN.com

Uncertain of how long he'll be able to play after having a kidney transplant, Alonzo Mourning has asked the New Jersey Nets about a contract buyout so he could go to a team with a better chance of winning.

But Nets president Rod Thorn said Friday night the sides are so far apart "it's a dead issue."

"All I can do is continue to try and do what I do best, that's play the game of basketball," Mourning said before the Nets' game against the Chicago Bulls. "I'm willing to sacrifice a ton of money in order to continue to do this somewhere else. Evidently they don't see it as an appropriate number for them. They want more."

The Nets signed Mourning to a four-year, $22.6 million guaranteed contract in July 2003. But he played only 12 games before retiring Nov. 24 because of complications from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a kidney disease that was first diagnosed in 2000.

Mourning had a kidney transplant last Dec. 19 and then announced he was going to play this season.

"There are a lot of people out there who are a whole lot less fortunate than I am, who had to go through the same situation and weren't as successful. They're on dialysis, waiting for a transplant," Mourning said. "This season is for them. I dedicate this season to them."

But the 34-year-old Mourning doesn't know how much playing time he has left. Though he said the only pain he feels is "typical game soreness," the All-Star center knows any game could be his last and he wants to win a championship. That's unlikely to happen with the Nets, who overhauled the team that lost to Detroit in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Kenyon Martin and Kerry Kittles were traded for draft picks, and Jason Kidd is starting the season on the disabled list.

So Mourning approached Thorn a few weeks ago about a buyout. There's been speculation he could sign with the Miami Heat, his old team, if a deal can be reached.

"Right now, the best situation because of the unpredictable possible future of this particular disorder is me being in a situation where I can win," Mourning said. "I want a situation where the odds are greater for me to win. I didn't want to be a part of any rebuilding. I wasn't expecting to come back to this."

Neither Mourning nor Thorn would get into specifics, but the New York Daily News reported that Mourning has more than $17 million left on his contract and the sides are millions apart.

"From my understanding, one of reasons they didn't want me to come back was to eliminate my salary off the cap," Mourning said. "Knowing that I'm coming back and knowing that I'm adamant about playing and that's not going to work in their favor ... why don't we come to an agreement that, 'Yeah you're not going to save all of that money, but you're going to save some of it.' Why don't we come to an agreement where both sides are happy?

"Yeah, I'm going to take a loss," Mourning added. "But my chances of winning will be better somewhere else. At same time, you won't have to pay X amount of dollars over the three years. You'll play less than X amount of dollars over three years."

But Thorn said he won't do anything if it's not in the Nets' best interests.

"We had conversations, there was a big difference of opinion and that has not been bridged whatsoever, so it's a dead issue as far as I'm concerned," Thorn said. "It appears to me he has a chance to be a productive player. For us just to pay a premium for a buyout for a player that can help us ... it's not going to happen."

While Mourning said he is still hopeful a deal can be reached, he won't allow it to become a distraction.

"I do know that I have a contractual obligation to adhere to," he said. "With that said, every time I step out on the court, I'm going to play to win and play up to those standards."

Knicks Notch Victory Over Mavs

2004-10-25T15:01:00.000-04:00

From NBA.com

NEW YORK, Oct. 24 (Ticker) -- Continuing to shine in the absence of Allan Houston, Jamal Crawford scored 22 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 102-86 preseason victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Crawford scored 12 points in the third period, including a pair of 3-pointers that pushed the lead to 64-49 with 7:43 left. He also recorded back-to-back steals late in the quarter and highlighted a fast-break basket for Penny Hardaway with a behind-the-back pass.

In six preseason games, Crawford has averaged 14.5 points. He was acquired from Chicago in a sign-and-trade deal, receiving $56 million over seven years.

Hardaway scored 14 points and Stephon Marbury chipped in 13 and eight assists for the Knicks.

Second-round pick Trevor Ariza added 12 points for New York, including a thrilling baseline dunk on 7-6 Shawn Bradley with 3:09 left.

Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry scored 17 points apiece and Jason Sasser added 14 for the Mavericks, who were held to just 12 points in the third quarter.

New Nets Blog

2004-08-12T17:23:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone, I'm just getting started here, so bear with me for a little while I get this all figured out. I'll be regularly posting this season, so be sure and come back!