[JD’s_TimberpuppiesParticipant]

I really have to give it to them for the professionalism they have exhibited in playing so much better as of late.  I by no means think this team has any chance of competing, they have a very good chance of making the playoffs however.  For them to be in the rut they were in and take it upon their selves to play better and show some pride is impressive I’m sure Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce played a role in this.  I’m sure Kevin has had thoughts of wishing he would have just retired.  Rather than complain about it he has instilled his own pride into the rest of this team.  It’s refreshing to see this as us fans are the ones making these guys rich and the product they were putting out on the court for the first two months was unacceptable.  I also really like the improved play of Alan Anderson and Shaun Livingston.  They really have solidified themselves as key rotational players for a few years to come.  I am especially happy for Anderson as he went to high school here in Minneapolis at De La Salle which is most likely were my daughter will go when the time comes.  They perennially have a power house girls and boys basketball programs.  Anderson spent a lot of time in Europe working on his game and didn’t give up and it has look to pay off.  I also give a lot of credit to Livingston not giving up after all the serious knee injuries.  Jason Kidd in his first year of coaching has been far from perfect making his fair share of mistakes (knock my drink over) etc.  With as difficult as this first year has been it really could build some much needed experience for him.  Unfortunately for the Nets the salary cap situation is quite messy, which is unfortunate for a team in a new arena and city.  I ask you Nets fans what can they do to hopefully clean up this financial mess to help them continue to build a good team?  Kg and Pierce retiring will help for starters.

[JD’s_TimberpuppiesParticipant]

As I’m watching this game I actually think they could be even a little better than I thought.  If Deron Williams can stay healthy they actually could make some noise.  I really like Joe Johnson as a primary scorer.  I think Paul Pierce getting more time with the second unit and being the scorer for that unit would be the best plan.  Deron and Joe provide the primary scoring punch and Pierce should be the scorer when those two come out.  They have a lot of role players that contending teams covet.  Joe and Deron just need to be the main men if they want to go anywhere.

[JD’s_TimberpuppiesParticipant]

As I’m watching this game I actually think they could be even a little better than I thought.  If Deron Williams can stay healthy they actually could make some noise.  I really like Joe Johnson as a primary scorer.  I think Paul Pierce getting more time with the second unit and being the scorer for that unit would be the best plan.  Deron and Joe provide the primary scoring punch and Pierce should be the scorer when those two come out.  They have a lot of role players that contending teams covet.  Joe and Deron just need to be the main men if they want to go anywhere.

[Mr. HookShotParticipant]

 In Plumlee and Blatche they also have pretty good, versatile reserve big men as well

[Mr. HookShotParticipant]

 In Plumlee and Blatche they also have pretty good, versatile reserve big men as well

[Jester87Participant]

They seem to have turned the corner, they’re like 7-1 in january. They’re also playing good basketball, especially on offense, moving the ball really well. How many times have you seen them making extra passes and finding the open man on the corner today? Or changing the side with one pass for a good jumper? Ok, it’s a bit easier against the Knicks, they double team a lot against post ups (and they also allow many post ups mismatches) and they usually have to rush to get back on shooters to contest the jumpers, creating easy passing/driving lines. But they have done this also against better teams. They’re playing with a lot of weird lineups, creating any sort of problems to their opponents (like, Pierce spending many minutes at 4, or Kirilenko, very quick for other power forwards, or Teletovic, who can shoot and spread the floor). Funny thing they started playing better without both Lopez and Deron Williams. I have to say that may not be just a coincidence, now the only one who’s allowed to stop the ball and does it only on specific circumstances is Joe Johnson (and it doesn’t hurt the fact that he’s been on fire of late). Now the roles are well defined on offense and the ball moves a lot faster. It will be interesting to see if they can include Deron Williams in that game without compromising the chemistry they seem to have found. If they can (maybe trying some Deron Williams-Shaun Livingston super weird lineup, that would be fun) they can be really good, but obviously their ceiling is somewhat limited and not as high as it would’ve been if they somehow figure out how to make it work with all of their pieces

[Jester87Participant]

They seem to have turned the corner, they’re like 7-1 in january. They’re also playing good basketball, especially on offense, moving the ball really well. How many times have you seen them making extra passes and finding the open man on the corner today? Or changing the side with one pass for a good jumper? Ok, it’s a bit easier against the Knicks, they double team a lot against post ups (and they also allow many post ups mismatches) and they usually have to rush to get back on shooters to contest the jumpers, creating easy passing/driving lines. But they have done this also against better teams. They’re playing with a lot of weird lineups, creating any sort of problems to their opponents (like, Pierce spending many minutes at 4, or Kirilenko, very quick for other power forwards, or Teletovic, who can shoot and spread the floor). Funny thing they started playing better without both Lopez and Deron Williams. I have to say that may not be just a coincidence, now the only one who’s allowed to stop the ball and does it only on specific circumstances is Joe Johnson (and it doesn’t hurt the fact that he’s been on fire of late). Now the roles are well defined on offense and the ball moves a lot faster. It will be interesting to see if they can include Deron Williams in that game without compromising the chemistry they seem to have found. If they can (maybe trying some Deron Williams-Shaun Livingston super weird lineup, that would be fun) they can be really good, but obviously their ceiling is somewhat limited and not as high as it would’ve been if they somehow figure out how to make it work with all of their pieces

[HitsterParticipant]

 The Nets look to have turned a corner this month perhaps due to Jason Kidd having settled into the Head Coach role and getting AK-47 back has given them bench depth too. Even with Lopez out, the depth of this team should be above .500 and not below it. But the Nets are now in the play offs and will be looking to get above the psychological .500 as soon as possible and they will look to consolidate a play off birth and move up the standings.

They need to avoid Miami or Indiana in the first round of the play offs, if they do so they can get to the 2nd round but I’d not fancy them to beat one of those two in a best of 7 series.

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 The Nets look to have turned a corner this month perhaps due to Jason Kidd having settled into the Head Coach role and getting AK-47 back has given them bench depth too. Even with Lopez out, the depth of this team should be above .500 and not below it. But the Nets are now in the play offs and will be looking to get above the psychological .500 as soon as possible and they will look to consolidate a play off birth and move up the standings.

They need to avoid Miami or Indiana in the first round of the play offs, if they do so they can get to the 2nd round but I’d not fancy them to beat one of those two in a best of 7 series.

 

[JD’s_TimberpuppiesParticipant]

I really do think that Deron will help the squad being back.  They have a deep team, and a lot of the guys have an abnormal game.  It is going to take a lot of creativity on Jason Kidd’s part to maximize what they have and shorten up the rotation.  Here is what I see. 

Pg: D. Williams 36  mins

Sg: Joe Johnsons 36 mins

Sf: Alan Anderson 30 mins

Pf: Paul Pierce 32 mins

C: Kevin Garnett 28 mins

Bench: Livingston 32 mins

Blatche 32 mins

Telenovic 22 mins

Terry 22 mins

I think it is important for Livingston to remain playing a lot of minutes….he has been too good and his defense is really making an impact on this team.  The older vets need their minutes limited.  Blatche has to be the main big off the bench and play a lot because he is flat out a baller.  Terry and Telanovic can just shoot it, not much else but need to play some.  The key here is for how Kidd mixes and matches these guys.  I like Pierce playing a lot with the second team.

 

 

 

[JD’s_TimberpuppiesParticipant]

I really do think that Deron will help the squad being back.  They have a deep team, and a lot of the guys have an abnormal game.  It is going to take a lot of creativity on Jason Kidd’s part to maximize what they have and shorten up the rotation.  Here is what I see. 

Pg: D. Williams 36  mins

Sg: Joe Johnsons 36 mins

Sf: Alan Anderson 30 mins

Pf: Paul Pierce 32 mins

C: Kevin Garnett 28 mins

Bench: Livingston 32 mins

Blatche 32 mins

Telenovic 22 mins

Terry 22 mins

I think it is important for Livingston to remain playing a lot of minutes….he has been too good and his defense is really making an impact on this team.  The older vets need their minutes limited.  Blatche has to be the main big off the bench and play a lot because he is flat out a baller.  Terry and Telanovic can just shoot it, not much else but need to play some.  The key here is for how Kidd mixes and matches these guys.  I like Pierce playing a lot with the second team.

 

 

 

[King CaluchaParticipant]

 You know there are only 240 minutes available, right?

[King CaluchaParticipant]

 You know there are only 240 minutes available, right?

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I guess this is in case they go into 2OT?

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I guess this is in case they go into 2OT?

[Author]

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