Chunk Up The Deuce
Sunday, February 17, 2008
David Stern has been crying for two years over the dust-up with the Sonics' lease at their Seattle arena, and it looks like, in his "State Of The League" address, that he is still crying. My thing is like, OK, the Supersonics are set to bounce out of Seattle over monies owed/lost with their arena - instead of trying to persuade them and come to deals and what not, why not just find a new city? The Las Vegas Supersonics has a nice ring to it. Who knows.
I just wish they'd sort it out and shut up about it.
Posted bykhal at 2:13 PM 0 comments
Labels: Seattle Supersonics
Nets Notes (15th Jan. 2008)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
- It looks like Kiki Vanderweghe was Knicks bound (or, he WANTED to be Knicks bound) before signing with New Jersey; I guess it's OK, though, we should be Brooklyn-ized in a few.
- Even though Richard Jefferson missed a shootaround on the 4th of Jan. due to flu-like symptoms, he played (and added 28 points) in our 102-96 win over Charlotte at home. Jason Kidd dropped his 8th triple double of the season, and Vince Carter came correct with 30 points. We struggle during the entire first half, with 33% from the field, but turned up the pressure come 3rd quarter and kept the Bobcats trailing for the majority of the 2nd half. Josh Boone started that game, and had a solid 12 point/9 board performance, and we also got 11 points from Nachbar coming off the bench.
- We got our 5th win in a row at the hands of the Hawks; a 113-107 win in Atlanta isn't really a gigantic triumph, and we pretty much just played to our strengths (Vince & RJ dropping 20+ points, Kidd rocking ANOTHER triple-double, Sean Williams, Boone and Nachbar each coming with double-digit points, etc.); there was a scare with RJ "tweaking" his knee, but he still finished the game and played solidly - exams from the Nets' team doctor came out negative for any serious injury, thank God.
- Billy Thomas got waived, which was no surprise as he added no impact to the Nets whatsoever. Malik Allen was given an non-guaranteed deal as well; with his recent recovery from a sore back, we'll see how this pans out.
- What was really good with ESPN harping on Kidd's mustache? The man is doing the damn thing - let him be.
- The bad thing about the Nets and win-streaks is that they end up getting broken by teams you wouldn't expect, like the Bobcats, who came to the IZOD and got their revenge, with a 115-99 win. Kidd got another triple double, but the rest of the team was lukewarm. Carter, who had been on something of a hot-streak of his own, only recorded 17 points, and as a team we trailed the Bobcats in boards, assists, FG %, FT %, treys and a few other categories. When we're on, we're on, but when we're off, we might as well not show up.
- We turned things around on the 9th, where we hosted the Sonics, and ended up coming out with a double-digit win, 99-88, with Jason Kidd allowing the team to coast on through the entire game. Durant got held to 15 points, and Kidd didn't get a triple-double (I guess a double-double will do), but we got the job done, period. Easy win...
- My boy Byron Scott got interviewed, and expressed that he is still bitter over being fired by the Nets. I am, too. He was the man when the Nets got Jason Kidd and scorched the East a few years back. I miss that dude.
- Word is Jason Kidd is having another baby? Hopefully this baby isn't as big-headed as TJ is! I keed, I keed.
- The heads who were beefing with Bruce Ratner over the Atlantic Yards project (AKA the Brookyln Nets' home) got their case dismissed. I've never been to Brooklyn before, but I think I might make the trek if/when the Nets move.
- I hated watching this Nets vs. Celtics game from Jan. 11th, for I was shocked that we came out the box so sharp. How the hell did we only score 9 points in the fourth?! And 14 in the 2nd? Kidd got another double-double, but the way we were scoring (or not scoring), it didn't matter. Then again, these are the Celtics - it's not like we got superwaxed by Miami or something! Low-scoring final: 86-77.
- NetsDaily pointed out a wild Catch-22 situation that both Nenad Krstic and Marcus Williams are in: while both need to get back on the court to not only build up their confidence, but sharpen their skills, the Nets cannot afford to fumble games on their road to above .500. For the time being, M. Will won't be D-League bound, but now is not the time to lose a game over either of these cats. Maybe post-All-Star break will bring them more burn.
- Which brings us to last night's embarrassing loss to Portland, 99-73(!?!?!??!!?!?!??!). Malik Allen got 17 points and 8 boards, but with Kidd/Carter/Jefferson only combining for 7 for 33 from the field, it didn't matter. We lookedl ike suckers from the start, like we'd have rather played this game on another day. If we're looking to be a serious contender, we need to be on every night. We split the 6 games played in the last week, and either looked phenomenal or stunk like hot garbage. How can we turn this around? Total commitment. If not, the playoffs will just be a memory.
We have a chance to do some solid work, and the young guys who need to be molded to perform at top-quality, game in and game out. This sometime-y nonsense doesn't cut the mustard, nor does it win games. Keep building, Nets!
Posted bykhal at 10:05 AM 0 comments
Labels: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, NJ Nets, Portland Trailblazers, recap, Seattle Supersonics
Still waiting on that "B" 8-13
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Yeah, I've been away from providing the bulls recaps, but that's kind of by design. You see, we're creeping up on finally reaching .500 for the season and every time it looks like we're about to reach that mark we catch a head-scratching L.
Immediately following our victory over the Pistons we faced the Boston Juggernauts, I mean Celtics. Their Big 3 didn't really go off on us, but the supporting cast for the C's stepped up and drilled a spike in our collective hearts. When you've got Rajon Rondo going off on your back court you know you're in for a long night. Needless to say, we became another notch on the belt of Boston.
Lucky for us, we got a chance to face a team that we had a solid chance of beating in the Seattle Supersonics. Those kids in Seattle are young and haven't had the best season in the world but Kevin Durant has shown flashes of greatness. Unfortunately, we weren't having any of that ish and stomped them out for our biggest win of the season. Ben Gordon started off on fire and never looked back. Four out of five starters reached double figures and helped pace the bulls win.
Would the momentum carry over into the next game? Well, for about a quarter and a half we looked awesome against the new millenium Jailblazers. Halfway through the second quarter, the Pacers decided to lock and load and blast us out of their building. Yeah, I know. Tyrus Thomas also decided it would be a fine time for him to get back in Scott Skiles' dog house by getting ejected from the game after a brief scuffle with Troy Murphy. 
The game turned into another fine collapse out from the bulls and showed just how far we have to go as a team.
Friday night was a chance at redemption. We could either sink to new lows, or redeem ourselves from both blowing the Pacers game and losing to the Knicks a few weeks back. Fortunately, Luol Deng came to play last night as he dropped 29 points and pulled down 10 boards. 
Kirk Hinrich stepped it up in a MAJOR way, notching his second career triple double - 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists. Nice. Nocioni was solid off the bench with 17 points. We got bruised on the inside as Zach Randolph rumbled to 27 points and 15 rebounds, while Fred Jones dropped in 22 points together with Jamal Crawford's 18. Solid performances from the Knicks weren't enough to knock of the bulls at the U.C. Unfortunately, we almost blew this game as well and late-game free throws from Kirk saved the day. So far to go...
Next on the schedule are the Lakers on Tuesday, the Wizards on Wednesday, and the Celtics on Friday.
Posted byEnigmatik at 8:36 AM 0 comments
Labels: Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, recap, Seattle Supersonics
Respect My Streak
Monday, November 26, 2007
I hate to say I told you so...
My Nets, after beating Portland right before Turkey day, kept the ball rollin', grabbing wins over both the Sonics and last night's 102-100 win over the Lakers (who've slipped to 3 loses in a row), WITH Kobe Bryant putting up 31 points. RJ came up with 27 points, followed by Carter dropping 19. Hell, Bostjan Nachbar dropped 9 of his 15 in the 4th quarter. J. Kidd rounded the stats out with a solid double-double, and we overcame a pretty sad first half to capitalize on the Lakers' misfortune and pull it out.
Good to see Sean Williams getting his props - although he only had 6 points, he tied Kidd with 7 boards last night. I love that presence in the paint. We've always needed a banger and a scorer, and with Vince back, our package looks like it's wrapped and ready to be opened come playoff time. One bad thing to see is Nenad Krstic. NetsDaily has some choice links to some articles describing his situation. I describe it like this: bench dude until he gets better. I won't say get rid of him as of yet (he can be a beast when he's healthy and full of fire), but 2 months on the bench, while "giving him a taste" from time to time doesn't seem like a proper assessment. It just feels like a waste right now. I can only hope he does return to proper form, because if he is off, I will be the first one signing that petition to get him out of New Jerz.
In any case, I am very happy that my Nets are not in their rut anymore... but this being the Eastern Conference, things can change in an instant. I hope we can ride this wave a bit longer...
Posted bykhal at 12:46 PM 0 comments
Labels: Los Angeles Lakers, NJ Nets, Portland Trailblazers, recap, Seattle Supersonics
