Richard Jefferson is optimistic and remains so despite all of the Nets' troubles.
In the immortal words of former Indianapolis Colts' coach Jim Mora: "Playoffs? Don't talk about playoffs. Are you kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game."
The Nets were embarrassed by the Rockets on Monday, losing for the sixth straight time and ending this awful trip a demoralizing 0-5.
They missed 38-of-47 shots to start the game. They were down by 27 points in the third period and were the Rockets' 19th straight victim.
You're going to have games like that, but you would like to see a little more effort from a team that keeps saying they're playoff material. Competition aside, the last three games of the trip, against New Orleans, Dallas and Houston, were hardly competitive. Everyone is to blame for that from the coach on down.
Shooting has been a problem all season. The Nets need to go to the basket more, but when they did they either had their shot blocked by Dikembe Mutombo, lost the ball or missed the layup. But their overall effort and resilience remain concerns.
They return from this 0-5 trip to face the Cavaliers. With a loss will be 13 games under .500 for the first time since the 2000-01 season. This was pre-Jason Kidd, of course. Post-Kidd doesn't look too promising.
The post-Kidd Nets are 3-8 and four losses away from their first losing season since pre-Kidd, yet just one-half game out of the playoffs.
"We have all the opportunities in the world," Vince Carter said. "As bad as we played this week, we're still right in the picture. But we still have to win."
Playoffs?
i gave up in the first half of the game yesterday...
If they somehow manage to make the playoffs...then I might start watching the Nets again
Posted by: frustrated fron va | March 11, 2008 at 09:15 AM
What's the point in even making the playoffs? You have to be in it to have a chance, but let's be realistic. Boston will just roll over this lazy group of chuckers.
The Nets players understand this, which is why they are playing with no desire, motivation, or energy. There is literally nothing to pay for, except of couse the paycheck, but we all know how much the players care about earning their money.
This team isn't even watchable anymore. It's very sad. It's like it's 2000 again.
Posted by: joe | March 11, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Christ, the 1997-1998 team was more watchable than this!!
Posted by: Mr. Dollar Bills | March 11, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Resilient, no. Good, no. Somehow I still felt they showed some effort - at least VC and RJ. Perhaps I confused frustration with effort, but I felt they some effort, just none of it showed in results.
Jump shots, 20% first half, not closing on shooters, terrible inside offense, all problems we keep coming back to, amongst others, yet reared there ugly head yet again.
8th in the East. Sad, but true, its possible. After the last two games, one wonders how this team can beat anyone.
Posted by: mjs | March 11, 2008 at 04:44 PM
VC should get a job as press secretary to some politician. He has that uncanny ability to take repeated questions about complete failure with total aplomb and to lay out very sensible generalizations that totally ignore the complete failure. And he is just as credible.
Posted by: mt57 | March 11, 2008 at 06:14 PM
For the first time ever, I shut the game off at half-time. I think we all knew it would come to this, I just hope we get a good lottery pick. I still love these miserable Nets. I'm a fan, good times and bad times.
Posted by: Joanne | March 11, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Carter said. "As bad as we played this week, we're still right in the picture. I ask, WHAT FREAKING PICTURE are we in. I don't mind a loss IF WE COMPETE. Wince you scored what, 26 points in two games, Are you kiddin? HERE'S AN IDEA, ANYBODY WHO TAKES A JUMP SHOT IN THE NEXT GAME WILL BE FINED. EVERY SHOT, MUST BE A DRIVE TO THE BASKET. I bet we win that game
Posted by: Barry from Brooklyn | March 12, 2008 at 12:17 AM
this is expected people,the day kidd departed new jersey.
since the start of the season VC is having trouble with his shots, but still you can see that the assist and rebounds are up, jefferson he's been terrific this year.
then there's boone and sean willaims, and marcus can really play. we got harris and diop, we got curly back, sure look good on the offseason and next season for this team
this is all expected and ill be glad if we get to the playoffs atleast we know we can do it, the nets can do it even without j-kidd.
yah for sure the nets would not survive the celtics, but if we made to the playoffs and they beat celtics even for just one game. thatll be awesome considering what they went through this season.
so..win or lose...still nets!! baby!!!
Posted by: kaki | March 12, 2008 at 04:38 AM
It's difficult to drive the paint when there are 5 defenders stacked in there. Every team does this now because they know the Nets can't hit from the outside. There will be no change in prospects until the outside shot drops. That's a gamble that all the other teams are taking, and winning.
As boring as it seems, the most efficient offense was VC posted iso on the wing and driving or dishing. It slows the game to a crawl, but it works. Seeing RJ trying to "create" is a bad joke. RJ and DH will get a little breathing room for their shot if VC sets them up.
Posted by: LOTGfan | March 12, 2008 at 11:00 AM
LOTGfan, solid point. Maybe we should take that suggestion and forward it to Lawrence Frank, so he can find that play that he decided to bury within the many pages of his "Over 100 plays" playbook that currently has this team lighting up the scoreboard!!
Posted by: Mr. Dollar Bills | March 12, 2008 at 12:15 PM
can we start looking towards the draft now?
Posted by: frankied | March 12, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Stick a fork. They are done.
Posted by: paulvard | March 12, 2008 at 02:52 PM