Breaking Down the Schedule

As you know by now, the NBA schedule came out yesterday.

Knee deep in transcribing Vince and writing everything he said, I didn’t really look it over that closely at the time, just the important stuff: Where I would be for my wife’s birthday, Christmas, Valentine’s Day – all the important days – and then when Kidd comes back, Jefferson comes back, when the Celtics, Lakers and Cavs come in, etc.

Now I’ve gotten a chance to absorb it, booked some of my hotels. (Sorry, Gary, you’ll have to wait for me to e-mail them to you. They are subject to change. Plus I enjoy getting your e-mails asking for hotels.)

First of all, love that there are some afternoon games. We had none last year. There are four this year. So much better for deadline purposes. There also are 19 games that start at 7 p.m. or earlier East time. Great. Again, deadline purposes.

Enough about what works for me, last year, I did something for YES, a total breakdown of the schedule, that I will now do here.

The Nets’ open 2008-09 on Oct. 29 in D.C. against a richer Gilbert Arenas, and away they go.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER

In prior years, the Nets hoped for fast starts because of what always seemed to be a favorable early schedule. They haven’t always worked out that way. This year it probably will be more difficult to start fast because they have so many new faces they will have to integrate, not to mention the schedule isn’t that easy.

Unlike last year, when the Nets played eight of their first 10 at home, they are on the road nine times in their first 16 games, including the four-game Thanksgiving Trip (at the Lakers, Kings, Jazz and Suns).

I joked yesterday that they could start 0-4 with the first four at Washington, and then home for Golden State, Phoenix and Detroit. Oh-and-4 is possible.

Of the nine road games, six are against playoff teams last year. Of the 16 games, 10 are versus playoff teams and one that just missed despite 48 wins (Golden State). Five are against teams that won at least 54 games. You see where this going.

Home games: Golden State, Phoenix, Detroit, Indiana, Atlanta, Cleveland, Clippers
Road games: Washington, Indiana, Miami, Atlanta, Toronto, Lakers, Kings, Jazz, Suns.

Record: 6-10/7-9

DECEMBER

The Nets have a favorable home-road month with 10-of-16 games at the Meadowlands, including the big one – Jason Kidd’s return on 12/19. No question he’s trying for a triple-double that night.

Of their 16 games, eight are against playoff teams last year. They have a four-game homestand from Dec. 17-22 but face the Jazz, Mavs, Heat and Rockets, so it’s a tough one. Overall, though, the Nets play seven games against teams that had worse records than they did last year.

Home games: Washington, Minnesota, New York, Toronto, Utah, Dallas, Miami, Houston, Charlotte, Chicago.

Road games: Philly, Chicago, Toronto, Indiana, Charlotte, Detroit.

RECORD: 8-8/7-9

JANUARY

The Nets have a chance to make up for whatever ground they might have lost in '08 after the calendar turns to ’09. They play four of their first six at home and all six against teams with sub-.500 marks last year (Atlanta, Miami, Sacramento, Memphis, Milwaukee and Oklahoma City, formerly Seattle).

It gets tough from there with five of their next seven on the road (at Boston, New Orleans, San Antonio, Memphis and Oklahoma City). The two home games in that stretch are against the Greg Oden-led Blazers and NBA-champion Celtics.

Overall, 9-of-16 are on the road, including six of their last seven.

Home: Atlanta, Sacramento, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Portland, Boston, Toronto.
Road: Miami, Milwaukee, Boston, New Orleans, San Antonio, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Atlanta, Philadelphia.

RECORD: 7-9

FEBRUARY

Richard Jefferson returns for the first time on Feb. 3. The month features 10 games – six home, four road- and eight straight against playoff teams, including road games at Orlando, Houston and Dallas.

Also in February, we have the trade deadline and don’t be surprised if the Nets are active. They probably will be, especially if things aren’t going as they hoped.

Home games: Milwaukee, Denver, San Antonio, Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago
Road games: Washington, Orlando, Houston, Dallas.

RECORD: 5-5

MARCH

This could be their toughest month with seven of their first 10 games on the road, including their final West trip. The Nets open the month at home against Byron Scott, Chris Paul and the Hornets and then play seven of the following nine away – at Milwaukee, Orlando, Golden State, Portland, Clips, Denver and the Knicks. The two home games are the Celtics and Knicks.

From there, the Nets have some winnable games, although they play a home-and-home with possible future Net LeBron James, and also host Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

Home: New Orleans, Boston, New York, Miami, Cleveland, Lakers, Milwaukee
Road: Milwaukee, Orlando, Golden State, Portland, Clippers, Denver, New York, Cleveland, Minnesota.

RECORD: 7-9/6-10

APRIL

The Nets end the season with five of eight games against playoff teams last year, including three against last year’s champs and the 59-win Pistons. The Nets should end the year on a two-game winning streak, though, as they host Charlotte and then cross the Hudson to face the Knicks in the season finale.

Home games: Detroit, Philadelphia, Orlando, Charlotte
Road games: Chicago, Boston, Detroit, New York

RECORD: 3-5

The Nets probably will have a really good month somewhere so these numbers may be a little off. Plus, we really don't know anything about this team since there are so many new faces so they could be better or worse than this guesstimation. But, as is in early-August, I see the Nets’ 2008-09 season this way:

RECORD: 34-38 wins (Hey, 37 got you in the playoffs last year).

Agree? Disagree? Don't care?

Comments

[Jeff]

I agree. I predicted 35-38 wins this year in your last blog. I don't think the Nets have the talent to be anything more than that.

[Paul Erstein]

The season's success or failure needs ALSO to be measured by the progress and growth of 6 players:
The three rookies, YI, Harris and Boone. If they all grow and learn and improve, and prove that they are quality NBA players, and we win 39, and make the playoffs, then it's a successful season. Less, and then it is
"mixed" results. Given "either-or" I would chose developing as many of those 6 as possible, and win only 30.

[Jerwin Castro]

I disagree. I actually think that they are going to win around 43-45 games this year. Assuming that there are no major injuries, I believe that this Nets team will prove a lot of people wrong. Talent is overrated. In order to win ballgames, believe it or not, it takes the whole organization. It means the management, the coaches, the players, and the management philosophies that guide them. I believe that the Nets has one of the best management, coaching staff, and leaders on the court. I agree that they don't have much talent this year, but they have enough players who know how to play the game. I'm just not sure how much time the young players need to contribute. But even so, they will be right there at the end of games. Since they got guys who are experienced, they would know how to finish games. And although Vince is kinda slow now, I still appreciate his game so much coz he makes the right plays. He is so unselfish and yet, he is still one of the best closers in the game. So there is probably a 60% chance that the Nets win 43-45 games.

[gert]

I see your prediction for November and I can't see more than 3 or 4 wins. Where do you see the Nets picking up games. I see every road game as a loss (Indian has improved)except maybe Indiana and Miami. And I only truly see one or two wins at home. I think 30 wins will be a coup, unless a big trade is coming.

[Adam.y]

As I said before 34-38 seems like the likley outcome however this team has plenty of question marks that can "wow" people when all is said and done.
I wouldnt be surprised to see them finish on a winning record and make the playoffs.

[yehyeh]

This year, with all the changes in players, one must go far out on the limb to make predictions.

If I were to be conservative, and look at the team as it is right now, I would have to settle for 30 wins.

Optimistically, I can look at the positives of the makeup of the new team. We have fewer stars and more well-rounded team players who can shoot the 3 and hopefully defend the perimeter. Our interior defense should be considerably better with our improved height and bulk. We now have low-post scoring with Lopez and Yi. If the team learns to play together on both offense and defense, we could really spring a surprise with 41 wins or so, and even be a threat in the playoffs by end-of-season.

30-41 wins.

[Ben]

Completely agree yeayea. Everyone is so concerned with our lack of "talent" they seem to be missing that we have more basketball skills collectively than we have ever had. Lopez and Yi have all the potential in the world, and they may just become our starting frontcourt. So let's just imagine a team that's young, energized, defensive, skilled inside and has upside, with a backcourt of DH and VC. I'll take that way before the lukewarm mediocrity of the last two seasons (Mikki Moore?). I say we have a good shot at .500.

[Ben]

Completely agree yeayea. Everyone is so concerned with our lack of "talent" they seem to be missing that we have more basketball skills collectively than we have ever had. Lopez and Yi have all the potential in the world, and they may just become our starting frontcourt. So let's just imagine a team that's young, energized, defensive, skilled inside and has upside, with a backcourt of DH and VC. I'll take that way before the lukewarm mediocrity of the last two seasons (Mikki Moore?). I say we have a good shot at .500.

[Trenton]

20-62

Its gonna be a mess, bottom of the Atlantic and Netsfans will have no reason to watch after the Jefferson game in Feb.

[rod]

The writer's nuts---the Nets won't win 20 games this season. Who are they better than?

[Craig]

I would love for your prediction to come true, but unfortunately their first months schedule is an absolute nightmare which will kill them. And like it always does, those losses will leave a long hangover going into December and January, this will not be a pretty year.

Admin for Nets fan site
http://www.netsinteractive.com/

[Matt]

35 wins; however, it could have the feel of an overachieving 35, whereas last season felt like an underachieving 34.

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