No Hayes

Valuable reserve Jarvis Hayes wanted to play all 82, but that's not going to happen unless there is some type of divine intervention.

Hayes hurt his left hamstring in practice yesterday and is out for tonight's game against the Raptors. Early indications are he will be out tomorrow against the Bulls as well.

What does that mean for the rotation? Good question, coach Lawrence Frank said to me, which I something I don't often get. So I feel special today.

Frank said he's looking at Trenton Hassell, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Maurice Ager.

"We just got word this morning he wasn't going so we'll have to think about it," Frank said.

Since the Nets will need size tonight, Josh Boone will be activated. Also as insurance in case Stromile Swift can't play. Swift said he was going to try and play after spraining  his ankle Wednesday against the Knicks.

Eduardo Najera is available, but he's still working his way back into game shape.

So if I had to guess, and I know everyone loves when I do, Hayes will be inactive tonight, along with Ager and Najera, unless Swift can't go.

***

My two cents on the crowd: Yes, there is a lack of buzz and energy in the building. But there has been, even when the Nets were good. Jason Kidd's first year here, when the Nets set a franchise record with 33 home wins, they averaged 13,761 fans - their lowest since 91-92.

Everyone has their reasons for not coming. The economy being paramount. Some of you stopped when Bruce Ratner traded Kenyon Martin, or when the Nets announced they were leaving for Brooklyn. And that's your choice. No one can blame you.

But it's up to the Nets to muster the energy to win in their building. They can and they have. I consider the Minnesota game the worst of the season in terms of crowd noise and just fans in general. Yet the Nets hada solid third quarter. So I agree with what Frank said yesterday.

"I just think it's just us," he said. "It's no one other than us."

But for a goof, another reporter said maybe they should do pre-game introductions again after halftime. Frank liked that idea.

"Maybe we’ll do that in the locker room," Frank said. "Instead of talking about pick-and-rolls and post-ups and all the other BS we talk about we’ll say, 'At guard, from North Car olina.'"

Comments

[Greg]

Well, with Hayes being out; expect more minutes from the key guys. Will be tough to win without Hayes' production, overall.

CDR needs more burn. He's the type of guy we need on our 2nd team, a proven winner. Frank will probably have him glued to the bench all night though. He'll probably throw Najera out there instead or Hassell, Frank loves playing these guys who have no offensive game.

Let's see if this young team can bounce back and beat a subpar Raptor team who has been struggling. More importantly, let's see if Frank can "outcoach" Triano, since him outcoaching Mitchell wasn't saying much.

[JP]

Al,

It was like being at a funeral, being at the T-Wolves game. Agreed that it was quietest of the year.

Building still has not been as empty as it was the first Kidd year. Some games that year were so bad that there were at least 5 completley empty sections in the upper deck.

I think the attendance is a easy excuse for not playing well. Play basketball and do not rely on the crowd to help you win. The desire to win should be motivation enough.

[Al Iannazzone]

I agree, JP. But to clarify, the Nets are not making an excuses. They know it's them. There are teams with good crowds that don't win - right across the river to name one.

But I can understand Devin Harris wanting the crowd to cheer for the Nets. But whenver the Knicks or Kobe or LeBron come in, you're going to have their fans there. Nothing you can do about it. Just play.

[JP]

I understand the Nets are not making excuses but evertime they play bad and lose at home vs a beatable opponent, the question always seems to come up. Whether it be from the Press, or the team, or the fans and I do not like excuses.

Any time a popular team comes in, you are going to have a buzz for that team or player. It always happens with the Knicks. Ever since I have been a fan they have been in force @ Net games. It happens with the Cavs now for Lebron, and the Lakers for Kobe just the way the building used to be a sea of green for the Celtics when Bird played.

Play to win.

[jjkk234]

Coach Frank should play CDR, we still don't know what he can bring and it is a quarter of the season already. I like to win but we can gamble little now for the purpose of winning later.

[hamadayama]

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