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Thunder vs. Nets: Why Brooklyn’s Tight Loss Proves They’re Legit Contenders

Dec 052012

The Brooklyn Nets (11-6) may have lost at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder (15-4) on Tuesday night, but that win proved to be something positive for the new-look Nets.

Brooklyn fell 117-111 to the powerhouse Thunder at the Barclays Center, but the Nets played extremely well in the second half.

After trailing 61-48 at halftime, the Nets mounted a comeback in the third quarter, outscoring the Thunder 38-29 to cut OKC’s lead to four points entering the fourth quarter.

And they did it all without starting center and leading-scorer Brook Lopez.

Lopez missed his third straight game with a sprained right foot (h/t NJ.com), meaning that Brooklyn was at a clear disadvantage without its top scorer and leading shot-blocker.

Still, the Nets managed to prove their worth as a legitimate NBA title contender by hanging tough with Oklahoma City as Deron Williams netted 33 points and dished out seven assists.

Andray Blatche—who usually comes off the bench to spell Lopez—scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a starting effort, as Brooklyn’s bench wasn’t as deep as usual with Lopez and Reggie Evans missing from the lineup.

Evans, who’s Brooklyn’s leading rebounder, missed Tuesday night’s game with the flu, according to ESPN.

If you factor in the fact that the Nets were without their leading scorer and their leading rebounder, you could make the argument that they would have beaten the Thunder.

Still, even in the loss, it’s clear to see that the Nets are ready to contend in the East this season.

Brooklyn sports four players scoring in double figures (Williams, Lopez, Blatche and Joe Johnson) and plays excellent defense, as it ranks No. 2 in points allowed, surrendering just over 91 PPG.

Having already beat the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics twice, the Nets are beating contending teams and will only get more dangerous as they spend more time on the court together.

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Why NY Knicks Must Now Acknowledge the Brooklyn Nets as Rivals

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Dec 042012

The New York Knicks are no longer the only NBA team in the Big Apple, as the Brooklyn Nets have come to town to play in the brand new Barclays Center.

The Nets have not just come to occupy space, however. They have come to compete, and they may have just established themselves as equals with the Knicks.

Brooklyn general manager Billy King made a flurry of transactions this offseason to shore up the bench and the starting lineup.

He brought in shooting guard Joe Johnson to play opposite point guard Deron Williams, while also adding bench depth in C.J. Watson, Andray Blatche, Jerry Stackhouse and Reggie Evans.

This was done in order to keep with owner Mikhail Prokhorov’s five-year plan, a goal that has just three years remaining.

The two teams were originally scheduled to play in their season opener, but Hurricane Sandy put a damper on those plans.

Instead, the Knicks and Nets met on November 26 at the Barclays‘ Center.

Boy, was it a statement game for the New York newcomers.

The Nets were able to take down the Knicks 96-89 in overtime, marking the first of many games between the now-crosstown rivals.

It was a back-and-forth contest requiring extra time to decide a winner, but the Nets and their new additions were able to hold off the Knicks—a team who was off to a fantastic 9-3 start.

It may have been just one game, but it signals the beginnings of an enhanced rivalry. The Knicks would be wise to acknowledge this.

The Nets are no longer one of the jokes of the Eastern Conference. The team can play—check out a review of the game—and they propose a legitimate threat to the Knicks in both the Atlantic Division and potentially in the postseason.

After play on December 3, the Nets (11-5) stand just one game back of the Knicks (12-4) in the Atlantic Division. Both teams, however, trail the Miami Heat (12-3) in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Knicks and Nets have been strangers to the top of the Eastern Conference for the past several seasons, and it seems as if they’re both getting back on track at the same time.

This should add even more fuel to the rivalry.

While the Knicks have owned the New York NBA spotlight since the team’s inaugural season in 1946, the Nets are looking to steal the show.

Both teams will be going at it all season long for the higher seed, making the rivalry one to pay attention to even if you are a casual New York sports fan.

The Nets are arguably the most improved team in the NBA this season, and their resurgence has caught the attention of fans in the city. Once disgraced New Jersey Nets fans can now jump on the Brooklyn bandwagon.

This increased fanbase will prevent any crowd in Madison Square Garden from being a sea of blue and orange when the two teams play. Black and white will be sprinkled throughout in attempts to drown out the cheers of their crosstown neighbors.

Situations like these will make the rivalry thrive for the remainder of this season, the postseason and the better part of the next several seasons.

Both New York franchises seem as if they’ve hit their stride at the right times, which should lead to an exciting few years of basketball in the Big Apple.

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Are Deron Williams’ Shooting Woes a Temporary Slump or Permanent Pattern?

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Dec 032012

Deron Williams has been shanking frequently. It’s been that way for a little while, with Deron going from a .439 field-goal mark in 2010-2011, to a .407 mark in 2011-2012, to where we’re currently at with his .382 field-goal percentage in 2012-2013. Howard Beck of the New York Times listed some functional reasons that may account for Deron’s shooting woes:

“The source of Williams’s struggles is somewhat elusive, but injuries — including a banged-up right (shooting) wrist and sore right elbow — have surely played a role. He also has a left-ankle injury that will probably require surgery next summer. Williams said it is not the bumps and bruises, but his general comfort level, that is to blame.”

These injuries could certainly influence why Deron Williams isn’t the .507 shooter he was back in 2007-2008. I would like to posit another reason for his decease in efficiency, though. Take a look at Deron’s current shot distribution chart for the 2012-2013 season, and pay special attention to his shots near the rim.

So we can avoid the “small sample size” tag, here are Williams’ shots in 2011-2012. Note that under 30% of his tries came at the rim last season.

Finally, take a look at Deron’s best shooting season, 2007-2008 in Utah. Back then, he was attempting 43.3% of his shots right at the rim, more than 18% above the clip he’s currently logging.

You may also notice that in 2007-2008, three-point attempts only added up to 18.2% of Williams’ total shot amount. In 2012-2013, a whopping 38.7% of Deron’s shots are coming from distance. Considering that Deron Williams hit .395 of his three point tries in 2007-2008 (he’s now hitting .268 from deep), less could be more for Williams.

Deron Williams has roughly maintained the same level of accuracy on long two-point tries, though. In 2007-2008, Williams was 46 percent on long twos, which is only three percent better than his current mark from that range (via HoopData). Williams’ free-throw percentage has also held steady over the last two years. Subjectively, it doesn’t look like he’s shooting any differently than he used to.

The problem, as I see it, is that so many of his attempts happen far from the rim. It could be a matter of diminishing athleticism, but I would hazard that offensive scheme has its impact. In the flex-cut Jerry Sloan system, Deron Williams received screens below the three point line, as part of a constantly moving offense. This allowed for many driving lanes to the rim, many shots at the basket.

With the Nets, Deron Williams more often finds himself in isolation, dribbling above the arc. Sometimes, shooting well has little to do with your shooting form. This could be one of those instances.

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Deron Williams’ Injuries Will Take Him Down a Notch Amongst NBA’s Elite PGs

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Dec 032012

When Deron Williams was torching Western Conference foes with the Utah Jazz, he rarely received the respect he deserved. As a member of the underachieving 2011 and 2012 New Jersey Nets, however, Williams’ inconsistent production earned him a reputation as one of the league’s top-tier players.

The question is, are Williams’ injuries preventing him from re-joining the NBA’s elite point guards this year?

Mike Mazzeo of ESPN New York reports D-Will is playing with a sprained joint in his surgically repaired right wrist. This comes after Mazzeo had previously reported Williams was suffering from bone spurs in his left ankle.

In other words, Williams is banged up from top to bottom and it’s showing in his production.

Williams is presently averaging 15.4 points and 8.9 assists per game. Although those numbers are certainly respectable, D-Will is shooting just 38.2 percent from the floor and 26.8 percent from beyond the arc.

If you ask Williams, this is not a product of his injuries (via The New York Times).

“It’s not my wrist, man, it’s my confidence,” Williams said in a reflective moment, after finishing with 10 points and a 3-for-11 shooting performance. “I just got to play better. Injuries or not, I got to play. I can’t keep having 10 points, not being aggressive. I just got to find a rhythm. It’s just tough.”

“I’ve definitely been turning down some shots, to get other guys shots,” Williams said. “But I just haven’t found a rhythm in this offense yet. I haven’t found where I’m going to get my shots from consistently. I’m not a guy that likes to go one-on-one every play. So it’s been difficult.”

Fortunately for the Nets, Williams remains one of the game’s top facilitators. His average of 8.9 dimes per contest ranks him fourth in the NBA, slightly behind Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul and Jrue Holiday.

Even still, the Nets’ guiding light must shine brighter.

“I definitely need to play better for us to make that jump,” Williams said. “We can be a great team. You’ve seen us—we won five straight, and I haven’t shot the ball well. And we’ve had some good wins.”

He added, “I feel like I’m letting my team down. I feel like I’m not doing enough to help us win.”

Williams hit the nail on the head there. The Nets have enough interior and perimeter depth to win games in spite of Williams’ poor shooting.

With a quality pairing of scoring and defensive prowess in Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez and Gerald Wallace, Brooklyn is certainly a threat to upend any opponent. With dominant rebounders such as Kris Humphries and Reggie Evans, their chances for wins certainly increase.

With that being said, Williams is averaging 14.6 points per game with a slash line of .368/.241/.800 during Brooklyn losses. Clearly his poor performances are having an adverse effect.

Fortunately, his teammates are well aware of the fact that they must help D-Will find his rhythm.

“We’re still trying to figure this thing out, man,” [Joe] Johnson said. “How we can get him going, get him in a rhythm. We just have to learn on the fly.”

Jerry Stackhouse, the Nets’ elder statesman, said Williams might have to settle some nights for being “the bait guy,” drawing in defenses while others carry the load.

“It all starts with his greatness, being able to create all that,” Stackhouse said. “Once he accepts that and understands that, we go to another level.”

There is no doubt about the fact that the Nets are made up of caliber veterans able to help Williams find his groove. There is also no doubt that Johnson should be focusing on getting himself going, which presents an even heavier burden for Williams’ ailing body.

Which begs the question Nets fans did not want to ask.

Should the Nets rest D-Will?

Williams is not playing at the level of a Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo or Russell Westbrook. In fact, he isn’t even playing at the level of a Ty Lawson at this point in the young 2012-’13 NBA regular season.

Until he gets healthy, that will not change.

Fortunately for Williams, the Nets play just three games over the next eight days. In response to this period of light action, D-Will had this to say.

“I need this rest as much as anybody,” Williams said before unstrapping his ice bags.

If Williams is to go through this weak schedule and emerge as the same player he has been through 16 games, it will be time to sit him down. Should he turn things around, however, head coach Avery Johnson should simply concern himself with managing Williams’ minutes in the proper manner.

With that being said, Williams’ confidence and injuries are not the only issues.

Elite on the Horizon

Over the next month, Deron Williams will be tasked with defending and running an offense against some of the NBA’s top point guards. That list includes Rajon Rondo, Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook, Jrue Holiday, Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings and, should he return from injury, Kyrie Irving.

Throw in the likes of Mo Williams, Kyle Lowry, Raymond Felton and the defensive-frustrater Kirk Hinrich, and you have yourself the potential for further struggles.

If Williams can’t handle the physical burden of elite positional matchups, the Nets may not enjoy their team results. They’re losing games when Williams is at his worst and D-Will has acknowledged such a fact.

Unless D-Will overcomes those injuries in the next eight days, rest may be the only answer for a player whose talent exceeds his present caliber of play.

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Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Brooklyn Nets: Preview, Analysis, and Predictions

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Dec 032012

The Brooklyn Nets have played some fine basketball all season long, and they will face their next test in the form of the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. Oklahoma City has won five straight, and is in first place in the Northwest Division.

Similarly, the Nets have won five of six and trail the New York Knicks by just one game in the Atlantic Division. Both Brooklyn and Oklahoma City like to play a fast-paced game, not to mention some tough defense, and that will make for an epic showdown at the Barclays Center.

It’s still going to be an uphill battle for Brooklyn. Center Brook Lopez will likely miss his third straight game, thus leaving the Nets without substantial size in the paint, and Deron Williams’ shooting struggles remain an issue.

The Thunder will definitely take advantage of short-handed Brooklyn, using their depth and balanced attack to show the young Nets just how to play with the NBA‘s big boys.

Sure, the team has played well thus far, but it still has a lot to learn about what it takes to play together as a winning team and go far in the playoffs. Granted, the postseason is a long way off, but it’s definitely something to consider given how much Oklahoma City has improved over the past three seasons.

The stage is thus set for this game to be unpredictable and close. Both teams want the victory badly, and for different reasons. Brooklyn wants to further assert itself as a top team in the Eastern Conference, and Oklahoma City wants to extend its streak to six.

Thus, fasten your seat belts, fans. This game has the makings of a bumpy ride!

Time: Tuesday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. EST

TV: NBATV, YES, Fox Sports Oklahoma

Records: Oklahoma City Thunder (14-4) vs. Brooklyn Nets (11-5)

Betting Lines: Not available as of Monday, Dec. 3 at 10:06 a.m. EST

Injuries: Brook Lopez (foot, doubtful)

Key Storyline: Are the Brooklyn Nets For Real?

The Nets may have a solid record right now, but it is important to note that they haven’t truly been tested yet. Of their 11 wins, only seven have come against teams that made the playoffs last season. Factor in that the Orlando Magic are now without Dwight Howard and basically a lottery team, and that total shrinks to four.

Regarding losses, Brooklyn has lost to the Miami Heat twice and the Los Angeles Lakers once. Their other two have come against the young and feisty Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors, so it’s pretty telling as to how inexperienced Brooklyn really is against experienced, championship-caliber teams, not to mention younger ones with passion.

Facing the Oklahoma City Thunder will thus be the Nets’ ultimate test. Brooklyn will be at a great disadvantage on defense without Brook Lopez, and the Thunder are the highest-scoring team in the league with 105.1 points per contest. If the Nets really want to prove themselves, they’ll need to slow this game down and force the Thunder to play at their pace.

So long as the game can be kept close and not get out of hand quickly, then the Nets will have earned the right of being taken seriously. If they lose by a wide margin, it’s only going to add to the case that they cannot keep up with elite teams.

Key Matchup: Gerald Wallace vs. Kevin Durant

The key to slowing down the Thunder is to slow down Kevin Durant, which is no easy task. The three-time scoring champion is currently third in the league with 26.2 points per game, and has also shown improvement on defense this season. He is averaging 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, doing all he can to be a more complete player and help the Thunder get back to the NBA Finals.

He’s going to be in for a long night against the Nets. Brooklyn forward Gerald Wallace is one of the league’s best athletes and pests, and he’s going to be on Durant like a moth to the flame.

The man known as “Crash” is averaging 1.9 steals on the season, and is slowly starting to regain his scoring touch. Over his last five games, he is averaging 11.2 points per game.

Durant has a height advantage at 6’9″, compared to the 6’7″ Wallace, and also outweighs his opponent by 10 pounds, at 235. Still, this will matter little once the game is underway. Wallace has proven that he can and will play beyond his size, which may not bode well for the Thunder if he takes Durant out of the game.

Yes, Oklahoma City is deeply talented, but Durant having a bad scoring night could spell doom for the Thunder in Brooklyn. Russell Westbrook is going to have his hands full with Deron Williams all night long, so he won’t be able to turn on the savior switch in a heartbeat should his teammate struggle.

Durant just needs to do what he always does and fake Wallace out as best he can. He needs to create off the dribble and not be afraid to dish the ball off if need be.

By sticking to his guns and not being afraid of Wallace, Durant will be able to get past the pesky defense and once again lead Oklahoma City to victory.

X-Factor: Joe Johnson

Without Lopez manning the paint and Deron Williams continuing to struggle with his shooting, it’s going to be up to Joe Johnson to help the Nets win this game. The natural scorer has only shot 41 percent from the field for the season, but is slowly starting to regain his touch. He is shooting 45 percent over his last five games, and is averaging 15.6 points per game for the season.

Under normal circumstances, Johnson would be working in tandem with Williams as the team’s one-two punch in the backcourt, with Lopez contributing as necessary. This has yet to come to fruition. Williams is averaging 15.4 points and 8.9 assists per game, but is shooting just 38 percent from the field.

The team as a whole has struggled to score points, and ranks 20th in points per game at 95.3.

It is thus all the more important that Johnson be fully locked in against Oklahoma City. With Williams struggling and Lopez out, he needs to carry the load and pick his shots wisely. He is a fine scorer to begin with and this shouldn’t be a problem, but he cannot just throw up shots willy-nilly and expect them to fall.

Johnson needs to be willing to take risks against a tough Thunder defense that will be trying to do all it can to shut him and his teammates down. This means driving the lane to draw a foul. It means creating off the dribble and not being afraid to pass the ball to an open teammate.

Most important of all, it means staying focused and not being afraid of a seemingly superior team. So long as Johnson maintains that type of attitude, he will set himself up for a great game and, potentially, a key victory for his Nets.

Depth Charts

Thunder

Nets

Prediction

The Nets will do a great job of keeping this game close, but their efforts will fall short in the end. Oklahoma City is just too deep and talented, and the odds of them having a bad game against a Nets team that is sans Brook Lopez are slim to none. The former Stanford Cardinal is just too big a loss, and Andray Blatche is not the same type of impact player despite playing some fine basketball in Brooklyn.

It will be a hard-fought battle, but Oklahoma City will walk away with the victory in this one. Kevin Durant will fight and claw his way past the tough defense of Gerald Wallace, and Russell Westbrook will defend Deron Williams to the point where the point man’s shooting struggles continue for yet another night.

Joe Johnson will do a fine job of keeping the Nets in the game, but will run out of gas in the fourth quarter. In just one short moment, he’ll go from being the team’s seeming savior to ice cold.

The Thunder will just be too much for this Brooklyn lineup, from flashy scoring to tough defense. At the last buzzer, their winning streak will be at six games and the Nets will be left wondering just how they can go about facing elite teams.

Oklahoma City Thunder 108, Brooklyn Nets 101

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Brooklyn Nets: Gerald Wallace’s Tough Guy Mentality Sets Tone for Nets

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Nov 302012

When the Brooklyn Nets pieced together their idea of a championship contender, many focused on the likes of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez. The truth of matter is, it is not the big-name players who make this team what they are.

It’s Gerald Wallace‘s tough guy mentality that sets the tone for the Nets.

Although D-Will, Johnson and Lopez will garner headlines, it is Wallace who means the most to this franchise. This is why they traded away what ended up being the sixth overall draft choice in the 2012 NBA Draft to acquire him (via ESPN New York).

It’s the same reason they re-signed Crash to a four-year, $40 million contract (via ESPN New York).

Although he will not overwhelm with his stat line, Wallace is one of the league’s top all-around defenders. Even at the age of 30, the former Alabama Crimson Tide star is also one of the most explosive athletes in the NBA.

With that being said, Wallace’s defensive and athletic abilities are not the reason he sets the tone for Brooklyn. It is the intangibles that range far beyond his physical gifts.

It is Wallace’s warrior’s mentality that few, if any, can match.

The Nets may have recognizable talent, but they are not winning games by virtue of their skill players. As they make their push for the postseason, their battles will not be decided by their individual talent, either, as the true reason lies much deeper.

It is their gritty and physical nature which complements their everlasting resolve.

Under the Radar Confidence

The 2012-13 NBA season has been one of unpredictable measures. With the underachieving of expected contenders and unexpected rise of teams with insignificant expectations, the Brooklyn Nets could very well emerge as a power franchise in the NBA.

The way they’ve set that pace early on has been by displaying the one thing that teams such as the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers appear to lack. Confidence.

This confidence is a direct reason as to why they’ve won nine of their past 11 games. That includes victories over the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics.

The way the Nets have been able to sneak up on their elite opponents has been with a sense of impenetrable self belief. Even as Brooklyn has faced a deficit or lost momentum, they have powered on through every stage of the game.

Even as their shots aren’t falling, the Nets keep pushing. A fundamental reason they are 10-4 and a direct result of the mentality instilled by the likes of Gerald Wallace and Reggie Evans.

Take No Nonsense

Contrary to the fact that the 6’1″ and 186-pound Rajon Rondo bodied the 6’9″ and 235-pound Kris Humphries into the crowd, the Brooklyn Nets are not a soft team. In fact, this is one of the most mentally and physically tough teams in the NBA.

Yet another by product of Wallace’s involvement.

The Nets are not the type of franchise that is out to secure a victory by virtue of garnering highlights or headlines. They’re the team whom no one wants to play due to the fact that they will approach each game with the same mentality.

Win at all costs.

Filling in as Enforcer

The most underrated role on any team is that of an enforcer. Said player is often valued more for their mentality and physicality than their production.

The true importance of their play is the message-sending and teammate-protecting approach they take on a nightly basis.

Prime examples of past and present enforcers include Bill Laimbeer of the famed Bad Boy Detroit Pistons and Kendrick Perkins of the Oklahoma City Thunder. As opposed to Perkins, Wallace is capable of producing at a high level.

Career averages of 13.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 0.9 steals per game prove such a point.

What’s key to the Nets as a unit is the fact that Wallace is not afraid to step in with the trash talk or physicality. With his history of locking down elite scorers, that confidence builds in Wallace’s ability to send a message.

A message which rings loud and clear with the entire Nets team. Cross anyone on this Nets roster and Wallace will be the first one to make you pay.

Yet another example of how Wallace is the Nets’ most valuable player.

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Brook Lopez Injury: Updates on Brooklyn Nets Star’s Foot

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Nov 292012

A hot 10-4 start has the Brooklyn Nets dreaming big this season, but a key piece of the puzzle, center Brook Lopez, will miss a couple of games with a sprained foot, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.

Brook Lopez will miss next two games with a mild sprain in his right foot, Nets announce.

— Stefan Bondy (@NYDNInterNets) November 29, 2012

Lopez has been great for the Nets through 14 games this season, averaging 18.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.

Last year was a lost season for Lopez, as he only managed to play in five games after undergoing surgery to repair a broken right foot. He had been one of the most durable big men in the league up to that point, playing in all 82 games in each of his first three seasons.

The Nets have been red hot since a 1-2 start, winning nine of their last 11 games. They just defeated the in-state rival New York Knicks as well as the Boston Celtics earlier this week to tie the Knicks for the division lead.

While a two-game absence will hurt them a bit, the Nets need to play cautiously with Lopez. He leads the team in Player Efficiency Rating (per ESPN) at 24.1, nearly three full points better than MarShon Brooks’ rating.

Lopez is critical to the success of the Nets. That big body in the middle gives them an added dimension that not a lot of teams in the Eastern Conference can match. Even though he isn’t a great rebounder, he has made enough improvements over the last two seasons to be consistent under the glass.

We will keep you updated on Lopez’s injury as well as his status for future games when more information becomes available.

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Brook Lopez Injury: Updates on Nets Star’s Foot

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Nov 292012

Brook Lopez will miss next two games with a mild sprain in his right foot, Nets announce.

— Stefan Bondy (@NYDNInterNets) November 29, 2012

Lopez has been great for the Nets through 14 games this season, averaging 18.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.

We will keep you updated on Lopez’s injury as well as his status for future games when more information becomes available.

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Where and How to Attack the Brooklyn Nets in 2012-13

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Nov 292012

The Brooklyn Nets are off to a fast start at 10-4, tied for second place in the Eastern Conference with the New York Knicks.

They have received great play from their refurbished bench, as well as from Deron Williams and Brook Lopez. Joe Johnson is working his way back to his old form after struggling with his shot early on, and Kris Humphries has seen a slight regression is his scoring due to the overall improvement of the team on the offensive end of the court.

Opposing teams have yet to figure out a surefire way of beating the Nets, but there’s one glaring weakness that the opposition needs to learn to attack.

Lopez and Humphries, while they are capable of holding their own on the offensive side of the ball, aren’t exactly the greatest post defenders.

Lopez is notorious for not playing defense or rebounding well, while Humphries is a solid rebounder that lacks in overall defense.

Attacking the Nets inside is something that all teams should try to do—regardless of their talent level at power forward and center.

Look at the Cleveland Cavaliers for example.

Anderson Varejao had the night of his career on November 13 against the Nets. He scored 35 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, primarily being matched up with Lopez.

It was Varejao‘s sixth—yes, sixth—career 20-point game. That’s over a nine-year NBA career.

Varejao isn’t exactly a dominant offensive force in the paint (he’s averaged just 7.5 points per game over the course of his career). His outburst earlier in the month is further proof that the Nets can’t handle aggressive big men.

In the Nets’ most recent game against the Boston Celtics, they were unable to slow down big men Brandon Bass and Kevin Garnett.

While neither of them necessarily “went off,” they each dropped 16 points on over 50 percent shooting.

The Nets are giving centers and power forwards too many easy looks and wide open lanes to the basket, making it an easy weakness to exploit. Opposing teams need to start taking advantage of that and working the ball inside against Brooklyn. As of right now, they just aren’t able to stop it.

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Power Has Shifted as Brooklyn Nets Defeat Boston Celtics in a Barometer Game

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Nov 282012

In the words of the great Sam Cooke, “It’s been a long, a long time coming. But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will.”

That can describe the feeling in the NBA right now as the Brooklyn Nets, who not too long ago won 12 games in an entire season, defeated the Boston Celtics for the second time to remain atop the Atlantic division.

This was a barometer game for the Nets and they proved something with a win.

Right off the bat it seemed as if the Celtics were gonna bring high energy. They jumped off to an early lead, and the Nets could have easily just coasted. Instead, the New Jersey went on a run, sparked by two three-pointers from Joe Johnson.

After the first quarter, the Nets led 28-20 and would not trail after that.

The biggest story from the night was the brawl that started after a Kris Humphries foul on Kevin Garnett. Celtics point guard, Rajon Rondo, wanted a little retaliation and started shoving the Nets forward towards the crowd.

This caused members of both teams to go in and try and break up the fight. It also caused a little scuffle between Garnett and Gerald Wallace. Garnett started swinging at Wallace, who was just trying to separate the pile like everyone else.

After the refs looked over the situation on replay, they gave Wallace a technical foul, which was his second of the game and led to his ejection. Kris Humphries and Rondo were also ejected while Garnett only picked up a technical.

The end result of this fight is Rondo and Garnett looking even more like punks and the Nets getting a little team chemistry builder.

The Nets were led by Joe Johnson ,who had 18 points and six assists, and Andray Blatche, who had 17 points and 13 rebounds.

The top “dog” in the Atlantic division over the last few years has been the Celtics. That definitely seems to be changing with the way the Knicks and the Nets have played this season.

The Nets completely dominated the Celtics in this game, which seemed almost impossible over the last few seasons .This is probably the first real glimpse at the power being shifted in the NBA.

There is no arguing that there is something going on in Brooklyn!

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