Game 5 Recap: Nets 82, Magic 74

21 rebounds? 21 rebounds

The first quarter was beautiful, the last three quarters were ugly, and the game's result was a win. The Nets swept their first home-and-home of the season--this one with the Magic--by jumping out to a huge, 18-point lead after the first quarter and riding that advantage to a victory over a listless Magic team that, without many of its top players, couldn't do much on offense on Sunday afternoon, a fact leading to its demise.

The Nets looked great starting out of the gate earlier today at Barclays Center, moving the ball around masterfully and playing sound all-around defense en route to taking a 35-17 lead after 12 minutes of play. At this point in the game, the Nets looked to be headed to another game that would play out similarly to their 39-point blowout win on Friday night. However, that would not be the case.

The second, third, and fourth quarters turned the game from a potential rout in Brooklyn's favor into a slogfest that included horrendous shooting percentages, too many fouls, and plenty of sloppy play. Orlando slowly chipped away at the once-comfortable Nets lead by holding the home team to just 36 points over the next two quarters, cutting their once 18-point deficit to just 10 points by the beginning of the fourth.

Game 5 Preview: Orlando Magic (2-3) at Brooklyn Nets (2-2)

Ever since Joe Johnson was traded to the Nets this summer, he hasn't had a traditional "Joe Johnson" performance where he scores 20+ points and completely takes over a game. The Nets might not need that performance to beat the Magic, but it would certainly be nice to see.

When: 3:00 pm; Sunday, November 11th, 2012

Where: Barclays Center; Brooklyn, NY

TV: YES Network

The Nets were able to comfortably beat the Magic on Friday night, and this afternoon we get to see if Brooklyn can do that again, this time at home in Barclays Center. Tonight's game is the Nets' first afternoon matchup of the season and we can hope that the unconventional 3:00 pm start time doesn't mess with the positive energy and surging confidence the team most likely has after last game's romp over Orlando.

Injuries are starting to catch up to both of teams, making their rotations a bit more screwy than they would be if they were at full strength. I forgot mention to mention in my preview of the last meeting between these two that the Magic are still missing Hedo Turkoglu and Al Harrington, both aging but still productive offensive forwards, due to injury. Also, Jameer Nelson--who missed Friday's game with injuries to his hamstring and groin--probably won't be available to run the point for Jacque Vaughn's squad tonight, leaving the point guard duties yet again to E'Twaun Moore.

The Nets are also suffering from their own injury woes early on in this season as Gerald Wallace is still day-to-day with the ankle injury he suffered in the season opener and MarShon Brooks is a game-time decision with his own ankle ailment, suffered in Friday's shootaround. Not having Wallace's defensive presence--as already shown in two losses Brooklyn suffered in his absence--is really detrimental to the Nets' success as a team and missing Brooks' instant offense capability off the bench isn't great either. Not huge, crippling injuries to be sure, but significant enough to open a door for the lowly Magic to slip through and upset the Nets tonight.

Game 4 Recap: Nets 107, Magic 68

The Nets needed a win in the worst way when they took on the Orlando Magic last night at Amway Arena, and they ended up getting it in rather comfortable fashion. A far cry from their 30-point loss on Wednesday night against the Heat, the Nets turned the tables and became the router instead of the routing, crushing the hapless Magic by nearly 40 points.

Not getting off to the best of starts, the Nets only led by a score of 19-17 after a first quarter in which they played similarly to how they played in the losses to the Timberwolves and Heat. They looked sluggish, played sloppy, were ice-cold from the field amongst other things. Then, Brooklyn picked it up in the second quarter and were given a major boost by the bench, a unit that has been surprisingly productive early on this season. Even veteran Jerry Stackhouse--who was signed this offseason as a pseudo-assistant coach who would also get limited playing time in games--made his season debut in the second frame and played out of his mind, hitting a couple three-pointers and ending the game with 11 points in just 10 minutes, in addition to posting a spectacular +21.

Game 4 Preview: Brooklyn Nets (1-2) at Orlando Magic (2-2)

Arron Afflalo was the biggest piece that the Magic got in the trade with the Lakers, 76ers, and Nuggets that sent Dwight Howard to Los Angeles. 

UPDATE: MarShon Brooks sprained his ankle at shootaround today and is a game-time decision for tonight. Gerald Wallace is still out and Josh Childress is finally healthy enough to play. The injury carousel keeps on turning.

When: 7:00 pm; Friday, November 9th, 2012

Where: Amway Arena; Orlando, FL

TV: YES Network

The Nets and Magic were said more in conjunction with each other last season regarding off the court business arguably more than any other pair of teams in the entire NBA. The Dwightmare situation surrounding former Magic center Dwight Howard and the on-and-off trade request that he constantly reiterated for the better part of the last two seasons. The trade talks shifted to the Nets last year and  really picked up around the trade deadline and over this past offseason. Obviously, Howard ended up going to the Lakers in a four-team deal, leaving certain enmity between the front offices of both of these teams.

It's not very easy for a team to rebuild from the loss of a franchise player like Howard, and the Magic's current roster exemplifies that statement perfectly. Orlando doesn't have any player close to resembling a star or even a most-significant player. Jameer Nelson is a suitable point guard who can score and lead an offense but is on the downside of his career and is too injury-prone. Arron Afflalo, acquired from the Nuggets in the Howard trade, is a very good scorer but doesn't play much defense and is better in a secondary role, not necessarily as the #1 option on a team. 

As Nelson and Afflalo are the best options for the Magic, and coach Jacque Vaughn (a former Net), as potential leaders, it is clear they lack any player that can be on-court directors of the Magic. The Nets had this problem in the 2009-10 season and half of the 2010-11 season, after they traded Vince Carter and before trading for Deron Williams. The Nets had no visible leader and their on-court success (rather, lack of it) was worsened by that fact, exemplified by the team's near-historically bad 12-70 record in the 2009-10 campaign. Until Orlando finds their next leader, they will most likely toil in the mediocrity that tends to follow a faceless organization.

Netlinked 8/28/12: Former Nets Edition And More

Oh boy do I miss that guy. Remember when we called him Veal Scalapini? No? Ok, maybe that was just my dad and I

Former Net, and current league-wide, fan favorite Brian Scalabrine is close to joining the Chicago Bulls' coaching staff as an assistant. I knew he was a good bench cheerleader but assistant coach? Kinda surprising.

Ex-Net point guard Jacque Vaughn, who played with the Nets from 2004-06, has been hired by the Orlando Magic to succeed Stan Van Gundy as their head coach.

Yet another former Net, forward Eduardo Najera, has officially retired from the NBA to serve as the head coach of the Dallas Mavericks' D-League affiliate, the Texas Legends. He will also hold an ownership stake in the Legends and will serve in some capacity in the Mavs' front office.

Shelden Williams has signed with Elan Chalon, a French team. In 58 games with the Nets last year, the Duke product averaged 4.6 points per game and 6.0 rebounds per game.

More links after the jump:

Game 45 Recap: Magic 86, Nets 70

Abbreviated and late recap tonight because I wasn't able to catch most of this game. The result was what most would expect, a blow-out win for a Magic team energized by the (temporary) commitment of their star center, Dwight Howard, to their Orlando franchise. Without their three best players (D-Will, Brook, Wallace), the Nets just couldn't get much going on offense and couldn't hit anything from the field, finishing the game with a team shooting percentage of 34%. 

Sundy Gaines, Marshon Brooks, and Anthony Morrow couldn't hit the broad side of a barn (14 combined points, 6-36 from field) but Gerald Green continued his streak of solid play on both sides of the ball (14 points on 6-9 shooting). Jerry Smith played 20 minutes in his NBA debut, Hump had 4 points and 3 boards, DeShawn Stevenson hit three 3-pointers, and Jordan Williams scored 10 points. Heck, even Johan Petro had a near double-double. Boy do the Nets need D-Will and Gerald Wallace's all-around talents could really help this team. We'll see both of them later tonight at the Prudential Center against the lowly Hornets.

Game 45 Preview: Nets (15-29) at Orlando Magic (28-16)

Orlando's skyline is nothing like that of New York City, where the Nets will be next season. But he chose Central Florida and that's what he's going to have to deal with. No Waffling!

UPDATE: Sundiata Gaines will be starting tonight as D-Will (calf), Jordan Farmar (groin), and new addition Gerald Wallace (taking team physical in NJ) all won't be playing this evening. Farmar is day-to-day while D-Will and Wallace will play tomorrow in Newark as the Nets take on the New Orleans Hornets.


All I can say is wow. The day after Dwight Howard decides that he won't become a free agent this offseason (and possibly join the Nets) and will remain with the Magic through next season, his Magic team plays the Nets...in Orlando. I'm sure there will be some mixed emotions for Dwight at the Amway Arena, with cheers winning out. The Nets probably won't have their trade deadline acquisition, Gerald Wallace, or point guard Deron Williams for the game so they will most likely be trotting out a less-than-intimidating line-up of Hump, Marshon Brooks, and a few reserves. Regardless, this game will be an interesting one.


Background on Orlando

Since Dwight Howard is still on the Magic (for the relative meantime), he will be the Nets' main focus in this game for both offensive and defensive purposes. Howard is a force-to-be-reckoned-with in the paint and really makes it hard for opposing players to score near the hoop. He also commands multiple defenders when he's on offense and even then can he have his way at the rim with dunks, lay-ups, and even hook shots. His supporting cast isn't great but since most of them are sharpshooters from behind-the-arc, the Nets will have a lot of trouble with this team because, as we know too well, the Nets aren't so good at perimeter defense.

Dwight Howard Stays in Orlando Until End of 2012-13; Nets Rebound by Trading For Gerald Wallace

Nope, he won't be with the Nets this season

That's right. Dwight Howard did the seemingly unthinkable and waived the ETO (early termination option) on his current contract, meaning he has essentially opted-in to the final year of his deal with Orlando. Like everyone else, I was shocked to hear this news and was simply disappointed with the terrible way that Howard dealt with the whole situation. Last night, it was reported by a few writers that Dwight would be waiving his ETO but just hours later, the opposite was circulating around the internet and TV. Then, earlier this morning, the Magic center announced he would in fact sign the ETO and stay with the team that drafted him for at last another season.

Contrary to what most people believe, this is not the end of the Dwightmare and it isn't the end of the Nets' chances of going into the Barclays Center next year with a good team. The news with Howard simply means that this whole debacle of a "will he stay or go" situation is just pushed back to the trade deadline of next season until all the speculation starts again. On the other hand, Nets' GM Billy King wasted absolutely no time in making this team better right now by trading for the Portland Trailblazers' SF Gerald Wallace. In the deal, the Nets gave up the expiring contract of Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams, and a 1st-round pick.

Of course Wallace is no even close to the talent level of Dwight Howard but he is a very suitable Plan B to appease Deron Williams, at least in the meantime. For those of you that aren't familiar with Wallace, he is a great defender and will really help the Nets' dreadful perimeter defense. His arrival also probably means that DeShawn Stevenson won't be starting anymore for this team and may be relegated to a reserve role. Wallace, a 12-year NBA vet who is only 30 years old, is averaging 13 points and six rebounds a game this season, numbers which are much down from earlier in his career, especially when he was with the Charlotte Bobcats.

Has Gerald Green Become Another Viable Trade Asset for the Nets in their Push for Dwight?

Green was drafted 18th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2005 NBA Draft

In a breakout performance in Saturday's Nets loss to the Houston Rockets, recent D-League call-up Gerald Green, who is on his 2nd 10-day contract with New Jersey, went absolutely bonkers for 26 points on 10-15 shooting with four 3-pointers. He also had one of the craziest in-game dunks in recent memory (sorry Blake Griffin, you haven't matched this yet).

Other than showing that he can be the starting small forward for this team (and an effective one at that), Green showed with his performance that he could even be included in a potential trade package that could bring Dwight Howard up to New Jersey by the NBA trade deadline, which happens to be on Thursday of this week.

A lot of talk around the NBA has revealed that New Jersey is Dwight's #1 choice of teams but there has also been some questions as to if the Magic, specifically GM Otis Smith, would be intrigued by a potential trade with the Nets who would probably build a package around center Brook Lopez, guard Marshon Brooks, and a few 1st-round draft picks. The problem is that that doesn't seem to be enough for the Magic to pull the trigger on sending away their franchise center who is basically the only reason that Orlando is any good right now.

Game 35 Recap: Magic 108, Nets 91

Ok Dwight, we understand you're a beast and all on the basketball court. Just come to New Jersey already, the suspense is killing me and all other Nets fans

In their final game before this week's All-Star break, the Nets were simply outperformed by envied trade target Dwight Howard and his current (hopefully not for long) team, the Orlando Magic. The Magic got off to a quick start in the 1st quarter by taking advantage of effortless and lackluster defense by the Nets. After 12 minutes, Orlando held a 34-17 lead and they would be to hold that lead, for the most part, throughout the rest of the game. 

New Jersey actually was able to show some life in the 3rd quarter as the Nets used 12 consecutive points by Deron Williams to cut their deficit to 8 points. Similarly to Monday's game against the Knicks, D-Will found his stroke from behind the arc and took advantage of it to give some life to his team. However, that offensive burst ended rather quickly as Orlando, behind a few 3-pointers from Chris Duhon and J.J. Redick, was able to rebuild its lead back up to 17 points by the end of the quarter. 

The 4th quarter was much the same as the 3rd as the Nets were able to cut the deficit to 13 but the Magic stymied the late comeback attempt and cruised on through to quarter to help secure their lead, and eventually, the win. The hyped match-up of Dwight Howard and Brook Lopez was rather easily won by Howard who racked up 20 points and 17 rebounds while Lopez managed 15 points but was of no help defensively or in rebounding, as he had a measly four. In fact, rebounding was a huge issue for the whole Nets team and it was a major reason why Orlando had such an easy win. No Net had more than six rebounds as the whole team was outrebounded by a margin of nine boards. This has been a major issue with New Jersey all season and usually the team loses when they don't rebound well and vice versa when they win.

Brook Lopez Questionable for Today's Game In Chicago; Wait, What?

We missed you Brook. Like, we seriously really missed you and are begging that you can be as good as you were last season. Sorry for seeming a little obsessive, but we really, really missed you Brook.

According to a tweet by the Nets' public relations official Twitter account, the injured Brook Lopez has about a 50-50 chance of playing in today's afternoon game against the NBA-leading Chicago Bulls. When a player is considered to be "questionable" in mostly the NFL and NBA, they are likely to be given a 50-50 shot of playing in the said game.

With that being said, I was utterly surprised and simultaneously energized after seeing this tweet simply because this Nets team needs someone like Lopez to end this eight-game losing streak. Finally, it seems like this team might be getting a break regarding injuries as Lopez as already missed 8 weeks since his foot surgery which acts as the latest expected return date for Brook after his doctors prognosticated between a "6-8 week" recovery period. If he does indeed play tomorrow which is unclear at the moment, then Lopez will have missed the Nets' first 31 games of the season, 31 games in which the Nets have only had 8 wins and have been desperately lacking a consistent interior post-scoring presence which Brook definitely provides on the court.

Netlinked 2/11/12- Nets Get Crushed by Detroit, Ginobili Returns for Spurs, Nets Front-Runners for Dwight?

Ginobili always seems to have big games against the Nets, hopefully he doesn't continue that dominance tonight

I wasn't able to watch last night's game against Detroit which is why there wasn't a preview or recap for the game. Hopefully this makes up for it:

Last night, the Nets got absolutely ran out of the arena by the surging Detroit Pistons for the second game in a row in a 109-92 loss. The return of Marshon Brooks from a toe injury was spoiled by an incredibly lackluster effort by the Nets in a game that they trailed by 19 points at half-time after only 33 points scored in the 1st half. In their 5th straight loss, the Nets were simply outplayed Pistons team that was rejuvenated by big performances by Greg Monroe (18 pts, 11 rebs), Jonas Jerebko (20 pts), and Rodney Stuckey (19 pts).

The Nets have a quick turnaround from last night's game as they take on the Spurs at the Prudential Center tonight (I will be in attendance). San Antonio will get a huge boost from the return of Manu Ginobili, who will play for the first time since breaking his hand back on January 2nd. I really don't think that the Nets will have a chance tonight but in this compressed season, anything can happen (My full preview for the game will be up later).

Finally, Ken Berger of CBSSports.com writes that he believes that a resolution to the Dwight-mare will occur in the offseason and doesn't think that Magic owner Richard DeVos wants to trade Howard at all. He also mentions that he still views the Nets as Dwight's current favorite destination for free agency. I hope he's right, this whole saga is taking its toll on Deron Williams and the rest of the team and might even be partly to blame for the poor start of the season.

Where the Dwight Howard Situation Stands Regarding the Nets

I can't wait for the Dwight situation to reach a resolution, the suspense is killing me

If you're a Nets fan that watches a lot of NBA coverage on TV and reads up on the recent happenings and rumors about the Association, then you are probably very excited or nervous about the Dwight Howard situation right now. As of right now, Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith has kept his stance of not trading the star center and according to what he has told the media, Smith thinks that Dwight will end up re-signing with the Magic this offseason. As a result, he says that he has no plans to trade him.

This current development leaves the Nets in a very tough place regarding their pursuit of Howard. GM Billy King can go the route of upping the team's potential trade offer to Orlando by adding draft picks or young players (unfortunately for Nets fans, MarShon Brooks would fit this category) to the deal. By going this direction, the Nets would most likely trade for Dwight around the March 15th deadline but would probably lose Brook Lopez, Marshon, Morrow, Humphries, and possibly a first-round pick or two in the process. However, he will have reached his desired destination of New Jersey and will most likely sign a long-term extension with the Nets. That means that he and Deron Williams, serving as superstar anchors, would lead the Nets into Brooklyn with one of the Eastern Conference's most intimidating teams.

Of course, the positives of the Nets giving up the farm for Howard would be that Dwight and Deron would be safely with the Nets for the foreseeable future instead of teaming up with another franchise. Billy King will have realized his goal of building a super-team and will have turned this franchise into a playoff contender and possible championship team. However, with the in-season trade for Howard, there are certainly downsides when compared to waiting for free agency to sign Dwight.

Latest in Absurd Trade Rumors: Stephen A. Smith Says D-12 to the Knicks?

Dude looks like he would make up a trade rumor

Notoriously biased ESPNNewYork.com writer Stephen A. Smith, who has shown an incredible anti-Nets sentiment since joining ESPNNewYork (remember this article?, how's that D-Will to the Knicks thing working out for you Stephen A.?), has concocted an incredibly absurd trade scenario in which the Knicks trade Amare Stoudamire and Tyson Chandler to the Magic for Dwight Howard. To try and give his report some semblance of validity, Smith says that "his sources" inform him that the Magic have inquired to Knicks' management about this possible trade idea.

First off, this trade makes little to no sense as of right for the Magic as Amare hasn't even been playing well as of late (only one 20-point game in his last 6 overall games, all Knicks losses). For that matter, Chandler has only scored in double-figures in 2 of his last 7 games.Why would the Magic trade their franchise player for an over-priced, over-rated, injury-prone power forward and a complementary defensive center who are making nearly $30 million combined this season? I thought that GM Otis Smith was trying to save the Magic organization money/cap space while also building the team for the future. Building a team around a fading scorer with terrible knees and a light-scoring rebounder doesn't seem like the best move for a GM trying to keep his job.

Ok, I'm done ranting now. I just wanted to say how ridiculous I think this trade possibility would be for the Magic as it makes no sense from multiple angles. Regardless, I seriously can't believe how biased Chris Broussard and Stephen A. Smith are as writers and yet they are still employed by the Worldwide Leader in Sports, also known as ESPN.