How 'bout them Nets

[acisking]

12 GAMES STRAIGHT??? From a team that many thought might even lose the atlantic.

Some interesting point to note....
Beat Phoenix, Detroit, Miami, and Dallas during streak along with several others with records over .500
Beat 8 western conference teams on streak.
Held Phoenix and Detroit to 70s in points on a back to back nights with the Suns as the back leg.
Giving up only 80 ppg during streak.

Nenad Kristic is rapidly emerging as a force in the middle.
Kidd is literally shutting down every point gaurd he faces (including Billups and Nash on 2 consecutive nights)...and even a good deal of shooting gaurds.
Jefferson has become an extremely versatile swingman.
Carter is just playing at another level.
The supporting cast knows its role and the team plays stifling defense cohesively.

I personally feel that an eastern conference final appearance is certainly not out of reach for the Nets (especially considering their 3-1 record against Miami). Even Kidd admits that this is a stronger team than the squads that went to the finals in years past (although the competition is obviously greater).

 

[piksi]

Let's see if they can stay healthy

 

[Kings113]

Nets are playin amazing 'ball, indeed

 

[¿¿¿]

They balling out of their minds right now. Let's see if they can stay healthy...

 

[bigbadred00]

How'd we beat them by ~20 on their home court before the streak?

 

[x 213 x]

and to think they gave up on SAR :\

 

[SacTownKid]

Could you imagine that team if they didn't lowball Reef. Sick sick sick! They would have been legit contenders with Reef.

 

[atxrocker]

wow, nj.. really playing some good ball right now. Jefferson and Carter are stepping up. I'm a fan of both. Behind Philly probly my favorite Eastern conference team.

 

[BMiller52]

I hope Kidd and RJ give Snaq some payback in the ECF's. I don't think the heat have anyone to defend VC and RJ. Krstic played well vs Snaq in the POs last year too. A lot of people think Jason Collins sucks-well he does, except he's a very good defender. Cliff Robinson can still hit some open shots. I wonder if NJ just runs during the whole series, could that possibly take Snaq out of the game? I mean Miami doesn't have the athletes like the Nets do.

 

[Packt]

How'd we beat them by ~20 on their home court before the streak?

Bonzi and Artest. We're one of the few teams that can match their 2-3 tandem on both ends.

They are probably better off with out Shareef. He isn't the right kind of big they need right now. They sure could use someone like Mourning though.

 

[jacobdrj]

BRAVO! Good to see that team come into its own. With the old guard out (Martin, Kittles, Harris) you finally have a truly good core, with only a very few real needs (namely, a real center).

 

[Kings113]

And a better bench, Vaughn/Cliffy/Planinic is okay at best.

 

[jacobdrj]

And a better bench, Vaughn/Cliffy/Planinic is okay at best.

Lol, better than some...

Cliff is still an amazing defender, and dare I say, he may have found his clutchness so late in his career...

 

[Kings113]

Lol, better than some...

Cliff is still an amazing defender, and dare I say, he may have found his clutchness so late in his career...

Indeed, but I doubt he's around much longer than 1-2 more years, and of course the age factor w/ injuries. They need that consistent scoring/offensive spark also, Planinic could become that, but isn't near definite yet. Lamond Murray was supposed to be something like that too, but hasn't worked out. Scott Padgett's been inconsistent, and not like he was in Houston last season and Utah. Should have an impact in the playoffs though, as "one of those guys" .

Marc Jackson was going well early, then, just fell out of it and traded to Hornets. McInnis never seemed to get going, and has been hurt. Antoine Wright, as expected with the guys in front of him, hasn't shown much yet, but has talent I think.

Clearly they need some more energy and athleticism off the bench.

 

[Kings113]

Win streak ends at 14, just now by Cavs. Who have one 10 of last 11... LeBron had another great game with 37 pts, 18 (I think) coming in the 4th.

http://www.nba.com/games/20060408/CLENJN/boxscore.html?nav=scoreboardhome

Good to see Hughes have a nice game, and that he's back.