Nets Feel Shooting Pains

[InNETSweTrust]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In between all the games in which the Nets shooting guards don't do nearly what they're capable of, the Nets keep getting these little glimpses of what their 2s can do for them.

They saw it Friday night, in their victory against Milwaukee, from Kerry Kittles, who snapped out of an atrocious slump to score 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting, fueling a critical 16-2 run with eight points.


They saw it Saturday night, in their victory against Phoenix, from Lucious Harris, who did most of the scoring in the Nets' 14-2 end-of-third quarter run, starting it with three baskets, including a 3-pointer, then ending it with another 3-pointer.

Yet as the Nets prepare to continue their home stand against Seattle tomorrow night, Kittles and Harris know better than anyone: Those glimpses have been too few and far between.

"I haven't been playing as well as I normally can play," Kittles admitted. "I just keep trying to work and get better at it."

Other than that 22-point burst against the Bucks, Kittles' past five stat lines have been: 4 points on 2-of-9 shooting, 4 points on 2-8, 7 points on 3-of-8, 7 points on 3-of-7, 7 points on 3-of-11; and then 5 points on 2-of-9.

Harris has had a tough season as well. A back injury kept him out for the first 12 games. Since then, he has struggled to give the Nets the kind of spark he did last season off the bench, mixing good performances with shaky ones.</div>

This is one position that spells a great difference with them winning and losing. It's a given that Kidd and K-Mart will get their stats. But these streaky 2 guards need to be consistent for them to continue chalking up wins. When they can't run the break, their shooting can save them if they're forced to use a half-court set.

Full Story by BRAD PARKS

 

[Trail_Blazer76]

Good article, and nice citation Nets....

I don't really think it's a "given" that Kidd will get his stats. Frankly, I think that he is streaky as well. It's always puzzled me how Kidd shooting % is just as bad as Iverson's, but nobody ever talks about it.

 

[InNETSweTrust]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trail_Blazer76:</div><div class="quote_post">Good article, and nice citation Nets....

I don't really think it's a "given" that Kidd will get his stats. Frankly, I think that he is streaky as well. It's always puzzled me how Kidd shooting % is just as bad as Iverson's, but nobody ever talks about it.</div>

Thanks. However, I'm talking about Kidd's all-around game. He's not known to be a shooter. He's known as someone who makes the team look better with his assists etc. He may not get his points but his assists will come.

But I do agree that his % sucks. It's just that AI shoots a lot more and his team depends on his points to win.

 

[Henacy]

I think kidd's poor shooting % gets hidden behind the fact that he makes so many big baskets, but this year he isnt making those big baskets so that 39% from the field really looks bad this year.

 

[InNETSweTrust]

As long as he keeps getting those assists, I don't care.

. However, their two guards should hit those shots. It won't be an assist if they don't make it, right?

If Harris continue his 10.3ppg from last season and Kittles consistently get 15ppg, I'll be a happy Nets fan.

 

[Trail_Blazer76]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">I think kidd's poor shooting % gets hidden behind the fact that he makes so many big baskets.</div>

True, but so does AI! I don't blame you for making that statement, because a lot of people think that same way. It's just always confused me that Kidd shoots so poorly and doesn't get chastised like AI.

That was a good point Nets, they dont really rely on Kidd as a scorer.

 

[InNETSweTrust]

But if AI scores over 30, you don't really expect people to bang him for it even if he shot poorly. If he shot AND scored poorly, you can expect haters to have a heyday.

 

[E-bro92]

man i don't know what you guys think but kenyon martin is straight bad ass, he's gotta be one of the toughest players in the NBA and he doesn't back down to anyone.. how does someone so nasty not get talked about more often? man... when he sticks that tongue out... its like a snake waiting to strike.

 

[InNETSweTrust]

^ Finally some K-Mart fan! What took you so long? hahaha. Post more often in this forum.

But still, this topic is about the Nets' poor shooting. BUT, K-Mart is improving in that aspect. He shot 12 out of 18 last game.

 

[starman85]

I'm not trying to hate on the 2guard combo the Nets have, but I think they need to trade for a real 2 guard to be truly dangerous, someone who is a scoring threat througout the course of the game. Both Kittles and Harris have always been streaky, though they've also put up some good numbers over the years. I think the Nets should start considering a trade, probably Kittles and some bench hustlers for a real 2 who can average 20ppg.

Just my thoughts though.

 

[InNETSweTrust]

^ This would happen in a perfect Nets world. They'd need to give up a vital part of their team to get this 2 guard who can average 20ppg.

I do agree on them being streaky. But at least Kittles is doing ok defensively and I'm hoping Lucious will get back to his old self. I remember some stretch of games when he wouldn't miss. Fans was shouting LUUUUUUU!!! everytime he touches the ball.