New Jersey Nets @ Orlando Magic

[NJNetz]

[DIV=50%]

<font size="3">Projected Starters</font>

[IMGL]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jason_kidd.jpg[/IMGL]PG - Jason Kidd
14.4ppg, 7.8apg, 7.0rpg
What can you really say about Kidd? People kept asking what was wrong with Kidd and why he isn’t playing like before. Now the past 3 games Kidd has been playing better than great, he is playing like everybody wants he to play. It said that he had finally fully healed and if so then we can really tell by the games he played against Denver,Golden State and Los Angeles. He is playing great and giving the Nets a real lift.

[IMGL]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/vince_carter.jpg[/IMGL]SG - Vince Carter
22.8ppg, 6rpg, 3.8apg
Where would the nets be without Carter. He was also a question mark because he wasn’t playing like he did when he was first traded to the Nets. He has picked it up and is really killing opponents with his offense. He has been on far the last three games and looks to keep it up against Orlando.

[IMGL]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/richard_jefferson.jpg[/IMGL]SF - Richard Jefferson
19.3ppg, 8.4rpg, 4.1apg
RJ has been playing great basketball all season and not only plays great on the offense end but also on the defensive. Most of the time he is ahead of the field ready for a fastbreak or a great pass from Jason Kidd. He is an all around great player and he will be hard to stop for Grant Hill.

[IMGL]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jason_collins.jpg[/IMGL]PF - Jason Collins
4.0ppg, 4.5rpg, .29bpg
Collins is the main defensive big men. When he was out with an injury the Nets really struggled on the interior defense. He is not best defender against quick forwards but he can really help the Nets defend against the physical forwards which the Nets really need. His stats aren’t great but he brings the little things that Nets need.

[IMGL]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/nenad_krstic.jpg[/IMGL]C- Nenad Krstic
13.3ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.08bpg
This is Krstic’s second season and he just keeps improving. He is becoming a better post player and he can hit that 13-15 jumper. His only problem at this point is his defense. He can’t seem to be able to guard the more physical centers and forwards. He is a great player and will keep improving and even now, he is a great weapon for the Nets.


<font size="3">Keys to the Game</font>

<font size="2">FastBreak- The Nets have been winning their past 3 games by running on the break. They managed to get easy points because the defense didn’t get back. The Nets need to able to rebound and just get on the break .

Carter- The Nets need to get Vince Carter off to a quick start because when he is on fire the defense is in trouble. When Carter got off to a quick start , he made many shots throughout the the whole game and was almost unstoppable.

Make Magic take jumpers and contest them- The Nets need to clog up the lane so that they Magic take jumpers. The Magic won’t be able to beat the Nets with jumpers especially if they are contested. Nets have been able to run well and play well on offense because they made the past three teams take jumpers. This lead to many fastbreaks by the Nets.</font>

[/DIV]

(9-13)

<font size="3">Projected Starters</font>

[IMGL]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/steve_francis.jpg[/IMGL]PG - Steve Francis
17.1ppg, 5.8apg, 4.9rpg
His points, assists and, rebounds are really down this year but that doesn’t mean that he can’t scorch the Nets. If he gets on fire and manages to penetrate to the basket, he will cause a big problem for the Nets


[IMGL]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/deshawn_stevenson.jpg[/IMGL]SG - DeShawn Stevenson
12.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 2.1apg
Stevenson has been a real surprise this season. He managed to get into the starting lineup and he is really producing. He does not have outstanding numbers but he is really improving.


[IMGL]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/grant_hill.jpg[/IMGL]SF - Grant Hill
15.3ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.7apg
This will be Hill’s fourth game of the season and as of now he is playing good basketball. Those might not be the best numbers but for a guy that was close to retiring they are. People thought he wouldn’t be back but he is.


[IMGL]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/dwight_howard.jpg[/IMGL]PF - Dwight Howard
14.7ppg, 12.9rpg, 1.68bpg
This guy right here gets no hype at all but look at his impressive numbers. He is averaging a double-double and he is only 20 yrs old! He has became even better than last year, and is going to be a solid player in the future.


[IMGL]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tony_battie.jpg[/IMGL]C - Tony Battie
6.7ppg, 5.3rpg, .55bpg
He isn’t the best center but still good. He can run really well on the fastbreak for a big men. His blocks doesn’t show it but he can really change shots defensively.


<font size="3">Keys to the Game</font>


Defense-The Magic will need to play good defense on the Nets during transition. If the Magic miss a shot, they need to quickly get back on defense to prevent an easy basket.


Shot selection- Magic need to take smart shots instead of just a shot. They should take jumpers but, try to get the ball inside. Nets have been winning the team that took more jumpers than inside shots.


Nelson- It is hard for me to believe that Jameer is on the bench but he will still need to have a solid game. I think he should be the starting point guard and Francis should move to the 2. When he gets into the game, he needs to produce even with the Magic

***Ma3oxuct I just figured it out by reading your messege again. Thanks.

 

[Ma3oxuct]

Did you not recieve my PM? Or did that not work...

Nice preview btw. i sure hope that the Nets can carry thier momentum to this game. A winning streak is always nice.

 

[NJNetz]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Did you not recieve my PM? Or did that not work...</div>

It was kind of confusing and then Mel JBB was gonna help me but he wasn't on today.

 

[NJNetz]

In my opinion another good game but the Nets were sloppy at times which could of cost them the game. The big three doing the usual, played a great game. the big story was Lamond Murray. He recieved 27 mins and he repayed the Nets with 11 pts and 6 rebs. Overall another solid win. If you guys didn't see this game you missed a lot of highlights by Vince Carter, including the reverse dunk alley-oop from J-Kidd.

 

[Ma3oxuct]

Not a bad game for the Nets. They let it go a little bit in the fourth quarter, but got firm and pulled out a convincing victory. Unfortunatly, the Nets play against Miami on Friday and that is where in all probability thier winning streak will end. At least they won't be under .500 after the Miami game.

 

[Henacy]

Very nice effort on the Preview NBA Baller, I just switch the Nets keys to the game to size 2, so the columns could look a bit more even.

Anyway, I didnt get to watch the game..I was out trying to do some christmas shopping. During the strike believe it or not the stores was still filled, I figured they was going to be empty with whats going on in the city.

Anyway, I come home to find out we got the W, but Jason Collins leaves the game early and probably will be out of the lineup for a couple of games again. This is really becoming a concern in my eyes...because we are being left without any size. Scott Padgett and Robinson are giving us effort but they still lack the size. And Krstic cant guard big 4 or 5's, so the hole that JC leaves everytime he goes down really cant be filled by anyone on our roster. Anyway, I know unlce Cliffy going to give us the effort but if Collins doesnt play friday, I can see how we are going to be effective against Shaq.

 

[NJNetz]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I just switch the Nets keys to the game to size 2, so the columns could look a bit more even.</div>

Mel told me to use size 3 becuase it is the correct format.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I can see how we are going to be effective against Shaq.</div>

I just remembered that Shaq is back. I think we will have a bog problem if Collins doesn't play. Collins has the best chance of containing him, and if he doesn't play Shaq will be a monster for the Nets

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NbaBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Mel told me to use size 3 becuase it is the correct format.
</div>

Your right, under normal format use Size 3...but I think that the text from left to right were so different that using size 2, just for the lower part made it look more even.

 

[Next Level Game]

Shaq is going to be a problem like he always is. Jason bodies him best, but I think Marc Jackson could be a great X-factor. I remember in that T-wolves series way back Marc's jumper kept Shaq out of the paint. If it still works and allows Carter and Jefferson to drive, then we might have a chance, but a that's a big if. Marc did rather well today. Kinda forced it at times, but I think he's really trying to prove the coach he has worth and no better chance than against the most dominant player in the league.

Lamond played well...but I'd like to think that the Nets could still use Rodney Buford. He really played well for us last season and think he could still be used. He's rather athletic, finds open spots and plays hard. Lammond played well today and has better range, but I think Rodney was a better fit.

 

[Henacy]

Marc Jackson played well against Shaq when he was in Golden State as well...but the problem is overall Jax isnt giving you anything, so does Coach Franks have the confidence to play him legit minutes in a big time matchup. Right now, he might be forced to at times...but I think right now, Coach Frank has more confidence in going small...which means we are going to get crushed in the paint.

I miss Rodney and Travis Best...I think they are much better for us then McInnis and Murray. The problem with McInnis is he is always trying to create his own shot...that isnt what we need from him....when you are playing alongside Carter, Jefferson and Kidd, you let them do the creating and you find seems in the defense to get an open look off what those other guys create. Travis Best knew how to do this...so did Rodney. Murray, I dont think his problem is the fact that he is trying to create his own to much...his problem is that he doesnt have much game left in the tank. Not playing in Toronto has really taken away his game. I remember when Murray could score from alot of different places on the court....now he is basically an average spot up shooter...and when teams close out on his ablity to shoot, he cant put the ball on the floor to make a move off the dribble anymore.

 

[Next Level Game]

Yeah, damn, I forgot about Travis. He was awesome last year, pushing the ball, his mid range pull ups, playing hard. We could use him too instead of McInnis. Hopefully, a team like the Hawks cold really use McInnis or a point gaurd in general. Maybe a package of McInnis and M. Jackson can get us Harrington.