Season Opener: Bucks @ Nets

[Henacy]

<div align="center">

@

<font color="Purple">Milwaukee Bucks</font>@<font color="Navy">New Jersey Nets</font>
Date: Wednesday, November.2,2005
Time: 7:30pm
Place: Contential Airlines


<font color="Navy">Nets Projected Starting Lineup:</font>

<font color="Navy">PG:Jason Kidd, SG:Vince Carter, SF:Richard Jefferson, PF:Jason Collins, C:Nenad Krstic</font>

<font color="Purple">Bucks Projected Starting Lineup:</font>

<font color="Purple">PG:TJ Ford, SG:Micheal Redd, SF:Bobby Simmmons, PF:Joe Smith, C:Andrew Bogut</font>



Spotlight Matchup:

vs

Shooting Guards: <font color="Purple">Micheal Redd</font> vs <font color="Navy">Vince Carter</font>
<font color="Purple">Redd '04-05: 23.0ppg</font> / <font color="Navy">Carter '04-05: 24.9ppg</font></div>

This is battle of two of the league's premiere scoring guards. The matchup places Micheal Redd's slick shooting perimeter game against Vince Carter's dynamic inside-outside game from the wing. Redd is coming off an offseason that was very good for him in the contract department, signing a 90 million dollar contract extension to stay with the Bucks. Now its time for Redd to prove his worth as a franchise player. Redd is the centerpiece of a relativily young Bucks team, so much of their success rests on the shoulders of Redd. Redd would like to get the 05 season off to a great start by getting the best of the matchup against fellow all-star Vince Carter.

Meanwhile, Carter is looking at the 05' season as a futher chance to silence the many critics of his game. Last year, Carter answered the question on whether or he could still be a franchise marquee player. Now questions a rise on whether or not his game is unselfish enough to co-exist with rising star Richard Jefferson on the wing? and Can Carter stay healthy for a full 82 games? Carter looks to begin answering those questions tonight.



<div align="center">Inside the Point Guard Matchup:

vs

<font color="Purple">TJ Ford</font> / <font color="Navy">Jason Kidd</font>
<font color="Purple">Ford '03-05: 7.1 ppg-6.5apg</font> / <font color="Navy">Kidd '04-05: 14.4ppg-8.3apg</font></div>

The Bucks, TJ Ford is look to make a comeback from a serious injury suffered during his 03'-04 rookie campaign. Ford missed the entire 04' season with a spinal injury.And is now trying to incorprate his floor general-ship into Coach Tery Sotts system. The return off Ford, now gives the Bucks a floor leader capable of setting a uptempo style of play. And his unselfishness will be key in creating oportunities for Micheal Redd coming off screens...as well as a key part of the growth of the Bucks 05' #1 pick, Andrew Bogut. The Return of Ford begins tonight vs the 76ers

Jason Kidd outlook on the 05 season is the same as it has been for the last 4 years as a Net, he wants the ultmate prize, a championship. While many feel its unrealistic, Kidd doesnt. And he is looking to be the floor leader to get this Nets team to the mountian top in '05. Kidd, who has been injury prone the last two or three years, must be healthy for the entire year inorder for the Nets to even stand a chance. Kidd must also use his floor leadership skills to keep all the shooters and scorers happy. Kidd would love to start his '05 mission off with a W in the game against the Bucks.

<div align="center">Key Componets To The Bench:</div>

<font color="Purple">Milwaukee Bucks</font>

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jamaal_magloire.jpg[/imgl] Recently acquired by the Bucks in a trade that sent Desmond Mason to the Hornets, <font color="Purple">Jamaal Magloire</font>, is expected to be a key ingrediant in the Bucks of rotation. Magloire is a guy the Bucks can use as a starter or a guy off the bench. And will provide quality work on the boards. The arrival of Magloire is expected to lighten the frontcourt load Andrew Bogut..seeing as Magloire can both relieve and play alongside the Rookie.

Rest Of the Bucks Core Bench: The loss of Desmond Mason takes away from the athletism of the Bucks bench but they still have some decent role players on the bench. Veteran Toni Kukoc, provides the young Bucks with championship experience, along with a big game shot. And athletic Bigman Dan Gadzuric, brings more of a shot blocking element then both Magloire and Bogut. So he should find a serviceable role on the team.

<font color="Navy">New Jersey Nets</font>

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/marc_jackson.jpg[/imgl] Unlike the Bucks the Nets are not a deep with quality frontcourt bigs, so that makes <font color="Navy">Marc Jackson</font>, even that more important to the Nets bench, not only vs the Bucks but for all 82. Jackson brings a pshyical style that none of the other New Jersey's bigs really have in their games. Expect to see Jackson play around 20 minutes and use all his fouls throwing his body around in the paint.

Rest Of the Nets Bench: Jeff McInnis provides the Nets with a quality ball handler to take over duty at the point when Kidd is resting. The arrvial of McInnis is expected to reduce Kidd's minutes from the high 30 minute range to around 30 per game...should go along way to keep Jason healthy. Lammond Murray, along with Jackson & McInnis are all new elements to the Nets bench. The Nets took a chance on Murray, despite his reputation because they were in need of quality shooters, should be interesting to see how it works out.


<div align="center"><font color="Purple">Milwuakee's Keys To The Game</font></div>

Must Defend in Transition. The Nets, especially at home, are one of the league's best transition teams. The trio of Kidd, Carter and Jefferson will look to get out on the break and create easy baskets at every opportunity possible. The Bucks make sure they stop the basketball in transition and fource the Nets to setup in the half-court.

Create Easy Opportunities for Themselves The Bucks dont really want to get into a up & down free for all with the Nets, but they do need to look to create some opportunites to create their own tempo. The Nets defense isnt as strong as it has been in years past, so there should be opportunites for TJ Ford and the Bucks offsense to get the ball up quickly. And get some easily baskets of their own. Also with an expected advantage on the boards Magloire, Smith and Bogut should be able to put themselves in the position to get some cheap hoops around the basket by working the offsense boards.


<div align="center"><font color="Navy">New Jersey's Key To the Game:</font></div>

Strong Play From the Bench. Last year the weak link of the team besides injuries had to be New Jersey's lack of depth, now after a wholsale of changes the Nets are looking to see some changes. The 2nd unit must provide the Nets with good minutes early to keep Kidd, Carter, Collins who isnt 100%, fresh for the end of the game. Kidd and Carter's minutes were limited in the preseason, so their bodies arent ready to play 40 minutes & still be fresh come 4th quarter yet, so the bench must allow them to rest. And produce while those guys are out. Rod Thorn was quoted as saying he has created a bench that can not only hold leads but extend leads when the starters are out, lets see if such is true.

Team Effort on the Backboards. The Nets have to approach this game with a emphasis on Team rebounding, Collins and Krstic are going to have a hard time keeping Magloire, Gradzoric and Bogut off the boards, they are going to need help from the perimeter guys. Carter and Jefferson mainly, have to use their athletism not only to get buckets but also to do some board work.

Team Defending Redd. A guy like Micheal Redd can never be guarded by one man...it going to take a team effort. Its going to take the New Jersey's bigs stepping out to bump Redd as he comes off of screens looking to catch and shoot. Its going to take Kidd putting pressure on Ford and Williams to cut of their vision of Redd running off screens. A Guy like Redd is great at using set team plays to create looks for himself...so it is going to take great team defense..to disrupt those Buck's plays they set up for Redd.


All game opinions/views, news etc goes in this thread. Enjoy the season opener

 

[PlaTsanity]

Nice preview..but
Magloire will be starting at C
and Bogut will be replacing Smith as starting PF
I think its because smith is injured..Magloire is going to be starting all season long (unless he gets injured)

I see Nets taking this
probably something like:
101-85

VC gets the game-high points
while KIdd gets the assists

 

[NJNetz]

I heard that Collins won't be ready for the 1st game.

 

[Henacy]

^If Collins wasnt going to be ready, why didnt the Nets put him on the inactive list, since the list can be changed game to game?

 

[NJNetz]

Yea your right, I just found this

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Jason Collins says his knee feels like a normal knee and barring any problems with his surgically repaired hinge, he will be in uniform, on the court and ready to go against the Bucks on opening night Wednesday. Collins has now played through two pain-free practices. </div>

www.netsdaily.com

 

[Ma3oxuct]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NbaBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Yea your right, I just found this



www.netsdaily.com</div>

That is certainly very nice to hear. I hope that he does not rush him self back becasue the Nets need him to be there all season long. The guy may not be a game difference maker, but he is very consistent, and oftentimes that is a positive thing.

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting xpehbamxyu:</div><div class="quote_post">That is certainly very nice to hear. I hope that he does not rush him self back becasue the Nets need him to be there all season long. The guy may not be a game difference maker, but he is very consistent, and oftentimes that is a positive thing.</div>

If you remember...JC played basically all year last season with this injury. The orginal injury took place in that very first overtime game in Chicago (I think it was like the 3rd or 4th game of the season). And he played through it. He was limited some games last year...but I think he knows how to be effective, still.

 

[Henacy]

The game is currently in progress, Nets lead 29-17 after the 1st. Jason Collins looks strong...and the Bucks look slow everybody except TJ Ford.

Update:

<font size=""5"">Haiftime</font>

<u>Score</u>
<font size=""5"">Nets</font>: 48
<font size=""5"">Bucks</font>:46


<font size=""4"">1st half Summary:</font>


A major 2nd quarter meltdown by the Nets...it began early with their 2nd unit against our 2nd unit. Much like the preseason the Nets bench failed to impress...other then some solid moves by Zoran Planinic, nobody on the Nets 2nd unit showed anything on either end of the floor. Mo Williams and a few of the other Bucks 2nd unit guys did an excellent job of pushing the ball in transition & working the offensvie boards. And cut the 12 point Nets lead after the 1st down to 6points mid way through the 2nd quarter. The Nets starters try to come in to stop the meltdown...but too many 2nd quarter turnovers just would not let that happen..And TJ Ford hit a big three at the end of the half buzzer to cut the Nets lead from 5 to 2. The Nets actually led by 16 at one point in the 1st quarter.


Leading Scorers

<u>Nets</u>
Jefferson 12pts
Collins 9pts
Carter 8pts

<u>Bucks</u>
TJ Ford 13pts
Mo Williams 10pts
M. Redd 8pts

 

[NJNetz]

Now it's 46-48 Nets. I had a feeling the Bucks would come back. I can't believe Redd is playing, i barely notice him and Ford is playing very well.
Carter, Jefferson and Collins are playing really well. I hop they keep it up.


Edit- Forget about my Redd statement.

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NbaBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Now it's 46-48 Nets. I had a feeling the Bucks would come back. I can't believe Redd is playing, i barely notice him and Ford is playing very well.
Carter, Jefferson and Collins are playing really well. I hop they keep it up.


Edit- Forget about my Redd statement.</div>

Forgotting, Redd is killing Jefferson and Carter...neither can cool this dude down right now..but honestly it goes back to the team defense I mentioned early. The point guards have to put more pressure on passers and the have to bump this guy as he tries to catch and shoot coming off screens.

Anyway, Bucks lead going into the 4th

Update: 6:06 left in the 4th quarter.....Micheal Redd has Carter and Jefferson wearing skirts right now...they got to man up

Update:

Well the brutal show that the Nets called a season opener is finally over.


<div align="center"><u><font size=""4"">Final Score</font></u>
Bucks 110
Nets 96</div>

Well before I do any final recap...I have to point out a few things I found funny...

First thing was the fact that all game during commericals they kept playing the new Nets ad slogan, which has Vince Carter and a few other Nets saying Bring It. But all I could think is that someone for got to tell the Nets tonight what their 05 slogan was cause the Bucks are the only ones that brought it after the first quarter.

Also another thing was that Jay-z was crazy hype early gave a pound to Vince and all but by mid third quarter you could see Carter kept looking at his cell phone and/or two way like he had better things to do. And then by the 4th quarter, he was slump back in his seat with his arms folded...I actually ony watched the last 4 minutes to see if Jay-z was going to leave like the rest of the sold out crowd did in shame...anyway on to the recap.

Hmmm...we got broken down tonight at our three key positions PG/SG/Sf. TJ Ford and Mo Williams broke us down from the top of the key all night. And we just dont have the bigs to cause resistence once a guys gets in the lane against us. Redd, well he did it all from the wing, coming off screens, one on one off the dribble, catch and shoot. But overall I think they exposed our defensive weakness and our weakness on the boards. The Rookie Andrew Bogut had 15 boards in their against Collins and Krstic....we just cant win getting out worked on the backboards like that.

Offensively, we didnt take smart shots...Its not that anybody played selfishly..its just nobody played smart, which is a surpise from a veteran led team. Guys over penetrated all night getting caught in bad postions under the basket against that Bucks size of Magloire, Gadzoric, Bogut..and it led to turnovers..Guys were jumping in the air to pass..which led to turnovers. Just not a smart job of taking care of the basketball. free throw shooting by the Nets, Horrid to say the least 29 of 44, and the only reason why it even looks that decent is because once the game was clearly out of reach the Nets began to hit free throws with minutes to play in the 4th. This team just didnt play like a veteran squad tonight and definately not a Jason Kidd led team.

Iam not overally concerned with the offensive mistakes...those can be fixed and fine tool when you have the likes of Kidd Carter and RJ. But the defense is the biggest concern...because we cant magically make Collins, Krstic and the rest of the bigs into shot blockers and shot changers..so teams are going to contest the Nets all year at the rim. Iam most dissapointed in the fact that Marc Jackson who was so strong in the preseason was a non factor on either end of the court. No he isnt a shot blocker but he does have the size to put a body on those guards running threw the lane all night. And he didnt do that or anything else.. In 10 minutes 1-4 2pts and 2 boards, no free throw attempts from a guy who seem to get to the line every trip he touched the ball in the Preseason. Jackson has to be a factor, if we are going anywhare this season.

Anyway, the game against Toronto will be an early test of what this team is made of..definately not a must win. But against a division opponent, on the road, and against Carter's old team....the Nets have to show they can step up and deliver more energy and effort then they displayed tonight.,

<div align="center"><font size=""5""><u>Player Of the Game </u></font>
Bucks: Micheal Redd 36pts 12-20 fg, 14-17 ft</div>

Other leading Scorers:

Bucks:

Mo Williams 23pts
TJ Ford 21pts

Nets:

Vince Carter 25pts
Richard Jeffferson 18pts

 

[NJNetz]

Well this isn't how I wanted the season opener to be like. Your leading by 16 pts and then you end up losing the lead and starting losing by double digits. Then RJ gets ejected. I hop we do better against the Raptors. Im really upset on how the season began even though it's the first game.

 

[Cage]

Bogut with 17 boards...it just seemed liked the Bucks couldnt miss a shot..

 

[gmanspack]

But we shot 38%....

It seemed like Mike couldn't miss a shot

 

[Schaddy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting gmanspack:</div><div class="quote_post">But we shot 38%....

It seemed like Mike couldn't miss a shot</div>

true enough-Redd shot over 50%, but T.J shot 7 of 19, Bogut was only 4/13 and Bobby Simmons was 1/7. I'm glad that we stepped up down the stretch on defense, because this was not a great offensive performance for the Bucks...

 

[Henacy]

^ I see where your coming from with the praise of the Bucks defense..but honestly, it had more to do with not smart decision making on the part of the Nets offense...Look back at the game and look how many good shot they turned down to end up taking bad shots. A defense looks alot better when your playing against a team over penetrating and over passing. I am not trying to disrespect the Bucks they gave us the business tonight. But a passive ofsense like the Nets played tonight cant possibly lead to anything successful on that end of the floor.