Yeah. That's nice, too bad he missed it. That was just like this: [video=youtube;SVKujeK5ync]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVKujeK5ync[/video]
I LOVE OUR TEAM!! And we haven't even gotten to see Dooling, Hayes, or Najera, all of whom will likely play some crucial minutes for the team sometime during the season. Lopez was HUGE -- literally -- on the boards in the last minutes of that game. If he can manage to control his fouls late, he will be the closing center (if not the starting center).
Lopez played bad for the first half, decent the 3rd and great the 4th. I cant wait to see him when he's comfortable out there and making shots.
vc's nasty dunk on blount [video=youtube;LSkSLpdi8Ok]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSkSLpdi8Ok&fmt=18[/video]
Two 20-year-old seven-footers--one in his first NBA game, the other in his first game with the Nets--prove invaluable in the fourth quarter of a close game with 18,000 fans watching, blocking shots, making solid passes, tipping home misses. It really doesn't get much better than that, considering it's preseason.
Lopez improved drastically over the course of the game. It was as if he had gotten used to intrateam scrimages, and wasn't prepared for the physicality of the game, but as time went by he got more in the flow. He was dominant on the boards in the 4th quarter and hit some big shots. This was undoubtedly Ager's best performance as a Net. The second unit--Hodge, Ager, CDR, Swift, and Simmons--and for seven minutes Hamilton--were tremendous defensively. They applied non-stop pressure, they rotated quickly, their hands were active leading to a number of steals and deflections. This was a stark difference from what we became used to last year. On the offensive end, though, Hodge showed he just isn't a PG. Swift had a few key blocks and some nice dunks. Devin Harris made some boneheaded plays, where he drove or shot jumpers early in the shot clock. In at least one instance he drove 1-on-3 with Vince trailing (he missed). On occassion Vince served as the PG, not sure if that was just to shake things up, or because Vince is just a better decision-maker. Yi looked very good. He showed up a beautiful 15'-20' jump shot which was just money for most of the game. He also showed he could drive the hoop. There was just a stretch in the second half of the second quarter when the nets looked terrible and out of sync. That was a period when Devin made some bad decisions, and Brook was getting outplayed (and he missed some chippies). Other than that, they played pretty well. Carter showed a lot of enthusiasm and aggressiveness both on offense AND defense. Really--he played good defense. CDR wasn't a good as the first game, but he showed a lot of confidence, and still looks like a player.
He should been credited with two more...Lopez got credit for the tip they both went after. Not that it matters. What impressed me most about Yi was his passing--for a 20-year-old seven-footer to have the confidence and skill set to hit Carter with a bounce pass while on the move is very impressive. He did the same thing in the Open Gym last weekend, hitting Lopez. He also was aggressive. NOT the same guy you saw in the Olympics. NOT at all.
I was also impressed with Yi's ball handling abilities. Oh, and Dumpy's analysis of the game is right on money. And GMJ is just the best lmao.
wow i personally didnt get a chance to see the game... but i read all your post and saw the boxscore and i am sooooo excited and happy at the same time... GO NETS!!!
omg claud... great find did u see how pumped Yi and VC were? omg this is goin to be amazing!!! i cant wait... lets go nets!!
