<div align="center"><font color="Red">Los Angeles Clippers (15-8)</font> at <font color="Blue">New Jersey Nets (11-12)</font> Contential Airlines Arena Tuesday, Dec.20th 7:30pm, Yes Network vs.</div> [div=50%] <font size="2">The Clippers enter tonight matchup as the league most surprising team at 15 and 8. If asked in September where the Clippers would be in the Pacific division by Decenber, many would have said the bottom of the division. But the exact opposite has taken place. The improvement of the Clippers can be attributed to the advancement in the game of Elton Brand. But also key addtions of Cutino Mobley and Sam Cassell have made a huge difference. They have brought a winning pressence and feel never before seen in the land of the Clippers. But the Clippers have recently been in the mix of a stumbling with losses last week against the Pistons, Spurs and Hornets. But they were able to bounce back to their winning ways with a key victory over the weekend against the Rockets. The Clippers, now look to knock off a Jersey team that has build up some momentum in their last two.</font> Projected Starters Backcourt <font size="2">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/sam_cassell.jpg[/imgl] <font color="Red">PG -Sam Cassell</font> 17.1ppg, 7.3apg, 43%fg Acquired over the summer, the veteran point guard has provided the Clippers with a winning swagger that has never been seen before in a Clippers leadership position. Cassell is willing to take and make the big shot time in and time out, and that type of attitude has taken pressure off Clipper players who in the past may have been uncomfortable in a leadership role. Cassell currently ranks 3rd on the team in scoring and 1st in assist. The pick & roll Cassell runs with bigman Elton Brand is a key to the success of the Clippers. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/cuttino_mobley.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Red">SG - Cuttino Mobley</font> 15.7ppg, 5.0rpg, 3.1apg Along with Cassell, Mobley provides the Clippers with a totally revamped starting backcourt from that of last year. Mobley like Cassell provides the Clips with veteran experience and a deadly outside touch. Mobley is the teams best three point weapon at 37%. And he is also a 2ndary ball handler and playermaker in the starting lineup. Mobley's ablity to handle the rock allows Casselll to shift into a more scoring role, when the Clippers need an offensive kick. Mobley also has the ablity to make big shots in key situations.</font> FrontCourt <font size="2">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/quinton_ross.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Red">SF - Quinton Ross</font> 5.6ppg, 3.5rpg, .41%fg Ross has been a surprisingly key player in the success of the Clippers so far this season. With Corey Maggette in & out of the lineup since the starter of the season, Ross has found inhimself starting in 13 of the teams 23 games. And is looked upon as a key defensive player to cover some of the league's better perimeter scorers. Ross is not really used as a key ingrediant in the Clippers offense ,but if you leave him open with to much focus on Brand and the other scorers the Clippers have, Ross can make the 15 footer with ease. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/elton_brand.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Red">PF - Elton Brand</font> 25.0ppg, 10.5rpg, .53%fg The Centerpiece of the turnaround of the Clippers has to be the play of Elton Brand. Brand already considered a top 5-10 power forward in the NBA before this season, has taken the next step to MVP cotention status with his current play. Brand becoming more of a focal point in the Clippers halfcourt game, threw Iso post ups and pick & roll play has alot to do with his indivial improvement. But the dedication Brand made during the offsense to slim down and come into training camp in great playing condition has made it all possible. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/chris_kaman.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Red">C - Chris Kaman</font> 8.5ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.74bpg Chris Kaman's inconsistency has been a bit of a dissappointment to many in his brief 3 year Clipper career. The biggest reason for Kaman's inconsistency has to be pointed to the fact that Kaman has not been healthy in his previos two seasons.But Kaman's health seems to have taken a turn for the better, he has started all 23 of the Clippers games. And he has been a solid contributor. Kaman is one of the guys that has benefited most from the pressence of Cassell and Mobley. Kaman playing alongside the two, doesnt have to be a focal point of the Clippers sets...he can just clean up the glass of Clipper misses and/or wait for Cassell or Mobley to put an easy 2 foot layup in his lap. But Kaman can make the 12-15 footer, when defenses sage off.</font> X-Factor <font size="2">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/shaun_livingston.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Red">G - Shaun Livingston</font> 5.5ppg, 4.0rpg, 5.0apg Livingston provides the Clippers with quality playmaking. And a stronger defensive pressence at the point guard then Sam Cassell. The problem and concern with Livingston, is his health and wieght. Livingston only 20 years old, doesnt have the body to play in this league yet. And that leaves him acceptable to injury. Livingston is just playing in his 3rd game of the season.</font> keys To Game <font size="2"><font color="Red">Effective Pick & Roll Play</font> The pick & roll/pop between the Clippers guards and bigs is the start of everything that Los Angeles was to do offensively. They most create mis-matches with the pick & roll causing the New Jersey to kep switching. And keep the Jersey D off balance <font color="Red">Strong game from another bigman beides Brand</font> The Clippers are most effective when they get a strong game from either Kaman or Chris Wilcox. A strong game from those guys keeps opposing teams frontline defense's honest. And keeps them from collapsing down on Brand. Neither Wilcox or Kaman are really one on one post players, so what they have to do is be effective at being active. They most be active without the basketball cutting toward the basket as well as working the offensive glass.</font> <font color="Red">Transition Defense</font> The Nets have effectively put the running game back into play the last two games..that means the Clippers must be prepared to get back on D. They want to force New Jersey to setup in the halfcourt. New Jersey in the halfcourt, comes to a complete stand still making them easily to defend. [/div] <font size="2">Entering tonight's matchup the biggest question surrounding New Jew Jersey is which team will show up. Will the Nets team that beat quality Western Conference fows Golden State and Denver, show up? or will it be the Nets team that lost to the Wizards without Gilbert Arenas and blown out by the Bobcats show up? The biggest problem with the Nets up to this point has been a lack of indentity. New Jersey doesnt know if they want to be a running team or a halfcourt team with alot of isolations for Vince Carter. Its clear that the Nets are better when they are pushing the ball and Jason Kidd is in full use...but until Coach Franks gets guys to adopt fully the concept of what it will take for them to be the fast-breaking team they need to be...the rollcoaster ride will continue for the underachieving New Jersey squad.</font> Projected Starters Backcourt <font size="2">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jason_kidd.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Blue">PG - Jason Kidd</font> 14.7ppg, 7.7apg, 7.0rpg Many feel that Jason Kidd has lost a big step this season. But in actually, Kidd may have not lost as much of his game as many feel..the inconsistency in the Nets adopting a running style has put huge limitations on Jason Kidd's game. But Kidd is still amongst the league's best playermakers at nealry 8 asssist per game. And he is doing a solid job of hitting the perimeter shot. But I think the biggest difference in Kidd's game is that he can no longer really contain the smaller point guards, while he is still a quality on ball defender. You can see the really quick guards give Kidd a problem, but that should not have an effect on tonight's matchup since Sammy isnt a guard that rely's on quickness. Cassell is going to look to attack Kidd's defense in the 15 foot area. Kidd is coming off two spectacular games 15pts and 16ast vs Denver and 24pts & 13 ast vs Baron Davis led Warriors team. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/vince_carter.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Blue">SG - Vince Carter</font> 22.1ppg, 6rpg, 3.7apg Carter after a slow start to the season seems to be picking up his level of play in recent games, particularily in the energy department. Carter for much of the season has look lackluster. But after a huge game against Lebron and the Cavs, Carter seems to be re-energized. And that bolds well for New Jersey. Carter is still the teams best indivual offensive player. And much of New Jersey's half court sets go thru him since New Jersey lacks a consistent post option. The problem with Carter is when he isnt scoring it seems as if he doesnt give much effort defensively or on the boards. But hopefully that type of lack of effort has turnaround for good this year.</font> Frontcourt <font size="2">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/richard_jefferson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Blue">SF - Richard Jefferson</font> 19.2ppg, 8.4rpg, 4apg While Vince Carter has been the Nets most effective offensive wingman, Jefferson has been the teams most consistent all-around wing. Jefferson has brought the effort on both ends of the court. And while he has had his ups & downs trying to cover some of the leagues best scoring shooting guards and small forwards, the effort from Jefferson has been unquestioned. Offensively, Jefferson like Kidd really flourishes when the Nets are in the mode of pushing the ball. In the half-court Jefferson, sometimes is guilty of not asserting himslef into the action. And just standing around watching Vince work. So if the Nets want to see Jefferson in full mode pushing the ball is their best option. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jason_collins.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Blue">PF - Jason Collins</font> 3.9ppg, 4.5rpg, .31bpg The absence of a healthy Jason Collins, consistently in the Nets lineup is a huge reason for New Jersey's disappointing 11-12 start. While Collins' # troughout his career have never jumped off the page, before this season Collins has been the consistent rock in the Nets lineup. He provides the Nets with a defensive option to guard bigger Power Forwards and Centers. And his solid passing in the middle was a key ingrediant to the Nets previous Princeton style. But without a consistent Collins' the Nets Princeton style has been non-existent and the Nets have ben left with only 17 year veteran Cliff Robinson as a defensive bigman option for most of the season. But Collins seems to now be fight trough the leg and back injuries to stay in the Nets lineup. And with that the Nets frontcourt should get stronger at least from a defensive standpoint. [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/nenad_krstic.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Blue">C - Nenad Krstic</font> 13.1ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.13bpg The 2nd year bigman has continued the 05-06 season where last year left off. With the disappointing play of Marc Jackson, Krstic finds himself as the Nets only offsensive minded bigman. And he has welcomed the load he must shoulder giving the Nets quality post play and the ablity to stretch defensives with his shooting range up to 15 feet. The problem with Krstic comes on the defensive end of the floor, he isnt a strong on the ball defender yet. And doesnt grab that many defensive boards. But the biggest problem with Krstic may be his ablity to consistently find himself sitting next to Coach Frank with foul touble. The Nets need Nenad on the floor. But he is trying to get better in that aspect.</font> X-factor <font size="2">[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/cliff_robinson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="Blue">F - Cliff Robinson</font> 4.9ppg, 3.0rpg, .46bpg When the season started many expected Uncle Cliff to be a utlity bigman that would be used sparingly in his 17th season. But do to injuries and inconsistencies on the frontline, Robinson has found himself as one of the Nets key bigmen. Robinson has already been called upon to start 7 games in the absence of Collins. Keys To The Game <font color="Blue">Defending Perimeter Shooters</font> The Nets have struggled this year defending shooters from the perimeter, while the Clippers dont launch it from long range much as far as the three point line...they are very effective shooting the ball in the 15-18 foot range, especially coming off screens and picks. That means that the Nets bigs are definately going to have to step up and show hard as the Clipper guards come off screen and picks, inorder to give Kidd and Carter a chance to recover defenseivly. <font color="Blue">Bench Play</font> The Nets serch for a bench rotation continues...It seems now that Marc Jackson and Jeff McInnis both big minute bench guys earlier this are currently out of Franks roation. And have been replaced with Jacque Vaughn and Scott Padgett, while those guys arent as big of an offensive options they do provide more engergy an effort then their counterparts. The Nets will need that energy against the Clippers <font color="Blue">Set the Tone and Pace</font> While the Nets do want to play a up & down game inorder to produce easily transition baskets, they must be very particular in how they go about this against the Clippers. They dont want to get into a free for all 100 point shoot against the Clippers. They want their running game to come from setting a defensive tone and getting stops against the Clippers. If they play a first team to 100 game against the Clippers they may find themselves on the loosing end. The Clippers are 9-3 in games played over 100pts</font> Discuss and Enjoy The Game.........
This will be a really interesting game. Im sure there will be a lot of excitement and if the Nets play like they played against the Warriors I am 100% sure they will win.
I like this two-column layout. The Nets have been extremely inconsistent and it seems they've found their swagger back in the last two wins. A main thing I'd like to see is the continuation of Jefferson and Carter attacking the basket. For parts of the season, they've seemed very passive and they would settle for a jump shot.Another thing I'd want to see is the Nets get on the break on every oppurtunity they have. I noticed one of the reasons we haven't had so many oppurtunities is because Krstic takes too long to collect defensive rebounds, and by the time he hands it off to Kidd the defense is already back. We still haven't addressed our defensive problems, and we don't truly have a legit answer for Brand. Hopefully without Magette we can slow them down a bit, but Quinton Ross is very capable on the defensive end. If the Nets play as well as they did the past two games, regardless of a win or loss tonight, I'd be happy.
I didn't see this game or the GS game, but it seems like we're running the fast-break more. Does anybody know if we're pushing it more who has seen the games?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting virve119:</div><div class="quote_post">I didn't see this game or the GS game, but it seems like we're running the fast-break more. Does anybody know if we're pushing it more who has seen the games?</div> We are definately pushing it more...but I think the change that we are starting to see on the defensive end is the biggest adjustment because it opens up the opportunites to push. Hopefully, we can keep this up as we go against Eastern Conference teams, because honestly these last three games we played Westernern opponets, who play that tradition Western style of opencourt basketball...they push and take quick shots.Against the East guys are going to want to grind it out a bit more making the style more half-court.
The Nets played a great game. The big three of course are starting to prove they can really play well. Kidd, Carter, and Jefferson played great on both ends of the floor. The rest of the team played great also and really didn't give the Clippers a chance to get back into the game. The defense for the Nets all together was great. They contested most of the shots and really stopped any of the Clippers to get hot. Their defense lead ot many fastbreak points which was one the keys to the game. Now people are turning their heads and wondering, are these the Nets we have been waiting for. i hope they keep it up against the Magic.
[quote name='thedude9990']we won the game aganist gs because of scott padgett[/QUOTE Padgett has only like 8 pts against GS. It was the big three and Krstic that did most if not all thw work.
