A lack of respect <span class="newsText"><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - There is no doubt that the Nets have been overlooked heading into this season and have a right to be upset with all the talent they have. But their next opponent is right there with them on the disrespect line. The Toronto Raptors are the defending Atlantic Division champs, but you would think that they won it by default the way no one is talking about them. The Celtics already have won the division, apparently.</p> I've heard people say Toronto only won last season because the Nets were banged up. But Toronto won 47 games, the division and had the fourth best record in the East. No one seems to remember that, and that their core is back, basically.</p> What's remembered, and perhaps what hurt Toronto was losing to the Nets in the first round of the playoffs last season, a huge triumph for ex-Raptor Vince Carter.</p> With the rematch tomorrow between the two 1-0 teams, someone asked Lawrence Frank what he remembered about the series, and here's what he said:</p> "It was very, very hard fought. We had some real special performances. You had the dynamic of Vince in Toronto which was unique. I thought that Toronto got better each and every game. As the series went on it was a game of possessions and we were very, very fortunate to come out a winner.</p> "And then in Game 6, the thing that lasts with you is Richard [Jefferson] the two-game winning plays - the drive to the bucket and the steal."</p> It's funny how coaches and writers or coaches and fans remember different things. Here are the things I remember:</p> • The series started on a Saturday afternoon and then Game 2 was Tuesday night. So myself and the other beat writers were stuck in Toronto to save money on travel while the Nets went home.</p> • Sam Mitchell made a playoff rookie mistake when he questioned Jason Kidd's knee injury. The series was over right there. I asked Frank if he remembered that and he did, vaguely. Come on. Frank probably was in his office, screaming, 'Thank you!' when he read it. Picture Jimmy Duggan (Tom Hanks) in 'A League of Their Own,' when Dottie Henson (Geena Davis) returned to play in the decisive game. "We're gonna win," Hanks said. "We're gonna win." All Kidd did was average 14 points, 13.2 assists and 10 rebounds.</p> • How the Nets destroyed the Raptors in Games 3 and 4 when they looked like they could beat anyone, looked the old Nets with their defense and fastbreak. Carter was terrific and Kidd was amazing.</p> • How Carter made the right play in Game 2 by feeding Bostjan Nachbar for the game-tying three and how Carter should have taken the shot in Game 5 to win the game and series in Toronto as the fans blistered him.</p> • How Frank called a great play at the end of Game 6, using Carter as a decoy and giving it to Jefferson and letting him create. He scored inside over Chris Bosh.</p> All that said, the Nets won't remember what happened, but the Raptors will. Payback, though, comes in the playoffs. Both teams probably will be there, proving pickers wrong.</div></p> A lack of respect - Al Iannazzone - YES Network</p> </span></p>
Nice article, I enjoyed that one. </p> Thanks for putting this up, BR. I fixed it up so that it's quoted and there's a link, so no one thinks that you wrote it yourself, haha.</p> This is gonna be a good game. 2 tough games in a row for the Nets...wow. The schedulers decided to be rough on them this year. Hopefully, with RJ completely healthy(in mind and body), the Nets can win this one easy. They should have more of an edge than they did in the playoffs, too...depth and experience of youngins is so much better. This will be a good one.</p>
Re: A lack of respect <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (peg182)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Nice article, I enjoyed that one. </p> Thanks for putting this up, BR. I fixed it up so that it's quoted and there's a link, so no one thinks that you wrote it yourself, haha.</p> This is gonna be a good game. 2 tough games in a row for the Nets...wow. The schedulers decided to be rough on them this year. Hopefully, with RJ completely healthy(in mind and body), the Nets can win this one easy. They should have more of an edge than they did in the playoffs, too...depth and experience of youngins is so much better. This will be a good one.</p> </div></p> Look out 4 Dickridas,if we beat those hockey playas</p> </p>
We seldom get the respect from the media and NBA, they are really abhorrent.</p> We will show them wrong this season, we will win the division, and be a strong contender.</p>
Re: A lack of respect <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Republican)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Look out 4 Dickridas,if we beat those hockey playas</p> </div></p> What the hell are you talking about?</p> </p>
Re: A lack of respect <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GMJigga)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Republican)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Look out 4 Dickridas,if we beat those hockey playas</p> </div></p> What the hell are you talking about?</p> </p> </div></p> Lemme break dat metaphors down 4 u,u kinda slow.</p> hockeys playas=raptors</p> Dickridas, means analysts gon eat their words...............Betta now?</p> </p>
Re: A lack of respect <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Republican)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GMJigga)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Republican)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Look out 4 Dickridas,if we beat those hockey playas</p> </div></p> What the hell are you talking about?</p> </p> </div></p> Lemme break dat metaphors down 4 u,u kinda slow.</p> hockeys playas=raptors</p> Dickridas, means analysts gon eat their words...............Betta now?</p> </div></p> ooooh i understand now, haha. not sure what you meant by dickridas.</p> </p>
