Our defense is still suspect. If simmons continues that type of play then i will take back what i said. I think everyone is forgetting that he did all this without chandler in his face. No way he has this game if chandler was playing. Lopez is going to be in the running for roy if he continues this play. Cdr needs to work on his midrange jumper and he will be great. Reminds me of richard hamilton the way he moves. Devin played good. Some of his passes were off target but nothing to complain about. We should be pretty good with the rebounds this season with lopez, boone, anderson and carter going after it. They need to stop passing the ball to swill in the post. He has a good face up jumper and is always ready for a lob. He cant do anything in the post. His base is too weak so he has to lean backwards with most of his weight in his shoulders. This leads to that pulled chair move malik rose was doing everytime. He is good to use on the break or facing up. They are not using him to his strengths.
Just to chime in, got in late and had to watch the game on DVR. I'm very encouraged by what Dooling has offered us. He's not John Stockton, but he can play pick and roll basketball and find people, get to the hoop, and nail jumpers if the defense is soft. Yet his defense is why Frank has coveted him for a long time. In the "VC" years since I've been watching the Nets, we've never had a steady, two-way PG like that before with our second unit. It will be huge. After a slow start to the season, Simmons is looking better and better. The corner 3 is VERY nice, and if his primary offensive contribution is to hoist 4-5 of those a game while hitting a good clip, he will help the team quite a bit. Defensively he has looked quicker than I expected based on Milwaukee fans' comments about him. Perhaps he is finally healthy and able to move better than in the recent past. Devin's best game of the season, nausea and all. He's going to have his growing pains, but I believe in his talent. As others have suggested, Brook is extremely valuable even when his shot isn't dropping. Jay Bilas is looking smarter and smarter with each game Lopez plays. Very pleased that Hayes, with considerable rust, was that good shooting the three. Gives us options on nights when Bobby's shot isn't there or when we are down big and really want to speed the pace and space the floor for Devin and Vince. Haven't talked about Vince because that's usually who I talk most about. He's looked fantastic all preseason, very aggressive and purposeful when going to the basket with a nice mix of moves. I repeat my earlier prognostication: he is about to have his most consistently focused, motivated season, which could well mean his best season. I'm not at all concerned about the slight decline in athleticism that even he has acknowledged (in NBA Europe broadcast on NBATV). Vince with a 15% decline in athleticism is still more athletic than 90% of the guys at his position (witness the move on the baseline last night). Contrary to the beliefs of some, his game was never wholly predicated on athleticism but on athleticism augmented by craftiness, incredible finesse around the basket, excellent bilateral finishing ability, strength in the post and in the air, great handle, excellent court vision, and a good outside shot that every few games is Miller-esque. That's a combination that only a handful of players of his era can boast. And his judgment -- when to use what tool, when to eschew the 28 footer in favor of a more conservative play -- is unquestionably better now than at any time in his past. I always said that Vince wouldn't reach his peak as a player until his judgment and skills curve met. The former always lagged behind the latter, but now I think they are intersecting. I love this team.
Hayes is a better player than Simmons. They're both not that great on D, but Hayes is noticeably quicker in every aspect...which counts for a lot of things. I think Hayes also has a better feel for the game. He didn't look lost on any plays (which Simmons most times does). He moves better without the ball, moving into clearer passing lanes (which Simmons never does). He makes quicker, smarter decisions. He showed great footwork especially in the triple threat position, that allowed him a strong drive (would've been a monster dunk)...and a very accurate bounce pass on a backdoor cut (with his back to the defender). Simmons may get the start, but it'll only be so that Hayes can give us more production when our starters are out. I expect him to get major min. Probably just as much as Dooling and Boone. I also can't wait to see Najera on the floor. I've been a big fan of him ever since his time in Dallas.
