<div align="center"> <div align="center">vs. </div> <font color="DarkRed"> </font> <div align="center"><font color="Blue">The New Jersey Nets</font> (29-23) vs <font color="DimGray">The Orlando Magic <font color="Black">(19-33)</font></font> Time: Wednesday, Februrary 22nd, 7:30 PM Location: <font color="Blue">Continential Airlines Arena</font> </div> <div align="center"><font color="Blue"><font color="Black">TV: Yes Network</font></font> <font color="Blue"><font color="Black"> Radio: WFAN 660 AM</font></font> </div> <font color="Blue"> </font>[div=50%]The Magic are a new team. They traded thier captain Steve Francis and now the players have to adjust to a new mode of play. Francis brought the ball up, passed the ball, penetrated, and probably was some sort of locker-room presense. The Magic got Hardaway and Ariza, both of whom are not capable of doing the things that Francis did. Hardaway is too old, while Ariza is still learning both the physical and mental aspects of the game. Projected Starters Point Guard: <font color="DeepSkyBlue"><font color="SlateGray">Carlos Arroyo</font> </font>[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/carlos_arroyo.jpg[/imgl] I can only guess that he is going to start in this game. However, it may turn out that Keyon Dooling will start instead because he has been on the team longer than Arroyo and knows the playbook better. Shooting Guard: <font color="SlateGray">DeShawn Stevenson</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/deshawn_stevenson.jpg[/imgl] Not too bad of a shooting guard, but not star material. He kind of makes me think of Kerry Kittles due to the streakiness of his shooting and general athletic ability. He might have to play point guard for a large portion of the game. Small Forward: <font color="SlateGray">Hidayet Turkoglu</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/hidayet_turkoglu.jpg[/imgl] More of the a powerforward than a small forward, but the Magic seem to like to go with a tall lineup. Turkoglu ofcourse is a skilled three point shooter, so it is not as if he does not fit in as a small forward. Defensivly however it is tough for him to stop smaller, but quicker forwards. Power Forward: <font color="SlateGray">Dwight Howard</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/dwight_howard.jpg[/imgl] A a big and strong man who is really coming along as a basketball player. He rebounds the ball really well and is starting to become a proficient scorer. I would not be surprised if the Nets have trouble preventing this guy from being productive. Center: <font color="SlateGray">Tony Battie</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/tony_battie.jpg[/imgl] <font color="DimGray"><font color="Black">Not a phenomenal player, but does his job. Krstic should have an offensive field day if Battie is told to defend him.</font> <font color="SlateGray">Orlando: Keys To The Game</font></font><font color="SlateGray"> </font> 1) The Nets do not know how the Magic are going to play without Francis. The Nets have not prepared to play a Magic team without Francis. Therefore the Magic needs to surprise the Nets. 2) Feed Howard the ball over and over again. Challenge the Nets to stop him. 3) Grant Hill needs to get off of the bench for Turkoglu because there is no way that Turkoglu will be able to defend Richard Jefferson. [/div]This game cannot more winnable for the Nets. First of all it is at home. Second of all the Magic has no rythem what so ever. Orlando's players probably do not know what they are doing. The defensive pressure to defend Francis is taken off of Kidd, enabling him to take some risks and get some steals, and better run the team of offense. Judging by how the Nets did not hussle too much to win thier previous game against the Buck, they should be well rested. Projected Starters Point Guard: <font color="Blue">Jason Kidd</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jason_kidd.jpg[/imgl] No matter who the point guard for the Magic will be, Kidd will be able to guard him. Maybe Kidd will not even have to play more than 25 minutes for the Nets to win. Either way, there is no way that Kidd is going to let the Nets lose at home to one of the worst teams in the NBA, how just traded thier best player (or second best, behind Howard). Shooting Guard: <font color="Blue">Vince Carter</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/vince_carter.jpg[/imgl] Carter's defensive assignment is not too difficult either. He can't flat-out relax, but he does not have to spend all of his energy guarding Stevenson. This will enable to Carter to put the defensive pressure on Stevenson. Small Forward: <font color="Blue">Richard Jefferson</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/richard_jefferson.jpg[/imgl] It will be a huge surprise if we see Jefferson attempt a lot of jumpshots in this game. If there is one overarching advantage that Jefferson has over Orlando's forwards, it is speed. He can drive on Turkoglu or Grant Hill any day, and they will not be able to stop him. Hill perhaps will give more resistence than Turkoglu. Power Forward: <font color="Blue">Jason Collins</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jason_collins.jpg[/imgl] Collins is less athletic than Howard, but Collins weights about the same as him. This means that Collins should be able to put formidable resistence on Howard but boxing him out and not giving him the shots that he wants. If Collins can box Howard out well enough then Collins can take half of Howards game away. Center: <font color="Blue">Nenad Krstic</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/nenad_krstic.jpg[/imgl] It is natural to expect a big game from Krstic. Although Battie is a decent center, Krstic has show to be capable of play with or even out-playing the best centers in the league. It would be embarassing for Krstic not to dominate, on both ends, Battie. <font color="Blue">Nets: Keys To The Game</font> <font color="Black">1) Do not get overconfident. We all know that Orlando is not in condition to compete, but that does not mean that they will not compete. 2) The bench needs to take advantage of Orlando's weak bench. 3) Have fun while winning. The Nets should not get overconfident, but also should not tire themselves out in this game. I know that is not exactly a key to this game, but it is a key to upcoming games. </font></div>
This turned out to be a hard win. I did think we would win without a problem, but the Magic did put up a big fight. When the score was 46-56 Magic, I was crying in my head. lol. Anyway the Nets pulled it off and each of the big three had a very good game. Kidd 28 pts 11 asts 7 rebs Carter 22 pts 9 rebs Jefferson 28 pts 8 rebs Wright 6 pts
I'm glad to see Wright adjusting to the pro game more and more as he gets playing time. Good effort from the three, but the game showed that the team is still thin up front to the point where Collins is our best option. Krstic needs to start gaining some consistency, cause if the Nets want to win, he needs to step it up. We still have a couple of hours to make a move, and although unlikely, I hope Rod and Ed are able to pull something off.
