<div align="center"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Watch out.</span>Underrated. Overrated. The New Jersey Nets are going into the playoffs most likely in third. One of the best years in the franchise. The Big Three has played great together and others have started to as well. Yet, teams are battling for the 6th seed because they believe the Nets are weak of now. They are taken the Nets lightly, just like almost every other team because of our front court problem and our sweep from Miami last year. Here are some reasons why you shouldn't.Jason KiddThis guy is in gear for the playoffs. The last time he got under 8 assists was back on Febuary 14th. Since then we've been 7-5, only loosing to two teams in our conference. The problem with years before was that Kidd would slow down close to playoffs or like last year, be extremly tired because of the hunt for that 8th seed. This year, we have a playoff spot on lock, yet he still can play amazing basketball in limited minutes so he will be ready for the first round.Nenad KrsticProbiliy the biggest key to winning or loosing in the playoffs. Averaged 18 and 8 agianst Shaq and Alonzo. Four games you may say, but Nenad has been doing it for years in Europe as well comming up huge in big games. Also, maturing and learning about foul trouble. Will be a huge part of upsetting teams that really should not be upset that the Nets over powered them.DefenseJason Kidd and Jason Collins are the main force but we have plenty of others who can hold there own agianst the better players. One who Nets will need in the playoffs is Antione Wright. The so called bust is emerging into a defensive specailist. Almost always in a defensive stance on defense. Very pesky and is like a Bruce Bowen once he finds his three point game, he will get so much playing time. Richard Jefferson has the hustle but makes mistakes that he shouldn't and will have to improve that for the playoffs. Nenad Krstic has to go to the defense he was playing at the beginning of the year where he was getting 2 blocks a game and brining alot of energy. Jacque Vaughn is being himself. Some call him the smartest basketball player in the NBA and it shows on defense. Key guy in roation.Bench PointsFinally we can say our bench is producing. The guys are sick of the DNP and are showing up. Nets fans have to give a hand to Clifford Robinson who has produced all year round and if it wasn't for him, we probiliy wouldn't be in this third seed. Most blame Lawrence Frank for our bench woes but he isn't the whole problem. Guy were not producing in practising so they would not get playing time. Zoran Planinic has found his game that he left back in '04 and hopefully will prove night in and night out that he is worth staying in Jersey.ExperinceThe core of Jefferson, Kidd and Collins have been in two Finals. Carter has been in the playoffs. Clifford Robinson has played in 129 playoff games. Compared to most teams in the 6th seed, not even their total playoff games played will add up to that. It will be a huge advantage when it comes to nerves and final shots because they have been in that situation before.---------------------------Potential MeetingsW 105 - 103 L 90 - 102 W 97 - 92 L 91 - 101 W 89 - 83 L 74 - 94 L 96 - 110 W 94 - 79 W 89 - 85 W 93 - 91 L 95 - 107 W 101 - 90 W 100 - 99 L 87 - 95 ---------------------------When we loose, it's always in the mists of something. An injury, a streak, but something always comes from it. This team is built around streaks. One guy catches fire and it can ignite this team. One guy has a bad game, the whole team has a bad game. This can be a negitive and a positive at the same time but the Nets must learn how to control this. If we are gonna call ourselfs champions we must play like them. Be a team like the Pistons and Spurs. Somebody needs to take charge. Any team can take out another and I believe the Nets are gonna be the team to do this. Watch out 6th place. We are ready.</div>
Well, any team with that trio will be a threat in the playoffs. Statistically, the team that shoots a better %age wins mostof the games in the playoffs, and we know the Nets can shoot.
yea the nets are making the playoffs. so what? they have no chance against miami and detroit. d wade and shaq would <Censored> out the trio. and pistons all-star starting lineup would make them look like a bunch of children. i wouldn't get my hopes up nets fans cuz you're just making it to the 2nd round at best.
okay i never mentioned the knicks i know the knicks are bad and actually the bobcats have a worse record.the nets can't beat the heat or the pistons in a 7 game series.
They will be in good condition as they will grab the 3rd seed. They might make the 2nd round but not farther then that. They are pretty weak in the post.
I think the Nets should actually be worried about the first round right now. The Bucks are a half game out of the 6th spot right now, and can easily win the 6th spot for the playoffs. That should worry the Nets, becaues i believe the Bucks would be a scary team for the Nets to play in a seven game series. The Bucks are big, huge, and talented down low with Smith, Magloire, Bogut and company. A much better team than the Nets are down low, and i believe the Bucks would be able to take advantage of this every game. The Nets would have no answer down low.
As for the post, the Nets are in good shape heading into the stretch run. They're on a 6 game streak, blowing out one of the best teams in the league in the process. The real test is near the end of the month, the 26th and 27th I believe we have a back to back with Phoenix and Detroit. If we can get a split or a sweep then our confidence should go through the roof<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nykfan4life @ Mar 21 2006, 01:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>okay i never mentioned the knicks i know the knicks are bad and actually the bobcats have a worse record.the nets can't beat the heat or the pistons in a 7 game series.</div>I beg to differ. Are you among the scores of people who believe the Heat are now title contenders because they beat like 15 lottery bound teams? Seriously, during their hot streak, they only have one quality win and that is over Detroit in which it took a mirace finish by Dwyane Wade to battle back from a double digit deficit.And I do believe the Nets took two of three against Miami, should have been a season sweep but a BS non call in November proved otherwise. It's all good tho, we'll see them come playoff time. The Nets play a style that gives Miami problems. In other words, they have a center who can shoot from 15 ft out
I would believe so, since they have a big 3 that plays great a lot, and Kidd is having one the best season of his career with so many TDs.
Nets proved another step for the people who thought Wizards would upset the Nets by beating them last night.Krstic has been on a tear averging 18 in the last six games with 55% shooting. Not bad at all.
anyway the nets are gonna lose in the second round unless kristic plays big. the trio is good but not good enough. kidd is still good but he's gettin old.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Universe @ Mar 22 2006, 05:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Nets proved another step for the people who thought Wizards would upset the Nets by beating them last night.Krstic has been on a tear averging 18 in the last six games with 55% shooting. Not bad at all.</div>The Nets need Krstic to be a force. A lot of times he's very timid with the ball in his hand and passes it off even if he's open. If he can keep this up, I can see the Nets reaching the ECF which would be great.
Well that was 37 posts that have been deleted.I dont want to see that crap again. He posted a great article and all you kids can do is fight about a simple grammar error.Justblaze I expect more out of you you were instegating the entire problem. just because I missed this thread and did not lock it doesnt mean you need to say" Well its not locked so Im not done"The immaturity of some people Now get back on topic about a great article.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nykfan4life @ Mar 23 2006, 02:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>anyway the nets are gonna lose in the second round unless kristic plays big. the trio is good but not good enough. kidd is still good but he's gettin old. </div>Shaq is 34 and the Heat are one minor Shaq injury away from not being able to contend now that ZO is out for the rest of the season. When Shaq sits, who backs him up?And the Nets have big men who have range in Krstic and, to a certain degree, Collins. Ask anybody who has followed Shaq's career knows that he struggles against big men who can shoot because he refuses to play pick and rollsAnd Shaq has had trouble against New Jersey this season, averaging under 18ppg in two meetings. And say w/e you want about Wade, but Wade alone cannot carry to this team to a title. The Nets can beat Miami in a 7 game series. We'll just watch it unfold come playoff time
