Okay so here are my thoughts from seeing the action live.
Larry Hughes - played very well and aggressive early and set the tone for us early in the game. He kind of cooled off throughout the game but he has been a positive player for the Knicks so far this season.
Wilson Chandler - was challenging shots especially from Lopez early in the game as a help defender. He put a lot of effort on defense early in the game. And made some tough hard earned shots during the game in needed moments. The knicks defense kind of disappeared during the Nets late run though as they we able to beat us up in the paint. But Chandler fought hard for most of the game. He stayed away from jacking up 3s and played the way he should play. I would also like him to add a little more weight. He belongs in the paint as a power small forward who can also knock down the shot. He is not a skilled small forward. He is his best in the paint going after rebounds and fighting in the paint and adding some weight to his frame would suit what his skills really are.
Gallinari - played a good game, He did shoot that dumb 3pt air ball early in the game, but he played with effort on defense and hit some shots. He didn't do anything extra ordinary and didn't do anything real negative other then that 3pt shot and maybe one other turn over. When he gets the ball more good things happen then not. He showed some of his midrange game though which is a good sign. He needs to get stronger though. The Nets forwards were able to body up the Knicks forwards in the paint. His back didn't seem like a problem at all either. Everytime he went to the bench he layed down and then got up quickly and ready to play whenever MDA called on him there were no trainers by him and no really conversations from MDA to Gallo so his benching didn't seem back injury related. He also was moving a lot without the ball early in the game especially around the paint area. Then later in the game went back to standing around the 3pt line. He he was moving around and being active his teammates looked to get him the ball. When he stood around the 3pt line it seemed like he was away from the action and his teammates seem to forget about him unless they are in trouble and need a bail out.
Nate - he pissed MDA off when he shot the ball in his own basket while the quarter was ending. MDA ripped into Nate. He and Nate got into a little argument and MDA didn't put Nate back into the game.
David Lee - played a normal David Lee type of game. The most alarming thing is Lee's lack of strength. Lee just is not capable of holding position vs anyone in the paint on defense. Its one thing for Lopez to be able to move you in the paint with ease for easy buckets but when CDR is able to body you up for an inside basket that's a problem. Lee flat out needs to get stronger. Sure you may not be a shot blocker, sure you may not be the greatest help defender. But being abel to hold your own position is something that Lee could control with dedication in the weight room (edit)
Jeffries - I don't know why his teammates keep looking to get him the ball on offense. He is a turn over waiting to happen yet they continue to give him the ball on the perimeter and he continues to believe that he has the skills to make something happen. Jeffries needs to know his damn role and that is to make hustle plays. Jeffries if your teammate passes you the ball then just wait for another teammate to get open and make sure to get the ball out of your hands as soon as you can without turning it over.
Curry - He constantly fought down low in the paint for position. There were a couple of times when he had good position for a high % shot and his teammates didn't find him. He worked hard when he was in. There was no point in the game when he looked like lazy Curry. He did a good job making Nets bigs work hard every min he was in.
Chris Duhon - had little impact in the beginning of the game. Then did some solid PNRs with Lee toward the end of the game. For most of the game though it was like he was just there and sometimes you would forget that he was in the game.
Harrington - He just can't help himself. He has to shoot the ball every time he touches it. He makes one good player one bad play. 2 bad plays, 2 good plays. One thing stays consistent though, he is going to shoot it no matter what.
Devin Harris - He is really good. He made some really nice passes when he first came in the game. He knows how to run an offense and make plays for his teammates. If the Nets end up with the top pick in the draft and go after John Wall. Then we should try and make a play for Devin Harris. He is a good player.
Brock Lopez - I don't see a franchise player. If he was really a franchise calibre talent then there is no way he allows the Nets to go 0-13 being a franchise player in the most critical position in the NBA. There is no way he doesn't take over this game and bring the Nets to victory. His height and length is his whole game. He doesn't make players around him better. He doesn't anchor an offense or a defense. He may be able to develop into someone like that down the road more so defensively but to me everything he got in this game was due to his length and the Knicks lack of length. Nothing he did in this game showed me a player with great skill. He also isn't freakishly athletic like Howard. He will always get stats but in order to win he is going to need to be a 3rd option with a true franchise player and another allstar to play with. Don't get me wrong he is a very nice piece to have especially at center. But he is not on the calibre of a Duncan or Garnett or Howard.
CDR - He is really good, he can knock down shots as well as has the handle to attack the paint. He has very long arms allowing him to play big as well. He can be a future allstar in the NBA. He has a nice arsenal of moves as well with the ball in his hands.
Other thoughts - Curry makes a difference because we are not strong down low in the paint. Lee, Gallinari, Chandler are all able to be pushed back and bodied in the paint. Curry changes that. The Nets have a good collection of athletes as well. They seemed strong and athletic around the paint. Devin Harris healthy is going to make a world of difference for them. They still aren't going to win many games though unless Harris, CDR and Lopez all bring there games to the next level.
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