Can Anybody Beat The Nets?
http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/291/1/Can-Anybody-Beat-The-Nets.html
Lev Elgudin
By Lev Elgudin
Published on 03/30/2006
The majority seems to think that the Eastern Conference is made up of Detroit, Miami, and everbody else. Lev Elgudin says don't forget the Nets, who have won 10 in a row and reminding everyone that it wasn't too long ago that they were the class of the conference.
While most see the Eastern Conference as a two-team battle between Detroit and Miami, the Pistons and Heat better watch out; there’s a new sheriff in town. Well maybe not sheriff quite yet, but the New Jersey Nets are certainly making a run at deputy. The Nets are now winners of 10 straight, dating back to March 12th, and hold the third best record in the East. As the playoffs approach, the Nets are putting themselves in a prime position to not only hold down the Atlantic Division and the third seed, but to become title contenders by way of avoiding the big boys until the conference finals
The current winning streak matches their longest of the season (they also won 10 in a row Dec 16th – Jan 8th), and is certainly their most impressive. Six of 10 nine wins have come against playoff teams, with an average margin of victory of more than 12 points per game. Their most impressive wins came with the recent back-to-back-to back victories against Detroit, Phoenix, and Memphis, all playoff teams. On Sunday, the Nets beat the Pistons on their own floor, where Detroit had gone 30-2 entering the game. If that was a statement game for the Nets, then the home game against the Suns a day later was the exclamation point. They embarrassed the 47-22 Suns by 38 points, 110-72. Not only was the recently returned Amare Stoudamire held scoreless, but the Nets held Phoenix to their season-low in points. They didn’t beat Memphis quite as soundly (by a measly 12), but dominated the game throughout.
The key to this 10 game run, and perhaps the rest of the season for New Jersey is balance. The team has had perimeter stars in Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter all year, but they are finally getting consistent production from their big man Nenad Krstic. He has been improving throughout the year, steadily increasing his production since December. Now, Krstic is peaking at just the right time, averaging 16.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in March. He gives the Nets the presence inside to balance out their perimeter stars on one end, while playing solid defense on the other. Not to be forgotten is the leader of this team, Jason Kidd. He has quietly had a fantastic year averaging 14, 8 and 7, and has gotten his team on the same page for the stretch run.
The most important fact about this Nets team is that they, like Krstic, are peaking at the right time. With 13 games left until the playoffs, New Jersey is coming together on both ends of the floor. Historically, momentum at the end of the season can give a team confidence and carry them deep into the playoffs.
Getting hot late in the season has carried many teams to titles. Most recently, the 2003-2004 Pistons won 20 of their last 24 games entering the playoffs, and then shocked the world by walking away with the trophy in June after defeating the favored Lakers. And while comparisons to that great Detroit team are a bit premature, this Nets team has all its weapons locked and loaded at the perfect time for a major run. Detroit and Miami: take notice.
Lev Elgudin is a junior at The Ohio State University some of the time, and an NBA fanatic all of the time.
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The majority seems to think that the Eastern Conference is made up of Detroit, Miami, and everbody else. Lev Elgudin says don't forget the Nets, who have won 10 in a row and reminding everyone that it wasn't too long ago that they were the class of the conference.
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While most see the Eastern Conference as a two-team battle between Detroit and Miami, the Pistons and Heat better watch out; there’s a new sheriff in town. Well maybe not sheriff quite yet, but the New Jersey Nets are certainly making a run at deputy. The Nets are now winners of 10 straight, dating back to March 12th, and hold the third best record in the East. As the playoffs approach, the Nets are putting themselves in a prime position to not only hold down the Atlantic Division and the third seed, but to become title contenders by way of avoiding the big boys until the conference finals
The current winning streak matches their longest of the season (they also won 10 in a row Dec 16th – Jan 8th), and is certainly their most impressive. Six of 10 nine wins have come against playoff teams, with an average margin of victory of more than 12 points per game. Their most impressive wins came with the recent back-to-back-to back victories against Detroit, Phoenix, and Memphis, all playoff teams. On Sunday, the Nets beat the Pistons on their own floor, where Detroit had gone 30-2 entering the game. If that was a statement game for the Nets, then the home game against the Suns a day later was the exclamation point. They embarrassed the 47-22 Suns by 38 points, 110-72. Not only was the recently returned Amare Stoudamire held scoreless, but the Nets held Phoenix to their season-low in points. They didn’t beat Memphis quite as soundly (by a measly 12), but dominated the game throughout.
The key to this 10 game run, and perhaps the rest of the season for New Jersey is balance. The team has had perimeter stars in Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter all year, but they are finally getting consistent production from their big man Nenad Krstic. He has been improving throughout the year, steadily increasing his production since December. Now, Krstic is peaking at just the right time, averaging 16.2 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in March. He gives the Nets the presence inside to balance out their perimeter stars on one end, while playing solid defense on the other. Not to be forgotten is the leader of this team, Jason Kidd. He has quietly had a fantastic year averaging 14, 8 and 7, and has gotten his team on the same page for the stretch run.
The most important fact about this Nets team is that they, like Krstic, are peaking at the right time. With 13 games left until the playoffs, New Jersey is coming together on both ends of the floor. Historically, momentum at the end of the season can give a team confidence and carry them deep into the playoffs.
Getting hot late in the season has carried many teams to titles. Most recently, the 2003-2004 Pistons won 20 of their last 24 games entering the playoffs, and then shocked the world by walking away with the trophy in June after defeating the favored Lakers. And while comparisons to that great Detroit team are a bit premature, this Nets team has all its weapons locked and loaded at the perfect time for a major run. Detroit and Miami: take notice.
Lev Elgudin is a junior at The Ohio State University some of the time, and an NBA fanatic all of the time.
You can reach him at lev.elgudin@atomicsportsmedia.com