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From the Booth
January 10 by Leave a Comment
IAN AND MIKE ON THE CLOSE LOSS TO HAWKS
Mike Fratello and Ian Eagle break down the Nets’ 106-101 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Fratello’s Fantasy Pick: MarShon Brooks
January 9 by Leave a Comment
In his NBA debut, rookie guard MarShon Brooks has earned significant playing time off the Nets’ bench and shown flashes of his shooting prowess, which was highlighted by a 52-point rampage against Notre Dame when he broke the Big East record last year.
During his collegiate career with the Providence Friars, Brooks proved he could put the ball in the hole on a consistent basis. He averaged 24.6 ppg and evolved into the top scorer in the Big East by his senior year. A solid defender, Brooks also led his team in rebounding.
The 6’5”, 200-pound shooting star was drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 25th pick in 2011, but landed in his birth state of New Jersey by way of a draft day trade to the Nets.
Brooks has gotten off to a solid start so far in his pro career. He’s averaging 13.9 ppg in 23.4 minutes and is second in scoring behind All-Star point guard Deron Williams. He can sink shots from behind the 3-point line, penetrate off the dribble and hit lots in between. Brooks also helps out on the boards and has been pulling down a few rebounds each night.
The freshman has a lot to learn, but Brooks is destined for a bright future in this league as a big-time scorer. With the team’s top gun starting center Brook Lopez sidelined with a stress fracture in his right foot, the Nets desperately need Brooks’ firepower. As long as he stays healthy, Brooks will continue to get minutes and challenge 4th-year guard Anthony Morrow for the 2-spot in the Nets’ starting lineup. The Nets play four games this week beginning tonight at home game against the Atlanta Hawks at 7:30 PM EST on YES.
From the Booth
January 5 by Leave a Comment
MIKE AND IAN ON THE LOSS TO CELTICS
Mike Fratello and Ian Eagle break down the Nets’ 89-70 loss to the Boston Celtics.
Gameday Dish: Nets vs. Celtics
January 4 by Leave a Comment
More bad news for the Nets: The shorthanded squad will face the Celtics tonight without starting point guard Deron Williams, who is recovering from a collision with Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough in Monday’s 108-94 loss to Indiana. Power forward Kris Humphries will also be sidelined for the second straight game with a sprained shoulder.
Factor in the loss of leading scorer Brook Lopez, who will be out at least another month after undergoing foot surgery, and the Nets’ mounting casualties add up to another big setback for their struggling offense (NJN are shooting a league-worst 38.4 percent from the field). Williams, Humphries and Lopez combined for 52 points in their 88-79 home win over Boston the last time these Atlantic Division rivals met. This will be a daunting deficit for their starting lineup stand-ins to overcome.
Boston has also been impacted by some early season injuries. Paul Pierce missed the first few games due to a bone bruise in his right heel. Ray Allen will sit out tonight because of an illness. And the Celtics have some concerns about center Jermaine O’Neal, who missed Monday’s 100-92 win over the Washington Wizards due to lingering soreness in his left hamstring.
But with Pierce back in the lineup Boston bounced back from a tough start to even out their record at 3-3. Head coach Doc Rivers is working to integrate a number of new players into his system including Brandon Bass, who replaces the minutes “Big Baby” Davis put in before he was shipped south to the Orlando Magic. Bass has given his team an energy boost off the bench and proven that he can make baskets in the clutch, so he should be earning more court time as the taxing season wears on.
YES will bring you live coverage from the TD Garden where the Nets will try to change their luck and the Beantown Boys will play for their fourth straight W at 7:30 PM EST.
