Nets-Cavs Game 1 Thoughts
The Importance of Rebounding
My thoughts on the series in general:
–This is a series that I have no interest in picking. The Nets boast the offensive firepower to beat the Cavs off the dribble-drive and kick, and the Cavs have the ability to pound the Nets on the boards. With the Jersey’s streaky nature and Cleveland’s propensity to go cold for long stretches, this is bound to be a series of runs. Which should make it interesting.
–People who have read Slamonline carefully enough over the years know that I pull for both of these teams. The Nets have been my team since the Mid 90’s and I spent 3 years covering the Cavs for this website during my college years. I even once wrote a column once calling these teams “my girlfriends.” So yes, my harem is squaring off, and honestly, I’m just happy one of them will make the Conference Finals. I’d prefer the Cavs against the Pistons or the Nets against the Bulls for the following matchup reasons:
The Cavs proved last year that they can slow it down and play Piston basketball, using good defense and maximum output from LeBron to stick with Detroit.
Because the Bulls don’t have a dominant low post scorer, it’s hard for them to exploit the Nets’ lack of interior presence, and errant jumpshots often lead to NJ fast breaks.
–Not that they’ll be matched up very often, but the Boston Snackbar-Sasha Pavlovic statistical comparison will be very interesting to keep an eye on. Both guys need to make open shots to maximize their team’s offensive firepower and build trust with their respective superstars.
–LeBron and co. have always struggled to win in Jersey. It will be very, very interesting to see if Bron and the Cavs can overcome this roadblock.
Some thoughts on Game 1.
–The Cavs settled for way too many jumpers early on. Vince settled for too much bitching early on.
–The Nets’ bench did a good job in from late in the first quarter into the second. I was especially pleased with Josh Boone, who did a good job diving to the hoop and keeping active.
–Does Vince Carter really think that his whining is going to win Steve Javie’s favor? As it is, he’s lucky it’s Javie’s job to try and stay impartial because otherwise he’d probably, like the rest of us, still be mad at Vince for jacking up that horrible 3 with the Nets down 1 with 30 seconds left in Game 6 against the Raptors. Ok, I’m not mad anymore, but you get the point.
–Good job by Mike Tirico and ABC, reporting on LeBron’s need to blow his nose. They really stayed all over that story.
–Good to know to know that Mikki Moore’s snake named “Peaches” bit him and that he had to dislodge a fang from his knuckle. Mikki Moore, ladies and gentlemen, taking gangsta to a whole ‘nother level.
–Through three quarters Kidd and Carter were a combined 8-25 yet the game was tied at 59.
–A big block from Sahsa Pavlovic down the stretch? Wow, all that preaching done by Mike Brown about defense being his team’s identity really is true.
Final: Cavs 81- Nets 77
Analysis:
–The Cavs pounded the offensive glass. Drew Gooden continues to come of age, going for 14 and 14. The only guys with respectable shooting nights (Gooden, Pavlovic, Jefferson, Nachbar) do so in support.
Jersey’s offense struggled mightily in the fourth quarter. Put it this way: they wouldn’t have been able to drive 20 miles south on I-71 and hit the side of a barn.
LeBron came up big down the stretch.
Vince came up wince. Kidd and Carter finish 9-34. Kidd, it seems, left his jumper in the first round. He’s going to need to get it back. J-SAP.
Cleveland’s starting frontcourt out-rebounded Jersey’s starting frontcourt 39-9.
Jon Barry, he of the large nose, blessed genealogy and fiery temper made a good point after the game: “Cleveland’s best offense was their missed shots.” Yes, because they rebounded their bricks and turned them into points. They’ll need to take it to the rack more often in game 2, or Jersey will shoot better and probably steal that all important road game.
29 Responses to “Nets-Cavs Game 1 Thoughts”
May.7 at 9:03 am
Bigi says:
Maybe the snake thought it was Mikki Mouse…Snakes LOVE mice…Right?
May.7 at 9:07 am
Bigi says:
And Jake,you really need to get out more and get a real “GIRLFRIEND”…Or move to a farm,like Ryan…Heavy-Pettin’-Zoo!!!!!
May.7 at 9:51 am
K22C says:
Cavs/Pistons in the East finals. Sounds exciting.
I only have one thought on this series.
-Nets and Lakers need a big man.
May.7 at 10:20 am
2G40 says:
HELP WANTED; NJ Nets are offering a great opportunity for the position of center. Candidate must be 6′10 to 7′0, responsibilties include rebounding, shot blocking, and occasional scoring. Must be able to play defense against nba’s toughest. Immediate opening, please fax resume or show up to the next game with shorts.
May.7 at 10:53 am
Jake Appleman says:
Bigi, who said I didn’t have a real girlfriend? And who said I didn’t live on a farm for 4 years and call it college?
May.7 at 10:56 am
slate says:
Damn 2G40,the only person I know who hates ASN(no J,no O)Cllins more than you is my dad.He can’t even watch the Nets if he’s on the court.He always wonders how he got into the L,and why he’s still here.Do Stanford boosters have that much juice?
May.7 at 11:40 am
Sparker says:
is vince dumb or just plain shameless? everytime he does goes between the legs, then STEPS BACK to launch a 3 (and he tried that yesterday at least twice), I want to hide the eyes of every single young ball player in america. CLANG! CLANG! it’s nothing short of painful
May.7 at 11:53 am
Zee says:
Any half decent centers who are free agents in the near future + lack of bigs for playoff teams= $$$$$$$$$$. Damn you Nenad.
May.7 at 11:59 am
Russ Bengtson says:
Nenad’ll be back in effect next year. The funny thing is that even when he was healthy, Collins started NEXT to him. All I can think of is he must have photos of Lawrence Frank with Bobby Knight or something. Because pretty much all he can do is take charges—which means he can stand in one place and fall down. My hero!
May.7 at 12:43 pm
Ryan Jones says:
And who said I live on a farm? Wait, I do. Never mind.
May.7 at 2:31 pm
Chris says:
Jason Kidd couldn’t miss a shot vs the raptors, he was looking like ray allen out there and now he can’t hit a bucket to save his life.
May.7 at 2:38 pm
Nothin_personal says:
Boston Snackbar? Classic Material!
P.s.I was going to say Something about AVG not playing him in Houston, but I can’t stop laughing!!!
May.7 at 3:01 pm
Shiz says:
I hate Jon Barry. Never liked him as a player, and hate him even more now that I have to listen to him. Damn “woulda” kid, never there when it jump off but always talkin bout what he woulda did…And finding out my homeboy named his snake “peaches” would have earned at least a 10 second “awkward pause” moment
May.7 at 3:10 pm
2G40 says:
Russ, I said that yesterday…that Collins and the nets head coach must be having relations. I didn’t say it quite like that at the time, but damn how else can you explain it. The guy’s been in NJ for damn near as long as Kidd…somebody dick’n him down. Either way, he’s got to go! I mean Kwami Brown looks like an all star next to this guy.
May.7 at 3:12 pm
Dennard says:
@2G40, LMAO at the Jason Collins comment.
May.7 at 3:41 pm
2G40 says:
Hey slam, issue 108 page 39…SLAMS TOP 10 has an error. You guy’s have Chuck Nevitt and Benoit Benjamin as nba’s worse centers. actually Chuck Nevitt had a little game and Benoit could rebound and block shots. Both of these guy’s were better than Jason Collins, so why not update this list.
–
Oh, and I’ll western union ten dollars to the first person who can tell me the name of the guy behind Chuck Nevitt…one time only offer, of course.
May.7 at 4:10 pm
Jake Appleman says:
2640,
I know we pick on Jason Collins a lot around here, but anyone who thinks Benoit Benjamin is a better defender–and was a better overall Net–than Jason Collins has to be smoking crack.
May.7 at 4:11 pm
Jake Appleman says:
Rebounds? Blocked shots? Dude was a loser. At least Collins has won and contributed (even if it is the littlest bit) with his defense.
May.7 at 4:38 pm
2G40 says:
Jake your kidding right? Or your not looking at the fact that JC has played with RJ and Kidd his entire career and still can’t get into double digets of anything. I’m not saying that Benoit was great, but he didn’t have the benefit of playing with three all stars either. Collins belongs on that list.
May.7 at 5:07 pm
TJ 3000 says:
There is no doubt in my mind that jason collins is the worst PLAYER in the nba
May.7 at 5:11 pm
slate says:
2G40 the man behind Nevitt is Joe Barry Carroll AKA Joe Barely Cares (Vescey’s best nickname ever).I think that name also would’ve fitted Elden (Seldom) Campbell.Remember the ever present expressionless look on his face?Speaking of AKA’S,Jake Appleman is really Jarron Collins!
May.7 at 6:42 pm
Jake Appleman says:
2G40, Did you ever actually watch Benjamin play? I mean, really, did you ever see him try and guard someone? During his stint with the Nets in the mid 90’s, his all-around horrible play was worse than Collins’ inability to score. Jason Collins, though possibly the worst starter in the NBA, plays serviceable defense. Benoit Benjamin played serviceable nothing—at least when he was with the Nets. He was a complete bum, not just a half-bum that probably doesn’t deserve to start.
May.7 at 7:32 pm
Dennard says:
Benoit Benjamin belongs on any list that begins with worst. Believe that shit…
May.7 at 8:46 pm
2G40 says:
@Slate, Let me know the best way to send you the ten.
-
Jake the fact that your the only guy arguing on behalf of Jason Collins speaks for it’s self.
May.7 at 8:48 pm
Jake Appleman says:
I’m arguing Jason Collins against Benoit Benjamin, not Jason Collins against anybody else. I don’t see anyone else jumping in to defend Benoit.
May.7 at 9:39 pm
slate says:
2G40 don’t worry’bout the ten,you’d make my pops the happiest man alive if you can get JC out the L.Maybe we can take up a donation to pay his ass to just go away for a year,donate my 10 spot for starters
May.7 at 9:57 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Jon Barry was dope at Georgia Tech.
May.7 at 9:59 pm
2G40 says:
@Jake, All I’m saying is that Collins belongs on that damn list. You guy’s made the list of the ten worst center’s lets take a vote?
May.7 at 11:35 pm
Jake Appleman says:
Ask Ben.