Not Exactly the Links: Friday night wrap-up.
One game only—the Nets can put away their passports.
Lang’s on some alleged “vacation,” so you get me (Russ) again for the nightly wrap-up. As for me, I should really be in Jersey tonight. The last game I went to was the Nets’s last game of the regular season, the important win over Chicago. But instead I’m sitting home, watching the NBA on ESPN, listening to Hubie Brown. Things could be worse, I suppose, but still.
The Raptors are using their fourth different starting lineup this series. Four lineups in six games. It’s like Sam Mitchell’s throwing the Coach of the Year trophy back in the League’s face. “Not only can I not settle on a starting lineup, but we’re gonna lose a first-round series despite having home-court advantage—in SIX games! In your face, media!”
Last season Anthony Parker was facing up against random Israeli pros. Tonight he’s dealing with Vince Carter. Things done changed.
Jason Kidd’s shooting is still suspect sometimes, but it’s hard to believe that there is a more complete basketball player. Any would-be baller would benefit from just watching him play. Things may not always work out, but he almost NEVER makes a wrong or rash decision.
I refuse to believe that Jason Collins is a serviceable NBA center. He’s six fouls with cornrows. The positives? He’s adept at drawing charges (OTHER SKILLS: Falling down), and since he’s so incompetent on offense the Nets don’t bother slowing up their break to wait for him.
It’s hard to figure out why Mo Pete got so little playing time this season.
Have I mentioned how much I love split-screen interviews? Especially when a sideline reporter awkwardly tosses softballs at David Stern. Isn’t there a game on or something?
The Nets as a whole settle for threes way too much. With Jason Kidd on the floor there’s no excuse for that. If everyone kept moving without the ball, layups would be there for the taking. (Even though they’re 5-11 from three.)
The Raptors, on the other hand, can stroke it.
Is it just me, or does T.J. Ford look a little like Tiger Woods?
There’s like 30 seconds left in the first half, and I just realized I could be watching this game on YES. Man. Mark Jackson or Hubie Brown? That’s actually a tough call. I got Mark for the last 30 seconds, and the Nets go into the half down three. They do NOT wanna go back to T-Dot.
Staying with YES for the second half. Mark Jackson and Ian Eagle in the heezy.
Good things happen when you go to the rim. I will ALWAYS believe this. Because other defenders will close on the man with the ball, and if it does come off the rim, teammates will be free to get their hands on a putback. In short, aggressiveness causes chaos, which benefits the offense. And the Nets are more effective than most at attacking the rim. Not sure why they don’t do it more often.
Andrea Bargnani looks like he came straight off the set of Animal House.
Mikki Moore led the NBA in field goal percentage this season, and he didn’t just do it on dunks and putbacks. He’s got a nice touch from up to 20 feet out, and while he’s not much at creating his own shot, he’ll take anything Jason Kidd can give him.
Figures that after I write stuff about the Nets’s three-point shooting that they’re lights-out. Nine of 15 midway through the fourth with Boston Snackbar damn near unconscious after his 0-7 performance in Game Five.
Overheard from Sam Mitchell in the Raptor huddle: “WHAT AIN’T NO COUNTRY I EVER HEARD OF! DO THEY SPEAK ENGLISH IN WHAT?”
There’s been a lot of talk about Chris Bosh coming up small in this, his first playoff series, but he’s taking it right at Jason Collins in the fourth quarter. The Raptors sure aren’t going down without a fight.
Pet peeve: Guys shooting with their toe on the three-point line.
Chris Bosh with a hell of a shot off glass over the doubleteam with inside a minute to give the Raptors a one-point lead. Clutch.
In the end, the opportunities were there but the Raptors couldn’t take advantage of them. Carter missed a three early in the shot clock with 30 seconds on the game clock, but on the next Nets possession Jefferson hit a tough spinning layup over Bosh—who probably should have fouled, as the Nets were shaky from the line in the fourth. And the Raptors squandered their last chance—with starting point guard T.J. Ford on the bench, Calderon dribbled down the clock before trying to force the ball in to Bosh, who was fronted by Jefferson. Jefferson got the steal, pushed it ahead to Kidd (who AVERAGED a triple-double in the series), and time ran out. For Coach of the Year Mitchell as well as the Raptors? We’ll see. Meanwhile, the Nets advance to face LeBron and the Cavs, and I get to go out.
Go at it.
47 Responses to “Not Exactly the Links: Friday night wrap-up.”
May.4 at 11:00 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Oh yeah, final score: 98-97, Nets.
May.4 at 11:17 pm
JG says:
1st! Technically.
May.4 at 11:18 pm
Ron says:
Russ you didn’t call first. As a courtesy to those who live to be first, please allow that person to post before adding your own comment. Thanks.
May.4 at 11:22 pm
Drolfe says:
Mitchell also refers to Andrea Bargnani as ‘flock of seagulls’.
May.4 at 11:23 pm
Drolfe says:
Great post by the way, and just minutes after the siren. Bravo.
May.4 at 11:32 pm
the brown guy says:
raps will be back with a vengeance next yr, colangelo will make sure of that, good run boys. now to return attention to the games that matter, GSW vs PHX in the west finalsss baby.
May.4 at 11:40 pm
Joel O's says:
Aah. As a Raps fan this hurts. So close. We woulda won it had it come to a Game 7 but ouch. I’ve never seen Kidd play so well though, over this entire stretch. Well, now that the Raps have cut their teeth in the playoffs, if they can keep the momentum going we should come back next year a lot stronger. Bosh got shock-and-awed by the playoff intensity the first game or two, and I don’t think he’ll let this happen again. I think the Raptors are a big brutish rebounding forward away from becoming a lot better, and Kris Humphries is not the answer. Where’s Oakley when you need him?
May.4 at 11:40 pm
Sparker says:
depressing result, as toronto was starting to find its footing, and would have been tough in game 7 (and if they won that, even tougher against the cavs). is anyone out there excited about jersey anymore? they seem too often to want to play just well enough to win, and for a team of vets, they sure looked tight tonight
May.4 at 11:45 pm
Decs says:
Does that count as an upset?
May.4 at 11:57 pm
slate says:
No upset, the Nets made this tougher than it looked.They(Vince,RJ)must take it to the rim more often against the Cavs to get bigZ & Gooden in foul trouble because those are wo of the best offensive rebounders in the league.Nets in 6 against the LeBRONS.
May.4 at 11:59 pm
Decs says:
That question wasn’t really all that serious slate, but thanks anyway.
May.5 at 12:51 am
deestarbuckz says:
GO CAVS!!! GO CAVS!!! GO CAVS!!! GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!
May.5 at 1:14 am
jr says:
no cavs. when cb4 develops fully into a true superstar (hes not yet)then the raps will go to the conf. finals or further. he just looked uncomfortable especially in jersey. jose pisses me off and makes me happy at the same time. nice way to end the season jose good pass. if dirk wins mvp children will cry. good luck with lebron and the invisibles nets(i hate u).
May.5 at 1:17 am
Nothin_personal says:
“Last season Anthony Parker was facing up against random Israeli pros. Tonight he’s dealing with Vince Carter. Things done changed.” Actually, he was in Prague (ok, maybe a week earlier) and he was playing in the Euroleague final four, fighting against hostile refs and an imbecile coach (lots of love Pinhi), and maybe against what’s left of Europe’s finest.
May.5 at 1:20 am
FLUXLAND says:
Not as stellar or entertaining as yesterdays recap Russ, but seeing how the Raps lost I wasn’t looking forward to reading how great the Nets are.. it’s all good. I’m sure Vincenzo T. will fill is in on how amazing JKidd is and how Moore is an All-Star. As a Rap fan, this is depressing. Why couldn’t Bosh light it up in the first half as well?! DAMN IT!! And yeah, go CAVS… I hate VC.
May.5 at 1:23 am
Nothin_personal says:
P.S.Terrible set of semifinals yesterday in EL F4. Iguess it’s not worth wathing when there is a team hosting it, or when a team is “owed” something from previous years (too much pushing by the refs). That’s like, every year, so don’t even bother. The Champions League final, on the other hand, is a whole different story!
May.5 at 1:30 am
Nothin_personal says:
PPS.I think the Raps are three Eurostars (and a no-defensive-restriction-outside-the-borders-rule) away from being legitimate contenders. Please trade for Saras, Scola and Rudy Fernandez mr Colangelo!!! And Zots Obradovic as a Technical Director wouldn’t hurt either)
May.5 at 2:04 am
FLUXLAND says:
Russ.. you think Sam carries a BAD MOTHERF**** wallet?
May.5 at 2:54 am
deestarbuckz says:
I do too FLUX… c’mon over and throw on some wine, dark blue and gold! I am concerned about how we contain that Kidd guy. GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!GO CAVS!!!
May.5 at 3:02 am
Bigi says:
No it’s NOT just you,T.J. Ford looks A LOT like Mr.Woods…Could Tiger hire him for caddie?Mini-Me…In golf!?Nike hook the Raptors up!!
May.5 at 3:17 am
Russ Bengtson says:
FLUX: Last night was amazing and deserved an equally amazing wrapup—which I hope I provided. Tonight? Not so much. As for Mr. Mitchell’s wallet, all I know is that it’s full.
May.5 at 3:53 am
Aaron says:
Hmmm, Coach of the year out of the playoffs, MVP Out and ROY didn’t make it. Who won defensive player of the year?
May.5 at 5:14 am
Mehmet says:
Camby was the DPOY and he’s out. The only ones still going are the 6th man Barbosa and MIP Ellis. Oh, and Deng had that Sportmanship Award.
May.5 at 5:17 am
Decs says:
For the sake of all that is holy, i pray that Dirk doesnt get it, it would lead to nothing but unfullfilment. Just give it to Kobe or something, or cancel the award altogether this year.
May.5 at 5:20 am
Mehmet says:
Wait, Dirk is still not technically the MVP. He can lose it to Nash in “the closest(so-close-that-Stern-had-to-toss-a-biased-coin) MVP race ever.
May.5 at 5:22 am
Mehmet says:
Kobe lost in the first round too so giving it to Kobe wouldn’t lead to anything better.
May.5 at 5:27 am
Darksaber says:
Every postseason it’s something with these nba refs. Last year? Perceived fouls/steals/travel calls in the suns/lakers series. Now? Those zebras are now being painfully accurate as to the foot touching the three line. All of a sudden, really? As if that grazing the line doesn’t happen all season long.
May.5 at 5:30 am
Darksaber says:
And Ason is awesome. a triple double average for a playoff series. in today’s Nba. Incredible. That game three line of 16-16-19 still makes me shake my head. He’s +30, in a messy separation from wifey (sorry Lang) and he just leaves it out on the court. Just watch his teammates when he has the ball, they are salivating on the break, cause they know he’ll deliver almost every time. Hall of famer, no doubt.
May.5 at 6:58 am
Decs says:
But nobody expected Lakers to do anything, plus Kobe play some decent ball in his series. My solution, dont have an MVP this season, only logical course of action.
May.5 at 8:07 am
Boing Dynasty says:
It took 5 games and 3 quarters, but I think Bosh may have figured this playoffs thing out.
May.5 at 9:41 am
jonathan says:
i expected kobe to score 60
May.5 at 10:05 am
Nothin_personal says:
and maybe kick Steve Nash in the groin, following the insident with a “don’t know who that kid is”-type of comment!
May.5 at 12:28 pm
benny says:
Nice wrap, Russ. Kidd dragged the Nets over the finish line. Amazing. For all those in doubt, that clutch bank shot by Bosh was what he’d been attempting earlier in the game, with much less success. He normally drains its…Raps lost by 1…oh well. Looking foward to the NJ’s next fight. Larry Hughes/L.James/Varejo vs Jefferson/Carter/Moore. Anyone doubt Kidd will slap the Cavs like he did the Raps?
May.5 at 1:26 pm
Michael says:
Jason Kidd quietly had the best first round of any player. I still believe no matter what anyone says he is a better player than Steve NAsh. He’s a better rebounder, defender and he passes just as good. Nash is a better scorer but Kidd can lock him up.
May.5 at 2:00 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I do believe that the Raptors are gonna come back stronger next year. Because at least they went down fighting. They were a pretty easy pick as a first-round out this year—I wouldn’t bet on the same thing happening again.
May.5 at 2:15 pm
KO says:
A really disappointing final play for the Raptors season. Calderon should’ve ‘created chaos’ and taken it strong, or made a stronger, higher alley-oop to Bosh instead of some weak entry shit.
May.5 at 6:16 pm
bootlace says:
Foul Jefferson? Wasnt he 34-36 from the FT line in the series?
May.5 at 7:00 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Yeah, I noticed afterwards that he shot 11-12 or something in the game—but the one he missed was on his last trip. I’d rather force him to make two at the line than give him a layup (no matter how high the degree of difficulty was). You don’t have to agree with me.
May.5 at 7:36 pm
Andre says:
why do you guys call Kidd “Ason Kidd” ?
May.5 at 7:42 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
People call him that because he allegedly has no “J”. Which is true to an extent—he’s not Ray Allen—but anybody who can average a triple-double in a playoff series deserves more respect than that.
May.5 at 8:49 pm
Danny W UK says:
So what shall we call him now? Jason KiDDD? Bosh musta got his ass kicked by Coach Jules Mitchell for that 20 foot jumper. Thats why people hate Vince, drive to the hole. Inicidentally, as a huge Kings fan for many years, that sorta shot used to make me throw my remote at the TV every time CWebb took one.
May.5 at 9:52 pm
DarKnight says:
JKidd . . . wow. They say Nash is the only player who could run the Suns. Hard to believe that when you watch Jason Kidd. Touch passes, no looks, the whole repertoire. By the way, he’s been somewhere Nash never has - the NBA Finals. Twice.
May.5 at 11:16 pm
the brown guy says:
yo darknight, he’s also been another place nash never has, the eastern conference.
but still jason is unfreakin believable
May.5 at 11:48 pm
JB21 says:
Thanks goes out to the Raptors. I realize we were upset in the 1st round, and Vince Carter is going on, but if you told me that this team was going to finish 3rd in the East and set a franchise record for wins this year — actually I hate when people say the told me line but what I’m saying is I’ll take it. This team is on the rise, they are only going to get better. They have one of the best young nucleus’ in the league. We have the East MVP. We have the Coach of the Yr. We have the Executive of the Year. And we have some of the best fans in Basketball. I’m excited for next year, for the first time in ever I won’t be watching the draft like crazy. No 1st rounder — who cares. This team is put together, it’s just time to ball. Next year is our year — let’s go get it.
May.6 at 4:41 am
Mehmet says:
kidd is better than nash. period.
May.6 at 2:08 pm
2G40 says:
SLAM; Can you guy’s start a petition to have Collins kicked out the league? Please, there is no way this guy should be playing pro ball.
May.7 at 12:25 pm
dez says:
Isn’t Collin’s bro (on Utah) better than him? I saw Utah play a couple of games, and at least I noticed that other Collins. But not enough to remember his name