February 6, 2001 - Nets 90, Hawks 84
Fowl Play
The Nets went back to basics tonight, one game after beating the Sixers, the team with the best record in the NBA. Essentially, it goes like this: play well in the first half, get complacent, stop being aggressive and settle for jumpers in the sinister third quarter, and watch a twenty two point lead disappear in the fourth. Does anyone remember Vancouver? Only this time, the Nets hung on in a sloppy, whistle-filled, slowdown of a game. The first half was the Nets firing on all cylinders, with Leapin' Kenyon Martin and Stephon Marbury once again leading the way. Martin had several impressive plays, including a one-handed alley-oop slam with a defender all over him, and a block on a Dikembe Mutombo drive. But oh that second half - laziness took over, and both Martin and Marbury were as quiet as the arena would have without the Shabazz High School marching band in the stands. Too many forced jumpers and an offense that became totally out of sync once Marbury left the game for Steph. A look of quiet desperation crossed Champagne's face, as if to say, "No. This can't be happening." But "Loosh"ious Harris hit a clutch 3 pointer, and, despite a less than stellar closeout in the last minute, the Nets hung on for the win.

Kenyon Martin was a joy to behold in the first half - running all over the court, burying 15 foot jumpers, and playing tough defense. Both Keith Van Horn and Marbury matched him as well, with Keith scoring 15 and Marbury scoring 13. The Nets were all over the Hawks, forcing mistakes (and let's be fair, the Hawks did more than plenty on their own to help the Nets out, committing 27, yes 27 turnovers. That is the definition of inept.) in building an 11 point halftime lead. But that lead, along with the Nets, unraveled as Steph sat out a long stretch, as did Martin. Though the Nets stopped the bleeding at the end, it was never out of the question that the Nets could lose this game. And with an opponent like the Hawks, who did everything but try to hand the game to you with those turnovers, you've got to be able to keep working and put the game away. So frustrating.

Chill Factor
3:13 - Though it was far from done, the crowd started heading for the exits just after Lucious Harris hit the big three pointer to bring the Nets' lead back to 9. A tepid chill factor, really, as most of the young students in attendance had to leave at the beginning of the fourth, just as it was all slipping away for the Nets. Damn the curfew!!

Joe's Free Advice
Dear Nets - please learn how to focus for 48 minutes. I don't expect perfection, but why do I see you getting out of your offensive flow and trying to make highlight film shots once you build up a lead? You are not the Lakers, for cryin' out loud, and this isn't Showtime. Get a grip - workmanlike efforts pay off bigger in the end.

What Joe Liked
KMart's Blue Light Special - If only that first half could be bottled and served with every game. He's flying across the court, leaping to the sky to grab rebounds, and he's starting to find his shot. Worth the price of admission just to watch him run a faster guard with a head start down and block his shot from behind. Tonight's line - 10 points (all in the first half) on 4 -11 shooting, 5 boards, 4 blocks and 3 steals in 38 minutes.
Tough Defense - Forcing those turnovers, working the transition game. Plus, kept the Hawks' Jason Terry from exploding - not an easy thing to do.
Keith's Double-Double - Wasn't a monster game by any means for Keith, but 23 points (on 7 -21 shooting), including some big shots at the end, and 12 boards is exactly why this team suffered without him as another scoring option on the floor.
Rejections 'R' Us - Nets blocked 10 shots tonight, led by Martin's 4.

What Joe Didn't Like
Turnovers - again, on the high side tonight (16). Would kill to see better focus from this bunch.
Shooting Gone Awry - Nets started off the first quarter at 50%, and ended up at 38% for the game. Missed way too many gimmies tonight - in one stretch of the fourth quarter, everything the Nets threw up near the hoop looked like it was being affected by a magnetic forcefield. Someone check the ball for lead shot, willya?

Star of the Game
Kenyon Martin set the tone early - electrifying the crowd with the one handed dunk. And that defense...

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