February 8, 2001 - Nets 99, Spurs 97
Dug-in Heels
The Spurs came in with the memories of two last-second wins last season, and a three game winning streak against the Nets, not to mention having won 8 straight entering tonight's game. Thought they could rope the Nets again, heels of the league, and brand them Win No. 9. Well, the Nets got some payback, Johnny Newman hit the wayback machine, and Steph continued to show how unstoppable he's become as the Nets bucked the Spurs at the buzzer.

What a finish! In a game that saw the Nets firmly in command until the sinister third quarter, the Spurs crept closer and closer to the Nets until tying the game with 5:41 to play. Then the insanity started, as the teams traded amazing plays, by old ranch hands Terry Porter and Johnny Newman especially, as they lit it up from outside. There was some Marbury Madness and some Duncan Donuts mixed in. It all came down to some free throws by Jamie Feick in a two point game that could have iced the game. But Jamie, on his first game back from heel surgery, missed them both to keep it interesting. With 5.8 seconds left, the Spurs inbounded to David Robinson, who moved to his left while guarded by Feick and threw up an off-balance shot that missed. Tim Duncan, who was larger than life for the Spurs with 35 painfully easy points inside, was left unguarded by Kenyon Martin and tipped-in the shot, which inexplicably went three quarters of the way down the cylinder and bounced back out. The crowd went nuts, richly rewarded for the most exciting minute of basketball of the year.

Stephon Marbury had a huge game, with 38 points on a multitude of spins, drives and pops, as did Johnny Newman, playing the role of Keith Van Horn with 25 points off the bench, including a HUGE 17 points in the fourth. Without Newman, and some luck, the Nets lose this game. Jamie Feick was shaky offensively in his 2000 - 2001 debut, but strong on the boards. And Stephen Jackson had a flash in the second quarter where he couldn't miss, scoring 14 points in the Johnny Newman instant offense role.

Champagne's "The Yin and Yang of Stephen Jackson"
As Champy will tell you, Stephen Jackson always manages to keep in perfect balance by making a bad play after a good one. For instance, he made an impressive steal on the defensive end and then promptly threw the ball away. Or, had a breakaway dunk that he blew. Though it is poetry to watch him create his own shot or drop a bomb from the three point line, he always manages to leave us shaking our heads over the counterbalancing act he maintains. Great shooting tonight, though.

You Say Samaki, I Say Samake
Too bad both the Spurs' Samaki Walker and the Nets' Soumalia Samake couldn't have been in the game at the same time. Could have been like an Abbott and Costello routine.

Chill Factor
0:00 - No one leaves a game like this, at least not a true basketball fan. This was one of those rare games that had drama, excitement, heartache, and ultimately triumph, like one of those E! channel Search Party shows with the big-busted Soap Stars.

Joe's Free Advice
Can we call it something other than "INFECTIOUS CONTROL" when a player has to leave a game because he is bleeding? How about something more Kontinental Kid-friendly like "BOO-BOO TIME OUT" or "BAND-AID BREAK"? Tim Duncan was tonight's (brief) bleeder.

What Joe Liked
Starbury - Once again willed the team to victory - unstoppable again, at least until the fourth, when Newman carried the load. Was all over the court. Check out this line: 38 points on 14 -25 shooting including 4 of 8 threes, 9 assists, 4 steals, NO turnovers in 40 minutes. Good luck at the All Star game, and please don't get hurt.
J. New - Put on a shooting clinic. Came up huge in the fourth quarter, when he was basically the only offensive option. Didn't matter than everyone in the arena knew it was go to him on every possession.
Jamie Feick - Ah, Jaimie. Now I remember why you can help out. Obviously still out-of-sync with both the team and yourself, still gave 9 boards and tough defense. Welcome back. You were missed more than we knew.
Tim Duncan - Got to give him his props: 35 points and 21 rebounds and he makes it look incredibly easy.

What Joe Didn't Like
Anybody Seen Keith? - I hate Danny Ferry, and I know you hate Danny Ferry, but Keith, who Ferry was guarding, must hate him 10 times more. VH1 played a horrible game offensively and defensively, and found himself on the bench for most of the second half. Scored but 4 points, but had 7 important boards, so at least he found a way to contribute something. But he had no answer for Duncan, or Walker, or anyone else on the defensive end tonight. Settle down Keith, Ferry has left the building. We need you.
Leads That Slip Away - Always have to make it interesting. Nets had an 18 point second quarter lead, and while I didn't expect them to hold that against a team as good as the Spurs, I was hoping it wouldn't come down to a nail biter. Luckily, no harm done.
The Officials - I'm not one to bitch about calls, but almost every questionable call went against the Nets tonight. Does David Stern think the Spurs need the help?

Star of the Game
Marbury was magnificent, but Newman saved the day with the 17 fourth quarter points. Great performance by them both.

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