Look out Sly - Newest action hero Kenyon Martin carries the team up the mountain on his back

Sidekick Sidebar
On the Road
Our man Champagne is taking off for the road over the next week. Look for his reports to resurface after the Chicago game.
- Joe

November 19, 2001 - Nuggets 99, Nets 96 OT
Mountain Climbing
The Nets gasped for air throughout most of their ascent up the mountain, until nearing the summit Kenyon Martin hoisted the weak and the needy on his back to bring the Nets to the peak of a win against Denver. Alas, it was not to be as the Nets forced overtime, but couldn't put it together in the extra session and found themselves staring down at a 99 - 96 loss. Nick Van Exel led the Nuggets in the overtime with a huge, key, off balance three before Jason Kidd misfired to seal it. Martin was huge in the second half, as he scored 22 of his 28 points on a variety of spins, drives and dunks to lead the Nets back from a double digit deficit in the third. The Nets were out of sync, maybe breathless in the mountain air, for most of the game until yet another furious comeback in the fourth, capped by Kidd's HUGE 3 pointer to tie the game at 90.

This is a game the Net could - no, should - have won. New Jersey seemed out of sync offensively and defensively, getting beaten numerous times to loose balls and rebounds. But the Nets can take solace in the fact that their two rookies, Richard Jefferson and Jason Collins, came up large in the second half, as both played most of the fourth quarter and all of the overtime in place of Keith Van Horn and Todd MacCulloch. Tough loss on the first game of five tough games - the Nets need to shake this one off and play hard in Utah on Wednesday.

Random Thoughts
Kenyon Takes Over - Perhaps for the first time this season, we saw a glimpse of the Kenyon Martin we remember from last season just before he got injured. He literally carried the Nets in the second half on both ends of the floor.

Collins Contributes - Expected to be Joe's whipping boy, Jason Collins had one helluva game in place of an ineffective Todd MacCulloch and Aaron Williams. He found himself playing serious minutes with the game on the line, and overall he came through like a trooper. Scored a career high 11 points and added 6 rebounds in 21 minutes, including a 3 pointer from about 25 - 30 feet as time expired in the third quarter, the first 3 pointer made by a Net in 19 tries over three games. Let's hope he can be counted on more in the future.

Send the Sherpas - For Keith Van Horn. Buried in ice throughout the key fourth quarter comeback, he neither looked happy nor understanding as he watched from the bench. Richard Jefferson looked once again like a better fit for this team, which makes Van Horn a spare part. When he did play, he was spotty, with a run of 6 straight points to open the second half to offset a largely lousy shooting first half. Shot 5 - 14 for 10 points and 5 rebounds in 29 minutes. We need more.

Has the League Caught Up to Kidd? - Maybe after so much success so early, the league has caught up to the Nets. But as Kidd goes, so goes the Nets. Another off night for Kidd, with 5 points on 2 - 14 shooting, 7 rebounds, 13 assists and 5 turnovers in a season high 47 minutes. So is it Kidd, who has had two consecutive off nights, or the defense around him?

"Are You Kidd'n?" Play of the Game - With time running out in the first quarter, Kidd, looking to make a play, drives the lane with 3 seconds left and dumps off to Jefferson for the dunk as time expires. You'll see that one on Sportscenter.

What Joe Liked
1) The Nets Riding Martin - First pick of the draft carried them when they needed it. His athleticism is impressive, and his defense and blocked shots expected, but the Nets need more offense and Martin needs to produce. His line: 28 points (22 in the second half) on 12 - 17 shooting, 7 boards, 4 blocks and 5 turnovers.
2) Jefferson, Collins and Harris - Big play from the bench for the tenth consecutive game. A combined total of 37 points off the bench, plus a big pickup in the second half when the starters couldn't move the needle.
3) Five in Double Figures - the Nets had 5 players in double figures, which is great. But just to prove Champagne wrong, they didn't win.

What Joe Didn't Like
1) No Kidding - The Nets didn't get enough from Kidd for the second night in a row. But, it's still more than they would have received from Mebury on an off night. He needs to get back under control - stop falling in love with the 'oops and the fancy passes and just control the rock.
2) Turnovers - The Nets made far too many once again. Sloppy, half court sets, bad decision making and of course poor outside shooting go along for the ride as well.
2) 0 for 19 - Three point woes continue as well. Jason Collins practically halfcourt prayer was the first (and only) three pointer hit over a three game span. Kidd added a huge one later (he was 1 - 10!), but they finished 2 - 15 for the game.

Archive | Backlash | Bio | Calendar | Champagne's Blog | Diatribe | Game x Game | History | Home | Joe Netsfan's Blog | Media | Opponents | Players | Playoffs | Search | Specials