Tony Dejak - AP
I'll be honest, it wasn't that close. The Nets got really hot shooting the ball and outscored the Cavaliers 30-20 in the first quarter. The Cavs weren't able to close the gap at all until the fourth quarter and by then it was just too little, too late.
Cavs Leaders: Points: Irving, 32; Rebounds: Varejao, 9; Assists: Gibson, 4
Quick Thoughts:
Here's what I wrote in my preview:
Kyrie Irving is better, after playing just 16 games, than former all-world point guard Deron Williams has played with New Jersey.
Seems like a pretty reasonable statement to me. Deron Williams hasn't played great this season or in the end of last season when he was with the Nets. I never said that Kyrie was overall better than Deron or that he would even finish the year ahead of him. All I said was that up to this point, in the small sample size of the season, Kyrie outplayed Deron. That's all.
Well, here's apparently what a lot of people thought that I wrote:
DERON WILLIAMS IS THE WORST BASKETBALL PLAYER OF ALL TIME. HE WILL BE OUT OF THE LEAGUE IN TWO YEARS AND PROBABLY REGRETS EVER BEING IN NEW JERSEY. HE PROBABLY WISHES HE RETIRED INSTEAD OF GOING TO NEW JERSEY. I HAVE SEEN DRUNKEN BABIES THAT PLAY POINT GUARD BETTER THAN D-WILL. KYRIE IRVING IS BETTER THAN MICHAEL JORDAN. HE IS AND FOREVER WILL BE, THE BEST PLAYER ALIIVVVEEEEEEEEEEE.
(Hint: I didn't write that. Well, I mean just now I wrote it, but I didn't write it in my preview)
Anyway, back to the game.
The Cavs as a whole were really sloppy and just didn't bring as much energy as the Nets. New Jersey was getting open jumpers early and kept knocking them down. As I said, they jumped out to a 10 point lead in the first quarter and Cleveland could never really cut into that lead. By the time the fourth quarter came around and Kyrie realized that he could score whenever he wanted, it was too late.
Omri Casspi and Daniel Gibson were having a hard time knocking down shots. It wasn't that the Nets played fantastic defense as much as the Cavs inability to knock down the open looks that they got. Boobie may have had his worst game of the season as he finished 0-5 from the field.
The Cavs once again struggled from the free throw line, shooting just 14-24. If they make their free throws, this is a significantly different game. Byron Scott has to be getting a little concerned with the work on the charity stripe. 58 percent is not going to cut it.
The defense wasn't great. Jordan Farmar and Deron Williams were able to get into the paint far too easily. This allowed them to collapse the defense and kick out to the open shooters. The perimeter guys need to make it harder for guards to penetrate.
Notable Performances
Antawn Jamison did pretty much what we expect from him at this point. Tawn scored 20 points on 18 shots and that's the role we ask him to play. He's not the most efficient guy by any means, but he can create and hit his own shot while no one other than Kyrie can do the same.
Tristan Thompson looked a little off after missing two games with an ankle injury. He couldn't get into rhythm and took some pretty difficult shots. He just needs more minutes and experience to get used to the NBA game and develop a consistent set of go-to moves. I think we've all been a little spoiled with the play of Kyrie and that causes us to be impatient with Tigger. Most guys don't step out of college and dominate at the pro level like Ky has been able to do. TT will figure it out and develop into a very solid player. My opinion on this has not changed.
Token comment about how much I love Anderson Varejao. If he needed to play 48 minutes per night, he probably could. The dude just doesn't get tired. I love it.
Fear The Sword's Player Of The Game:
Kyrie Irving.
I'm running out of adjectives to describe his play this season. You could tell that something clicked last night late in the fourth quarter. He pretty much realized that he is the best player, he can pick apart defenses, and nobody can really check him. He poured in 21 points in the final quarter including 17 in the final three minutes. The full arsenal of moves was on display last night. 32 points on 20 shots and in only 31 minutes. He's unbelievable and we are truly fortunate to watch him play and grow up every night.
The players who score more points per 40 minutes than Ky? Kobe, Bron, Melo, Durant, and Love. Of those players how many have a higher percentage? Durant and James. That's it. (hat tip to @teamrobhogg for the stat)
Crap, I almost forgot that Alonzo Gee completely baptized the Nets on this monster dunk! Check it out
.
0 recs | 75 comments
Things are going to get a bit fiery, again. Sigh. It would be nice if that Celtics game was today.
johnf34 - January 28, 2012
Most of the trolls got banned last night.
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 28, 2012
Love it. And no rush at all.
johnf34 - January 28, 2012
Do you have the ability to ban people?
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 28, 2012
I used to have moderator duties but couldn’t write. Then it got flip flopped when I emailed you awhile back so I’m just a writer now and can’t warn/ban.
johnf34 - January 28, 2012
I’ll fix that.
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 28, 2012
I’ve gotta write something for ESPN and then I’ll look at your drafts btw.
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 28, 2012
What are your guys's thoughts of how good Kyrie Irving will be in his prime?
I will guess he will average about:
22 ppg, 8 apg, 4 rpg, and 2.5 spg in his prime
Im a Nets fan but I can only love his game.
The Chair of Knowledge - January 28, 2012
I see Chris Paul upside. The stats will depend on the team around him.
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 28, 2012
I’m not quite sure he’ll get that high, but boy do I hope so.
johnf34 - January 28, 2012
Where did you check your stats? ESPN has him ahead of Aldridge, Westbrook and Lou Williams. They don’t qualify Bargnani.
http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/player/_/stat/scoring-per-48-minutes
teamrobhogg - January 28, 2012
Oh. Crap, you’re right. I used Hoopdata and they didn’t have it updated for last nights game! I’ll go in and fix that.
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 28, 2012
Those 17 points in 3 minute give him a little boost
teamrobhogg - January 28, 2012
great recap conrad! i think irving should shoot more .he’s are best player and does anyone want to see antawn missing shot after shot?when kyrie started shooting yesterday it was too late.if he going to carry the cavs he going to have the confidence in his shot even when it’s not falling.
beanjames - January 28, 2012
Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but I think Byron intentionally put Kyrie in a minute late. It’s the second time (first time was the Heat game) We’ve seen Byron put him in when it’s just out of reach. I think he’s trying to lose while managing to see how players respond in different situations.
teamrobhogg - January 28, 2012
I like your points except Byron is definitely not trying to lose. A head coach doesn’t have the type of security to consider that and come on, Byron’s got some ethics.
johnf34 - January 28, 2012
I don’t think he wants to lose, but he definitely wants to manage the rookie minutes, avoid injury and is aware that our teams immediate needs do not include making the playoffs. Losses like this are good to a certain degree because they are teaching opportunities.
teamrobhogg - January 28, 2012
not to mention ping-pong ball combinations
teamrobhogg - January 28, 2012
Thats a terrible poll because dwill was the player of the game
The Chair of Knowledge - January 28, 2012
If you ever read my posts, I only put Cavs players in the polls. This is a Cavs blog. We write about the Cavs. It’s Conrad’s Cavs blog.
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 28, 2012
Irving scored 17 points in garbage time.
But he is a special talent for sure.
The Chair of Knowledge - January 28, 2012
He actually scored 17 points in 3 minutes of garbage time, He scored 21 in the last 6:37 when he came in the game. He drew 3 fouls (incl. one and1), got one dReb one oReb, had two passes that led to drawn fouls, stole the ball from Deron Williams (why is he playing in garbage time?) and hit two threes. If he comes in 30 second earlier who knows what might have happened. Luckily we got to see a show and are one step closer to a high draft pick. You guys are hoping to make the playoffs this season, right?
teamrobhogg - January 28, 2012
The Nets are absolutely hoping to make the playoffs.
Our team has put a few wins together here recently. We’re treading water until Lopez gets back, and if MarShon Brooks game keeps developing, and our team continues to gel, we should be in the hunt. We’re a game back right now. Given the short pre-season, Lopez’s injury, our numerous other dings (we had 10 guys on the bench versus your team), and all the moving parts…. I’m happy with that right now.
I feel bad for the Bucks, but it looks like Bogut is out for the year….which hurts an awful lot.
Still a lot of basketball left. Hopefully we’ll still be pushing each other in April.
DocJ - January 28, 2012
Never mind about the playoffs thing, that was uncalled for.
teamrobhogg - January 28, 2012
Why were you guys hating on us so much yesterday? cause we are better and clearly superior?
netsyankees4life - January 28, 2012
jealousy is like a disease
netsyankees4life - January 28, 2012
ok
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 28, 2012
lol
thats what happens when your arogant like that and yes the game was oodles of fun!
netsyankees4life - January 28, 2012
*arrogant
teamrobhogg - January 28, 2012
oh darn sorry what a mistake
netsyankees4life - January 28, 2012
Get out
johnf34 - January 28, 2012
its a blog wher i am entitled to my opinion and am allowed to voice how i feel so no i think i will stay thank you for the suggestion though
netsyankees4life - January 28, 2012
That’s really not true though. When you hinder other people’s enjoyment of the blog, you get banhammered.
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 28, 2012
You’re absolutely welcome to your opinion here. You’re just not allowed on FTS when you’re obnoxious and rude.
johnf34 - January 28, 2012
that gee dunk was awsome!
beanjames - January 28, 2012
it was also awesome when the nets won
netsyankees4life - January 28, 2012
It honestly will help our team long run. I’m pretty pleased with the result, though it hurts pride-wise to lose to a team like the Nets.
teamrobhogg - January 28, 2012
good for you to stay positive in these dark times for a horrible franchise with a horrible owner who is a big cry baby…a lot like you guys were when lebron left and will be weh kyrie is a free agent
netsyankees4life - January 28, 2012
What clever and original points you make. I had never heard these things before. I shall have to go and ponder this new information.
DanBell - January 28, 2012
dan gilbert is one of the best owners in the nba!
beanjames - January 28, 2012
reply fail and he is arguably the worst are you kidding me?
netsyankees4life - January 28, 2012
I’d be careful about trashing our team… Next year New Jersey might lose Deron Williams (actually, they’ll lose the whole team).
iso1512 - January 28, 2012 via mobile
I don’t think you could find anyone with NBA knowledge who would call him a bad owner. Criticism about his emails aside.
teamrobhogg - January 28, 2012
cavs fan’s like him that’s all that matters.
beanjames - January 28, 2012
i just don’t get all the hate for gilbert.why is he bad owner because he pours money into to the cavs?he spends the money necessary to win .he bought dleage team, but because he passionate about his franchise he’s a bad owner?
beanjames - January 28, 2012
He also bought a Casino, brand new practice facilities, upgraded our locker rooms to some of the nicest in the league, paid the luxury tax for years, bought the Gladiators, &etc…
teamrobhogg - January 28, 2012
What do you guys project for Kyrie in his prime. I say 24 and 8
netsfanrasmus - January 28, 2012
Depends on the roster around him. I think he has Chris Paul upside.
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 28, 2012
This game was actually informative. I found out that the Nets troll is actually a thing.
OPace - January 28, 2012
To Cavs Fans...
I’m not here to pick a fight, but I saw something on here, that I found to be worth commenting towards.
First of all, a moderator on this site (Conrad) decided he wanted to call out the Nets as a bottom dwelling loser team, with a delusional fan base, appointing the Cavs vastly superior, and Kyrie Irving the better PG for 2012 then Deron Williams.
Nets fans, caught on to this and go figure, they took exception to those remarks. I saw numerous postings on this site, but in regards to the game versus the Nets…those posting exploded into the hundreds. Meanwhile if you check out NetsDaily, those postings are in the hundreds on the regular.
As I stated, I’m not here to pick a fight, but I will say you get what you ask for, when you put down an entire fan base. If you read NetsDaily commentary, most Nets fans, appreciate Kyrie Irving and acknowledge he can play. They also don’t particularly mind the Cavs. We’ve never been good at the same time, and we have no reason to care about each other. LeBron left you guys, and he left your franchise in a state of rebuilding. Make no mistake, despite your “playoff” contention and vast superiority, your team is 7-11, and ours is 7-13. We are without our starting Center, who regardless of your opinion of him, he’s significantly better than an aging Okur, and a talentless Petro. We also have had a lot of moving pieces and no practice time, as well as a particularly difficult schedule, leading to a rocky start to the year.
For a Cavs fan, who bet on Lebron and lost, then burned his jersey like he was entitled to him staying, to call our fan base delusional, is just pitiful. Now the Nets are betting on Dwight Howard, and despite anyone’s opinion on the matter, he still has us at the top of his list according to any of the latest rumblings from him or his agent. The Nets are in the mix in the East. If they’re still in the mix when Lopez comes back, they are a good bet to make the playoffs.
I don’t mind the friendly rivalry. But I’m disappointed Conrad didn’t eat some crow on the matter. You talked us down. We let you hear it. Then our team, beat your team. It’s time to acknowledge that maybe the Cavs aren’t as good as you thought just yet, and the Nets might not be as bad as you thought. We had our years with Jason Kidd and Vince Carter. You had your years with Lebron. Now you’re looking forward to Kyrie Irving and hoping to add a few more horses to your stable, just like us with Deron Williams, MarShon Brooks, and Brook Lopez.
I wish you luck Cavs fans. But, most of you, and especially Conrad, owe us at least a nod that you may be underestimating the soon to be Brooklyn Nets.
I’m also happy you all have Kyrie Irving. He’s a Jersey kid, and definitely someone to be excited about.
DocJ - January 28, 2012
This is a more reasonable post than weve recieved from most of the nets fanbase, but i still have a couple problems.
conrad never said that kyrie would be the better point guard for the season, in fact he openly admitted he expected him to fall off eventually.
also, it is not entirely fair that you say we attacked the nets fanbase, when, in fact, it was the nets fans who assaulted conrad on his earlier pregame thread this season.
FrenchToast979 - January 29, 2012 via Android app
also i still think both the nets and cavs are pretty terrible. i do like our team, as i think we show a bit more potential to play defense, where guys like brooks, lopez, and humphries seem to have little defemsive ability.
this is not to say kyries defense has been outstanding, in favt he has struggled quite a bit defensively.
FrenchToast979 - January 29, 2012 via Android app
also, bringing up lebron? come on. that ship sailed long ago, and your thoughts on the matter only show how much you believe espn’s biased broadcasts
FrenchToast979 - January 29, 2012 via Android app
Triple Posting!
Look, I didn’t come here to start a fight. All I’m saying is this…
First off, in regards to Conrad’s comments (your first post). Read the game preview blog, where he calls our team abysmal. Also read the game showcase blog, telling Cavs fans to go to our site to talk smack to us. Flip the script. If one of your fans pointed out, the Nets fans were sitting on our blog talking about how awful the Cavs are, and how it was going to be a cake walk, and the team is a joke of a competitor, I’m pretty sure you’d take it as an attack. So, the passionate Nets fans, decided to come out here in support of our team, and not all of those posts ended up intelligent. If the Cavs blogger gave us our due up front, instead of disrespecting our team, the Nets fans, never would have “trolled” your website.
In regards to Irving….kid can play. But, you just don’t compare a rookie to a guy who’s won a gold medal for team USA. End of story. Blake Griffin was exciting last year, and this year, and for the future. He’s not better than Tim Duncan (even if he is). If you can’t see the disrespect in that statement, I can’t help you. You just don’t say it. Not in this sample size. The way you say it, is Kyrie Irving is having one of the best rookie seasons, any player has ever had. Tonight he gets to go head to head with one of the games great point guards in Deron Williams, and I’m really excited to see how Kyrie does against one of the games elites. Again if you can’t see the difference here, I can’t help you.
In regards to your next post. I agree, the Nets and Cavs are pretty terrible. In our defense, Lopez is out, and you don’t know what he brings to our team, because you don’t watch him game in and game out. In your third post, you reference me having an ESPN bias. I promise you that is not the case, but I could bring up the same argument here in regards to our defense. Brook Lopez is 23 years old. To call him a bad defender when he was working out with Hakeem Olajuwon this summer, and his game is still developing, isn’t quite fair yet. Especially when he hasn’t had any help. As far as Brooks….dude is athletic and long. He just needs to learn the NBA and bulk up some. Again, he’s a rookie. This will happen. We’ll judge him in a couple of years. You can like your team. You should. I like mine. I should. I’d say our teams are close enough right now, that this is a fair argument. Should we get Dwight and Deron…well that’d be a different story. Should we lose them. This debate will continue.
Again, I’m not here to start a fight. But, I think the guy running this blog, owes the Nets a little respect. The ones who infiltrated this blog, are obviously not the entirety of our fan base. But given HIS comments, I’d argue the first shot across the bow came from him. It’d be good for him to man up, and make a post on NetsDaily at the very least, acknowledging he underestimated us, and we played a good game. It’d be nice to say good luck, as well. After all, our teams are hardly rivals, and rivalries aren’t born out of the crap basketball we’re both playing now.
DocJ - January 29, 2012
The first shot came when we played the first time. All I did was predict a Cavs win, and people freaked out. The Cavs won that game by 16 points and Nets fans didn’t come and show us good will or respect. All I did in the preview was make a jab at those guys because of the first time that we played. I didn’t tell anyone to go to your blog and smack talk, as a part of SBNation, I simply link to the opposing team’s blog in every game thread so that I send some of my traffic there and vice versa. We’re all part of the same company, that’s how we do it. If you read my other game threads, you’d see that it was nothing personal, merely how I always do it.
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 29, 2012
Also, I’m not sure why a 6-13 team that we previously beat by 16 points deserves me to “give them their due up front”.
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 29, 2012
All teams deserve due respect...
Look, did you ever play sports?
It doesn’t matter if your play the worst team in the league or the best. You give due credit. I’m not on here to attack you, but I read what you wrote. I didn’t see the “first” game. I just know that your team, isn’t very good. Neither is ours. But what you wrote, I read and thought, “Wow, this guy really doesn’t think the Nets even deserve to share the floor with the Almighty Cavaliers.”
I know you’re a fan. But, you’re also the guy posting the headlines. The bottom line is, if you’re going to run your mouth like that, you should man up, when things don’t go quite as you thought.
But you know what, you’re a big boy. Do what you want. It was just a suggestion from one interested sports fan to another. The Nets fans would not have come on here in force like that, had those comments not been laid out as they were.
DocJ - January 29, 2012
Dude, you beat us by 3. When we beat you by 16, did any of you stick around and eat crow? I didn’t think so. We still have scoreboard.
While none of us especially want to lose, we all want a top 5 pick, and most of us are happy with Byron playing to develop the team over doing anything to win. The reason that we might compete for the last spot in the playoffs isn’t because we’re that good, it’s because the bottom teams in the East (including the Nets) are so bad that we may end up there by default.
Next year, we’ll have $20M in cap space, two 1st round picks (including likely a lottery pick), two excellent rookies in Tristan and Kyrie, one of the best big men in the game in Varejao, and not a single bad contract.
The only guys you actually have signed for next year are Marro, Petro, Lopez (sort of), James, Sheldon Williams, and Brooks. If you think that’s better than what we’ve got going forward, well, more power to you.
MatthewH - January 29, 2012
I knew you guys would use that “you only beat us by 3” excuse.
If you saw the game, which I guess you didn’t, it was not as close as the scoreboard might say.
The Chair of Knowledge - January 29, 2012
“as close as the scoreboard might say”<<<<<16 point victory.
Were you here after the first game, when the Nets fans came here for no reason, talked smack, and then vanished when we started crushing them? If not, then this has nothing to do with you.
MatthewH - January 29, 2012
Varejao is one of the best big men in the game?
No comment.
The Chair of Knowledge - January 29, 2012
Really?
Last I checked the record is 1-1 on the season. The scoreboard you speak of, doesn’t exist. The Nets led by 20 for a good part of the game, and took the foot off the accelerator. Due to injuries we played you with a 10 man rotation in your building.
Next season we’ll have enough cap space to sign both Dwight and Deron, and whether ESPN thinks so or not, that has been the indication from both those players and their agents. We also have two first round picks. Varejao is not better than Lopez. End of story. Lopez had Mono last season, and paid for it. This year he broke his foot. When he comes back, I expect him to put up 20 and 9. Prior to last season he was considered the 3rd best Center in the league behind Howard and Bogut. This year, you can probably flip Bogut and Bynum. When Lopez comes back, I expect him to challenge Bynum for the honor of best Center not named Dwight Howard. Varejao is a good player. But, he’s just not in that class. On top of that Lopez is still just 23 (he might be 24) and still developing.
Eitehr way…I’m not even going to bring this up further. You clearly aren’t going to step outside of the Cavs fandom mentality to acknowledge another team. I’m on your board. You’re entitled to your opinion. I just think you’re incorrect. Good luck, anyway.
DocJ - January 29, 2012
“Eitehr way…I’m not even going to bring this up further. You clearly aren’t going to step outside of the Cavs fandom mentality to acknowledge another team. I’m on your board. You’re entitled to your opinion. I just think you’re incorrect. Good luck, anyway.”
I have a feeling you weren’t here for Cleveland-New Jersey Game 1 either.
Cleveland is not a good team- we’re starting Jamison and Parker, who wouldn’t even make the roster on a team like the Bulls. Most years, a team like ours would be competing for the #1 pick. It’s only that a number of East teams are horrible this year that gives us a shot at the playoffs. While I’d love to play Miami in round 1, we are not anywhere close to a ‘normal’ playoff team.
On the other hand, the Nets…well, I’ll worry about the Nets again in March. Have fun until then.
MatthewH - January 29, 2012
You said it perfectly DocJ
The Chair of Knowledge - January 29, 2012
one more thing to Conrad...
This isn’t a shot at all, but you should check out NetsDaily…It really is a good blog. There is a lot of insight an content on there, that you might be able to take away from for ideas for your own Cavs blog.
Good luck the rest of this season…
DocJ - January 29, 2012
I read someone said Varejao is better than Lopez
Do you guys truly believe this?
netsfanrasmus - January 29, 2012
This season? Definitely.
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 29, 2012
Wow. Once again
No comment
The Chair of Knowledge - January 29, 2012
Lopez hasn’t played…of course I’m going to take a guy who is playing over a guy who has a broken foot.
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 29, 2012
The fact that you think this cant at least be a discussion anyways is kind of ridiculous.
FrenchToast979 - January 29, 2012 via Android app
???
Lopez has not been on court this season
NetsMets4Life - January 29, 2012
Regardless, we can revisit this on March 19th when the two teams play again. We’ll have a much better idea of how good these teams are when that game rolls around. Today, we have a game against the Celtics.
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 29, 2012
Good luck vs. the C's...
We’re both chasing after them for the playoffs as well. Giving them an L, would help us both out.
DocJ - January 29, 2012
We are not chasing the playoffs. We realize that we are not good and are still a draft or two away from playoffs.
Conrad Kaczmarek - January 29, 2012
Really?
You’re a game out? Are you rooting for your team to win or lose? Because I’m not getting it.
If you’re rooting for your team to win, and you’re a game out of the playoffs, you’re rooting for the playoffs, and gunning for it. Now I didn’t say championship. I said playoffs.
From reading what I read, though, it seems you guys would rather spend another couple of years in the lottery.
Either way. Sorry I stepped on your board. Good luck winning or losing. To whichever of those two you prefer.
I personally am hoping the Nets go on a surge when Lopez comes back and we defeat the Magic in the playoffs (with Howard on THEIR team), and go on a Memphis like run, noone was expecting. I think once the Nets get whole they can make a run. Do I think they’re better than Miami or Chicago. Heck no. But I do think they’re better then they’re given credit for, and I’d take a playoff series win over a top 5 lottery pick any day.
DocJ - January 29, 2012
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