GT: Nets Vs Celtics 1/12 7:30

[Gooner]

Meh, tonight was never going to be a win.

Build good habits, hopefully in this KD-less stretch we get the guys whos been underperforming offensively in a groove like Ben, Joe and to a lesser extent TJ. I'd rather build a team identity, move the ball and ride the hot hand rather than forceably try to keep playing our isoball style. It's just setting Kyrie, who despite all his gifts is a somewhat physically frail 6'1 guy up for failure. Guys like that can score in the NBA, but it's not usually in the 50/40/90 way that we expect out of Kai.

Yep. With KD out, Kyrie trying to ISO our way to victory against the Celtics is a dumb ass idea.

Move the ball, get it back in the mid range while the defense is shifting. We did more to beat ourselves last night than the Celtics did.

Problem is when Simmons sits Nets don't have a playmaker on the floor. Kyrie is capable of it, but when he starts the game as a shooting guard, it's difficult for him to switch his mentality, especially in the fourth quarter where he is used to being agressive. He needs to pass more when Simmons is out. That's another problem with this team, Simmons is supposed to be a playmaker, but he is unplayable in crunch time. He would be a good fit as a sixth man, but at the same time he is perfect to defend players like Giannis and Tatum from the start, so there is a real conundrum with this guy.

[OfficialRef]

This is Joes last chance. With KD out, hes gotta prove hes a valuable player. Play decent defense, be able to score the ball and give a consistent 12+ pts and most importantly make some 3 point shots. If he can't do that, hes gotta go.

[gigantes]

Problem is when Simmons sits Nets don't have a playmaker on the floor. Kyrie is capable of it, but when he starts the game as a shooting guard, it's difficult for him to switch his mentality, especially in the fourth quarter where he is used to being agressive. He needs to pass more when Simmons is out. That's another problem with this team, Simmons is supposed to be a playmaker, but he is unplayable in crunch time. He would be a good fit as a sixth man, but at the same time he is perfect to defend players like Giannis and Tatum from the start, so there is a real conundrum with this guy.

I'm *still* not sure the Nets have a true, starting-level PG on the team.

This 'PG-by-committee' approach seems mostly okay in the RS, when wins are easier, but with the intensity of the PO's, I don't have a great feeling about this chronic shortcoming ever since the Harden trade.

This is Joes last chance. With KD out, hes gotta prove hes a valuable player. Play decent defense, be able to score the ball and give a consistent 12+ pts and most importantly make some 3 point shots. If he can't do that, hes gotta go.

I don't get it. Why are so many ragging on Joe after this particular game..?

[Hello Brooklyn]

This is Joes last chance. With KD out, hes gotta prove hes a valuable player. Play decent defense, be able to score the ball and give a consistent 12+ pts and most importantly make some 3 point shots. If he can't do that, hes gotta go.

Joe was good last night. Not really sure what the issue is.

Were not going to win being outrebounded by 15+. Thats the issue.

[MrDollarBills]

Problem is when Simmons sits Nets don't have a playmaker on the floor. Kyrie is capable of it, but when he starts the game as a shooting guard, it's difficult for him to switch his mentality, especially in the fourth quarter where he is used to being agressive. He needs to pass more when Simmons is out. That's another problem with this team, Simmons is supposed to be a playmaker, but he is unplayable in crunch time. He would be a good fit as a sixth man, but at the same time he is perfect to defend players like Giannis and Tatum from the start, so there is a real conundrum with this guy.

I'm *still* not sure the Nets have a true, starting-level PG on the team.

This 'PG-by-committee' approach seems mostly okay in the RS, when wins are easier, but with the intensity of the PO's, I don't have a great feeling about this chronic shortcoming ever since the Harden trade.

This is Joes last chance. With KD out, hes gotta prove hes a valuable player. Play decent defense, be able to score the ball and give a consistent 12+ pts and most importantly make some 3 point shots. If he can't do that, hes gotta go.

I don't get it. Why are so many ragging on Joe after this particular game..?

Joe was solid last night, I dunno why he's getting sh*t either.

[MrDollarBills]

I was at the Clays last night for the Games. A lot of Celtics fans showed up.

I know, they were really audible on TV.

Embarrassing.

[bubonicphoniks]

I just don't agree we need to make some big move.

Our biggest issue by far is rebounding.

Why?

Claxton sits and we have no other big. Then we get murdered on the boards.

Get me a backup Center. No more playing Simmons as the backup 5. Its dumb.

I agree. Whiteside or Boogie. We need a guy who can clog the paint and change the tempo of the game.

[bubonicphoniks]

Last night was the first time in years I saw Joe shoot the ball with confidence. I actually liked what he gave but I still dont think he is an asset to this team post that one playoff series a few years ago. Im fine with keeping him but if he can be flipped for a good enough big in a package I think we should do that.

His positives just dont present enough when we have Royce/Seth/Patty/Ky/Yuta. Even if we have to package one more of them. Heck even Kessler can fill his role as the spot up guy with no huge dropoff.

Really Yuta has taken his minutes and I don't see Harris getting them back with Yuta Da Shoota firing away at over 50% and added length on defense.

[NetsWorld]

Dru Smith is a shot creator and can shoot the ball at a decent clip. Not sure if the Nets signed him perhaps as insurance that Harris or Curry get traded in a bigger deal between now and February. Woj reported a few days ago that the Nets are active for another star, so it wouldn't surprise me if this is part of a bigger deal that is about to happen.

FTR, I do think that the Philly pick is gonna get traded as well, no way the Nets target a good player without relinquishing the pick.

[gigantes]

Last night was the first time in years I saw Joe shoot the ball with confidence. I actually liked what he gave but I still dont think he is an asset to this team post that one playoff series a few years ago. Im fine with keeping him but if he can be flipped for a good enough big in a package I think we should do that.

His positives just dont present enough when we have Royce/Seth/Patty/Ky/Yuta. Even if we have to package one more of them. Heck even Kessler can fill his role as the spot up guy with no huge dropoff.

Really Yuta has taken his minutes and I don't see Harris getting them back with Yuta Da Shoota firing away at over 50% and added length on defense.

I tend to agree that we've probably seen the best of Joe, but Scurry and Paddy present other problems as 3pt-specialists, as well. For example-- being so undersized that they can get easily taken advantage of on a regular basis. By comparison, at least Joe is an average-sized NBA player who can body people up and switch on to a few other positions.

Now, I'm a blooming idiot with trades, but... what if a 3pt-starved team like the Lakers and a third team got together with us on a deadline trade? For example-- the Lakes take two or three of our three-pt shooters above off our hands, move either or both of their famous '27 & '29 picks to the other team, and we get the 3rd team's good player who fits us better in crunch-time.

Or... something like that?

[sashaturiaf]

Last night was the first time in years I saw Joe shoot the ball with confidence. I actually liked what he gave but I still dont think he is an asset to this team post that one playoff series a few years ago. Im fine with keeping him but if he can be flipped for a good enough big in a package I think we should do that.

His positives just dont present enough when we have Royce/Seth/Patty/Ky/Yuta. Even if we have to package one more of them. Heck even Kessler can fill his role as the spot up guy with no huge dropoff.

Really Yuta has taken his minutes and I don't see Harris getting them back with Yuta Da Shoota firing away at over 50% and added length on defense.

It seems like we've stopped running plays for Joe altogether which contributes to him never getting into enough of a rhythm shooting the ball. Add in the increased defensive responsibilities he's been given and it's no surprise his 3pt percentage has fallen off a cliff.

Right now he's been used as purely a spot up shooter/floor spacer who provides a bit more resistance on defense than Seth and Patty, not a starter, just a peripheral guy playing 10-20 minutes a night. That is not worth his salary but is still potentially a valuable role on a contender, every title team has a guy or two like that.

[sashaturiaf]

Dru Smith is a shot creator and can shoot the ball at a decent clip. Not sure if the Nets signed him perhaps as insurance that Harris or Curry get traded in a bigger deal between now and February. Woj reported a few days ago that the Nets are active for another star, so it wouldn't surprise me if this is part of a bigger deal that is about to happen.

FTR, I do think that the Philly pick is gonna get traded as well, no way the Nets target a good player without relinquishing the pick.

Bring on trade speculation season.

Dru Smith seems like another undersized shoot first guard, you can't say that Marks doesn't have a type...

[NetsWorld]

Dru Smith is a shot creator and can shoot the ball at a decent clip. Not sure if the Nets signed him perhaps as insurance that Harris or Curry get traded in a bigger deal between now and February. Woj reported a few days ago that the Nets are active for another star, so it wouldn't surprise me if this is part of a bigger deal that is about to happen.

FTR, I do think that the Philly pick is gonna get traded as well, no way the Nets target a good player without relinquishing the pick.

Bring on trade speculation season.

Dru Smith seems like another undersized shoot first guard, you can't say that Marks doesn't have a type...

I stand corrected, he is undersized.

[gigantes]

Last night was the first time in years I saw Joe shoot the ball with confidence. I actually liked what he gave but I still dont think he is an asset to this team post that one playoff series a few years ago. Im fine with keeping him but if he can be flipped for a good enough big in a package I think we should do that.

His positives just dont present enough when we have Royce/Seth/Patty/Ky/Yuta. Even if we have to package one more of them. Heck even Kessler can fill his role as the spot up guy with no huge dropoff.

Really Yuta has taken his minutes and I don't see Harris getting them back with Yuta Da Shoota firing away at over 50% and added length on defense.

It seems like we've stopped running plays for Joe altogether which contributes to him never getting into enough of a rhythm shooting the ball. Add in the increased defensive responsibilities he's been given and it's no surprise his 3pt percentage has fallen off a cliff.

Right now he's been used as purely a spot up shooter/floor spacer who provides a bit more resistance on defense than Seth and Patty, not a starter, just a peripheral guy playing 10-20 minutes a night. That is not worth his salary but is still potentially a valuable role on a contender, every title team has a guy or two like that.

This has seriously baffled me over the years.

Like-- with huge offensive magnets such as KD&KI, one of the most deadly 3pt shooters in the NBA *should* have had a terrifingly large number of 3pt attempts. And yet... just no.

Now I get that Joe's shooting is a huge priority from the other team's defense, but again, with KD&KI, Harris is a guy who should have been absolutely *feasting* on other teams, if on attempts and not necessarily a killer%.

Either way...

Instead, it seems like Joe too often has to do a Chef Curry imitation, scrambling to get open for his 3-attempts, and rushing one up, too often off-balance. And Joe's a really good shooter, but Chef, Reggie Miller, Ray Allen... those dudes were in their own league in terms of rushing up a quick, deadly shot.

And Joe's good with the ball, too! IMO he moves it around really well, and rarely if ever hogs it or forces things.

It really is kind of baffling to me what a poor job the Nets chronically do at getting the best out of Joe.

[MrDollarBills]

I just don't agree we need to make some big move.

Our biggest issue by far is rebounding.

Why?

Claxton sits and we have no other big. Then we get murdered on the boards.

Get me a backup Center. No more playing Simmons as the backup 5. Its dumb.

I agree. Whiteside or Boogie. We need a guy who can clog the paint and change the tempo of the game.

Those guys are fine until opponents start setting screens to force switches.

[MrDollarBills]

Ben has been getting dragged in the media for what happened last night. While 13 assists is a solid amount of offensive generated by his passing ability, he absolutely has to start taking his match up off of the dribble. I hope last night was a wake up call for him, we need more.

[sashaturiaf]

Last night was the first time in years I saw Joe shoot the ball with confidence. I actually liked what he gave but I still dont think he is an asset to this team post that one playoff series a few years ago. Im fine with keeping him but if he can be flipped for a good enough big in a package I think we should do that.

His positives just dont present enough when we have Royce/Seth/Patty/Ky/Yuta. Even if we have to package one more of them. Heck even Kessler can fill his role as the spot up guy with no huge dropoff.

Really Yuta has taken his minutes and I don't see Harris getting them back with Yuta Da Shoota firing away at over 50% and added length on defense.

It seems like we've stopped running plays for Joe altogether which contributes to him never getting into enough of a rhythm shooting the ball. Add in the increased defensive responsibilities he's been given and it's no surprise his 3pt percentage has fallen off a cliff.

Right now he's been used as purely a spot up shooter/floor spacer who provides a bit more resistance on defense than Seth and Patty, not a starter, just a peripheral guy playing 10-20 minutes a night. That is not worth his salary but is still potentially a valuable role on a contender, every title team has a guy or two like that.

This has seriously baffled me over the years.

Like-- with huge offensive magnets such as KD&KI, one of the most deadly 3pt shooters in the NBA *should* have had a terrifingly large number of 3pt attempts. And yet... just no.

Now I get that Joe's shooting is a huge priority from the other team's defense, but again, with KD&KI, Harris is a guy who should have been absolutely *feasting* on other teams, if on attempts and not necessarily a killer%.

Either way...

Instead, it seems like Joe too often has to do a Chef Curry imitation, scrambling to get open for his 3-attempts, and rushing one up, too often off-balance. And Joe's a really good shooter, but Chef, Reggie Miller, Ray Allen... those dudes were in their own league in terms of rushing up a quick, deadly shot.

And Joe's good with the ball, too! IMO he moves it around really well, and rarely if ever hogs it or forces things.

It really is kind of baffling to me what a poor job the Nets chronically do at getting the best out of Joe.

Extremely frustrating and kind of supports the fact we don't really have a point guard, you'd think Joe a guy who was shooting near 50% from 3 on a scrappy roster of cast-offs would be bettering that now that he is on a team like this, but no, whether it be due to injury or what not the only time Joe has approached that level of shooting since is when we had a healthy Harden.

It pained me to see some of the shots Joe was hoisting up yesterday, like a fading 15 footer on the run with a man all over him isn't Joe's shot. Get this man's feet set and let him launch from 3, it seems pretty simple but we are making simple look pretty hard.

However there were promising signs that Ben's transition passing ability can get Joe going, I'm invested in seeing how that plays out since a reliable 15 ppg and a few threes a game from Joe would be huge in KD's absence.

[Hello Brooklyn]

We need this Simmons back. He has it in him. He just needs to start getting to the rim more.

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=ESPN

[bubonicphoniks]

Last night was the first time in years I saw Joe shoot the ball with confidence. I actually liked what he gave but I still dont think he is an asset to this team post that one playoff series a few years ago. Im fine with keeping him but if he can be flipped for a good enough big in a package I think we should do that.

His positives just dont present enough when we have Royce/Seth/Patty/Ky/Yuta. Even if we have to package one more of them. Heck even Kessler can fill his role as the spot up guy with no huge dropoff.

Really Yuta has taken his minutes and I don't see Harris getting them back with Yuta Da Shoota firing away at over 50% and added length on defense.

It seems like we've stopped running plays for Joe altogether which contributes to him never getting into enough of a rhythm shooting the ball. Add in the increased defensive responsibilities he's been given and it's no surprise his 3pt percentage has fallen off a cliff.

Right now he's been used as purely a spot up shooter/floor spacer who provides a bit more resistance on defense than Seth and Patty, not a starter, just a peripheral guy playing 10-20 minutes a night. That is not worth his salary but is still potentially a valuable role on a contender, every title team has a guy or two like that.

I agree. But maybe he just isnt the guy for us. There really arent enough plays to go around to set up for him when his production can be replaced on the fly with royce kai and the likes.

I dont think our team moves the ball inside outside enough to highlight joes strengths and i dont really want to see us flinging it out like that anyway. Id prefer our attackers attack. Its been working.

[sashaturiaf]

Ben has been getting dragged in the media for what happened last night. While 13 assists is a solid amount of offensive generated by his passing ability, he absolutely has to start taking his match up off of the dribble. I hope last night was a wake up call for him, we need more.

I really like what Ben is providing us, but getting intimidated by Kornet at the rim was pretty humiliating, If you got Kornet 1v1 with a head of steam behind you gotta do better than whatever crap Ben was throwing up at the rim yesterday.