Road to Glory - A New Jersey Nets Association

[Martti.]

Nice team-effort against the Knicks. Good luck aganst the Magic!

[kibaxx7]

San Antonio at almost .500 and Chicago winning their division Good luck against Dwight.

[Valor]

2009/10 Regular Season Awards

Most Valuable Player - Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is the winner of the Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the 2009-10 NBA Most Valuable Player presented by Kia Motors, the NBA announced today.
Surprised? You shouldn't be. After all, the two time reigning MVP, reigning Finals MVP, and All-Star MVP led his team to a Western Conference best 56-26 record with amazing averages of 30.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.6 spg, and 0.2 bpg. With this, Kobe joins the rare company of Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, and Bill Russell as the only players in NBA History to have won three straight regular season MVPs.



Rookie of the Year - Blake Griffin, Phoenix Suns

The 6th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Blake Griffin of Oklahoma, was the runaway pick as the NBA's rookie of the year.
Griffin Becomes the Fourth player in Suns history to win the award, joining Alvan Adams (1976), Walter Davis (1978), and Amare Stoudemire (2003). The rookie was third amongst rookies in scoring with 12.9 per game, first in rebounding with 8.5 per contest, and second in block shots with 1.0 per game.



Defensive Player of the Year - Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, is the recipient of the 2009-10 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award presented by Kia Motors, the NBA announced today.
The 6-foot-11 center led the NBA in rebounds and blocks, averaging 14.4 boards and an astonishing 3.7 blocks per game. Howard becomes the first person since Ben Wallace in 2006 to win back-to-back DPOY Honors.



Most Improved Player - Sean Williams, New Jersey Nets

New Jersey Nets Forward Sean Williams is the winner of the 2009-10 NBA Most Improved Player Award presented by Kia Motors, the NBA announced today. The annual award is presented to a player who has made a significant improvement from the previous season.
Williams improved significantly across the board, and in some categories, doubled the statistical output while playing a big role in helping the Nets obtaining a playoff berth with his tremendous hustle, rebounding, and interior defense.
The 3rd year pro increased his statistical output from 1.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.4 apg, 0.3 spg, and 0.5 bpg from the 08/09 campaign, as well as 5.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.4 apg, 0.4 spg, and 1.5 bpg in his rookie season; to this season's averages of 7.1 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.5 spg, and 1.6 bpg in 82 games played, including 49 starts; he also shot a team high 59.7% from the field.



Sixth Man of the Year - Leo Lai, New Jersey Nets

Nets rookie Leo Lai is the winner of the 2009-10 NBA Sixth Man Award presented by Kia Motors as the league's best player in a reserve role, the NBA announced Friday.
A Sixth man in all of the 82 games played this season, Lai averaged 17.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.9 apg, 0.8 spg and 0.4 bpg, he shot 54.5% from the field and led the team in 3P% with 46.1%. Lai was also the rookie leader in points per game, and was 4th in both steals and blocks.
The Hong Kong native now joins Manu Ginóbili, Detlef Schrempf, Leandro Barbosa, Toni Kukoč and Ben Gordon as the only award winners not born in the United States. He is also the second player to win the award as a rookie (the other being Ben Gordon)



Coach of the Year - Doc Rivers, Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics Head Coach Doc Rivers was named the winner of the Red Auerbach Award as the NBA Coach of the Year earlier today.
Rivers led the loaded Celtics team to a league best 57-25 record and has put his squad, Big Three included, into the best possible situation and circumstances for them to go for another ring before they all hang 'em up. Rivers is the fourth recipient of this award in Celtics franchise history, joining the ranks of the great Red Auerbach (1965), Tom Heinsohn (1973), and Bill Fitch (1980).





All NBA First Team

PG. Chris Paul - New Orleans Hornets
SG. Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers
SF. Lebron James - Cleveland Cavaliers
PF. Tim Duncan - San Antonio Spurs
C. Dwight Howard - Orlando Magic


All NBA Second Team

PG. Deron Williams
SG. Dwyane Wade
SF. Carmelo Anthony
PF. Kevin Garnett
C. Yao Ming


All NBA Third Team

PG. Allen Iverson
SG. Tracy McGrady
SF. Kevin Durant
PF. Al Jefferson
C. Pau Gasol


All Defensive First Team

PG. Chris Paul
SG. Dwyane Wade
SF. Andrei Kirilenko
PF. Tim Duncan
C. Dwight Howard


All Defensive Second Team

PG. Jason Kidd
SG. Kobe Bryant
SF. LeBron James
PF. Josh Smith
C. Yao Ming


All Rookie First Team

PG. Ricky Rubio
SG. Tyreke Evans
SF. Earl Clark
PF. Blake Griffin
C. Hasheem Thabeet



All Rookie Second Team

PG. Jrue Holiday
SG. Leo Lai
SF. Terrence Williams
PF. Jordan Hill
C. BJ Mullens

[Valor]

Nice team-effort against the Knicks. Good luck aganst the Magic!

thanks man

San Antonio at almost .500 and Chicago winning their division Good luck against Dwight.

The Spurs are slowing down with age, and the Cavs, Pistons suck like hell so Chi-town is on the rise (i get manhandled by Chicago almost every time, they are a good team in my association....)

[Lightning Strike]

8 from 28 by Chris Duhon? Well, that's where the 40 points you crushed the Knicks by came from.. That seriously is a flogging, superb game!

yup, he was chucking bricks up all game long...well, if he hit those, he would be instantly a..erm..living legend?
thanks for following this btw, always nice to have a new reader

You're welcome, I should be thanking you for making it a very enjoyable read.

Good luck against Magic in the first round, I wonder if Yao will still score well even with Howard on him.

[Martti.]

Interesting that Lai only made the All-Rookie Second team. I guess just scoring doesn't cut it.

Although congrats on the sixth Man and Most Improved awards!

[Valor]

You're welcome, I should be thanking you for making it a very enjoyable read.

Good luck against Magic in the first round, I wonder if Yao will still score well even with Howard on him.

Thanks man, i think Yao would be fine against Dwight since he is 7 inches taller, but we shall see, if not, then i can always give the rock to Devin Harris and let him go dancing

Interesting that Lai only made the All-Rookie Second team. I guess just scoring doesn't cut it.

Although congrats on the sixth Man and Most Improved awards!

Cheers man, Yao was in the running for DPOY as well, but of course Dwight took the honors home
I was surprised at Sean Williams getting the MIP considering other candidates on there such as Louis Williams...but i guess his huge improvements in the stats made up for it

[Valor]

Playoffs Preview

[Martti.]

Some rivalries that have come up in the last year, nice! Like Cavs vs Wizards, Celtics vs Hawks.

Also intriguing how the Bobcats cope in their first Playoff run. Against your Bulls also.

[kibaxx7]

Interesting series in Lakers-Spurs at first round.

[Valor]

2010 Playoffs: Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. Orlando Magic



Lineups Subjected to change
New Jersey Nets

Starting Five

PG. Devin Harris
SG. Anthony Parker
SF. Luol Deng
PF. Sean Williams
C. Yao Ming

Bench

Leo Lai
Patrick Mills
Adam Morrison
Eric Snow*
Josh Boone
D.J. Mbenga
Joey Dorsey

Inactive Rotation

Bill Walker
Walter Sharpe
Anthony Johnson*

Head Coach: Lawrence Frank
Injury Report: N/A



Orlando Magic

Starting Five

PG. Jameer Nelson*
SG. Courtney Lee
SF. Vince Carter
PF. Rashard Lewis
C. Dwight Howard

Bench

Mickael Pietrus
Brevin Knight*
Jarvis Hayes
Chris Wilcox
Bobby Jackson
Johan Petro
Jonas Jerebko

Inactive Rotation

Jeff Pendergraph*

Head Coach: Stan Van Gundy
Injury Report: N/A*

*indicates changes during series

Game 1 Game Recap
Date/Time: April 17th 2010, 9:00pm
Location: Amway Arena, Orlando FL
Series: New Jersey Nets 0-0 Orlando Magic

Game 2 Game Recap
Date/Time: April 19th 2010, 8:30pm
Location: Amway Arena, Orlando FL
Series: New Jersey Nets 1-0 Orlando Magic

Game 3 Game Recap
Date/Time: April 21st 2010, 8:30pm
Location: Izod Center, East Rutherford NJ
Series: New Jersey Nets 1-1 Orlando Magic

Game 4 Game Recap
Date/Time: April 23rd 2010, 9:30pm
Location: Izod Center, East Rutherford NJ
Series: New Jersey Nets 1-2 Orlando Magic

Game 5 Game Recap
Date/Time: April 25th 2010, 7:30pm
Location: Amway Arena, Orlando FL
Series: New Jersey Nets 1-3 Orlando Magic

Game 6 Game Recap
Date/Time: April 24th 2010, 4:30pm
Location: Izod Center, East Rutherford NJ
Series: New Jersey Nets 2-3 Orlando Magic


Magic Wins Series 4-2

[Valor]

Some rivalries that have come up in the last year, nice! Like Cavs vs Wizards, Celtics vs Hawks.

Also intriguing how the Bobcats cope in their first Playoff run. Against your Bulls also.

yup, 2k9 has done a good job with the regular season seeding this time
i am rooting for my Bulls, but at the same time hope they go down, cause if i get past the Magic, i don't want to face the Bulls...(look at the most recent games vs. Chicago for me in the regular season..i lose everytime)

Interesting series in Lakers-Spurs at first round.

I am very interested in that series too my money goes on the defending champs winning though, cant really see an upset there

[Lightning Strike]

You're welcome, I should be thanking you for making it a very enjoyable read.

Good luck against Magic in the first round, I wonder if Yao will still score well even with Howard on him.

Thanks man, i think Yao would be fine against Dwight since he is 7 inches taller, but we shall see, if not, then i can always give the rock to Devin Harris and let him go dancing

You're right, even if Dwight is the DMOY the 7 inch buffer with Yao should completely nullify that.

My predictions for the first round:
Lakers v San Antonio in 5
Denver v New Orleans in 6
Houston v Phoenix in 7
Blazers v Jazz in 6
----------
Celtics v Hawks in 4
Magic v Nets in 6
Bulls v Bobcats in 7
Wizards v Cavaliers in 5

[Valor]

You're welcome, I should be thanking you for making it a very enjoyable read.

Good luck against Magic in the first round, I wonder if Yao will still score well even with Howard on him.

Thanks man, i think Yao would be fine against Dwight since he is 7 inches taller, but we shall see, if not, then i can always give the rock to Devin Harris and let him go dancing

You're right, even if Dwight is the DMOY the 7 inch buffer on Yao should completely nullify that.

My predictions for the first round:
Lakers v San Antonio in 5
Denver v New Orleans in 6
Houston v Phoenix in 7
Blazers v Jazz in 6
----------
Celtics v Hawks in 4
Magic v Nets in 6
Bulls v Bobcats in 7
Wizards v Cavaliers in 5

haha, i don't have a prediction game going here, but if you want you can see if you are right :p

[Lightning Strike]

Yeah I know you don't have a prediction running, I just thought I'd throw it in for personal fun, if you don't mind.

[Valor]

Yeah I know you don't have a prediction running, I just thought I'd throw it in for personal fun, if you don't mind.

nope, don't mind at all

[Valor]

Behind Lai's 36, Nets draw first blood against Nelson-less Magic


Orlando, FL - About a year ago, Rookie of the year Derrick Rose tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record with 36 points in his playoff debut and led his team to an upset game 1 victory. A Year later, his good friend Leo Lai did just the same.

The 3rd overall pick and the Sixth man of the year, Rookie Leo Lai had 36 points off the bench, on 14 for 16 shooting, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc, to lead the New Jersey Nets to a 127-122 game 1 victory over the reigning Eastern Conference Champions Orlando Magic and their 2 time reigning Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard. Lai also had 3 rebounds and 3 assists in his 25 minutes on the floor, and was rewarded with the Jordan Player of the Game.

"I knew about Derrick and Kareem's record since i watched (the series) last season," Lai said "But i didn't plan this, the looks were there and the shots just fall, coach told me to be more aggressive and attack; so that's what i did"

Devin Harris added in 24 points and 12 assists for the Nets; while Yao Ming was limited to just 7 shots by Dwight Howard, he would make 5 of those and finish with a double double of 11 points and 14 rebounds, he also had 3 blocks. Similarly, Sean Williams had a double double of 10 points and 14 rebounds on 5 for 6 shooting. Adam Morrison, who has been struggling all year long, had 16 points. 4 rebounds and 4 assists off the bench for the Nets.

New Jersey jumped out on a tear offensively, scoring 38 points in the first quarter, and had a 62-57 lead going into the half shooting 50% from the field. Orlando would go on runs and try to take the game back but the Nets kept their offense going and held onto the lead, with Lai hitting back to back three pointers late in the 4th to seal the victory.

Orlando was led by sophomore Courtney Lee, who tied Lai's scoring with 36 points of his own, he was 15 for 25 from the field, and added in 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals in 33 minutes of play. Former Net Vince Carter dropped in 26 points on 10 for 20 shooting, while Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis were limited to 12 and 5 points respectively due to the defense from the Nets' Yao Ming and Sean Williams. Howard added in 11 rebounds while Lewis had 10.

The Magic were without All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson, who is out with a Strained Achilles, and is unlikely to return anytime soon. His replacement Brevin Knight had a decent showing with 13 points and 11 assists, but was just 4 for 10 from the field and turned the ball over 5 times. What hurts them most is the fact that Knight cannot shoot the 3 ball, which is one of the most important aspects of Orlando's offense.

"No offense to Brevin, he had a good game tonight, but we are just missing Jameer right now" said Magic star Dwight Howard "Jameer is such a vital part of the team, it's hard to get our offense flowing without him"

The Nets now lead the series 1-0, and would look to take a 2-0 lead going back home to New Jersey on April 18th, just two days later.






Highlights







Jordan Player of the Game Highlights

[kibaxx7]

14-of-16 from Lai, superb night. A win in Game 1 is always a big step forward.

[Martti.]

Not bad for a playoff-debut.

[A-Sot]

I don't know what the Magic would expect to get out of this series with Brevin Knight starting at PG... nice job on the win

[Lamrock]

Damn, Lai killed them. Magic's roster looks weird in this association

[Fresh8]

You were on fire man. Congrats!

[Lightning Strike]

Lai had an amazing game, what a performance by the rookie in his first year! It's a shame about Anthony Parker's shooting though, hopefully he steps it up next game.

[Valor]

14-of-16 from Lai, superb night. A win in Game 1 is always a big step forward.

yup, now if i can just steal game 2 from them as well....

Not bad for a playoff-debut.

Cheers man

I don't know what the Magic would expect to get out of this series with Brevin Knight starting at PG... nice job on the win

Thanks, I think they'll be better off starting Bobby Jackson, but it's gonna be tough either way since Jameer is out.

Damn, Lai killed them. Magic's roster looks weird in this association

Yeah, apart from the starting 5 and Pietrus...i really don't see the Orlando Magic that was there at the start...

You were on fire man. Congrats!

Ty bro Let's see if i can repeat that kind of a performance in game 2

Lai had an amazing game, what a performance by the rookie in his first year! It's a shame about Anthony Parker's shooting though, hopefully he steps it up next game.

It's always like this, when Parker shoots well, Morrison struggles, when the Stache shoots well, Parker struggles....i just can never get both of them to shoot well in the same game for some reason

[cavs4872]

These four pictures look really nice. Rashard Lewis never seems to do much in association games. Great win.