Road to Glory - A New Jersey Nets Association

[Valor]

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

Thanks!
I guess it's cause the CPU never really utilizes Lewis as a big man shooter, same goes for shooting pfs/cs such as dirk...they always play inside rather then outside

[Valor]

Howard Dominates as Magic ties Series at 1-1

Orlando, FL - He didn't have his cape and suit on, but Magic's Dwight Howard was indeed Superman tonight.

With 20 points, 16 rebounds, 3 big rejections and even 2 steals, Howard led the Magic to a 40-20 2nd quarter after trailing by 10 in the 1st period with 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the period; Howard kept his production going in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter; and with the help of Vince Carter's 21 points and 19 points from the injured Mickael Pietrus, held off the Nets' rally and tied the series at 1 game apiece with the 104-99 victory.

"I had a sub-par performance in game 1 and it cost us the game," said Howard "i just wanted to come out tonight and make an impact to help my team win"

After trailing by 10 points at the half, the Nets twice closed the gap to a mere 2 points in the second half with a strong defensive 3rd quarter, but they never got over the hump as Vince Carter and Jarvis Hayes knocked down a 3 pointer each with less then 2 minutes to go in the 4th.

"Those were big buckets," said Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy "those shots changed the momentum completely"

The Nets were led by Devin Harris and Yao Ming, Harris had an outstanding performance with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 steals in 33 minutes of play, he was 9 for 18 from the field, which included being a perfect 4-4 from beyond the arc while Yao was a point and 2 rebounds shy of a 20-20 game with 19 points and 18 rebounds, he also had 5 assists and 2 blocks, with one of those rejections being on Howard. Deng chipped in 17 points and 10 rebounds.

However, most of the other Nets struggled, rookie Leo Lai, who had a record-tying playoff debut in game 1, had only 11 points on 5 for 13 shooting in 22 minutes, Anthony Parker had 10 points, but took 11 shots to get it. Veteran guard Anthony Johnson even managed to almost record a trillion, with the only stats being 3 missed field goals.

Nets coach Lawrence Frank cited the differences in the bench production as the reason to the loss.

"Their bench outscored ours 41-25" said Frank "that's more then the difference in the game. We had 60 in game 1, man. Our guys need to step up and start contributing, the starting five can't play the whole game."

The series now shifts to New Jersey, where the Nets would hope to make use of their home court to take an edge in the series.





Highlights






Jordan Player of the Game Highlights

[Valor]

Magic's Nelson will return for Game 3
04/20/10


Orlando Magic's All Star Point Guard Jameer Nelson will be
available for game 3 of the first round series against the
Nets, according to Stan Van Gundy, coach of the Magic.

"He's ready to play, he looked fine in practice this morning"
said Van Gundy "I expect him to be ready to go and contribute
tomorrow"

Nelson has been out since March 19th with a Strained Achilles,
but has apparently recovered and will be activated for tomorrow
night's game in New Jersey

The All-Star, however, remained coy about his status.

"My rhythm, my timing's off a little bit. But for the most part,
it's just basketball. You go out and play your hardest and give it your
all. The thing is, I'm a competitor. I want to play, and i definitely want
to help my ball club win."

According to coach Van Gundy, Nelson will be starting at point guard in
place of Brevin Knight while Jeff Pendergraph will be placed on the
inactive rotation.

[Clutch]

EC Quarterfinals already!? damn too many stories to keep track of now

Looks like Yao's got his hands full and w/Nelson returning, this could be a looong series...

great job on the vid

[Martti.]

Lai needs to step up in game #3 with Nelson back.

[Lamrock]

Tough loss, but at least you managed to steal one on the road. Magic look a lot better with Jameer, so good luck - I think you'll need it.

[kibaxx7]

Yep, now that Jameer's back, you gonna need even more luck. Lai was kinda quiet...

[Valor]

EC Quarterfinals already!? damn too many stories to keep track of now

Looks like Yao's got his hands full and w/Nelson returning, this could be a looong series...

great job on the vid

yup, playoff time man
Yao's gotta find a way to stop Dwight...Superman got 16 rebounds against both Yao and Sean Williams
and thanks! i love the videos too

Lai needs to step up in game #3 with Nelson back.

Yeah, and so does the rest of the team, dunno where they disappeared to in game 2

Tough loss, but at least you managed to steal one on the road. Magic look a lot better with Jameer, so good luck - I think you'll need it.

hell yeah, i am gonna need a miracle to win this series, the Magic are 90+ overall with Nelson back while my squad is a mere 80

Yep, now that Jameer's back, you gonna need even more luck. Lai was kinda quiet...

Pietrus and Lee did a good job on him on the perimeter against his jumpers, and when he drives...well...

This happens....

Dwight is a beast....

[Fresh8]

I have a feeling that you are gonna lose the next game...

[Lamrock]

Same. Then he wins game 4.

[Valor]

I have a feeling that you are gonna lose the next game...

Same. Then he wins game 4.

how did you guys get those conclusions lol

[Valor]

Nelson sparks Magic to win in New Jersey in return


East Rutherford, NJ - It didn't take Jameer Nelson very long to adjust to the speed of the game and get his rhythm and timing back last night. He wasn't sure at first whether he would be able to stay on the floor and compete at the level and intensity of a playoff game after missing a little more then a month with a strained achilles, but he did much more then that.

The Magic's all star point guard finished with 26 points, 14 assists, and 3 steals in 29 minutes of play, shooting the ball as well as ever with a 10 for 21 performance from the field as well as a very respectable 6 for 12 from beyond the arc. Nelson found his teammates and hit them with great passes, and most importantly, he led the Magic to a 120-112 victory over the home team New Jersey Nets to take a 2-1 series lead.

“I think it was the adrenaline,” Nelson said. "“I got to the game early and had a nice workout. I wasn't really expecting to be as effective as I was tonight. I just played and had fun."

Three other Magic players scored over 20 points in this game, Courtney Lee (25), Vince Carter (23), and Dwight Howard (20), Howard also had 8 rebounds. However, Magic forward Rashard Lewis struggled yet again, as he went 3 for 9 from the field for a mere 7 points and 5 rebounds in 30 minutes of play.

"Give them credit, they are shutting me down and making me work for my shots" said Lewis, "then again, my teammates are making them pay for it, and as long as we get the win, i don't care who is rewarded with the stat"

The Nets had 6 players in double digit scoring, and were led by Yao Ming's 21 point, 12 rebounds performance. Anthony Parker and Leo Lai each contributed 19 points, while Devin Harris had a double double with 18 points and 11 assists, Harris also had 3 steals. Deng chipped in 16 points and 5 rebounds, and Adam Morrison added in 10 points, but shot just 3 for 10 from the field.






Highlights






Jordan Player of the Game Highlights

[Lightning Strike]

Ouch, I know exactly what you mean now about struggling with Morrison one night but working well with Parker, then the complete opposite the other. This loss to Orlando is playing right into Sit and Lamrock's predictions as well.

How is Howard making so many shots if he has Yao Ming on him?

By the way, both of the Howard dunks being rewarded with 2 identical pictures each in the highlights?

[Fresh8]

Dwight can jump over Yao.

[Lightning Strike]

Even so, just seems a bit strange to me.

[Valor]

Ouch, I know exactly what you mean now about struggling with Morrison one night but working well with Parker, then the complete opposite the other. This loss to Orlando is playing right into Sit and Lamrock's predictions as well.

How is Howard making so many shots if he has Yao Ming on him?

By the way, both of the Howard dunks being rewarded with 2 identical pictures each in the highlights?

Dwight can jump over Yao.

Even so, just seems a bit strange to me.

I have no idea why Dwight has been so unstoppable in the last couple of games
Thanks for noting the error, will fix that in a sec

Game 4 recap coming right up

[Valor]

Nelson, Magic crush Nets, take 3-1 series lead


East Rutherford, NJ - Lawrence Frank would rather forget about this one.

Despite having 8 players scoring in double digits, the New Jersey Nets were embarrassed last night at the Izod Center, giving up 130 points to the Orlando Magic and losing by 22 points. They have now dropped 3 straight since stealing game 1 in Orlando, and are on the verge of being eliminated.

The Orlando Magic were clicking on all cylinders all game long, especially in the second half where they scored a total of 76 points. They had 7 players in double figures, with 5 of them scoring over 15 points (New Jersey had none). Jameer Nelson had a second straight brilliant game, registering 25 points and 14 assists in a mere 26 minutes of play to capture player of the game honors.

Pietrus had 18 off the bench, Rashard Lewis dropped in 17 points and 6 rebounds, Courney Lee had 16 points and 6 assists, while Dwight Howard chipped in 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks. The Magic also had outstanding performances from Chris Wilcox and Jarvis Hayes, both of which came to Orlando via trade from the Nets earlier in the season, they both contributed 10 points each in 12 minutes.

"Just a total team effort tonight" said Stan Van Gundy "I love it"

The Nets struggled to contain the Magic offense, and in a way, failed to ignite their own offense. Yao Ming and Devin Harris were the top scorers for the Nets, with 14 points each, Yao also had 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks while Devin Harris added in 8 assists.

The rest of the Nets had around the same level of contribution, but they shot a season low 38% from the field (39/101), gave up 64 points in the paint, 47 bench points, were outrebounded 42-38, and turned the ball over 10 times while only having 26 assists as opposed to the 46 from the Magic.

"At the rate that we are playing, we might as well be playing in the D-league" Lawrence Frank said "This kind of play is just unacceptable, sooner or later we're gonna need some stops"

However, it might already be too late. As only 8 teams have climbed themselves out of a 3-1 deficit to win a playoff series, and from the way the Nets are playing right now, that doesn't seem possible.

Game 5 will be taking place tomorrow night at 7:30pm at the Amway Arena, Orlando. As the Magic would look to deliver the knockout blow.






Highlights






Jordan Player of the Game Highlights

[Valor]

Lawrence Frank activates Snow for decisive Game 5
04/24/10


Down 3-1 and being blown out by 22 points in their most recent defeat, New Jersey
Nets coach Lawrence Frank is looking to make changes in hopes of helping his team
climb out of the deep hole they've dug themselves.

The 37 year old, 14 year veteran point guard Eric Snow will be activated in place of
Anthony Johnson in the roster in tomorrow night's decisive game.

Johnson has been struggling thus far in the playoffs, with averages of just 2.5 ppg,
0.8 apg on .25 shooting from the field, he is also turning the ball over at 1 per contest
coming off the bench.

"We lack defense, as you can see in our last game" Frank said "if you can even call it a
game that is. Eric is a proven veteran defender, and i trust him to get the job done"

Snow has only played in 6 contests this season, and had been taking on a mentor/coaching
role rather then a player role, however, he says he is ready.

"I can still play" said Snow "If the coach needs me, I'm ready. This could be my last season as
a player, so i'm just going to go out there and play hard, i ain't gonna have any regrets."

[kibaxx7]

2 games in one day, this story's back! Tough losses man, I don't know if Snow can really help you, we shall see.

Waiting for Frank to get fired

[Martti.]

Damn, it's Nelson who has killed you. The Snow maneuver down't look anything series-changing, but who knows.

Brevin Knight - 14 minutes, 12 assists. Damn..

[Lightning Strike]

Uh oh man, 1-3 down and the next game is in Orlando, they're going to come out firing. Don't make it all the way to the play-offs only to lose in the first round, bring the Nets back man! Oh, and I loved the 2 quick updates after a small break.

[Fresh8]

Lose the next game so that we can get onto 'SIT TIME!!!!'

[Clutch]

fuckin' weakass 'Stache 7-of-21 over the two games... he cost you the series

poor Yao - another chance gone bye-bye!

[Valor]

2 games in one day, this story's back! Tough losses man, I don't know if Snow can really help you, we shall see.

Waiting for Frank to get fired

problem is, there isn't any good replacements out there

Damn, it's Nelson who has killed you. The Snow maneuver don't look anything series-changing, but who knows.

Brevin Knight - 14 minutes, 12 assists. Damn..

Nelson kicks my ass, and Brevin Knight is earning money by giving the ball to the sharpshooters on the Magic squad....i can't stop their barrage of 3 pointers, or Dwight Howard down low for that matter....

Uh oh man, 1-3 down and the next game is in Orlando, they're going to come out firing. Don't make it all the way to the play-offs only to lose in the first round, bring the Nets back man! Oh, and I loved the 2 quick updates after a small break.

Thanks, i was busy with school work so had to take a break there, glad you enjoyed it.
I really dunno if i can come back and win 3 in a row, judging from the last game, the Nets will be going fishing early

Lose the next game so that we can get onto 'SIT TIME!!!!'

It's coming, It's coming, be patient Sit

fuckin' weakass 'Stache 7-of-21 over the two games... he cost you the series

poor Yao - another chance gone bye-bye!

Yeah, Morrison is really struggling in the playoffs, he's hit some big shots every now and then, but overall he stinks...might look into trading his ass out of town in the offseason

[hova-]

Tough losses. I love the Playoffs, but it's over pretty fast if you cannot find the right way to play your opponent. The Magic are tough to beat, but I still believe in your team