Too bad MarShon Brooks is still out. Friday's game with the Timberwolves would have made for a great match-up between Rookie of the Year candidates. Instead, Ricky Rubio, aka Ricky of the Year, will have to settle for a match-up with the NBA's hottest player at his position, Deron Williams.
Over the last five games, D-WIll is averaging 29 points and 8.4 assists, shooting just a tad under 50% overall and 40% from deep. Rubio's played well over that period, too. He's averaging 13.6 and 9.4. He and D-Will are tied for the most points-assists double-doubles. But Rubio's shooting has tailed off, dropping to 38% and 29% over that five game span. Both of their teams are 3-2.
The Wolves, in spite of a 10-12 record, are among the league's most exciting teams, with Rubio, newly signed Kevin Love and mercurial but talented Michael Beasley, none of who have reached their 24th birthday. For the Nets, winners of four of their last seven, the medical report remains iffy. Anthony Morrow (ankle), Johan Petro (stomach) and maybe Mehmet Okur (back) are the only ones of the walking wounded who could play.
- New Jersey Nets Game Notes - New Jersey Nets
- Minnesota Timberwolves Game Notes - Minnesota Timberwolves
- Getting Inside - New Jersey Nets - Sports Xchange
- Getting Inside - Minnesota Timberwolves - Sports Xchange
- Timberwolves-Nets Preview - Kate Hedlin - Stats LLC
- Nets’ Deron Williams trying not to throw any more stones at The Rock - Andy Vasquez - The Record
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Deron Williams makes it a point to stay positive - Kristie Ackert - New York Daily News
- Nets' Deron Williams not among NBA All-Star starters, though he could make reserves - Colin Stephenson - Star-Ledger
- Looking back at Nets-Pistons - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
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Wolves-New Jersey game preview - Kent Youngblood - Minneapolis Star-Tribune