NetsDaily - Game 32 - Brooklyn Nets at Oklahoma City Thunder, 8:00 PMThe most comprehensive source for news about the Brooklyn Nets.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50989/nd-fav.png2014-01-03T13:33:12-05:00http://www.netsdaily.com/rss/stream/50299732014-01-03T13:33:12-05:002014-01-03T13:33:12-05:00The "clutchiness" of Joe Johnson
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<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Jason Patt of SB Nation, with the aid of a series of tweets from Tim Bontemps, looks at the Joe Johnson phenomenon, not from the raw numbers, which we all know about ... the 12-for-14, the 5-of-5, but from a comparative standpoint. How his clutchiness compares to that of other supposedly great clutch shooters.</p>
<p>Suffice it to say, there is no comparison.</p>
<p>Here are a few of the Bontemps tweets...</p>
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<p>Just to compare: <span>Joe Johnson's</span> 12-for-14 in final 30 seconds of games <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a> are tied or behind by 3 last 2 years. <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> is 1-for-16</p>
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimBontemps/statuses/418976779605254145">January 3, 2014</a>
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<p>And in the last 10 seconds in those same late/close situations (team tied/within 3), Joe Johnson is 6-for-6. Carmelo Anthony is 0-for-10.</p>
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimBontemps/statuses/418977000095621121">January 3, 2014</a>
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<p>Over that same span, <span>LeBron James</span> is 8-for-17 within final 30 seconds, 4-for-11 within the final 10 seconds.</p>
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimBontemps/statuses/418977782777925632">January 3, 2014</a>
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<p>Kobe Bryant last year was 4-for-11 in final 30 seconds, 3-for-9 in the final 10 seconds. <span>Kevin Durant</span> is 4-for-12 and 0-for-6, respectively.</p>
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimBontemps/statuses/418978513631203329">January 3, 2014</a>
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As Paul Pierce --4-of-15, 2-of-12-- says, ""We believe in him. He has the résumé. When you have the résumé, everybody trusts him — make or miss. We trust him."</p>
<ul>
<li> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/1/3/5269800/joe-johnson-clutch-shooting-buzzer-beaters-nets" target="_blank">Joe Johnson keeps dominating in buzzer-beating situations</a> - Jason Patt - SB Nation</li>
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<a href="http://nypost.com/2014/01/03/nets-rewind-the-most-clutch-player-in-the-nba/" target="_blank">Nets rewind: The most clutch player in the NBA</a> - Tim Bontemps - New York Post<br>
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https://www.netsdaily.com/2014/1/3/5270454/how-good-is-joe-johnson-at-the-buzzer-compare-him-to-other-nba-starsNet Income2014-01-03T12:06:56-05:002014-01-03T12:06:56-05:00Film Study: The Nets played good defense?
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<figcaption>Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>One day after we published a film breakdown showing just how bad the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a>' defense was against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> Tuesday night, they post arguably their best defensive performance of the season against the Thunder. Their defense was shaky at times, but overall, especially during the fourth quarter, it was on point against one of the best offensive teams in the league.</p>
<p>The Nets forced the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> to commit 21 turnovers, and scored 26 points off of those turnovers. Down the stretch, mostly, the Nets defense was beautiful. The Thunder didn't score for five minutes and 35 seconds during the fourth quarter; the Nets proceeded to go on a 14-0 run and took their first lead dating back to the early second quarter.</p>
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<p>During this cold stretch by Oklahoma City, they targeted <span>Kevin Durant</span> nearly every trip down the floor. <span>Shaun Livingston</span> played great defense on the three-time scoring champion in the final minutes, and the entire Nets defense chipped in as well.</p>
<p>In this particular set, the Thunder in bound the ball trying to get a mismatch with <span>Deron Williams</span> on Kevin Durant. The Nets double Durant and play solid help defense that leads to a contested three-pointer from Perry Jones III.</p>
<p><iframe height="315" frameborder="0" width="420" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jPMUCVayEac"></iframe></p>
<p><span>Kevin Garnett</span> isn't as explosive as he once was, but his defensive fundamentals are still there. He played fine help defense during these crucial sequences, as seen in the last play. Here he reads the <span>Serge Ibaka</span> screen beautifully and forces a Durant turnover.</p>
<p><iframe height="315" frameborder="0" width="420" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tGUCTk5lV8U"></iframe></p>
<p>Durant got very frustrated with the Nets pestering defense late in the game. The play after that one, he tries to take Livingston off the dribble, but travels. The Nets defense clearly got the best of the league's best scorer.</p>
<p>During one of the game's final sequences, the Nets held a two-point lead. <span>Scott Brooks</span>' drew up a fine play to get his number one option the ball, but the Nets play tough defense. As the ball gets passed around the perimeter, the Nets follow it, and stay in fine position (As noted in yesterday's breakdown, the Nets did an awful job of following the ball on the floor against the Spurs).</p>
<p><iframe height="315" frameborder="0" width="420" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/N141bUajvnU"></iframe></p>
<p>This was a huge stop for the Nets-even though the game would be tied at 93 following the next play-who showed great defensive skill here.</p>
<p>It hasn't been there often this season, but this type of defense is simple, and easy to play. The Nets need to keep up this effort to mimic the great game they had last night. Looking at their late-game effort against the Thunder, I'm not ready to call them title contenders just yet, but this could be a type of game that makes them realize they aren't done yet.</p>
<ul>
<li> <a target="_blank" href="http://newsok.com/nuggets-from-my-notebook-from-thursdays-loss-to-the-nets/article/3920240">Nuggets from my notebook from Thursday's loss to the Nets</a> - Darnell Mayberry - Oklahoman<br>
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https://www.netsdaily.com/2014/1/3/5270020/film-study-nets-defense-thunder-video-nbaReed Wallach2014-01-02T22:48:37-05:002014-01-02T22:48:37-05:00Joe Cool does it again! Nets win 95-93
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<figcaption>Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>He did it again!!</p> <p>Since joining the Nets at the beginning of last season, Joe Johnson has faced life-or-death moments at the end of games 14 times, each situation fraught with high drama ... and 12 times, including Thursday night, he delivered to the delight of Nets fans.</p>
<p>As Jason Kidd said after the game, who else was he going to give the ball to? He asked Johnson if he wanted to take the last shot and the quiet assassin from Arkansas said he did. After fulfilling his promise, Johnson was mobbed by his teammates, part out of joy, part out of relief. After all, the Nets had come back from another huge deficit.</p>
<p>With 6:21 left in the 3rd quarter, the best scorer on the planet - <span>Kevin Durant</span> - went to the bench with his 4th foul and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a> down by only seven.</p>
<p>Six minutes later, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> lead was 16. Another opportunity lost. The easy-to-play-against Nets, once again, were completely unable to answer the bell.</p>
<p>Yet, when Durant re-entered the game in the 4th, the Nets had actually cut the lead back to the original seven.</p>
<p>And then after a <span>Reggie Evans</span> rebound and long outlet for an <span>AK47</span> dunk, a definite pulse was noticeable. The bench stirred. Towels were waived. Players were engaged. Could this be hope?</p>
<p>What followed was an improbable series of events. <span>Kevin Garnett</span> drained a vintage top-of the-key jumper. <span>Paul Pierce</span> hit a three on a beautiful three-chance possession and followed that up with a patented step back right fadeaway J. The Nets kept getting stops. And then they took the lead from the 23-6 Thunder on a transition three (courtesy of a drop pass by a streaking <span>Shaun Livingston</span>) by leading scorer <span>Deron Williams</span>.</p>
<p>After Garnett narrowly missed a short jumper to put the game away, <span>Serge Ibaka</span> collected a Durant pass that Garnett deflected and layed it home to tie the game.</p>
<p>So with 5.8 seconds remaining Kidd had a decision to make - draw up a play for the struggling but super-clutch <span class="sbn-auto-link">Johnson</span> (4-11, 9 points), or go with a red hot Williams or an in-rhythm Pierce?</p>
<p>Kidd went with the former. Johnson inbounded to Williams and got it right back. He got his man Ibaka off balance, smoothly rose just inside the three point line and put up a rainbow that scraped the right rim and splashed in for the win.</p>
<p>"I didn't think he was struggling," said Kidd. "He was getting the ball. You understand the personnel and Joe delivered."</p>
<p>Williams had his best game in a while. He outscored Durant 29-24 and found his outside shot - draining six threes. Livingston was just 1-7 for 5 points, but he might have been as much a key to the victory as anyone, using his long arms and mobility to help slow down the virtually unstoppable Durant (who had just four 4th quarter points). Pierce added 17, doing most of his damage early to get things going and late as part of the rally.</p>
<p>The Nets needed the win to stay 5 games behind the streaking <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Toronto Raptors</a> in the Atlantic Division and now somehow stand only 2.5 games behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a> for the East's final playoff spot.</p>
<p>The Road Trip From Hell is now officially over. We'll see if <span>Joe Johnson's</span> exclamation point at the end of it was a jumping-off point for a big turnaround or just a lonely highlight in a disappointing season.</p>
<ul>
<li> <a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20140102/BKNOKC/gameinfo.html?ls=slt" target="_blank">Box Score</a> - NBA.com</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/thunder/2014/01/03/0021300476-bkn-okc-play7.nba/index.html" target="_blank">Joe's Buzzer-Beater (video)</a> - NBA.com</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/thunder/2014/01/02/0021300476-bkn-okc-play1.nba/index.html" target="_blank">Williams to Plumlee (Video) </a>- NBA.com</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/thunder/2014/01/02/0021300476-bkn-okc-play3.nba/index.html" target="_blank">Ibaka's And-One (Video)</a> - NBA.com</li>
<li> <a href="http://web.yesnetwork.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=31287665&topic_id=39099298&tcid=vpp_copy_31287665&v=3" target="_blank">Johnson on his game-winning shot against the Thunder (Video)</a> - Sarah Kustok - YES Network</li>
<li> <a href="http://web.yesnetwork.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=31287675&topic_id=39099298&tcid=vpp_copy_31287675&v=3" target="_blank">Kidd talks about Johnson's game-winner (Video)</a> - YES Network</li>
<li> <a href="http://web.yesnetwork.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=31287679&topic_id=39099298&tcid=vpp_copy_31287679&v=3" target="_blank">Kirilenko on the thrilling victory over the Thunder (Video)</a> - YES Network</li>
<li> <a href="http://web.yesnetwork.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=31287697&topic_id=39099298&tcid=vpp_copy_31287697&v=3" target="_blank">Post Game Plus: Nets defeat Thunder (Video)</a> - YES Network</li>
<li> <a href="http://thebrooklyngame.com/video-joe-johnson-buzzer-beater-for-the-win/" target="_blank">JOE JOHNSON BUZZER BEATER FOR THE WIN (Video)</a> - Paul Borghard - The Brooklyn Game</li>
<li> <a href="http://thebrooklyngame.com/video-d-will-dominates-with-4-point-play/" target="_blank">D-Will Dominates with 4-Point Play (Video)</a> - Paul Borghard - The Brooklyn Game</li>
<li> <a href="http://thebrooklyngame.com/video-d-will-with-the-steal-and-buzzer-3/" target="_blank">D-Will with the Steal and Buzzer 3 (Video)</a> - Paul Borghard - The Brooklyn Game</li>
<li> <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/marc-stein/post/_/id/1046/new-year-new-blueprint-for-nets" target="_blank">New year, new blueprint for Nets</a> - Marc Stein - ESPN<br>
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<li> <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/brooklyn-nets/post/_/id/14957/rapid-reaction-nets-95-thunder-93" target="_blank">Rapid Reaction: Nets 95, Thunder 93 </a>- Matt Ehalt - ESPN New York</li>
<li> <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/brooklyn-nets/post/_/id/14970/starting-five-the-start-of-something-big?ex_cid=espnapi_public" target="_blank">Starting Five: The start of something big?</a> - Matt Ehalt - ESPN New York</li>
<li> <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/brooklyn-nets/post/_/id/14964/johnson-jolts-thunder-with-latest-buzzer-beater" target="_blank">Joe Johnson jolts Thunder with latest buzzer-beater</a> - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York</li>
<li> <a href="http://allball.blogs.nba.com/2014/01/03/horry-scale-joe-knows/" target="_blank">Horry Scale: Joe Knows</a> - Lang Whitaker - NBA.com<br>
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<li> <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/johnson-39-jumper-lifts-nets-over-thunder-95-034818947--spt.html" target="_blank">Johnson's jumper lifts Nets over Thunder, 95-93</a> - Kurt Voigt - Associated Press</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/03/bkn-nets-thunder-recap-idUSMTZEA13T3RAWW20140103">Nets 95, Thunder 93</a> - Reuters</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/03/sports/basketball/johnson-beats-buzzer-and-nets-pull-off-a-stunner.html?ref=basketball" target="_blank">Johnson Beats Buzzer, and Nets Pull Off a Stunner</a> - Andrew Keh - New York Times<br>
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<li> <a href="http://nypost.com/2014/01/02/johnson-saves-nets-again-at-buzzer-as-they-shock-thunder/" target="_blank">Johnson saves Nets, again, at buzzer as they shock Thunder</a> - Tim Bontemps - New York Post</li>
<li> <a href="http://nypost.com/2014/01/03/turning-tables-williams-makes-okc-feel-the-pain/" target="_blank">Turning tables, Williams makes OKC feel the pain</a> - Tim Bontemps - New York Post</li>
<li> <a href="http://snynets.com/nets/final-score-nets-95-thunder-93/" target="_blank">Final Score: Nets 95, Thunder 93</a> - Jon Presser - SNY Nets</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/joe-johnson-s-buzzer-beater-completes-nets-comeback-victory-over-thunder-1.6717511" target="_blank">Joe Johnson's buzzer-beater completes Nets' comeback victory over Thunder</a> - Rod Boone - Newsday</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/nets-hoping-to-recapture-some-magic-of-last-season-1.6716246" target="_blank">Nets hoping to recapture some magic of last season</a> - Rod Boone - Newsday</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/johnson-buzzer-beater-caps-nets-rally-thunder-article-1.1565073" target="_blank">Joe Johnson hits buzzer-beater after Nets rally in fourth to stun Thunder</a> - Stefan Bondy - New York Daily News</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.northjersey.com/sports/Nets_stun_Spurs_95-93_on_Joe_Johnsons_buzzer_beater.html" target="_blank">Nets stun Thunder, 95-93, on Joe Johnson's buzzer beater</a> - Andy Vasquez - The Record</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.northjersey.com/sports/238553941_Nets_notes__Deron_Williams_physically_limited.html" target="_blank">Nets notes: Deron Williams physically limited</a> - Andy Vasquez - The Record</li>
<li> <a href="http://thebrooklyngame.com/game-grades-joe-cool-again-nets-95-thunder-93/" target="_blank">GAME GRADES: JOE COOL AGAIN NETS 95, THUNDER 93</a> - Chris Hooker - The Brooklyn Game</li>
<li> <a href="http://thebrooklyngame.com/how-joe-johnson-saved-me-from-frostbite/" target="_blank">How Joe Johnson saved me from frostbite</a> - Chris Hooker - The Brooklyn Game</li>
<li> <a href="http://newsok.com/joe-johnsons-jumper-lifts-nets-over-okc/article/3920093" target="_blank">Oklahoma City Thunder: Joe Johnson's jumper lifts Nets over OKC</a> - Darnell Mayberry - Oklahoman</li>
<li> <a href="http://newsok.com/nuggets-from-my-notebook-from-thursdays-loss-to-the-nets/article/3920240" target="_blank">Nuggets from my notebook from Thursday's loss to the Nets</a> - Darnell Mayberry - Oklahoman</li>
<li> <a href="http://newsok.com/russell-westbrook-watches-game-from-thunder-bench/article/3920195" target="_blank">OKC Thunder notebook: Russell Westbrook watches game from Thunder bench</a> - Anthony Slater - Oklahoman<br>
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https://www.netsdaily.com/2014/1/2/5268522/joe-cool-does-it-again-nets-down-thunder-95-93ghoti2014-01-02T21:18:02-05:002014-01-02T21:18:02-05:002nd Half Game Thread: Nets vs. Thunder
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<figcaption>Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The offense kept them in it for a while, but lack of defense once again has the Nets down big.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> 59, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a> 44</p>
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<a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20140102/BKNOKC/gameinfo.html?ls=slt" target="_blank">Box Score</a> - NBA.com</li>
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https://www.netsdaily.com/2014/1/2/5268428/2nd-half-game-thread-nets-vs-thunderghoti2014-01-02T19:30:02-05:002014-01-02T19:30:02-05:00Game Thread: Nets at Thunder, 8:00 PM
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<figcaption>Streeter Lecka</figcaption>
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<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5"><tbody> <tr><th colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="silver">Game 32<br> </th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center> <a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/544365/sas_current.gif"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1534589/bkn_2nd.gif" class="photo"></a> <br id="1360507855325"> </center></td> <th align="center" width="20">@</th> <td width="240"><center> <a href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/496508/okc_current.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Okc_current_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/496508/okc_current_medium.gif"></a> <br id="1388689175144"> </center></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240"> <center>10-21</center> <center>4-12 Road</center> </td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240"> <center>25-6</center> <center>14-2 Home</center> </td> </tr> <tr><td colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Jan. 2, 2014</strong></td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" align="center"><strong>Chesapeake Energy Arena</strong></td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" align="center"><strong>8:00 p.m. ET</strong></td></tr> <tr><td colspan="3" align="center"><strong>TV: YES, NBA TV Radio: WFAN</strong></td></tr> <tr><th colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Probable Starters</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Deron Williams</span></span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240"><span>Reggie Jackson</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"> <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"></span> </span><span>Shaun Livingston</span> </td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240"><span>Thabo Sefolosha</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Joe Johnson</span></span></span></span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240"><span>Kevin Durant</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Paul Pierce</span></span></span></span></span></span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240"><span>Serge Ibaka</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Kevin Garnett</span></span></span></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><span>Kendrick Perkins</span></td> </tr> <tr><th colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Previous Meeting</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"></td> <td colspan="2"></td> </tr> <tr><th colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="silver"><strong><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats/">2013-14 Advanced Stats</a></strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">92.2 (25)<br> </td> <th align="center" width="20">Pace</th> <td width="240">96.5 (5)<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">103.9 (20)<br> </td> <th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th> <td width="240">108.8 (7)<br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">109.9 (30)<br> </td> <th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th> <td width="240">100.5 (2)</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
https://www.netsdaily.com/2014/1/2/5266810/game-thread-brooklyn-nets-at-oklahoma-city-thunder-8-00-pmTom Lorenzo2014-01-02T13:55:53-05:002014-01-02T13:55:53-05:00D-Will is hurt, doesn't want to talk about it
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ns0K4BDLOMkFq-NKycrzQAVnqog=/0x0:3999x2666/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26137961/20131231_hcs_sy4_101.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><span>Deron Williams</span> told the media today that he is dealing with an injury, still, this season, though he wasn't all that specific when it came to laying out the details of said injury.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Deron Williams confirmed that he's dealing with an injury but didn't want to discuss it. It's clearly affecting his game.</p>
— Stefan Bondy (@NYDNInterNets) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYDNInterNets/statuses/418804302686072832">January 2, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Something bothering Deron Williams physically? "Yeah, but nothing I'm going to talk about. I'm out here playing so that's all that matters."</p>
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) <a href="https://twitter.com/andy_vasquez/statuses/418806978186457088">January 2, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>If you remember, Deron Williams didn't dunk until April last season because of his ankles. He had no lift. He has not dunked this season.</p>
— Stefan Bondy (@NYDNInterNets) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYDNInterNets/statuses/418805029097594880">January 2, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The assumption would be that Williams' ankles are still bothering him. He's come up limping a time or two over the past week alone, including once on Tuesday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a>.</p>
<p>Williams hasn't been open about discussing his injuries in the past, using his famed "Thank you for your concern about my health" when asked about injuries in the past. So, it isn't expected that we'll know much about what really is going on.</p>
<p>Williams will play tonight against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>.</p>
<ul>
<li> <a href="http://www.northjersey.com/sports/238553941_Nets_notes__Deron_Williams_physically_limited.html" target="_blank">Nets notes: Deron Williams physically limited</a> - Andy Vasquez - The Record</li>
<li> <a href="http://nypost.com/2014/01/03/turning-tables-williams-makes-okc-feel-the-pain/" target="_blank">Turning tables, Williams makes OKC feel the pain</a> - Tim Bontemps - New York Post</li>
<li>
<a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303870704579296992051418028" target="_blank">Injuries No Longer a Valid Excuse for the Nets</a> - Alex Raskin - Wall Street Journal</li>
<li>
<a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303370904579294921701357050" target="_blank">Mortgaged Future Costs Nets</a> - Alex Raskin - Wall Street Journal</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p>
<link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css" rel="stylesheet"></p>
https://www.netsdaily.com/2014/1/2/5266778/deron-williams-injury-ankles-update-2014Tom Lorenzo2014-01-02T07:00:00-05:002014-01-02T07:00:00-05:00The road trip from hell ends in Oklahoma City
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/c2UOBB6m-GDuw0Uhv26Jj7XTX_4=/3x0:3993x2660/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26009309/20131213_ads_ax3_020.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Welcome to 2014! 2013 continued to be a disaster for Brooklyn as they were on the <a href="http://www.netsdaily.com/2013/12/31/5262046/nets-spurs-final-score-recap-2013">receiving </a>end of a 21 point beat down at the hands of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> on New Year's Eve. If you're looking for a (relative) bright spot, this was better than New Year's Eve <a href="http://www.netsdaily.com/2012/12/31/3823518/spurs-nets-recap-final-score-2012">2012 </a>in San Antonio, a game the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a> lost by 31. At this point, it's the little things that count.</p>
<p>The opponent this Thursday evening will be the Western Conference leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>. They find themselves in a bar fight with Portland over the Northwest Division lead, but they're gonna have to hold off the Blazers without Russell Westbrook. The All Star point guard is out until at least the All Star Break due to knee <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/12/27/5248782/russell-westbrook-knee-injury-oklahoma-city-thunder">surgery</a>. The Thunder are a Western Conference leading 25-6, but are coming off a close <a href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/2014/1/1/5262804/recap-oklahoma-city-thunder-vs-portland-trail-blazers-score-2013">loss </a>at home to Portland on New Year's Eve. They haven't beaten the Blazers yet this season, but do own impressive victories over San Antonio, Houston, and Indiana.</p>
<h3>The season so far</h3>
<p>What's the story with these teams? Since we're asking:</p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="213">
<p>2013-2014</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">
<p>Brooklyn</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">
<p>Oklahoma City</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="213">
<p>Record</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">10-21</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">25-6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="213">
<p>Pace</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">94.57</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">98.94</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="213">
<p>Offensive Efficiency</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">101.9</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">106.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="213">
<p>Defensive Efficiency</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">106.7</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">97.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="213">
<p>Offensive Rebounding percentage</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">23</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">26.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="213">
<p>Turnover rate</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">15.5</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">15.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="213">
<p>Assist rate</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">16.3</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">16.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="213">
<p>Rebound rate</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">48.1</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">53.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="213">
<p>Free throw rate</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">33</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">30.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="213">
<p>Effective Field Goal percentage</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">49.1</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">51.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="213">
<p>Opponent Effective Field Goal percentage</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">51.1</td>
<td valign="top" width="213">46.1</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p><span>Andrei Kirilenko</span> returned to the lineup on Tuesday & should see an increase on the 10:53 he played against the Spurs. Kirilenko's return hasn't (yet) helped to stem the tide of <a href="http://www.netsdaily.com/2014/1/1/5264198/kevin-garnett-lashes-out-says-he-doesnt-know-where-he-fits-in-offense">frustration </a>and anger that has been building all season. If they plan on salvaging this season, they're gonna need <span>Deron Williams</span> to improve upon his recent play. After a solid start after he returned from his (latest) ankle injury, Williams has been mostly mediocre since then. In addition to all the injury issues that have plagued him, he's having the most turnover prone season of his career. Along with Williams, it would be great if <span>Joe Johnson</span> & <span>Paul Pierce</span> could improve on their play as well. I thought Pierce was getting suited to the bench role, but with Lopez gone, he's had to move back into the starting five.</p>
<p>The three point defense has remained terrible this year, allowing teams to hit on 39 percent of their attempts. The Thunder aren't as prolific as the Spurs from deep, but they connect on 35 percent of their three pointers. As Kirilenko gets back into the swing of things, the Nets hope that he will be able to anchor their perimeter defense.</p>
<p>As expected, the Thunder have one of the best offenses in the league. They are fifth in offensive efficiency, averaging close to 107 points per 100 possessions. Where the Thunder do the most damage is at the free throw line. With Westbrook and Durant (more on him in a moment), it's no surprise that OKC is fourth in team free throw rate. Also, hey are second in efficiency, hitting on 81.5 percent of their attempts. When they're not being fouled, they're the best jump shooting team in the association, connecting on 43.7 percent of their attempts in the midrange.</p>
<p>Since 2010, one of the consistent critiques of the Thunder has been the starting lineup Scott Brooks. With the exception of Westbrook's injuries, the lineup has been Westbrook-Thabo Sefolosha-Durant-Serge Ibaka-Kendrick Perkins. In about 280 minutes this season, the team is 5.7 points worse per 100 possessions with this combination. All the other players have had above average seasons by the numbers, so this negative is more than likely the result of Perkins being awful (note: you should know that I will throw shade at Perkins at any opportunity I can get). Royce Young over at the Daily Thunder noticed this, but doesn't see it as too big of a problem. He <a href="http://dailythunder.com/2013/12/hashtag-the-starters-okcs-first-five-is-becoming-a-problem-again/">writes</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>My opinion, because as you know it matters </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #494949; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;">so</i><span> very much: Leave it as is. OKC’s bench is a true weapon again and even if they’re bailing out the starting five some, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s not costing you games (a case could be made it did against the Blazers, though). The issue you face in tinkering with it is messing up the good thing you’ve got going with the second unit. And you don’t want to do that. When you’ve rolled out the same five night in and night out the last three and a half years, it would feel pretty dramatic to shake it up now. And maybe they’re turning a corner after last night’s positive performance against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Pacers</a>.</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>That bench unit is pretty terrific. With Russ out of action, <span>Reggie Jackson</span> has slid into the starting five. He's maintained his level of productivity from last season and has been doing a better job of spreading the ball around. He'll be matched up against Williams, so I'm sure he'll be very excited to test himself against a player of Williams' caliber. <span>Jeremy Lamb</span> has been doing a solid job in the sixth man as well. The former Huskie has been great finishing at the rim, hitting on close to 69 percent of his attempts. Most of his offense comes from the perimeter (which explains why he averages under one free throw a game), and he's very solid there as well, connecting on 44.9 percent of his jumpers. Not to be undone, <span>Perry Jones</span> has been above average as well. And just to rub it in for us in Brooklyn, seven of Oklahoma's best players are under the age of 26.</p>
<h3>Player to watch: <span>Kevin Durant</span>
</h3>
<p>It's been another banner season for the former Gold Medalist, four time scoring champion and back to back MVP runner-up. He finds himself on top of the leaderboard once again, averaging 28.8 points per game on a blistering 62.8 True Shooting percentage. He's coming off a 50/40/90 season and is a very good bet to do it again. What helps explain his spectacular efficiency at the usage rate he possesses is his shot distribution. He's most known for his jumpshooting, but he is absolutely deadly driving to the basket. He has converted on 75 percent of his takes inside the restricted area and is second to <span>Dwight Howard</span> in free throws attempted.</p>
<p>Outside of LeBron, he's probably the hardest player to cover in the league. For an already bad Brooklyn defense, it doesn't get any easier. Durant has the size, speed, and quickness advantage over Paul Pierce, Kirilenko, and anybody else the Nets throw at him. It's always easy to say for a player of his magnitude, but Durant should have a big evening against the Nets.</p>
<h3>From the Vault</h3>
<p>Head on back to the Spring of 1997 and catch Gary Payton & the Sonics in the playoffs against <span>Jason Kidd</span> & Phoenix.</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/F-dnYQ81VNY" width="420" frameborder="0" height="315"></iframe> <br id="1388565938416"></p>
<p>More reading: <a href="http://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome to Loud City</a></p>
<ul>
<li> <a href="http://www.nba.com/gamenotes/nets.pdf" target="_blank">Brooklyn Nets Game Notes -</a> Brooklyn Nets</li>
<li> <a href="http://www.nba.com/gamenotes/thunder.pdf" target="_blank">Oklahoma City Thunder Game Notes</a> - Oklahoma City Thunder</li>
<li> <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nets-thunder-preview-233817066--nba.html" target="_blank">Nets-Thunder Preview</a> - Taylor Bechtold - STATS LLC</li>
<li>
<a href="http://www.northjersey.com/sports/238405931_Vasquez_to_Nets__Figure_it_out__quickly.html" target="_blank">Vasquez to Nets: Figure it out, quickly</a> - Andy Vasquez - The Record<br>
</li>
<li> <a href="http://nypost.com/2014/01/01/3-things-nets-need-to-up-their-game/" target="_blank">3 things Nets need to up their game</a> - Tim Bontemps - New York Post</li>
<li> <a href="http://nypost.com/2014/01/01/are-the-nets-bush-league-or-ravaged-by-injuries/" target="_blank">Are the Nets ‘bush league’ or ravaged by injuries?</a> - Tim Bontemps - New York Post</li>
<li> <a href="http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/01/latest-nets-embarrassment-leaving-court-early-at-end-of-loss-to-spurs/" target="_blank">Latest Nets embarrassment: Leaving court early at end of loss to Spurs</a> - Kurt Helin - NBC Sports</li>
<li> <a href="http://thebrooklyngame.com/brooklyn-nets-new-years-resolutions-2014/" target="_blank">WELCOME TO 2014! Brooklyn Nets New Year's Resolutions</a> - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game<br>
</li>
</ul>
https://www.netsdaily.com/2014/1/2/5259798/brooklyn-tries-to-pull-off-the-upset-in-oklahoma-cityBrian Fleurantin