New Jersey Nets News

Injuries make NJ Nets' challenge against LeBron James and Cavaliers even tougher
Comment
February 9
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"As if it isn't challenging enough to play against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who only own the NBA's best record, at 41-11, the 4-46 Nets may be forced to do so Tuesday night without their best player, Devin Harris, who once again is banged up, this time with a sprained left shoulder. Harris, who has battled groin and shooting wrist injuries in this most frustrating of seasons, did not practice Monday, and gave himself only a "50-50'' chance of playing when the Nets visit the Cavs at Quicken Loans Arena. Harris added that he was "still a little sore'' and would be a "game-time decision.'' The good news was that Jarvis Hayes, with whom Harris collided Saturday in the loss to ..."
No rest for gimpy Nets: Cavs up next
Comment
February 9
Bergen Record
 
"LeBron James probably doesn't think about the Nets too often, but tonight will be one of those times. Only the reigning MVP's thoughts will be on beating them, not joining them. It might be different this summer, if the Nets win the NBA draft lottery and the right to draft John Wall, and hire a coach who could pique James' interest in free agency. That's the Nets' long-term dream. Their short-term goals are to get through the next two games and into the All-Star break as healthy as possible and without any more damage done to a team that has just been bulldozed since opening night. "Adversity can be good," Devin Harris said Monday. "We've had a lot of it. It's going to make us stronger. ..."
Nets losses getting to Douglas-Roberts
Comment
February 9
New York Post
 
"Chris Douglas-Roberts has one word for this season with the Nets. "Hell." There is no way to argue with the man. Unless you want to say the Nets' 2009-10 folly really hasn't been that good. Douglas-Roberts wears his passion on his sleeve. He spoke his mind all season, ruffled some feathers and now picks his words as carefully as fresh produce. He has heard his name mentioned in trade rumors, that his will be the next ticket out -- although team president Rod Thorn said this weekend the Nets are not looking to trade the second-year wing. But all the recent developments, including a move to the bench, have affected him. "A little bit. I'm just more cold. But all that stuff, I don't care one ..."
Nightmare for New Jersey Nets seem endless as team visits LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Comment
February 9
New York Daily News
 
"If LeBron James thought the Knicks were in bad shape when they paid him a visit on Saturday, wait until he gets a look at the Nets, who are not only bad on the court but are also currently a disaster off it. Going into Tuesday night's game at Cleveland, the Nets are 4-46 and on pace to break the all-time record for fewest wins in a season. They have also lost six straight games and are now within striking distance of their fourth double-digit losing streak of the season, a feat accomplished by only two other teams, the original Denver Nuggets of 1949-50 and the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, who also set the mark for the worst record ever - 9-73. If James is considering the Nets as one of the ..."
Nets' lineup unsettled for Tuesday's game; Devin Harris is '50-50'
Comment
February 8
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Hi folks, Colin Stephenson here, filling in for Dave D. I'll be with you guys for a few weeks, while Dave is going to Vancouver to cover the Winter Olympics. I'm no Dave D, obviously, but I'll try to report the daily news until he gets back sometime in mid-March. Anyway, today's news is that Devin Harris declared himself "50-50'' to play in Tuesday's game in Cleveland against the Cavaliers, but Jarvis Hayes said he will play, despite having not practiced Monday. Harris and Hayes collided with each other chasing after a loose ball with 18.2 seconds remaining in Saturday's loss to the Pistons in Detroit. Harris suffered a sprained left shoulder and Harris a bruised left shin. Neither player ..."
CDR's future could be in Memphis
Comment
February 8
Bergen Record
 (scroll down)
"Starter-turned-sub Chris Douglas-Roberts, who left the game in the second quarter with back spasms, is another player who may not be here much longer. The Nets continue to have discussions about the talented swingman, whose frustration with losing often is mistaken for discontent with his personal situation."
No change in sight for banged-up, 4-46 Nets
Comment
February 8
New York Post
 
"If the Nets were a horse, they would be put out of their misery. But no merciful veterinarian is available, so the 4-46 Nets plod on with little to no hope for this train wreck of a season. Attainable goals are getting the No. 1 pick for John Wall (even that's a 1-in-4 shot) and trying to avoid the NBA's worst record ever. If there is change, it could come after the All-Star break. Team president Rod Thorn will meet with Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov and likely will learn his own fate. Prokhorov is expected to be approved as the Nets' new owner next month. Until Thorn knows about his situation, there's not much he can do. Thorn, who previously said he had no plans for a coaching ..."
Harris suffered a sprained AC joint Saturday in collision with Hayes
Comment
February 8
Bergen Record
 
"The clock was winding down on another Nets' loss and things went from bad to worse on one play. In the waning moments of Saturday's 99-92 defeat to the Pistons, Devin Harris and Jarvis collided in midair as they pursued a loose ball. Both men lay on the floor near midcourt for several moments before being helped up and into an examination room. X-rays on both were negative. Harris has a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder and Hayes a bruise on his left lower leg. Both are day-to-day. The Nets don't play until Tuesday, so it's possible one or both could return by then. But Hayes was limping badly as he left and Harris said he only could lift his left arm about three-quarters over his ..."
NJ Nets' Chris-Douglas Roberts accepts second-unit role but struggles with playing time
Comment
February 7
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The question about his role came up, and immediately you knew that Chris Douglas-Roberts wasn't exactly in the mood for silver linings and hidden lessons. Still, it had to be asked: Given his disappointment over being put back on the bench, can he at least recognize how this could be a good thing for him at this stage of his career? He wouldn't bite. "Like I've said, we're losing. We've been losing," said the Nets wing, who played nine minutes against the Pistons Saturday night before leaving with back spasms. "We have to shake things up. So if this will help us win, that's what it is. But it's all for the team." That's a generous attitude, and it speaks highly of a second-year guy ..."
Former NJ Nets assistant Del Harris left team after president Rod Thorn shot down possibility of Harris becoming head coach
Comment
February 7
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The departure of Del Harris Tuesday night came only two days after his agent, Warren LeGarie, approached Nets president Rod Thorn about the possibility that his client become the team's head coach. This exchange, according to two NBA officials privy to the conversation who requested anonymity because they are friendly with both sides, took place at Izod Center. LeGarie, one of the game's heaviest hitters, told Thorn the Nets would be better off letting Harris take over and moving Kiki Vandeweghe back to the front office, if only to begin preparation for 2010-11. According to one of the officials, Thorn interrupted LeGarie with this door-slam: "Hold it right there," he said. "All due ..."
Devin Harris, Jarvis Hayes injured in midcourt collision in NJ Nets' 99-92 loss to Detroit Pistons
Comment
February 7
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"If this wasn't a sign they're getting closer, they can't be any more explicit. Not only did the Nets actually have a lead in the last seven minutes of the game - don't get silly, they didn't hold it - they finished the game with two guys being helped off after a demolition derby encounter at midcourt with the game still up for grabs. Call it the most poignant image of a self-destructive season: The Nets finished the game in a 2-for-11, two turnover meltdown before dropping a 99-92 decision to the Pistons at the Palace, where Devin Harris and Jarvis Hayes smashed into each other in a valiant bid to keep their slim hopes of a rare victory alive. "It's been that kind of season," Harris said. ..."
Bobby Simmons' future
Comment
February 7
Bergen Record
 
"Bobby Simmons, away from the team because of a family emergency, is expected back for Tuesday's game in Cleveland. But the veteran forward may not be a Net all season. Simmons is glued to the Nets' bench. He has been inactive 13 times this season and hasn't played since Jan. 5. The Nets want to see if they can move Simmons - who's on an expiring contract that pays him $11.2 million this season - before the Feb. 18 trade deadline. If they can't, Simmons could be released at some point after that so he can join another team."
Pistons make Nets road kill . . . again
Comment
February 7
New York Post
 
"The Pistons are bad. The Nets are worse. Jonas Jerebko scored 20 points on 9-for-9 shooting, and the Pistons snapped a five-game home losing streak with a 99-92 victory over the Nets last night. Detroit has won just two of its last eight, both in the last five days over the Nets. The Nets lost their 14th straight on the road and are 1-26 away from home this season. Detroit dominated the first half with a rare strong shooting performance. The Pistons hit 60.5 percent from the floor and added six offensive rebounds to take a 56-47 lead. Jerebko had 13 in the half, while Charlie Villanueva added 12 on 4-for-4 shooting from 3-point range. The Nets stayed close in the third quarter, and scored ..."
Devin Harris, Jarvis Hayes collide near midcourt in final seconds of Nets' 99-92 loss to Pistons
Comment
February 7
New York Daily News
 
"This one hurt more than all the others. Not only did the Nets lose to the Pistons on Saturday night, 99-92, but they also lost two starters on one play when Devin Harris and Jarvis Hayes collided near midcourt as they tried to grab a loose ball and keep their team's dwindling hopes alive in the final seconds. Though both players hobbled off the court with the help of teammates and trainers, they seem to have escaped serious injuries as X-rays on Harris's left shoulder and Hayes' left shin were negative. Harris's shoulder is sprained and Hayes has a bruised lower leg. Their status for Tuesday's game at Cleveland is uncertain. "I don't think it's as bad as it could be," said Harris, who ..."
Harris and Jarvis both injured in loss to Pistons
Comment
February 7
Bergen Record
 
"The clock was winding down on another Nets' loss and things went from bad to worse on one play. In the waning moments of Saturday's 99-92 defeat to the Pistons, Devin Harris and Jarvis collided in midair as they pursued a loose ball. Both men lay on the floor near midcourt for several moments before being helped up and into an examination room. X-rays on both were negative. Harris has a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder and Hayes a bruise on his left lower leg. Both are day-to-day. The Nets don't play until Tuesday, so it's possible one or both could return by then. But Hayes was limping badly as he left and Harris said he only could lift his left arm about three-quarters over his ..."
Nets try to stay positive after loss to Celtics
Comment
February 6
Bergen Record
 
"The Nets believe they're on the verge of a breakthrough and if they don't have one it could lead to a breakdown. For three quarters Friday, they were better than the Celtics, a legitimate NBA championship contender, and led after three quarters. But in the fourth, the better team showed up and ruined the Nets' chances of the year's biggest upset. The sixth straight competitive game the Nets played resulted in their fifth consecutive loss, 96-87. All the Nets have to show for these hard-fought games is they're getting closer to the NBA's all-time record for most losses and in need of some extra-strength Advil. "You've got to take the bangs on the head to get where we want to be and we're ..."
Summit between incoming owner Mikhail Prokhorov and president Rod Thorn scheduled for next week
Comment
February 6
Bergen Record
 
"The NBA trade deadline is less than two weeks away and the summit between incoming owner Mikhail Prokhorov and team president Rod Thorn is scheduled for next week during All-Star weekend. Thorn's future is expected to be discussed in Dallas. He's in the final year of his contract and would like the chance to return and get the Nets back on track. Some team sources believe Thorn will get that chance. But Raptors executive Bryan Colangelo or his father, Jerry, could be candidates if Thorn doesn't return."
NJ Nets undone by poor fourth quarter in 96-87 loss to Boston Celtics
Comment
February 6
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"They played aggressively, they made their own breaks, they actually attacked Kevin Garnett at their best moments, and they went punch-for-punch with a title contender. Basically, the Nets went into TD Garden and played like they belonged in the building. Then the fourth quarter started. You know the rest. The Boston Celtics, who take defense pretty seriously, loafed through their assignments for three quarters before strangling the Nets over the last 12 minutes to register a 96-87 victory Friday night. Welcome back to the Department of Redundancy Department. "We played 43, 44 minutes of really good basketball, lots of energy, we worked exceptionally hard," Kiki Vandeweghe said. "I ..."
Celtics have no sympathy for struggling NJ Nets
Comment
February 6
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"They don't do sympathy well around here. In fact, they don't even fake it. "Everyone in this locker room has been through that at some point. I don't feel sorry for them," Celtics star Ray Allen said Friday night, as he prepared for a meeting with the Nets. "It's almost like a rite of passage in he NBA. You have to learn what it is to be successful. "Some guys have won immediately, but the majority of guys have gone through a lot of frustration. That's why, when you're in that kind of situation, it's important to have fun." That's not happening. But Doc Rivers suggested that the only agenda they have left - player development - is the right one. "My mindset when we struggled was ..."
Same old ending for Nets in Beantown
Comment
February 6
New York Post
 
"For more than three quarters, all we know and all we believe was being seriously challenged. For more than three quarters, the Earth spun off its axis, Columbus discovered shaving cream, the square root of nine was a six-pack of slate shingles. For more than three quarters, the Nets led the Celtics. But then normalcy returned to the world. Eddie House, who had missed his first five shots, hit four in a row for the Celtics and the Nets went into one of their trademark offensive blackouts. The Nets continued their march toward historic ignominy as they shot 5 of 20 in a 14-point, four-turnover fourth quarter and fell to 4-45 when the Celtics claimed a 96-87 victory last night. "We were ..."
Chris Douglas-Roberts says he wants to stay with New Jersey Nets
Comment
February 6
New York Daily News
 
"Chris Douglas-Roberts has heard all the trade rumors and he's also well aware of how some Nets fans feel about him. But he swears that none of it bothers him. He also says that he wants to stay in New Jersey, no matter what he writes on his Twitter page. Amid rumors that the Grizzlies would like to trade for Douglas-Roberts, who was a star college player in Memphis two years ago, the Nets' second-year forward took to the Web on Thursday night to express his love for that city's fans. "I LOVE my Memphis people!!!" Douglas-Roberts wrote. Asked Friday night to explain the timing of his very public comment, Douglas-Roberts was direct. "As much negativity as I get from the Jersey area, I get ..."
Nets can't hold late lead, lose to Boston Celtics, 96-87
Comment
February 6
New York Daily News
 
"Aside from putting smiles on their faces in the middle of a sad-sack season, the only thing a win over the Celtics would have done for the Nets Friday night was put them on pace to tie the all-time record for fewest victories in a season. Instead, the Nets are still frowning and they are still on a collision course with history they do not want to make. The Nets led at halftime and after three quarters but they did not have enough firepower to overcome the short-handed Celtics and lost, 96-87. At 4-45, the Nets are on pace for seven wins, which would break the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers' record for fewest victories in a season - nine. "We were right there," said Devin Harris. "We battled." ..."
A program note on 'biggest loser'
Comment
February 5
Boston Globe
 columnist Bob Ryan
"The New Jersey Nets are in town. If you have any sense of history, this is a game you don't want to miss. The Nets are 4-44. They're on pace to become the losingest team in NBA history, a distinction currently belonging to the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, who were on the verge of a double-digit victory season when they kicked into gear by losing their final 13 games. By that time, the 76ers were losing specialists to the extreme. If the Nets think this can't get worse, they'd better do a little homework. What they will discover as this season progresses is that opponents will not, as they may hope, take them lightly. They will discover that opponents will play as if every Nets game is the ..."
Amar'e Stoudemire may stay with Phoenix Suns, much to chagrin of New Jersey Nets
Comment
February 5
New York Daily News
 
"The Nets may have lost out on their slim chance to deal for Amar'e Stoudemire, but they still could make some major changes before the Feb. 18 trade deadline. Though he has the ability to opt out of the final year of his contract after this season, Stoudemire said on Wednesday that he may choose to stay with Phoenix, adding that he expects the Suns to offer him a contract extension "pretty soon." "That's definitely an option," Stoudemire told the Web site Fanhouse.com. "I'm leaning more toward that right now." Until Stoudemire made that statement, it had been assumed he would be opting out of his contract and that the Suns would try to trade him before the deadline in order to get ..."
No Nets deal without my OK, N.J. Gov. Christie says
Comment
February 4
Bergen Record
 
"Any deal between the Nets and Devils under which the basketball team would move to Newark is meaningless without state approval, Governor Christie and a key Meadowlands Sports Complex official said Wednesday. Christie, speaking at a press conference in Trenton, scoffed at recent media reports that a deal is likely to land on his desk this week, and that he will approve it. "Nothing comes to my desk unless I want it to come to my desk," Christie said. "Whoever's going to try to walk in the door has to have permission to walk in the door, first of all." Carl Goldberg, the current sports authority chairman, said after Wednesday's board meeting at the Meadowlands Sports Complex that a ..."
Nets' latest loss drops them to 4-44
Comment
February 4
Bergen Record
 
"The lights dimmed at halftime Wednesday night and the Air Canada Center crowd cheered as Vanilla Ice performed his one classic song. The lights went out a little later on the Nets. Loss, loss, baby. Another loss, loss baby. The Nets actually hung around longer than most people probably expected. But the fourth-quarter issues that have plagued them lately cost the Nets again and they suffered a fourth-straight defeat, falling 108-99 to the Raptors at Air Canada Centre. "We're extremely inconsistent and some games we just have a lack of energy and we don't have a sense of urgency, and I can't pinpoint why," Chris Douglas-Roberts said after the Nets' 44th loss in 48 games. "It's been going ..."
Del Harris' departure
Comment
February 4
Bergen Record
 
"Interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe expressed gratitude for Del Harris coming to help him, and doesn't feel he deserted him in his time of need. Harris left the Nets after Tuesday's game and returned to Dallas. Among the reasons were the players couldn't relate to Harris, 72, many didn't respect him and weren't listening to some of his advice, sources said. But there also were other undisclosed reasons. Undoubtedly, losing played a part in Harris' decision. He came out of semi-retirement after leaving an assistant's job with the Bulls last summer to help coach a team that could challenge for the worst record of all time. "He had a wonderful position, a highly paid position in Chicago, left that, ..."
Nets make no plans to replace departed assistant coach Del Harris
Comment
February 4
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"So what does a coaching staff do after it loses a half-century of experience overnight? Nothing, apparently. The Nets are making no plans to replace Del Harris after his abrupt departure Tuesday night, other than moving everyone over one seat, with John Loyer taking on a larger and more visible role. "Everyone has to step up a little bit. Del added a lot, obviously, (and he's) one of the smarter X's and O's guys we've got," coach/GM Kiki Vandeweghe said before his team faced the Raptors Wednesday night. "I appreciate the time he was here. Putting it in perspective: He had a wonderful position, a highly paid position in Chicago (in 2008-09), left a lot of money on the table, and went home ..."
Nets' Chris Douglas-Roberts in scoring slump
Comment
February 4
Detroit Free Press
 
"Chris Douglas-Roberts, who prepped at Detroit Northwestern and Detroit Cass Tech, is in his second season with the New Jersey Nets as they challenge for the worst record in NBA history. The Nets fell to 4-43 after losing to the Pistons, and Douglas-Roberts came off the bench after starting 35 games this season. He played 9:45, shot once and missed, grabbed a rebound and committed a foul. "It's definitely tough, but you just try to stay positive," said Douglas-Roberts, who is averaging 12.8 points per game and 32.7 minutes. "The thing about the NBA is you get to play this game you love every other day and that's what I look forward to. "I look forward to going to the gym to get better and I ..."
New Jersey Nets blow 12-point lead to Raptors, on pace to break 1972-73 76ers' mark for worst record
Comment
February 4
New York Daily News
 
"Moral victories will not help the Nets avoid making embarrassing history. Only real wins will. So even though the Nets played well for nearly three whole quarters Wednesday night, what they did at the end of the third and for most of the fourth kept them on pace to become the worst team ever. After playing the Raptors strong for the better part of 36 minutes - even taking a 12-point lead - the Nets eventually wilted and lost, 108-99, at Air Canada Centre. They are now 4-44 and on pace for seven wins, two less than the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers had while recording the worst record in history - 9-73. Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani had 20 points each, and Sonny Weems had 14 points and 11 ..."
In the end, Nets don't measure up to Raptors
Comment
February 4
New York Post
 
"You have to crawl before you can walk, walk before you can run, run before you can do whatever the heck comes after running and before dying. And basically, the 2009-10 Nets are somewhere between curled into a fetal position and spitting up. Now they compete but can't close out. And it's becoming a familiar spot. "We were right there. They had a few easy transition points, things didn't go our way, and it got away," said center Brook Lopez. "I've rehearsed this a lot." Not the way to attract free agents, like Raptor Chris Bosh, who repeated his contention that New Jersey appears as attractive as a rat's nest as a possible landing spot. For a fourth straight game, the Nets were competitive ..."
Del Harris opting out; leaves NJ Nets after two months as assistant coach
Comment
February 3
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Take a long look at the silver-haired gent sitting next to Kiki Vandeweghe on the Nets' bench when the game against the Pistons gets underway: You may never see him on an NBA sideline again. Del Harris, one of the game's seminal thinkers, has decided to leave the team before the road trip that opens Wednesday in Toronto, according to a friend of the coach. Harris, who was brought in to be Vandeweghe's gray eminence on Dec. 4 after the latter moved into the head coaching position, has several reasons for making his exit now - all of them professional issues - but these should not be disclosed by anyone but Harris himself, his friend said. Vandeweghe, meanwhile, was hoping he could talk the ..."
Nets flounder fourth-quarter lead in 97-93 loss to the Detroit Pistons
Comment
February 3
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Kiki Vandeweghe made a change in the starting lineup, and that helped, as Jarvis Hayes brought energy in place of the benched Chris Douglas-Roberts. What helped more was the return of Devin Harris, after missing four games with a sore right wrist. Harris returned to the lineup with a bang, putting up a monster game, with 24 points and 14 assists. But in the type of season the Nets are having, nothing they do ever seems to be good enough. Despite Harris' heroics, and Hayes' energy, and despite 27 points and 16 rebounds from Brook Lopez, the Nets found another excruciating way to lose Tuesday night at the Izod Center, coughing up a four-point lead in the final two-minutes-and-change and ..."
Devin Harris is in, but Keyon Dooling is out
Comment
February 3
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Devin Harris returned to the lineup after missing four games because of a sore right wrist and Keyon Dooling promptly sat out because his aching hip flexors were sore. "Just a little 'sorer' than normal,'' Dooling said before the game, suggesting the reason was, "maybe a little bit of overuse.'' Dooling, the 10-year vet who missed the first 18 games of the season following hip surgery, had started at the point in Harris' most recent absence, and played 37:05, 36:52 and 35:43 in the last three games, well above his 20.3 minutes-per-game average. He said he hopes to be able to return to action Wednesday night, when the Nets visit the Toronto Raptors in the Air Canada Centre."
Nets run out of gas against Pistons to fall, 97-93
Comment
February 3
Bergen Record
 
"Devin Harris' wrist looked fine and for one of only a handful of times this season so did his game. But the same things that have hurt the Nets on this homestand cost them a winnable game Tuesday. They couldn't score down the stretch, gave up critical offensive rebounds, had communication breakdowns and confusion with some calls from the bench. The inexperience showed all around. These flaws wasted another hard-fought game and a brilliant 24-point, 14-assist performance by Harris in his return after a four-game absence because of a wrist sprain. Instead of splitting their four-game homestand, the Nets suffered their third straight close defeat, 97-93, to Detroit at Izod Center. "At first, ..."
Del Harris leaving team
Comment
February 3
Bergen Record
 
"Assistant coach Del Harris spent his final game on the bench. Harris left the Nets for personal reasons and is returning to his home in Dallas. The 72-year-old Harris was brought in to be Kiki Vandeweghe's lead assistant after he replaced Lawrence Frank. Assistant John Loyer, who was considered for the job after Frank's dismissal, will take over Harris' duties. "I came to help Kiki in his first venture into team coaching," Harris said in a statement. "I believe in these recent games there is strong evidence that the team has gotten over the hump and will be much improved the rest of the way.""
Pistons end skid, drop woeful Nets
Comment
February 3
Detroit Free Press
 
"You had to wonder for a good part of Tuesday night's game how a team with Devin Harris and Brook Lopez could be challenging for the worst record in NBA history. The duo controlled the action in the first half against the Pistons in forging a five-point halftime lead. But the Nets reminded us in the second half of their futility, as even the Pistons were able to get well in Jersey. With the score tied at 91, Rip Hamilton found Tayshaun Prince for an alley-oop dunk with 45.4 seconds left to give the Pistons (16-31) a lead they wouldn't relinquish in snapping a five-game losing streak with a 97-93 victory."
Detroit Pistons 97, New Jersey Nets 93
Comment
February 3
Detroit News
 
"In a season of many low points already, the Pistons Tuesday avoided a big one. Tayshaun Prince's dunk off an inbounds play, on a nice feed from Richard Hamilton, broke a 91-91 tie and led the Pistons to a 97-93 victory over the New Jersey Nets. The Pistons (16-31) ended a five-game losing streak. The Nets have yet to reach five wins this season (4-43)."
Hot air engulfs Nets' next move
Comment
February 3
New York Post
 columnist Peter Vecsey
"In the riptide created by hypothesis New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie may try to wring $7.5 million from the Nets for approval to relocate after this season from the Izod Center to the Prudential Center, owner Bruce Ratner's master plan remains unaltered. Later this week, the Nets will sign a lease with the Devils -- owners of Newark's Prudential Center -- that will permit them to exit gracefully when their Brooklyn arena is completed; its target date is early 2012. That term sheet will be forwarded to Christie in hopes of gaining a waiver, something defeated governor Jon S. Corzine had been prepared to do. Christie has been known to do as he pleases. Still, as far as I know, the $7.5M ..."
Nets get strong effort from Devin Harris, lose Del Harris, and fall to Detroit Pistons
Comment
February 3
New York Daily News
 
"The Nets are not only losing games, they're also losing assistant coaches. During Tuesday night's 97-93 loss to the Pistons, word leaked that assistant coach Del Harris had decided to leave the Nets and return to his home in Texas before the start of a four-game road trip that begins in Toronto Thursday. Harris apparently tried to keep his plans a secret before the game and appeared flustered when approached by reporters as he was walking out of the arena afterward. The Star Ledger of Newark first reported the news, citing a close friend of Harris', who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The news was then announced during the YES Network's broadcast of the game, surprising members of the ..."
Del Harris decides to leave Nets after another loss
Comment
February 3
New York Post
 
"Del Harris, in four-plus decades of coaching, probably thought he'd seen it all. Then he got a gander of this 4-43 Nets team. He's calling it quits. Harris, 72, who joined the Nets to be Kiki Vandeweghe's veteran mentor, was supportive and positive but admitted, "I had not experienced such a losing situation since 1983, but because the players are such good people, the losing of games did not become the chaotic situation that has happened to so many teams." As he goes back to Texas, Harris says the Nets have gotten "over the hump" and good times are ahead. It's the present that has folks in rubber rooms. It's just as tough to take for the players, who admitted confusion and no cohesion ..."
Chris Douglas-Roberts demoted to bench
Comment
February 2
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Chris Douglas-Roberts took only one shot -- a 3-pointer that he made -- in 14:02 of action in the Nets' 83-79 loss Sunday to Philadelphia. And that kind of production (or lack of production) apparently doesn't warrant CDR remaining in the starting lineup, in the mind of interim coach/GM Kiki Vandeweghe. Douglas-Roberts is being taken out of the starting lineup for the Nets' game tonight at the Izod Center against Detroit. Jarvis Hayes, who had 18 points and eight rebounds off the bench in the Philadelphia game, will take CDR's spot in the starting five. "I think the only reason you'd look at that is, (to try and) get Chris more involved in the offense,'' Vandeweghe said at this morning's ..."
Deal to have NJ Nets play two years at Prudential Center days away from governor's desk
Comment
February 2
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The partnership sought by the Nets and Devils is days away from being presented to the governor. The two sides met Friday in Newark to discuss a Prudential Center lease arrangement that would be sent to Gov. Chris Christie for his review after the Devils examine the term sheet the Nets presented to them Monday. "Obviously they're trying to get it done as soon as possible," said one person close to the negotiation, who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly. "But it's not done yet. They're hoping to get it done this week." According to officials on both sides, the discussions to move the Nets to the Prudential Center for the next two seasons have been as ..."
Devin Harris knows matching Keyon Dooling's defensive leadership is key in his return from wrist injury
Comment
February 2
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Earl Boykins of the Wizards controls the ball as the Nets' Keyon Dooling defends during the Nets' 81-79 loss on Friday.Give the Nets this much: They seem to be catching on to an immutable NBA truth - that the worst teams, even the ones with 4-42 records, can be competitive as long as they defend. Now it's time to find out whether Devin Harris has learned as much as a spectator. The Nets are a better team with their most talented player is in uniform, and he is likely to suit up Tuesday night when they finish their four-game homestand against the 15-31 Pistons. That, in itself, should be enough to make up the difference in the kind of games they've lost lately - notably the two-point loss ..."
Desperate Nets hopeful for Harris return tonight
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February 2
New York Post
 
"Devin Harris will be a game-time decision tonight when the 4-42 Nets host the Pistons. If yesterday was any indication, Nets fans can expect to see the point guard in uniform for the first time since aggravating his sprained right wrist on Jan. 22. Harris played a casual game of one-on-one with a Nets trainer after practice and appeared to be enjoying himself, which is a good sign. His wrist was taped, but he shot the ball well from all over the court, and he remained behind to shoot free throws after the rest of the team left the floor for the film room. "Better than it felt [Sunday]," Harris said between free throws. When he was done shooting he added, "I'll see how it reacts [today], ..."
Nets nearing move to Newark, will play in Prudential Center until move to Brooklyn
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February 2
New York Daily News
 
"The Nets will have the cash and the assets to rebuild their team. Now all they need is a new place to play, and it appears they are close to getting it. While they are still on schedule to move to Brooklyn at some point in 2012, the Nets likely will be playing in Newark the next two seasons after reaching a preliminary lease agreement with the Devils to play their home games at the Prudential Center, according to a source familiar with the team's situation. According to the source, the Nets and Devils reached a new agreement last week and are expected to sign it this week. It should reach Gov. Chris Christie's desk soon after and it is expected to be approved. "It's going to happen," said ..."
Deal to have Nets play two years at Prudential Center days away from governor's desk
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February 2
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The partnership sought by the Nets and Devils is days away from being presented to the governor. The two sides met Friday in Newark to discuss a Prudential Center lease arrangement that would be sent to Gov. Chris Christie for his review after the Devils examine the term sheet the Nets presented to them Monday. "Obviously they're trying to get it done as soon as possible," said one person close to the negotiation, who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly. "But it's not done yet. They're hoping to get it done this week." According to officials on both sides, the discussions to move the Nets to the Prudential Center for the next two seasons have been as amicable ..."
Team has visit from motivational speaker
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February 1
Bergen Record
 
"The Nets thought they had seen everything this season, but many of them couldn't believe their eyes before the game. Motivational speaker Joachim de Posada, a relative of Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, put a needle in his face to prove pain is mind over matter. De Posada was going to stick himself with more needles, but was stopped. "The whole thing was about confidence," Chris Douglas-Roberts said. "He's really into hypnosis. He strongly believes in hypnotizing people and stuff like that. He was an interesting guy." Assistant coach Del Harris had worked with de Posada before and brought him in to speak to the Nets. Asked what he thought when de Posada put the needle in his face, Devin ..."
76ers beat lowly Nets, but just barely
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February 1
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"For anyone who missed the 76ers' 83-79 victory over the truly awful New Jersey Nets last night, here's the CliffsNotes version: It was bad, ugly, and hard to watch. But, at least temporarily, the Sixers averted disaster. Leading up to the game, the chatter was that a loss could be the straw that would break coach Eddie Jordan's back. A franchise can absorb plenty of disappointing losses, but one to the Nets - a team averaging a win a month - would have been the exclamation point on this poorly written season. "No disrespect to the Nets franchise, but they've won four games, and we're trying to make a run," said Sixers power forward Elton Brand, who scored 10 points. "We couldn't lose this ..."
Sixers win one for their 9-73 brethren
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February 1
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"In the throes of their own disappointing season, the 76ers are doing their part to possibly erase a legendarily bad franchise predecessor from the NBA record book. With last night's plug-ugly, 83-79 squeaker over the New Jersey Nets at IZOD Arena, the Sixers improved to 16-31 and, perhaps more important, plunged the host team to 4-42. Three of the Sixers' 16 wins are against the Nets. The 1972-73 Sixers stumbled and bumbled to a 9-73 record, the worst in NBA history. With their most recent loss, the Nets matched those Sixers, the 1997-98 Denver Nuggers and 1993-94 Dallas Mavericks for the worst 46-game record ever by an NBA team. At their present rate, the Nets would finish 7-75. "Nobody ..."