New Jersey Nets Show Their Potential in Win over Golden State Warriors
For just the fourth time this season, the New Jersey Nets won a game. They defeated the Golden State Warriors 107-100.
Although the Nets are struggling, this win was significant. They gave a glimpse into how good they could actually be.
The Nets have undoubtedly struggled this season. They took a risk and sacrificed a lot to bring in Deron Williams, in hopes of getting the team back to its winning ways. The Nets not starting to win again, but they have barely made any progress in competing in the Eastern Conference.
There have been several obstacles in their way, including the loss of Brook Lopez due to injury to start this season. Somehow, the Nets are only 2.5 games behind the New York Knicks for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. The key for the Nets from here on out is to win the games you are "supposed" to win and try and compete in the games against top teams.
They showed, against the Warriors, that they are capable of doing just that. The Warriors have talented players but can't seem to put it all together, as they went into their matchup against the Nets three games below .500. These are the games that the Nets need to start winning more often.
The Nets earned their first home win this season, behind the play of their backcourt. Deron Williams has had his struggles this season. His points and assists numbers have declined slightly from last season, but the most glaring struggle for him, and the entire Nets team, is consistency. Williams sports a 37.2 field goal percentage, which is almost 10 percent lower than his career average. Williams is the Nets' leader and most valuable player, so when he has struggled this year, so has the team.
Against the Warriors, Williams did not struggle, and unsurprisingly the Nets won. Williams was crucial at the end of the game as 11 of his 24 points came in the fourth quarter. He matched his career average in field goal percentage (46 percent) and hit all eight of his foul shots. Williams also had 10 assists and was two rebounds away from a triple-double.
The Nets will continue to win games if Williams can play more consistent basketball and lead them like he did last night.
His backcourt accomplice, rookie MarShon Brooks, continued to prove that he was the steal of the draft last night. Brooks put up a career high 22 points, while also grabbing eight rebounds and six assists. His 22 points raised his points per game this season to 15.1, and he is second to Cleveland's Kyrie Irving in scoring for rookies.
Nets coach Avery Johnson said, "Deron and MarShon, tonight as a backcourt, wow. That's all I can really say. Forty-six points between them, 16 assists and 16 rebounds and only five turnovers combined. They really played well off of each other." If Brooks can continue to shine, he and Williams will be one of the top backcourt duo's in the league.
Kris Humphries has been a consistent player since he has been with the Nets. He does the dirty work and has been a solid power forward. Just like Williams, Humphries recorded a double-double in the Nets win over the Warriors. He scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.
Consistency is the key for the Nets. If their three key players continue to play the same way they did against the Warriors, coupled with the addition of Brook Lopez, the Nets could make a run for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. First, they have to start winning games on a more regular basis.
