NBA Game Recap: What to Know from the Nets vs. Knicks Showdown

What a performance by the New Jersey Nets. Deron Williams shouldered most of the scoring, putting up 38 points on eight three-pointers. On the defensive end, though, it was a full-team effort.

First and foremost, they are the first team who actually figured out Jeremy Lin's weakness: going left. Whether it was Deron Williams, MarShon Brooks or Sundiata Gaines, the Nets constantly pressured him to his weak side. The result was loose balls and a terrible shot selection.

Williams also missed a majority of the fourth quarter due to foul trouble, yet the Nets defense remained solid. They allowed a few shots here and there, but overall they were relentless on the perimeter.

With the clock under 20 seconds, the Knicks made more than five passes before finally finding an open man; by open man, of course, that means open when he caught the ball and covered when he went up. And missed.

Honorable Mention: Beyonce Is Gorgeous

Just saying.

5. MarShon Brooks Has Star Potential

For those who think of points when they see MarShon Brooks, think again. The rookie shooting guard took over the role of ball-handler as Deron Williams worked without the basketball. He filled the role magnificently.

Brooks' four assists don't tell the tale, as he made countless passes that made you think Williams was the one behind them. He put the ball where it needed to be and when it needed to be there, leading to points and drawn fouls.

Brooks has elite scoring ability for a rookie, but he also has great intangibles and a high basketball I.Q. If he can correct the mental mistakes—such as forcing shots and falling to frustration—he'll be a star.

4. The Nets Defense Is Solid

What a performance by the New Jersey Nets. Deron Williams shouldered most of the scoring, putting up 38 points on eight three-pointers. On the defensive end, though, it was a full-team effort.

First and foremost, they are the first team who actually figured out Jeremy Lin's weakness: going left. Whether it was Deron Williams, MarShon Brooks or Sundiata Gaines, the Nets constantly pressured him to his weak side. The result was loose balls and a terrible shot selection.

Williams also missed a majority of the fourth quarter due to foul trouble, yet the Nets defense remained solid. They allowed a few shots here and there, but overall they were relentless on the perimeter.

With the clock under 20 seconds, the Knicks made more than five passes before finally finding an open man; by open man, of course, that means open when he caught the ball and covered when he went up. And missed.

3a. The Nets Did Not Underestimate Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin may have posted an impressive stat line with 21 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and four steals, but there's a huge difference between watching a game and reading statistics.

Deron WIlliams ran circles around Lin—literally. The Nets decided to make MarShon Brooks their leading ball-handler and Williams weaved his way throughout the Knicks defense for wide-open shot after wide-open shot.

Another note is that Lin made more mistakes than a stat line could show. He lost the ball more than half-a-dozen times. Poor attempts at threading the needle, uncontrolled dribbling and unnecessary passes were often saved by his teammates.

Furthermore, almost all of his fouls were bad fouls, including one where he scratched Kris Humphries across the face.

The biggest fault, however, was his body language. The Nets knew exactly when they were in Lin's head.

His stats may look nice, but his play against the Nets was poor.

3b. The Talent Is There

There's no denying Jeremy Lin is talented. He's an excellent shooter, a talented ball-handler and a creative passer.

While Williams certainly got the best of him, there is no denying that Lin has made his mark as a talented player with a bright future ahead of him. Don't let anyone tell you any differently.

2. The Knicks Are Too Immature to Win Big

A disappointing lack of maturity highlighted this game for the New York Knicks.

Carmelo Anthony let DeShawn Stevenson into his head all night, and Tyson Chandler, supposedly the veteran presence the Knicks needed, nearly got himself ejected.

Why? Because Kris Humphries flat-out beat him on every possession. When the low-post battle got physical, Chandler couldn't mentally handle it.

If the Knicks think they stand any chance at winning big in 2012, they need to stop playing like children at the school yard.

1. Deron Williams Is the Best Point Guard in the NBA

It's incredible how good Deron Williams makes his average teammates look.

Williams put up 38 points on eight-of-14 shooting from beyond the arc. Add that to six assists, four rebounds and a steal. Now, let's get to why his evening was so great.

Williams did exactly what Avery Johnson told him to: He relinquished his duties as the ball-handler and wore Jeremy Lin down. Williams slithered through the Knicks defense and constantly caught Lin on Nets screens and even Lin's own teammates.

His three-point shooting was masterful, but it was the timing of each shot that was so great.

With his team playing well but in need of a closer, Williams came out for one last possession before fouling out. Williams ran a beautiful play in which he caused a switch on defense, drawing a one-on-one matchup with center Tyson Chandler at the top of the key.

After a beautiful crossover to free himself up, Williams drained the long two. That was the play of the game.