ORLANDO, Fla. — Dwight Howard of the Magic went to dinner with Deron Williams of the Nets Wednesday night.
And then Howard had Williams and all of the Nets for lunch last night.
“That’s the one guy you definitely don’t want to go up against in the paint,” said Williams after the Nets’ offense endured another sporadic, inconsistent night.
Dominating the glass and the lane with unquestioned authority, Howard, the guy the Nets have pursued vigorously while the Magic have tried equally hard to retain him, hauled in 24 rebounds, blocked three shots, altered numerous others and scored 16 points — a figure that would have been considerably higher if he shot free throws with even Shaquille O’Neal-like accuracy — and Orlando throttled the Nets, 94-78, last night.
“They don’t have Brook [Lopez, fractured foot]. He’s out, so that’s a big chunk of their offense and they’re trying a lot of things right now,” said Howard, who was 7-of-9 from the floor, 2-of-9 at the line.
Suffice to say a lot of the stuff the Nets (1-2) are trying isn’t working all that swell.
“It’s definitely frustrating. I’m not playing well right now, the team’s not playing too well right now, but it’s not time to panic,” said Williams (10 points, seven assists — but 2-of-12 shooting, dropping him to 13-of-45, .289 in three games). “I got some good looks, I’m just rushing them. I’m just not really comfortable. I’m not too worried about it. I’m worried because I’m playing bad and we’re losing.”
For the third time in as many games, the Nets, who are in Atlanta tonight, trailed by 20 points in the first half. Coach Avery Johnson, looking to avoid the onerous starts, had plugged in Mehmet Okur at center for Johan Petro with Sundiata Gaines replacing Anthony Morrow in the backcourt.
Those moves didn’t really wow anybody early on.
“We missed a ton of shots early in the game,” said Johnson, referring to the Nets’ 6-of-23 shooting in the first quarter, ending at .377.
“Coming back like that takes so much out of you,” said Morrow (2-of-10 shooting, four points).
With Howard saddled with foul trouble and with a lineup infused by the offense of rookie MarShon Brooks (team-high 17 points), the Nets were within six at halftime and got within three, 55-52, early in the third. But ex-Net Ryan Anderson (22 points) was called for an illegal defense technical, then Howard scored on a put back and Orlando had breathing room. The Nets, who got 9 points and 10 rebounds from Kris Humphries, rallied again, closing to within 75-68 in the fourth, so Orlando again sped away, hammering the Nets with a 17-6 run.
So the two stars went to dinner, huh?
Williams and Howard dining together is a story in itself. The All-Galaxy center has requested a trade with New Jersey/Brooklyn one of his (if not THE) preferred destinations, largely because of Williams.
“Since he’s been in the league, every time he comes to town, we go eat dinner and just kick it. We’ve been friends since the Olympics, and so we go out to eat, have a bite,” Howard said.
Yeah, some friend. Howard simply terrorized the Nets, swatting one shot by Okur into Jupiter’s orbit early. The new lineup quickly found the same sad results of the early season. The Nets had their moments but led only once, 7-6.
So the dinner between friends became the most discussed and dissected culinary event this year.
“I’m disappointed Deron didn’t invite me out to dinner. I like to go out to dinner. Coach got to eat also. I actually call better plays when my stomach is full,” Johnson said with a laugh, admitting he did the same as a player — dined with pals, usually the night before a game because “I was real moody on game day.”
He couldn’t have been real chipper after this.