SACRAMENTO – Here are my three thoughts on the Nets’ 107-86 loss to the Kings on Wednesday night:
1. Jason Kidd met with the media following the game and, not for the first time this season, said a big factor in the game was the Nets allowing their struggles offensively to dictate their effort defensively.
Yes, the Nets had a ridiculous number of shots rim out through the first three quarters, when they went an absurd 12-for-35 on shots inside the paint – an area where teams will usually shoot at least 50 percent. But that isn’t an excuse for players to drop their heads at the other end of the floor, and that’s certainly not something a veteran team — especially one with as many high-profile veterans as the Nets – should find itself falling victim to repeatedly.
Kidd even went as far as to say it’s not acceptable, which is about as far as he’ll ever go (at least in a small sample size) in criticizing his own team. But it was odd, to say the least, that the Nets had such a flat effort coming off a three-day layoff between losses, and are having these same problems.
2. This was yet another game where Kevin Garnett struggled offensively. After saying at the team’s morning shootaround his recent comments about wanting to be more aggressive offensively meant trying to be more efficient/productive with the shots he’s getting, Garnett went out and shot 2-for-9 from the field in 14 minutes and finished with six points and eight rebounds.
Garnett is now shooting 19-for-62 (30.6 percent), including going just 4-for-16 on shots at the rim. In trading for Garnett, the Nets were expecting to get a floor-spacing option at the four in addition to the other things he provides. But, at least so far, that hasn’t been the case.
His struggles appear in the advanced stats, as well. With Garnett on the floor, the Nets are scoring 92.7 points per 100 possessions and giving up 108.2, according to NBA.com, both of which would rank dead last in the NBA. With him on the bench, the Nets are scoring 100.5 points per 100 possessions and giving up 98.2.
3. As I wrote in my sidebar off Wednesday night’s game, just as Deron Williams started to talk about how he was feeling like his old self again, he went and tweaked his left (previously healthy) ankle.
It was adding injury to insult: Greivis Vasquez was running roughshod over Williams, finishing with 17 points and 12 assists to two turnovers, compared to 13 points, seven assists and four turnovers for Williams to go along with 5-for-13 shooting.
For all of the faults the Nets have at the moment – including Garnett’s struggles and their lackadaisical displays – the biggest issue is, and will continue to be, Williams isn’t playing like a franchise player. Part of that is understandable, given he’s working his way back after sitting out for virtually the entire preseason.
But at some point, and presumably some point soon, the Nets need Williams to start looking like the player from the second half of last season. Because, up until now, he hasn’t been nearly the same player.