Brooklyn Nets Blog – Page 114 – NBA Blog

Chris Bosh drops 36 on Nets

The AP reports:

With the Toronto Raptors in the midst of a slump, Chris Bosh got a little pep talk from Jarrett Jack(notes), Antoine Wright and Marcus Banks before their game with the woeful New Jersey Nets.

The message was simple. Play some basketball, have some fun and score 30 points.

Bosh did that and more, scoring 23 of his 36 points in the second half and the Raptors kept the Nets on the road to an NBA single-season record for losses with a 100-90 victory Saturday night.

“They were just on me about playing basketball and that made it fun,” Bosh said after the Raptors won for only the third time in 13 games.

“They were telling me what they wanted to see from me and what they wanted me to do, and anytime that happens, I see that as a challenge, and you know you don’t feel like you are out there by yourself.”

Playing in his 500th game as a Raptor, Bosh hit 16 of 27 shots from the field in helping the Toronto rally from a seven-point deficit early in the third quarter.

Derrick Coleman files for bankruptcy

WDIV / Click on Detroit reports:

A former Detroit Piston and local businessman has filed for bankruptcy.

According to financial documents obtained by Local 4, Derrick Coleman has filed for Chapter 7 and has an estimated debt of $2.19.

Coleman owes between 50 and 99 creditors, including Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, American Express, Comerica, Sprint, Verizon, Hungry Howie’s Pizza and Nike.

Rich Kassa owns XL Autobody and Paint in Warren, and said Coleman owes him money for work he’s done on his cars.

Magic Johnson wishes best for Nets

Fred Kerber of the New York Post reports:

Hall of Famer Magic Johnson last night said he hopes the Nets get the first overall pick in the lottery and then find one player in the draft.

“I really can’t imagine a team being 7 and 60-something, not in today’s game,” Johnson said, sitting courtside as the “60-something” Nets suffered their 61st defeat, a 108-97 loss to the 76ers, despite a lineup change that inserted Terrence Williams into the first five.

“I can’t fathom it,” Johnson said. “And the worst thing is they may not even get the first pick, which they need. Be it John Wall, whomever, they need it for the fans, for the energy in the arena, for the organization.

“They need it for [Brook] Lopez, who is really good. The league needs it for them to build around.”

Of course, LeBron James could help, but Johnson feels the Nets lost him with their temporary move to Newark before their relocation to Brooklyn.

Luis Scola scores 44 on Nets

The AP reports:

Luis Scola glanced at the scoreboard during the second half of Saturday’s game against New Jersey and the night he was having finally started to sink in.

Scola finished with a career-high 44 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and the Houston Rockets beat the Nets 116-108 to keep their fading playoff hopes alive.

Scola hit 20 of 25 shots, many of them open layups, and reached the highest point total by a Rockets player since Tracy McGrady scored 47 against Utah in November 2007.

“It was one of those nights where you’re feeling good, but then everything you try, works,” Scola said. “I’m probably as surprised as you are.”

The New York Post reports:

Scola seemed to sneak inside for layups all night, and finished off the Nets with a straight-on jumper that put Houston up 103-93 with just over four minutes left. Scola hit 6 of 8 shots and scored 12 points in the fourth quarter.

Rocky rookie season for Terrence Williams

Colin Stephenson of the Newark Star-Ledger reports:

Rocky first season for Terrence Williams

Coming off his career-high, 21-point scoring output in Wednesday’s loss to Cleveland, Nets rookie Terrence Williams was asked Thursday how he would sum up his first professional season so far.

“Rocky,’’ was the term he chose.

“I really didn’t know what to expect,” he said Thursday. “I tried to come here and use the same game that I used in college, but my shot wasn’t falling. I had to re-evaluate myself as a player and change my game to more so going to the hole, but still do the other little things that I do and love to do, as far as, like, passing, playing ‘D’ and rebounding.”

InsideHoops.com Says:

It’s tough to judge Williams just yet. He’s athletic and shows occasional flashes but for the most part has done what the majority of Nets players did this season — fairly little. In 19.4 minutes per game, Williams is averaging 6.4 points and 3.6 rebounds with 37.8% shooting from the field. But, again, it’s probably best to study his game more closely next year when the team is presumably better.

Free state tax returns for Nets fans Friday

The New Jersey Nets come up with some seriously cool promotions for fans. Here’s their latest:

Roni Deutch Tax Center, one of the nation’s fastest growing tax preparation franchise companies, will provide all New Jersey residents 18 years and older who attend the NETS-Orlando Magic game at the IZOD CENTER on Friday, March 5 with a coupon for preparation of a free state tax return.

Through a new partnership with NETS Basketball, Roni Deutch Tax Center will have representatives on site at NETS Tax Night on March 5 to answer tax-related questions before and during the game.

In addition, NETS fans who attend any upcoming home game at the IZOD CENTER this season, other than March 5, can receive a coupon in the NETS Game Program good for up to $50 off of tax preparation services at a Roni Deutch Tax Center in Hackensack, Bergenfield, and Fair Lawn. Upon completion of their returns, Roni Deutch customers will also receive NETS tickets for this season, while supplies last.

“My life’s mission is to empower every American to take charge of their tax lives,” said Roni Deutch, president and founder of Roni Deutch Tax Center. “Partnering with NETS Basketball is our opportunity to get involved in the community, ensuring that local taxpayers and basketball fans have the information they need to be prepared this tax season and save big bucks on their taxes.”

Andray Blatche scores 36 on Nets

The AP reports:

Andray Blatche is starting to give Washington Wizards’ fans something to be excited about in a season of turmoil highlighted by the gun-related suspension of Gilbert Arenas and a couple of high-profile trades.

The 23-year Blatche continued to thrive being the new leader of the Wizards, scoring a career-high 36 points and adding 15 rebounds in an 89-85 comeback victory over the New Jersey Nets on Sunday night.

Newark native Randy Foye provided the winning margin with two jumpers in the final 44 seconds but Blatche, who has averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds over his last seven games, almost single-handedly carried Washington in this one.

Jayson Williams sentenced to five years

Former NBA big-man Jayson Williams has had major ongoing legal issues for what feels like about 90 years in a row now, but it appears there’s finally some resolution.

The AP reports:

Former NBA star Jayson Williams was sentenced to five years in prison yesterday for fatally shooting a hired limo driver in 2002, ending an eight-year legal odyssey.

Williams, who tearfully apologized to the victim’s family, will be eligible for parole in 18 months.

Williams, avoiding a retrial on a reckless manslaughter count that deadlocked the jury at his 2004 trial, pleaded guilty last month to aggravated assault in the death of Costas Christofi on Feb. 14, 2002. At the same 2004 trial, he was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter but convicted on four counts of covering up the shooting.

I hope this is the last of it. Williams and others associated with this case probably would be happy to move on, as well — for different reasons, of course.

New Jersey Nets will temporarily move to Prudential Center in Newark

The New Jersey Nets have needed a new home, whether in Newark or Brooklyn or your backyard, and good news that’s been expected for a while is finally materializing: The team will, temporarily at least, play in what InsideHoops.com considers a terrific basketball arena in Newark, New Jersey.

The Newark Star-Ledger reports:

The Nets are making a fast break to Newark.

After months of speculation over whether the struggling NBA team would leave Izod Center in the Meadowlands for a two-year stay at the new Prudential Center in Newark, a deal was struck today to allow the Nets to break their lease for $4 million and move to Newark, according to officials involved in the negotiations.

The early termination fees could be offset in part by advertising, suite revenue and other credits.

The agreement came after the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority voted in secret to approve the deal at a special meeting this morning. A formal announcement is expected later today by Gov. Chris Christie.

The plan will have the Nets and Devils playing together in the state’s largest city. The move is temporary, with the Nets still planning to move to a new arena in Brooklyn by the start of the 2012 basketball season.

We consider this fantastic news, for the Nets and all basketball fans around the area. Both New Yorkers and New Jersey residents will find it easier to get to the arena. InsideHoops.com attended a Nets preseason game in the Prudential Center, and we loved the building. It’s clean, a great basketball arena, and very easy to get to by public transportation.

UPDATE: NETS CONFIRM TEAM WILL MOVE TO NEWARK

Brett Yormark, the Nets President and CEO, released the following statement regarding the Nets’ upcoming interim relocation to Newark’s Prudential Center, which will begin with the upcoming 2010-11 NBA season. This precedes the team’s permanent move to Brooklyn, planned for 2012.

“Our planned interim relocation to the Prudential Center in Newark represents one of the many positive steps to take place for Nets Basketball during the next few months. This temporary move not only gives our fans a state-of-the-art arena with the first-class amenities common in most NBA buildings, but also provides our players with a great atmosphere in which to play.

“Additionally, before we make our permanent move to Brooklyn, this interim relocation to Newark enables us to continue our goal to further regionalize the team, not only in Essex and Union Counties, but also in New York City due to the direct mass transit access available between Manhattan and the Prudential Center. We are confident that the NBA family will see this as a positive move, as we do. We look forward to being part of the community in Newark and will continue our extensive community outreach in the area.

“I would like to sincerely thank Governor Christie for his support and leadership in making our interim relocation to the Prudential Center a reality. I would also like to express my appreciation to Mayor Booker and Jeff Vanderbeek for their steadfast efforts throughout this process.”

Rafer Alston happy Nets let him go

Howard Kussoy of the New York Post reports:

A member of the Heat since being signed on Jan. 7, after clearing waivers, Alston suffered with the Nets as they opened the season with an NBA-record 18 straight losses. Less than a year removed from playing in the NBA Finals for the Orlando Magic, Alston remained with the Nets as their record hit 3-30.

The indignity would soon end, as Alston escaped NBA’s Shawshank, crawling through a river of losses and coming out clean on the other side, finding serenity on the beach.

“The one common question I always get [from other players] is ‘How tough was it? or ‘It must’ve been tough.’ It was,” Alston said. “I don’t think any player in this league wants to go through setting the record for the most consecutive losses and then being where they’re at now. You played as hard as you can and you did everything to stay in the game and then you’d still lose the game. That was the hard part.”