March 2005 New Jersey Nets Wiretap

Carter, Kobe Take Player Of The Week Honors

Dec 27, 2005 9:27 PM

The New Jersey Nets' Vince Carter and the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 19 through Sunday, Dec. 25.

Carter averaged 39.3 points on .485 shooting, 6.0 assists and 7.3 rebounds to lead the Nets to a 3-0 week with wins over the Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando and Miami. Carter tied his career-high with 51 points in the Nets' 95-88 win at Miami.

Bryant led the Lakers to a 2-1 week, averaging 40.0 points on .468 shooting, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists in matchups against Dallas, Orlando and Miami. Bryant scored an NBA season-high 62 points against the Mavericks in only 33 minutes. Since 1960, only three other NBA players scored 60-plus points in fewer than 40 minutes: Jerry West (63 points in 39 minutes on Jan. 17, 1962), George Gervin (63 points in 33 minutes on April 9, 1978) and Karl Malone (61 points in 33 minutes on Jan. 27, 1990). Additionally, Bryant's 62 points were the most that any player has scored in the league in over 11 years. He also registered his fifteenth and sixteenth 30-plus-point games of the season.

MSG Network

Tags: Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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The Garden Is Kidd?s Very Own Playground

Dec 26, 2005 11:40 AM

The New York Knicks will not only have to deal with a red-hot Vince Carter (35.4 points in his last 5 games), they will also have to take on a Jason Kidd who thrives in Madison Square Garden when the Nets come to the Big Apple tonight.

Kidd has saved some of his greatest passes and flashiest performances for the Garden. Tonight should be no different when the Nets (14-12) look to extend a five-game winning streak in their first regular-season meeting against Brown.

"When you talk about the stage and all the attention the Garden gets, it's always exciting," Kidd said. "It's probably one of the best stages in the world to perform. So if you can't get up for that, then it's hard to get up for any game."

New York Daily News

Tags: New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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Vince Scores 51 Against Heat

Dec 24, 2005 7:14 AM

There were 14 games in the NBA on Friday night, but most of the talk in Florida was about one that doesn't come until Sunday: the Los Angeles Lakers-Miami Heat matchup that brings the next chapter in the Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O'Neal rivalry.

Vince Carter was listening, and didn't like what he heard. Then he went out and tied a career high with 51 points, scoring 37 in the second half, as the New Jersey Nets extended their season-high winning streak to five games with a 95-88 victory over the Heat.

"All day I've been watching TV and they were mentioning the Christmas Day game without mentioning they had a game tonight, or to watch the Nets," Carter said. "We're just trying to earn respect."

There were other impressive performances Friday - Allen Iverson scored 53 points, Washington's Gilbert Arenas had 41 and the Clippers' Elton Brand had 38 points and 20 rebounds - but Carter's stood out while coming against one of the league's best teams.

"Basically, one guy beat us. ... Vince was unbelievable," Heat coach Pat Riley said.

Miami Herald

Tags: Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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Nets Eye Patterson

Dec 22, 2005 11:00 AM

The Nets are so concerned about getting better defensively that they've considered a stopper with some heavy baggage.

The Nets have talked to the Blazers about mercurial swingman Ruben Patterson, according to league sources.

New Jersey's prime initiative, though, is to get an athletic big man. Chris Wilcox, Stromile Swift, Melvin Ely and Steven Hunter remain on the Nets' radar.

The Blazers are discussing scenarios with many teams involving Patterson, who recently requested a trade after being suspended for cursing at coach Nate McMillan. Marc Jackson and Jeff McInnis likely would be part of the Nets' package for Patterson.

The 6-foot-5 Patterson, who is the self-proclaimed "Kobe stopper," would back up Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter. Patterson is also physical enough to guard some power forwards.

But the Nets are concerned about Patterson's past. He pled guilty to attempted rape in 2001, and has been convicted of misdemeanor assault.

North Jersey

Tags: Portland Trail Blazers, Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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Nets' Collins Down Again

Dec 22, 2005 6:36 AM

Jason Collins is hurt again. But this time it's not his leg.

Collins, who missed seven games with a nerve issue in his right leg, lasted only five minutes last night because of a sore right ankle. He injured the joint Sunday against the Warriors. Coach Lawrence Frank said Collins told him beforehand last night it would be iffy. After five minutes, he was certain.

"It was sore yesterday, again today," said Collins, who'll wait and see if he can be ready for tomorrow in Miami. "I tried to go but couldn't."

New York Post

Tags: Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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Nets Still Looking To Pick Up A Big Man

Dec 21, 2005 1:19 PM

The Nets, armed with two first-round picks, have been calling around the league for big men, and the Clippers' Chris Wilcox, Philadelphia's Steven Hunter and Portland's Theo Ratliff are possibilities. But the value of the Clippers' pick has plummeted. The Nets were able to halt that for at least one night.

"Sorry, we will not be in the lottery," Cassell said of the Clippers, who were without Corey Maggette (sprained left foot). "If this team doesn't have injuries, we will not be in the lottery - by far."

Tags: Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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McInnis Mum Over Playing Time

Dec 19, 2005 5:29 AM

Three games ago, Jeff McInnis did not play. Two games ago, he played eight minutes, but just 27 seconds in the second half. Last night, he did not play until the fourth quarter of a Net blowout victory.

"No comment," McInnis said of how he was used in the 118-90 romp over Golden State.

And yesterday, there was a report out of Akron that claimed people close to him insist McInnis, a Cav last year, wants a trade out of New Jersey.

"Have you heard me say that? I didn't say that. I'm here," said McInnis.

New York Post

Tags: Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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Planinic On The Block, Carter Too?

Dec 15, 2005 7:19 AM

The Nets are believed to be dangling guard Zoran Planinic and their two first-round draft picks in order to procure a big body. Planinic was put on the inactive list and did not play, while Marc Jackson and Jeff McInnis, the Nets' two main free-agent signings in the offseason, did not play.

Frank said he was searching. Jackson was steamed, nonetheless.

"If (Frank) don't think I can help the team, then maybe get rid of me for somebody you think can help the team," Jackson said. "That DNP is real crazy, man. That DNP, only happens since I've been here."

Players that would become available today who the Nets would have an interest in include Ely, Milwaukee's Dan Gadzuric and the Clippers' Chris Wilcox. Even Houston's Stromile Swift, who the Nets coveted in the off-season, would become available

But whether the Nets are willing to make a bigger deal depends on their patience level. There is a growing sentiment in the organization that Carter could be expendable if it can return an impact defensive player.

"We definitely can turn this thing around and all of the sudden, everybody will be like, 'Wow, this is a great team,' " Carter said.

The Journal News

Tags: Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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Nets Could Make Big Deal Swift-ly

Dec 15, 2005 6:02 AM

The Nets are trying to pry Stromile Swift from Houston. They are concerned about Jason Collins and now have Marc Jackson wondering whether he'd be better off somewhere else after he was benched last night.

Fun team, huh?

Yesterday, multiple league sources claimed the Nets and Rockets discussed a deal involving Swift for Jackson and a first-round pick, a deal that did not interest Houston. But the Nets are expected to intensify their quest as concern grows over Collins, who will undergo additional tests on his leg today.

The Nets had Swift as their second free-agent choice but after they appeared to sew up Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Swift signed with Houston. But Swift (who makes $5 million) has been a bench player, same as Jackson (who $4.55 million), who last night stayed calm and composed but was obviously upset by the DNP.

"A DNP means you can't help the team. If he don't think I can help the team, then maybe get rid of me for somebody you think can," Jackson said. "I think I show every day in practice I can help this team . . . I didn't get an opportunity tonight to help the team and that hurts."

New York Post

Tags: Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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Jackson Hurting ... After His DNP

Dec 15, 2005 4:07 AM

Marc Jackson was stunned. So was Jeff McInnis. The two players whom the Nets acquired in the off-season to be integral parts of the team, did not play in last night's 91-83 loss to the Bobcats.

McInnis wouldn't talk after the game but Jackson, acquired from the 76ers over the summer, said he was hurt by coach Lawrence Frank's decision.

"DNP is real crazy. I'm in a situation where I can't help the team. I had one (DNP) with the 76ers because I was hurt. It only happens since I've been here. Can't help the team. The coach's decision means you don't think he can help the team," Jackson said. "I just want to say I strongly disagree with that."

"When you have a player on your bench and he gets a DNP for no reason, he's not hurt, he's able to go, he's able to contribute and he doesn't play, what does that tell you? What is the coach telling you? Let's be honest. ... This hurts big time. I've never been in a situation where I can't help the team."

Said Frank: "We're giving other guys an opportunity, searching for the right combinations, the right chemistry. (It's not) a knock against Marc and Jeff."

Jackson said he wouldn't request a trade but, before the game, said he wouldn't be devastated if he was traded. He still believes he can play a part in fixing the Nets' problems.

"I know I can do more to help this team but maybe what I have to offer isn't what coach needs for this team. I don't know," Jackson said. "Defensively, I'm a chain link. I can control the tempo of the game defensively with my communication and putting people in the right spot. That's very overlooked with this team. When you have a person who's communicating with you at all times at the defensive end, it helps. I've noticed it helps on other teams I've been on."

Newark Star-Ledger

Tags: Brooklyn Nets, NBA

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Collins May Need Knee Surgery

North Jersey

Ankle Injury Turns Into A Knee One For Carter

NY Post

Carter Injures Ankle Against Raptors

Fox Sports

Nets Need Old Vince

New York Daily News