New Jersey Nets Wiretap

Nesterovic: Raptors Not Mentally Prepared For Playoff Basketball

After two lopsided losses in New Jersey in which Toronto looked nervous and overwhelmed, Raptor center Rasho Nesterovic, who won a championship with the Spurs, said his team might not have been mentally prepared for the challenge of playoff basketball.

"We just didn't play like we should," Nesterovic said at practice Monday. "If you're not ready, teams are going to jump on you early. That's what they did from the beginning.

"We were kind of thinking that we were ready, but we probably weren't."

Via Globe And Sports


Carter, Jefferson Combine For 50, Nets Take 3-1 Lead Over Raptors

The Raptors are talking about their return to the playoffs as a learning experience -- and the Nets sure are teaching them a lesson.

Vince Carter scored 27 points, Richard Jefferson added 23, and the Nets took a 3-1 lead over the Atlantic Division champions Sunday night with a 102-81 victory -- their second-biggest ever in a playoff game.

Via AP


Sources: Nets Will Probably Shop Jefferson

The Nets, according to several people with knowledge of the team’s plans, will probably shop Richard Jefferson this summer to get another post player to complement the returning Nenad Krstic.

Jefferson’s contract ($11 million this season) is easier to trade than Kidd’s ($18 million).

“You believe in Rod and Bruce Ratner, they’re going to do what’s best for the team,” Jefferson said, referring to Thorn and the Nets’ owner. “If they include you, they include you, if not, you move on.”

Ratner has publicly said that he wants to keep Kidd and Carter but hasn't said the same about Jefferson.

“I’d rather not talk about that stuff now,” Ratner said, when asked on Friday. "Later, he congratulated Jefferson in the locker room.

“I’m just thinking game by game, just like the players,” Ratner said. “I love watching our Nets. It’s real team play.”

Via New York Times


Nets Apr 2007 Archive

  • Bargnani Expected To Start Game 4, Ford Questionable

    Although Raptors coach Sam Mitchell wouldn't say so, all evidence points to rookie Andrea Bargnani getting his first start since January and only his third of the season, replacing a lifeless Joey Graham in the lineup as the Raptors try to even the series at 2-2.

  • Mitchell Questions Kidd's Knee Strain

    Was Jason Kidd really hurt? That's the question the Raptors are asking, after Kidd had 19 assists, 16 rebounds and 16 points in Game 3

  • Kidd Led Nets Defeat Raptors, Take 2-1 Series Lead

    Jason Kidd had a playoff career-high 19 assists in his 10th postseason triple-double, Carter scored 37 points, and the New Jersey Nets beat the Toronto Raptors 102-89 on Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

  • Kidd Likely To Play Game 3

    Jason Kidd is expected to play when the New Jersey Nets host the Toronto Raptors for Game 3 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff match-up.

  • Kidd Sits Out Thursday's Practice With Sore Knee

    Jason Kidd was having a sore left knee examined by team physicians in New York and did not practice with the Nets on Thursday.

  • Buford Banned By FIBA For Three Months For Doping

    Former NBA player Rodney Burford was banned for three months by FIBA for testing positive for cannabis.

  • Colangelo Defends Red Promotion

    Bryan Colangelo is not about to take red out of the Raptors' colour scheme.

  • Parker, Bosh Help Raptors Tie Series

    After starting the night with an award ceremony for their coach of the year, the Raptors beat the New Jersey Nets 89-83 Tuesday to even their first-round series at a game apiece.

  • Frank Has Never Been Worried About Job

    Nets' coach Lawrence Frank said he was never really worried because of the support the front office have shown, and he doesn't want to let anything get in the way of work.

  • Carter Struggles, But Nets Defeat Raptors In Game 1

    Vince Carter heard boos all afternoon.

  • MoPete's Status Uncertain For Game 1

    Morris Peterson isn't sure if he'll be available this afternoon when the Raptors open the NBA playoffs against the New Jersey Nets.

  • Mitchell On Carter: 'It's A Divorce Guys. Let It Go'

    Sam Mitchell has some words of advice for those still smarting over Vince Carter's departure for the swamplands of New Jersey a season-and-a-half past: Get over it.

  • Team Effort Keeps Cavs In Fight For Second Seed

    LeBron James will certainly be scoreboard watching in the season finale, doing all he can to help Cleveland win while pulling for New Jersey to keep alive Cleveland's shot at the No.

  • Carter's Triple-Double Helps Nets Finish Off Knicks

    Vince Carter had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Nets clinched at least the No.

  • Pacers On The Brink Of Elimination

    Vince Carter scored 35 points to help the Nets beat the Pacers 111-107 on Sunday afternoon to put the Pacers on the brink of elimination from the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

  • Kidd's 87th Triple-Double Helps Eliminate Knicks From Playoff Race

    Jason Kidd's 87th triple-double led the New Jersey Nets to a 100-86 win over New York on Friday night that eliminated the Knicks from the playoff race.

  • LeBron Scores 35 Points In 36 Minutes

    For 12 minutes, the Cavaliers drove, dunked and did anything they desired.

  • Wizards Lose But Clinch Playoff Spot

    The Washington Wizards lost to the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday night 96-92, but with Indiana losing to Philadelphia 90-86 they still managed to clinch a playoff spot.

  • Teammate Triple-Double For Carter-Kidd In OT Win

    Rare NBA Feat! Vince Carter and Jason Kidd became the first teammates with triple-doubles in the same game since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in 1989.

  • Carter Wants Pierce Money

    Rod Thorn is in no rush to give Vince Carter an extension.

  • Nets Recall Mile Ilic From D-League

    The New Jersey Nets have recalled rookie center Mile Ilic from the NBA Development League’s Colorado 14ers, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today.

  • Nets' GM: I Want Carter Back

    Ed Stefanski joined Bruce Ratner and Rod Thorn in expressing his desire to retain Vince Carter this summer.