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Nets set a record for worst start
Source: Agencies |
December 4, 2009, Friday
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THE New Jersey Nets lost to the visiting Dallas Mavericks 101-117 on Wednesday to set a record for the worst start to a National Basketball Association season at 0-18.
The Nets sank to the occasion with a resounding thud, outscored 49-22 in the second quarter to trail 50-77 after finishing the first quarter tied 28-28 with the Mavericks, who improved to 14-5.
The 1988-89 Miami Heat and 1998-99 Los Angeles Clippers had previously shared the dubious mark with the Nets at 0-17.
The Mavericks dealt the Nets the record-setting defeat with an awesome offensive performance in the second quarter in which they shot 89.5 percent from the field on 17-of-19 shooting.
Although many baskets were made on layups and dunks through a porous New Jersey defense, Dallas was also five-for-five from beyond the three-point line in taking command by halftime.
Nets interim coach Tom Barrise said he thought all the losing had "worn down the guys" and that he was particularly disappointed in the lack of defensive effort.
"It's about getting your knees dirty, getting into a stance and guarding somebody," said Barrise, who now turns the coaching over to General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe.
"We didn't do that in the second quarter and Dallas is a great offensive team. They just exploded on us."
Elsewhere in the NBA, it was: Wizards 104, Brewers 102; Magic 118, Knicks 104; Cavaliers 107, Suns 90; Hawks 146, Raptors 115; Thunder 117, 76ers 106; Bulls 92, Pistons 85; Grizzlies 97, Timberwolves 95; Kings 110, Pacers 105; and Rockets 102, Clippers 85.
In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 24 points as six Dallas players scored in double figures. Former Net Jason Kidd had 16 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
Chris Douglas-Roberts, who scored 24 points for the Nets, said he was tired of losing.
"At this point I feel like the streak has definitely gotten the best of us," the guard said. "So when a team goes on a run, it's almost like we give up. That's what it looks like to me. We sort of give up and just lay down instead of trying to fight."
Point guard Devin Harris, one of many Nets sidelined by injury early in the season, echoed the assessment.
"We got to find our spirit, find our fight," said Harris, who missed 10 games with a strained groin.
Harris, a former Maverick, said he hoped Vandeweghe would bring new life to the team when they host the Charlotte Bobcats next.
"It's a breath of fresh air," Harris said. "But if we don't play defense at a high rate none of this is going to matter."
Douglas-Roberts, however, said a turnaround was tied to the players.
"It's not the coach. Red Auerbach could coach us," he said about the former Boston Celtics coach. "It doesn't matter who you bring in. You have to have heart. You have to have the heart to overcome something like this. We're laying down. We're weak."
The Nets sank to the occasion with a resounding thud, outscored 49-22 in the second quarter to trail 50-77 after finishing the first quarter tied 28-28 with the Mavericks, who improved to 14-5.
The 1988-89 Miami Heat and 1998-99 Los Angeles Clippers had previously shared the dubious mark with the Nets at 0-17.
The Mavericks dealt the Nets the record-setting defeat with an awesome offensive performance in the second quarter in which they shot 89.5 percent from the field on 17-of-19 shooting.
Although many baskets were made on layups and dunks through a porous New Jersey defense, Dallas was also five-for-five from beyond the three-point line in taking command by halftime.
Nets interim coach Tom Barrise said he thought all the losing had "worn down the guys" and that he was particularly disappointed in the lack of defensive effort.
"It's about getting your knees dirty, getting into a stance and guarding somebody," said Barrise, who now turns the coaching over to General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe.
"We didn't do that in the second quarter and Dallas is a great offensive team. They just exploded on us."
Elsewhere in the NBA, it was: Wizards 104, Brewers 102; Magic 118, Knicks 104; Cavaliers 107, Suns 90; Hawks 146, Raptors 115; Thunder 117, 76ers 106; Bulls 92, Pistons 85; Grizzlies 97, Timberwolves 95; Kings 110, Pacers 105; and Rockets 102, Clippers 85.
In East Rutherford, New Jersey, Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 24 points as six Dallas players scored in double figures. Former Net Jason Kidd had 16 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
Chris Douglas-Roberts, who scored 24 points for the Nets, said he was tired of losing.
"At this point I feel like the streak has definitely gotten the best of us," the guard said. "So when a team goes on a run, it's almost like we give up. That's what it looks like to me. We sort of give up and just lay down instead of trying to fight."
Point guard Devin Harris, one of many Nets sidelined by injury early in the season, echoed the assessment.
"We got to find our spirit, find our fight," said Harris, who missed 10 games with a strained groin.
Harris, a former Maverick, said he hoped Vandeweghe would bring new life to the team when they host the Charlotte Bobcats next.
"It's a breath of fresh air," Harris said. "But if we don't play defense at a high rate none of this is going to matter."
Douglas-Roberts, however, said a turnaround was tied to the players.
"It's not the coach. Red Auerbach could coach us," he said about the former Boston Celtics coach. "It doesn't matter who you bring in. You have to have heart. You have to have the heart to overcome something like this. We're laying down. We're weak."
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