Last Night's Action: Fight Night At The Garden
Last Night's Action: Yanks Survive/Mets Thrive
-Yankees 9 Ryan Howard 7: New York broke a three-game losing streak, but almost lost to Philadelphia thanks to the electric performance of Ryan Howard. Howard had two home runs and a triple, knocking in all seven of the Phillies’ runs. Howard ended the game 3 for 4 and only Mariano Rivera was able to get him out.
Return to Normalcy
When a team's effort in an 11-point loss at home is a positive, something's wrong. The Knicks came back to Earth after Friday's win against Detroit when they lost 111-100 against Miami Sunday. Despite the loss, the Knicks did not humiliate themselves, something they have done all too often this season. Gothamist didn't expect the Knicks to sprinkle magic two games in a row at the Garden.
Goodbye Bon Jovi, Hello Jimmy Buffett: Miami Cuts Down Nets 4-0
Playoff basketball in the NYC area came and went just that fast. The Nets are done for the season after a 110-97 loss to Miami on Sunday afternoon. Dwayne Wade continued to torch the Nets with explosive play; amazingly, Wade averaged 26 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds per game for the series in just his second NBA season. Add those stats to those of 3-time champion Shaq, and the Nets were doomed.
Who Needs Shaq?
The Nets shot a dismal .359 from the field, a mark that the Heat even betted from 3-point range (.385). Miami was .480 from the field overall. Nenad Krstic, one of the lone bright spots for the Nets, had 27 points in the loss. Jason Kidd was a non-factor with only 10 points and 5 assists. Vince Carter scored 21 but was was 6-16, which actually lifted the Nets shooting average.
Heat Wade through the Swamp to Victory
After a strong win in Philadelphia on Wednesday night, the Nets returned home for a tough game versus the East-leading Miami Heat. The results weren't pretty, particularly in the second half. Miami dominated NJ with a 106-90 victory near Shaq's hometown of Newark. Dwayne Wade led the Heat in scoring with 27, and Shaq also had 20 points. Vince Carter threw in 27 for the Nets, but cooled off toward the end of the game.
Vinsanity to Nets
In a question that Gothamist seems to be asking too often these days, did the Nets (in this case) give up too much to get Carter or is it just what they need to become competitive. A lineup with Carter, Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson sounds very nice, but big names don't necessarily deliver championships (we're looking at you Lakers).
Telfair Returns to Area...and Plays!
Despite the lack of playing time, Telfair still has high hopes for the future, saying, "I don't accept nothing. I'm not getting comfortable with being on the bench."
Shocker! Kidd Wants Out
The Sports Guy has said it many, many times, but we’re gonna repeat it here. It’s hard being an NBA fan these days. I’m not even talking about stye of play, tattoos and cornrows, the flood of high school kids in the league, etc. I’m talking about NBA starts demanding top dollar contracts and then asking to be traded when their team suffers because of it. Case in point, Jason Kidd of the New Jersey Nets.
Gothamist 2004 NBA Mock Draft, Version 1
With the Pistons Championship firmly in the books, the offseason is now underway. The other 28 teams that stopped playing a long time ago have been feverishly preparing for next week’s draft for some time now.
NBA Expansion Draft May Effect Nets, Knicks
Last Friday was the deadline for teams in the NBA (except for the Pistons and Lakers) to turn in their list of unprotected players that will be made available for the expansion Charlotte Bobcats during the expansion draft. Charlotte will form the core of their new team during the draft, to be held on June 22, assuming the NBA Finals do not reach a seventh game. In that case the draft will be held on June 23.


