Post by Rocky on Aug 10, 2008 0:00:08 GMT -5
Nets Hot Streak Coincides With Pierce’s Return
*GIVE THESE POINTS TO BLUE HALLA*
The New Jersey Nets – once a solid but unremarkable team at 20-14 – now sit at a robust 50-17 following a torrid stretch that included 30 wins in 33 games. As Sara Tehrani once said, very impressive. Not surprisingly, this hot streak coincides with star wing Paul Pierce’s return from the injured list following a fractured arm.
Pierce, perhaps the best offensive player in BBS, has become the focal point of the Nets fast paced, high powered offense, highlighted by a 50 point game against the lowly Raptors in Toronto. He currently sits at an even 28 points per game on nearly 50% shooting. His return has launched the team from merely good to a legitimate title contender.
“Even while I was hurt I always had confidence in my ability to come back and be a factor for this team,” Pierce said. “My arm injury caused me to cease any upper body lifting for an extended period of time, but I worked hard in the weight room to keep my lower body strong enough to compete at the NBA level. Once the cast was taken off and my arm began to regain its previous strength, I knew I could come back and play. I knew I could help the team.
“What has made this easier on me is that I don’t have to be ‘the guy’. I’ll always think of myself as the top option on my team but with the talent we have here in New Jersey, I really don’t have to be. I’m running with Baron Davis, Elton Brand, Michael Redd, and young’n Greg Oden. All of these guys could easily be the best player on a playoff team, and yet we’ve all been brought together here on the same squad. It’s a great way finish up the last year of my contract. I just want to win.”
Indeed, the Nets do have the aforementioned talent that allowed the team to remain afloat while Pierce was injured. Davis is averaging 17 points and nearly 11 assists per game, Redd is an 18 point scorer, Brand averages 23 and 12, and Oden has blossomed into a force on both the defensive end (2.4 blocks per game) and offensive end (15 and 10). And yet, this team just wouldn’t be the same without Pierce. As Paul is known to say, “yeeeee”.
I won 30 dollars in Poke-a-doke tonight, halla.
*GIVE THESE POINTS TO BLUE HALLA*
The New Jersey Nets – once a solid but unremarkable team at 20-14 – now sit at a robust 50-17 following a torrid stretch that included 30 wins in 33 games. As Sara Tehrani once said, very impressive. Not surprisingly, this hot streak coincides with star wing Paul Pierce’s return from the injured list following a fractured arm.
Pierce, perhaps the best offensive player in BBS, has become the focal point of the Nets fast paced, high powered offense, highlighted by a 50 point game against the lowly Raptors in Toronto. He currently sits at an even 28 points per game on nearly 50% shooting. His return has launched the team from merely good to a legitimate title contender.
“Even while I was hurt I always had confidence in my ability to come back and be a factor for this team,” Pierce said. “My arm injury caused me to cease any upper body lifting for an extended period of time, but I worked hard in the weight room to keep my lower body strong enough to compete at the NBA level. Once the cast was taken off and my arm began to regain its previous strength, I knew I could come back and play. I knew I could help the team.
“What has made this easier on me is that I don’t have to be ‘the guy’. I’ll always think of myself as the top option on my team but with the talent we have here in New Jersey, I really don’t have to be. I’m running with Baron Davis, Elton Brand, Michael Redd, and young’n Greg Oden. All of these guys could easily be the best player on a playoff team, and yet we’ve all been brought together here on the same squad. It’s a great way finish up the last year of my contract. I just want to win.”
Indeed, the Nets do have the aforementioned talent that allowed the team to remain afloat while Pierce was injured. Davis is averaging 17 points and nearly 11 assists per game, Redd is an 18 point scorer, Brand averages 23 and 12, and Oden has blossomed into a force on both the defensive end (2.4 blocks per game) and offensive end (15 and 10). And yet, this team just wouldn’t be the same without Pierce. As Paul is known to say, “yeeeee”.
I won 30 dollars in Poke-a-doke tonight, halla.
