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It has been said that the Nets are not as bad as their record, that the collection of talent in New Jersey blue is much better than the 5-52 record the team brought into its Saturday afternoon soirée in Boston. I'm not sure I buy that. Brook Lopez and Devin Harris are handsome and talented gents, but the depth is more shallow than a kiddie pool in North Korea. The team struggles to defend, struggles even more to score ... just struggles to be any sort of foil for its opponents.The Celtics, however, saw a different enemy Saturday. A focused, performing Nets team. A Lopez who just incinerated stout defender Kendrick Perkins, a Courtney Lee who scorched from the perimeter, a Harris who controlled the game. Boston dug a pit it couldn't escape, trailing by 10 entering the fourth and eventually succumbing 104-96. It was New Jersey's sixth win in 58 games this season.
The Celtics looked, and look, completely spent. Kevin Garnett, bless him, looked like a man who needed a wheelchair. If I saw the Kevin Garnett from Saturday's game crossing a street, I would stop to help him across. I'd carry his shopping bags. He scored well, but was burnt by (ready for it?) Kris Humphries in a critical possession. He was quite literally limping up and down the floor. I have no idea why he's playing on a knee so obviously causing him so much pain. It's the end of February, not May. There's no way Boston falls below fourth place in the East. Let the man try to heal.
Hopeful Celtics fans may point to the absence of Paul Pierce (nursing a malady of his own) as the reason for Saturday's embarrassing defeat. But Marquis Daniels took Pierce's place, and shot 8-9 from the floor. The small forward position was not a problem. It was the interior defense of Perk and KG. A lost stroke for Ray Allen (3-11). Continued mediocrity from Rasheed Wallace (4-13). The mere presence of Brian Scalabrine (17 minutes!). (Where's Leon Powe when you need him? Oh, that's right, helping another East contender after Boston kicked him aside when he broke himself playing with his heart up a flag for the Celtics last spring.)
I don't have any nails, and I'm bad with a hammer. But I heard Bro-pez is pretty darn good carpenter, and I think he did my work for me. That coffin is nailed shut.
As for the Nets, avoiding the ignominy of an eight- or nine-loss season is the primary goal, and every win is a giant step toward the righteous summit. The future isn't in anything done this season; this is about pride of self. We saw a few Nets who have a lot of pride left.
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