Does that sound funny?
I think it does - Deron Williams is the face the of the franchise now after the New Jersey Nets (17-42) and the Utah Jazz finalized a deal before the deadline that sent point guard Devin Harris, big prospect Derrick Favors, $3 Million cash and 2 first-round draft picks west to Utah in his exchange. It was a shocker among many that hit the twitters, facebooks, news feeds and ultimately the trade-block.
Reports out of Utah suggest that it was a growing frustration from the Jazz front office with Deron regarding his future contract that prompted the blockbuster move of a seeming franchise foundational player,
"He never said what [Phoenix’s] Steve Nash said," O’Connor said. "He never said, ‘Hey, I signed a contract, I really like it here. I want to finish it out. I’m committed to staying in Utah. Let’s get some players.’ It was always, ‘I’ll wait and see.’"
In an era of the NBA where players are ultimately getting what they want in terms of team choice and contract negotiation, Utah took advantage of New Jersey's failure to land Carmelo Anthony and pulled the trigger.
Once Anthony was finally moved, the Jazz cashed in. Utah spent the night leading up to Williams’ trade contemplating the decision, weighing whether a team that started the season 27-13 was for real, or really just one that would face another disappointing first-round playoff exit. But once the Jazz realized what was on the table — a future-laden deal that contained as little risk as possible, and one that would immediately send Williams and his mounting problems packing —Utah did not hesitate.
Since his arrival last week - the Nets have still yet to win a game and currently are currently tied for a league worst 5-game losing streak. The Suns come into New Jersey on the second night of back-to-back games off of an emotional Sunday game-winning-buzzer-beating jump shot from Channing Frye against the Indiana Pacers in overtime. Phoenix looks to extend its current winning streak of 3 to 4, and further push their way from the stagnation of .500 basketball and hopefully into the playoffs.
Tonight will be Deron Williams' New Jersey Nets home debut.
Let's break it down a lil' bit after the jump -
Here's the buzzer-beater from Indy - Channing Frye is A MAN
Quick V.Kozar Notes-
Read Vince's game notes - here
- The Suns are now a season-best THREE games above .500 for the FIRST time in 2010-11.
- The Suns are 3-0 since the All-Star break
- The Suns have won 15 of their last 21, 10 of their last 13 games!
- The Suns have swept the season series 3 times in the last 4 seasons against the Nets and can do it again this season with a win tonight. They have won eight of the last nine meetings in the series, 12 of the last 14, and 17 of the last 23 overall.
- The last time these two teams met was on 1/12/11 in Phoenix where the Suns overcame a 15-point 4th quarter deficit to force overtime and eventually win 118 to 109.
MATCHUPS
Steve Nash - Deron Williams
Vince Carter - Sasha Vujacic
Grant Hill - Damion James
Channing Frye - Kris Humphries
Robin Lopez - Brook Lopez
Paul Coro's Assessment of Aaron Brooks Suns Debut
Aaron Brooks is not shy about shooting. He took 105 shots in 204 minutes this month with Houston.
But in his Suns debut, he treaded lightly. After arriving in Indianapolis at 3 p.m. Saturday, Brooks had no more than some chats, a DVD playbook and a Sunday morning team meeting to get ready for a noon tipoff against the Indiana Pacers.
Brooks showed speed, lost two assists to open misses and did not see open rollers on other plays.
"It felt good," Brooks said. "The offense is great. I like the open style of getting up and down. It was fun to watch, too.
"I just took what was given, trying to get my feet wet a little bit. This is a process, and I'm learning."
Gentry said Brooks will learn quickly to not be reluctant to shoot under him.
"It's going to take him a little bit of time to be acclimated," Gentry said. "He's going to be more than fine. You could see the quickness on the layup. He's just got to get a feel for the guys, what exactly we're trying to do, when they're going to roll and when he can shoot."
Euty's One-Line Notables
- No more Slovenian showdown. :)
- JMZ made an appearance after Sunday's game -
- Aaron Brooks says Aaron Nelson's Suns pregame stretches are 'awkward'.
- We still hate Sasha Vujacic.
- Brook v. Robin always is entertaining and brings out the
beastbest in each. - Nash (and Hill) own and pwn Deron Williams this year.
- Dudley strained his back dunking the ball yesterday. lol.
- Gortat got 12 hours of sleep last night.
- Hakim Warrick longs for the return of real R&B singing groups.
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Vince Carter had 20 points the last time we saw the Nets...nevermind. The Nets love Vince, just like Toronto loved Vince right? Here's to hoping he shows the same love he dished in Toronto to his Jersey boys.
- Jordan Farmar busted up his ankle and is out, and the Nets called up D-League homie Sundiata Gaines - we know him.
- Yup. Still hate Sasha Vujacic.
LETS GET THIS WIN!
Suns vs Nets coverage