The Cavs jumped the Nets 35-15 in the first quarter and they never looked back. The Nets only shot 39.3% from the floor and they didn’t play any defense as the Cavs shot 51.8% from the floor and that was a recipe for disaster last night. Brook Lopez led the way for the Nets last night with 21 points, 14 rebounds and 2 assists last night. Terrence Williams was outstanding off the bench for the Nets last night with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Yi Jianlian pitched in with 14 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots last night. The Nets are now 6-54 on the year.

Ever since the New Jersey Nets began the season with 18 straight losses, people have been talking about them setting the record for the worst record in NBA history.  The Philadelphia 76ers franchise still holds that embarrassing NBA record when their 1972-’73 team went 9-73.  Currently the Nets sit at 6-53, so they have to win four games out of the 23 games remaining this season if they want to pass up that horrible Sixers squad.  Although the Nets have been horrible all season, I think they will escape the season with at least three more wins, and possibly four.  So, at the very worst I think they will end up tied with that Sixers’ team,, but I do not see the Nets finishing the season with just eight wins.

The Nets six wins includes three wins on the road and three at home.  They have beaten the Charlotte Bobcats (twice), Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Boston Celtics.  The wins against the Knicks and Clippers aren’t the most impressive, since both teams are well below .500.  Both of the Bobcats wins were good, as the Bobcats are a team battling for a playoff spot.  Their wins against the Bulls and Celtics are very impressive, since both are very solid teams who currently sit at the 4th (BOS) and 6th spot (CHI) in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.  Also, out of their 53 losses, 26 of them have been by 10 points or less.  Also, Brook Lopez has continued to improve throughout the season and is becoming a force down low, while Devin Harris is still an elite player (despite his poor shooting this season).  So, when you look at those numbers and then consider they still have a lot of games left against sub .500 teams, it makes me think the Nets will win at least three more games, and possibly more.  The Nets still have these sub .500 teams left on their schedule:  Knicks, 76ers, Heat (twice), Kings, Pistons, Wizards, Pacers, and the Bobcats.

With the Nets having a terrible season you would think that they would give SG/SF Terrence Williams more of a chance to show what he can do. But, the first round pick is only shooting 36.5% from the floor and that has kept him on the bench. Williams also has some “attitude” problems according to reports. He has played in 56 games (1 start) for the Nets this season and he is averaging 19.5 minutes, 6.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Williams better get his act together on and off the court if he wants to ever be a starter in the future for the Nets.

Small forward Jarvis Hayes has really been playing well for the Nets lately. In his last five games, Hayes has averaged 33.4 minutes, 11.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game on 53.3% shooting from the floor. Hayes has now played in 20 games (6 starts) for the Nets this season and he is averaging 22.8 minutes, 7.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. The Nets recently put Hayes into the starting lineup to showcase him for a trade. A team like the Grizzlies would likely be interested in a player like him.

The Nets might be 4-46 but it’s not Brook Lopez’ fault. He has played in 50 games (all starts) for the Nets this season and he is averaging 36.7 minutes, 19.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 blocked shots per game. Lopez is shooting 50.4% from the floor which is impressive seeing how he is the only player opposing teams are concerned with on the Nets. Wait until the Nets get this guy some help then you’ll see what he can really do.