The Mavs will travel to play the Nets today, which is the first of two more East-coast games. The Mavs have won 13 of their last 14 against New Jersey and won both of their games last year against the Nets in blowouts.
Big Three still around
Jason Kidd's name is still getting batted about among NBA rumor mongers, but he remains in New Jersey for now. Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter are still there also, which makes it about 3 1/2 seasons that this current "Big Three" has been there. The Nets have done no better than losing in the Eastern Conference Semifinals with those three as team leaders, and that is likely why team management is finally ready to give up on those three bringing the Nets a championship.
Jefferson soaring
He may be the least mentioned of the Nets' Big Three, but Richard Jefferson is having a fine season after a disappointing, injury-riddled 2006-07 campaign. He's averaging 23.5 points per game, which leads the team and he can carry the team from the free-throw line. He's averaging 9.3 free-throw attempts on the year and is shooting 80 percent from the line.
Young bigs
The Nets have relied on several young players to hold down their front court this season. Rookie Sean Williams has shown himself to be a capable shot blocker and rebounder, and Josh Boone is one of the most active players on the team on the block and on the boards. Nenad Krstic also recently returned to the court after missing most of the middle part of the season, which gives the Nets more depth to roll out down low. You'll probably see several different combinations of these guys, and the recently acquired Stromile Swift.
Burning question
They're currently the 8 seed in the East, but impressing nobody. So, are they trying to make the playoffs and compete this year, or moving toward building for next year?
-Scooter Hendon, Hoops Nerd
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