October 26, 2009

Lopez & CD-R: Budding Basketball Buddies

It happened a few times a game this preseason, sometimes more often than others, but always apparent. Brook Lopez would take an entry pass on the block, examining his options with his back to the basket, time ticking off the 24 as he checked down upon reading the action around him.

Teammates would swirl, and bursting tight around Lopez's front side would be Chris Douglas-Roberts, his man picked off by a 7-foot wall of teammate as he took the handoff and drove baseline for a layup that inevitably squirted through any attempt at defense. The oft-repeated exchange showed off Douglas-Roberts' newfound off-ball arsenal, which has helped him lead the team in scoring during the preseason (18.0 PPG), and also Lopez's unheralded passing ability, which the team plans on better utilizing this season.

"That’s mostly Chris understanding how to play off the ball, making hard cuts," said Nets point guard Devin Harris. "Last year, he came in as a guy who liked to dribble a lot. But now he understands, 'Hey – if I want to play and get on the floor, I have to change my game up a little bit.' So he worked a lot on passing, making hard cuts and just understanding the game of basketball. For Brook, it’s being unselfish and getting those guys the ball where they can get good shots."

That fluid on-court chemistry has been developing since high school, when the duo kept ending up at the same basketball camps during the summer. By now, they know each other's tendencies and capabilities, and have an even better feel after starting alongside each other in all six preseason games.

Coach Lawrence Frank said that it's natural for players to want to pass to Brook, because they know that if they work to get open, he'll get them the ball in position to score. Lopez's passing will be more important this season, as Vince Carter's departure means that double teams will be swarming at the Nets' scoring big from the beginning of the season. Last season's average of 1.0 assists per game would represent a weak showing this year, and Lopez has made an effort to set up teammates during the preseason.

"Yeah, I’m confident (in my passing)," Lopez said. "A lot of guys like CD-R have just been finishing. They make my job really easy: they make the right cut, the right read off their man and it’s just a simple pass and layup."

Layups are CD-R's speciality: his finishing ability in traffic can make even the most cynical NBA lifer laugh in disbelief. But his budding trust in the abilities of a play to develop away from him is what has boosted him from potential bench scorer to starting small forward.

"I wouldn’t say it’s the biggest, but that’s definitely a big difference," Douglas-Roberts said. "Movement off the ball is really hard to guard. I’d rather check a guy who has the ball in his hands all game than a guy who’s constantly moving off the ball. I’m just trying to be a better player."

Small Ball, Big Inspiration
Coach Frank explained that the team might deploy the four-smalls-and-a-Brook lineup whenever they think it might prove advantageous.

"When we do it, we’re putting some of our most competitive guys out there – regardless of position – and trying to create a frenzy," he explained. "You're trying to play a little bit unorthodox to see if you can change the game. Within the game, force the other team to play a lil bit different."

Meanwhile CD-R slipped up and mentioned that the small-ball inspiration was the 8th-seeded Golden State squad that upset 67-win No. 1 seed Dallas in the first round of the 2007 playoffs. Odd choice, considering the Mavs' starting point guard.

Wait, you don't tell Devin that, do you?

Douglas-Roberts laughed, realizing the spot he'd been caught in, and smiled.

"Nah," he said, shaking his head.

Injury Update (Isn't There Always?)
Couple of guys nicked up today: Josh Boone tweaked his left ankle, Skip, his left knee and Yi knocked knees. All three are day-to-day, as is Tony Battie, who's heading in for an MRI tomorrow to check out his arthritic knees.

And speaking of Yi, he joins Devin in the club of players baffled by his relatively robust production with other point guards.

"(Devin's) our All-Star point guard," Yi said. "We're just out there trying to win games."

Really? There's nothing to read into?

He laughed, adding, "It's just a couple of preseason games."