NET NOTES
AUBURN HILLS – Richard Jefferson made his first shot of the game last night.
He missed his next 11, finishing 1-for-12 as the Nets fell, 78-56, to the Pistons.
“But I got to the line 10 times. I felt I was attacking the hoop. I wasn’t becoming passive,” said Jefferson, sounding like a man about to go over a cliff but admiring the view. “It wasn’t their defense doing this and that. If I could have hit a couple shots I would have been even more aggressive.”
The key word being “if.” But the Pistons’ defense played a big part in that although the Nets, on a night when they managed all of 56 points, probably wouldn’t have scored well against a gang of cardboard cutouts. “Obviously you’re frustrated because shots aren’t falling, but any time you get to the free throw line 10 times, you’re being aggressive.”
This was role reversal for Jefferson, Last year, he dominated Tayshaun Prince. Last night, however, Detroit’s second-year player got the better – by far – of Jefferson in a 15-point, 10-rebound effort.
“He took some tough shots,” Jefferson said of Prince. “Most of the shots he took were contested. He got some shots off rotation. He’s a good player, a year better.”
* The Nets and Pistons combined for 62 first-half points, the lowest total ever in an NBA playoff game first half. The Nets shot .271 from the field, their lowest-ever playoff FG percentage. The Nets’ 19 field goals were another franchise playoff low.
* One year ago yesterday was one of the happiest days of Kenyon Martin‘s life. But it also began one of the toughest periods of his life.
Martin’s daughter, Cierra Reign, was born prematurely on May 3, 2003, weighing just 4 pounds, 6 ounces. Doctors would not permit the infant to leave the hospital until the weight hit 5 pounds.
“That was a hard time because your mind is in the hospital with her but your mind is also on business and sometimes business has to suffer,” said Martin.
* Detroit coach Larry Brown said last night was not just a win for the Pistons but for the Eastern Conference. The Pistons victory ended Nets’ record playoff run of East playoff wins at 14.
“The whole Eastern Conference needed it,” Brown said. “It’s unbelievable what they’ve done. I laugh about the people who all talk about the great teams and they never mention the Nets.”
