Game Day: Nets (27-16) @ Suns (21-24), Thurs 1/19/23

[Superbone]

Cam MF Johnson! I remember that guy!

So refreshing to have him back. And you couldn’t ask for a better first stint. He was a big difference maker in this game.

[Superbone]

They're did just about everything they could to lose this one in the 4th

Give Irving a little credit.

[Superbone]

The dysfunction is palpable.

Ayton also had good things to say about Monty in the post game interview. He’s not as down on Williams as Jeremy is.

[Uncle_Gene]

Seeing Cam Johnson out there hitting shots immediately brought joy to my heart. It made me believe in this season again.

[Uncle_Gene]

The TNT crew said Booker is doing non-contact drills in practice.

[ShelC]

Postgame quotes and videos

Spoiler: show/hide

[Goob]

Welp I am eating crow this morning haha; great job by the guys to get the victory in a game I didn't think we could compete in. Big confidence booster, and my fellow Tar Heel Cam having a good comeback game was awesome to see also. Maybe this will be a springboard to get our groove back.

I hope it is!

[Mori Chu]

Nice win. You could feel the good energy in the building with Cam and Ishbia. I can't wait to get Book and CP3 back. Nice games for Bridges, Ayton, Lee. Ayton had 24 and 14 (DominAyton!); Bridges put in 28 big points. Cam had 19; you could tell he was excited to be back. 9-9 FTs for Cam! And really happy for Saben Lee; 15 points and 6 assists. He's a keeper.

[Mori Chu]

There are some funny replies in this thread:

[Split T]

Mikal is quietly putting up 20/6/4 with 2 stl+blk over his last 6 games on 53/45/83 shooting for a .620 TS

[TOO]

Mikal is quietly putting up 20/6/4 with 2 stl+blk over his last 6 games on 53/45/83 shooting for a .620 TS

Pfft Ayton putting up 24/14/4 over his last 1 games. #MontyOut

[MightyMoog]

I think this period has been great for Mikal, and we're not going to really see the benefits until after the other guys get back.

Wish I could say the same about Ayton too.

And a side note on the media, do they ever realize how biased by recency they are? I think Lowe is maybe the only one that's somewhat cognizant of it.

[bajanguy008]

Finally got to finish the game
Maaaaan.....
What an ovation for Cam when he checked in, then to have such an efficient 1st quarter was great to see

Saban Lee first half was really good, his pace, shot selection and penetration was legit
He started to overthink, well hesitate in the 4th but kid was solid
I like DWJ but if the role Monty looking for is a "point guard" in the 2nd unit, more often than not Lee gonna look better cause DWJ is a scoring guard and we all know that

D. Lee still shooting lights out
Mikal was very good, the losses are rough and glad to win this one but as EJ keeps harping on. I think "3rd option" Mikal can really be a problem for defenses after learning how to play against all these different looks he been getting.
Hopefully we have enough games at full strength to see such materialize

"2nd option" going forward would still need to be DA
He was cooking early for sure and some of that was Nets content to switch so good on him for capitalizing. Their change to zone so Claxton stayed on the backline affected us as a whole. DA could have been better but man oh man, entry passes are still just not well done by basically the whole team

[Drewsprocket]

Finally got to finish the game
Maaaaan.....
What an ovation for Cam when he checked in, then to have such an efficient 1st quarter was great to see

Saban Lee first half was really good, his pace, shot selection and penetration was legit
He started to overthink, well hesitate in the 4th but kid was solid
I like DWJ but if the role Monty looking for is a "point guard" in the 2nd unit, more often than not Lee gonna look better cause DWJ is a scoring guard and we all know that

D. Lee still shooting lights out
Mikal was very good, the losses are rough and glad to win this one but as EJ keeps harping on. I think "3rd option" Mikal can really be a problem for defenses after learning how to play against all these different looks he been getting.
Hopefully we have enough games at full strength to see such materialize

"2nd option" going forward would still need to be DA
He was cooking early for sure and some of that was Nets content to switch so good on him for capitalizing. Their change to zone so Claxton stayed on the backline affected us as a whole. DA could have been better but man oh man, entry passes are still just not well done by basically the whole team

Nice summary.
Entry passing is a lost art these days in the league. I hope they can integrate more of Ayton getting in position and sealing his man off when everyone is healthy. It’s such an easy counter for defenses if our guys aren’t nailing their outside shots.

[Superbone]

Funny stuff.

Q: What was your initial minute restriction for Cam?
A: I'm not saying.

Q: Did you go over it?
A: Next question.

Q: You put him there late?
A: Yeah, we were, next question.

Monty Williams on Cam Johnson.

[Superbone]

I thought we were doomed when Barkley guaranteed a win in the pregame show. Speaking of the TNT crew, they went on and on about locker room issues after the game. I think they have no idea of what they're talking about and that the real issue is simply missing a lot of our best players.

[SunsRIt]

If you want the ball, you go get the ball.

If you’re establishing position in the post you don't go get the ball. They get the ball to you. Kinda defeats the purpose.

[Drewsprocket]

I thought we were doomed when Barkley guaranteed a win in the pregame show. Speaking of the TNT crew, they went on and on about locker room issues after the game. I think they have no idea of what they're talking about and that the real issue is simply missing a lot of our best players.

I was rolling tho at halftime when Chuck asked Shaq where he got the money in college for his Ferrari truck.

[Superbone]

I thought we were doomed when Barkley guaranteed a win in the pregame show. Speaking of the TNT crew, they went on and on about locker room issues after the game. I think they have no idea of what they're talking about and that the real issue is simply missing a lot of our best players.

I was rolling tho at halftime when Chuck asked Shaq where he got the money in college for his Ferrari truck.

Oh, yeah. Obviously both of those guys were getting illegal money under the table. No question. They don't even try to hide it.

[Superbone]

Anybody else notice that Cam seemed to put on some muscle during his rehab? Looked a little beefy in a good way and will probably help him at the PF position.