LaMarcus & ‘D’ on center stage
Aldridge impresses in the middle, Nets rout Hornets
The Nets made a change at starting center, but it wasn’t Nic Claxton who got the nod.
Instead, Steve Nash opted to give LaMarcus Aldridge an extended look at the center spot. Aldridge did not disappoint: 11 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block in a 111-89 win over the Hornets on Thursday.
“This is a guy that has a great pedigree. Very intelligent, experienced and skilled
6-11 basketball player,” Nash said. “We thought we had to get him going so why not throw him in the starting lineup and see if he can get his rhythm and I was impressed with his effectiveness after such a long layoff... Was really proud of him tonight.”
It was the second time the
Nets held an opponent below 90 points this season, the first coming in their 98-85 win over the Miami Heat on Jan. 25.
Aldridge’s minutes were a revelation. The Nets now have a versatile scorer at the five on a team with versatile scorers at every other position.
That was the issue with giving DeAndre Jordan extended minutes. He is likely the team’s most effective communicator on defense, but no longer has the explosiveness, quickness or athleticism to contend in the Nets defensive scheme that switches everything on pick-and-rolls. He also is limited on the offensive side. Jordan is an effective passer and one of the league’s premier lob finishers, but his scoring range is limited to finishes at the rim.
“It’s just trying to find my spots to help these guys be better,” Aldridge said. “Try to open up the floor for Kyrie, James, KD. And you know, when teams switch, just go down low,” said Aldridge. “So, I thought tonight was perfect. We had a good balance of inside/ outside. Teams doubled me tonight, so I was just trying to find the open guy.”
Aldridge showcased the full range of his game. He hit a corner three and scored in both the low and high post, including a shimmy post-up turnaround shot over a smaller defender. The Hornets defense respected him like the seven-time All-Star he is, and when the help came, Aldridge moved the ball to the open shooter, of which the Nets surrounded him with many.
Jordan did not play on Thursday, but was not listed on the injury report. Blake Griffin also sat out due to rest, with Claxton or Jeff Green playing the remaining minutes at the five. Claxton finished with three points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Green led the team in scoring with 21 points, including five made threes, and eight rebounds
NETS HORNETS 111 89
on the night.
Nash said he spoke to Jordan before the game and told him his minutes would take a hit as they worked to incorporate Aldridge into the rotation. He also didn’t want to dump his former starting center into the game in garbage time.
“I didn’t want to throw him in, as a veteran, at the end of the game,” Nash said. “And his spirit was great. I told him, DJ, if you play or not play, he’s got to stay ready and have a great attitude, and he’s bought in and tonight he had a terrific attitude and support for his teammates as we’re all trying to play for something bigger than ourselves and commit to one another. So I was really proud of him for accepting that.”
James Harden sat out with hamstring tightness, a condition Nash doesn’t think will sideline him long term. With Harden out, Irving ran the point and nearly posted a triple double — 15 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
Landry Shamet also returned after missing four games due to an ankle injury. Shamet came off the bench and shot 5-of-7 from deep for 17 points. Tyler Johnson also caught fire and made five of his seven threes on the night.
The Nets have won 20 of their last 23 games and remain the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. They have two days off before traveling to Chicago to play the Bulls on Sunday.
They have two days off before traveling to Chicago to play the Bulls on Sunday.