When your in the midst of a four-game losing streak, the last team you want to face is a team as dangerous as the San Antonio Spurs.

However, it’s impossible to know when a team is going to struggle when the schedules are made, so the Nets will either have to rise above the adversity beleaguering them, by playing hard and consistent basketball for 48 minutes or, much like they have over the past four games, give up leads and forget how to play defense and score in the third and fourth quarter.

The choice will ultimately be up to them.

Williams back from D-League- After an eight-game stint with the team’s affiliate in the developmental league, second year center Sean Williams is back with the team. How much they’ll use him is totally up in the air. With Brook Lopez needing minutes and Josh Boone being a dependable understudy, Williams would best be used in a trade to bolster the bench, which has let them down on occasion this season, causing Vince Carter and Devin Harris to be collectively benched on Saturday.

That of course is a story for perhaps another time, but at the very least, the Nets should consider benching people that aren’t producing half of the team’s offense every night and doing everything they can to keep this team afloat.

Simmons Trade Rumors- Averaging just eight points a game in 26 minutes of action a night, Bobby Simmons has not been the replacement for Richard Jefferson the team has needed. With the rumors of a possible trade with the Bulls for Larry Hughes in the works, the Nets have an opportunity to bolster their team and add some some spunk in the process. I know some aren’t exactly big fans of Hughes, but the fact of the matter is a simple one. He’s a better player than Simmons and has energy. With Harris running around like a lunatic every game and Hughes feeding off of that, Carter will have more space as well. Once Yi Jianlian comes back healthy, the Nets will be one step closer to assuring themselves of a playoff spot.

While Vandeweghe won’t directly assess the rumors, he did make an interesting comment the other day that alone may show that the Nets are serious about getting into the playoffs and making their team better.

“You’re always trying to canvass the league and find out what everyone’s doing and you’re trying to improve your team, with goals in mind,” general manager Kiki Vandeweghe told the Associated Press. “What we’ve talked about is we’re not going to look to band-aid solutions and whatever we do will be sticking towards the plan.”

When someone who is averaging four points a game comes off the bench and scores 23 points in just over 25 minutes, it puts the other team in a shell-shocked position.

Last night, it was the Nets who were feeling the pain every time rookie Jerryd Bayless sunk a shot.

Leading for most of the game, the rookie carried the Blazers to a come from behind win against the middling Nets.

“It was crazy,” Brandon Roy, who led Portland with 29 points, told the Associated Press when the youngster laid down the law with a nasty two-handed dunk in the fourth quarter. “That’s what we have been expecting from him. He does it in practice and he finally got one down in the game. He put it on his head. He was so excited I don’t think he knew he got fouled.”

Questions on Consistency- After rattling off a few wins in a row at home, the Nets loss last night against the Blazers only cemented the fact that as good as this team has shown they can be at times, they still have some work ahead of them.

Things are only going to get rougher as the season goes on, but it looks like Laurence Frank knows that better than anyone.

“Our goals are always the same, regardless of who you play. It’s to get better. Regardless of the competition, we can only focus on what we can control,” Frank told the AP. “We can’t control the other roster. But just our intent. Offensively, sharing the ball. Defensively, helping each other. Coming and playing with good energy and spirit.”

Offensively, I think the Nets are solid, even though Yi’s injury at a time when he was playing well could hurt them if the platoon of players sharing time in his spot don’t produce. As we’ve seen before this season, the Nets seem to thrive when the bench gets going, so with guys like Ryan Anderson, Jarvis Hayes and Eduardo Najera all getting more playing time because of Yi’s injury, the Nets may come out in better shape than before.

Defensively, I think this team needs to do a lot more than help each other. They have to get much more aggressive and cut out the things that have been hurting them, a-la allowing teams to shoot. A lot of the times, the Nets play solid around the post area and limit the high percentage shot, but will let teams shoot from beyond the arc and on top of the key all game long. When a team has a good night shooting the ball, the Nets put themselves in a tough situation and much like last night, they lose because of it.

It happened last night with Bayless and will continue to happen all season if they don’t start to adjust.

Over the past two games, Yi Jianlian has looked nothing like the lethargic and uninspiring forward he was in 2008. Shooting over .500 from the field and shooting with extra confidence, Yi has been exactly what the doctor ordered for this team, especially considering that Devin Harris has been battling injuries lately.

His first 20-point game in a month and a half on Monday against the Kings, Yi’s defense was also markedly better. Is he worth what the Nets gave up for him yet? Absolutely not, but if he can find some type of consistency, basically get himself to about 15 points and eight boards, this Nets team can and will be a lot better than .500.

It may not start with Yi, but it has a lot to do with him. His teammates know it too.

“Yi was tremendous for us tonight, not only putting the ball in the basket, but giving us extra possessions with his aggressiveness, and blocking a couple of shots,” Carter told the AP on Wednesday. “It was great to see.”

Net Fans Angry?-The way the team has played at home this season, going 8-12 through their first 20 games there, you’d expect some type of reaction eventually.

Well it’s come and it’s in the form of boos.

Apparently, Keyon Dooling isn’t a fan of boos.

“You’re not used to hearing it at home,” Dooling said. “We don’t like the boos at home. It doesn’t make us play better. If they come and cheer us, that will be more helpful. We want to get it right. We don’t want to lose especially on our home court. We want to give them a good show. But unfortunately in this league sometimes you have slow starts or rough starts and cheering would help us get through it.”

Well, Mr. Dooling, when you give up 10 point leads faster than Amy Winehouse’s daily sobriety, the fans that pay their hard-earned money to watch you are of course, going to vent.

Rattling off two consecutive wins at home, maybe this team is starting to understand what it takes to win at the Izod Center. One things for sure, if they can play .500 at home and continue to play the way they have been on the road this season, this team may even make the playoffs.

It’s a weird situation, but as long as it continues, this team may end up in a much better predicament than anyone else thought they would.

With the Nets middling most of the season, I figured I’d give some thoughts on what needs to be done for the team to start to thrive.

1- Trade Sean Williams- The guy proved on several occasions last season that he has legitimate talent. However, with guys like Josh Boone and Brook Lopez around, Williams has become lost in the shuffle. With an obvious weakness at the small forward position, the Nets would benefit extremely from dealing Williams. At the very least, they could get a pick for the future that they’ll spend a bit smarter.

2- Move Bobby Simmons to the bench- There has to be someone on the Nets bench that can help out more at small forward. Personally, I like Jarvis Hayes a lot more there and given his more explosive offensive ability, I think this is a move the Nest have to make. Simmons isn’t a terrible player, but I think his skills are better suited for the bench, especially with the Nets looking for a third real option on offense.

3- Give Ryan Anderson more minutes- It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that Yi Jianlian needs a wakeup call. A disaster on defense and way too inconsistent on offense, a nice reduction in minutes should get the point across to him that he’s far from untouchable. As a result of this, a much better offensive player in my opinion, Ryan Anderson, should get a shot at that position. Averaging 6.5 points a game with under 20 minutes of playing time every night, I think Anderson could be much more productive than the floundering Yi.

4- Start winning at home- I don’t think anyone has any idea why this team is playing badly at home this season. If they are to make the playoffs and keep those fans happy, that obviously has to change. I wish I had an answer for this question as well, but I don’t

5- Give Brook Lopez an even bigger push- Nothing against the steady Josh Boone, but at times this season, Lopez has proven he has the ability to be a more than adequate center in this league. Simply put, he needs to be able to make mistakes and earn his bumps and bruises. Currently averaging 28 minutes a game, I’d like to see that up by 30 by the end of the season. If that is the case, I truly feel that he is a guy that can average 15 points and 10 boards a game.

Well, after the way the Nets played on the road last week, I was really expecting this team to start to understand what they had to do on the court in order to be in the win column on a consistent basis.

I don’t know why I felt that way, especially considering that it’s been the Nets back court of Vince Carter and Devin Harris that’s been playing their tails off, while the rest of the team [wait, let's be fair here. Keyon Dooling has been pretty damn good off the bench this season. The other night against Washington, he was rock solid as well. Too bad no one else off the pine was.] has reveled in mediocrity.

But rather than discuss the guys that haven’t been producing, cough, Bobby Simmons, cough, I figured I’d discuss how solid Carter and Harris have been and how they, more than anyone else, know that they are carrying the team on their backs right now.

“It’s up to Devin (Harris) and myself to really set the bar and set the tone for the next game now,” Carter told the Associated Press after the team’s loss against Washington. “That’s what I feel is needed, so I refuse to let us take a step back.”

That’s exactly what I want to hear from Carter if I’m a fan of this team.

Anyone that watches the games on TV probably heard the quick interview done with Harris before the game against Washington where he said something along the lines of “We’re not letting this success go to our heads. We [He and Carter] aren’t going to be able to score 30 points a night, every night and defenses are going to start preparing for us. We have to start getting more from everybody if we’re going to keep this thing going.”

That right there my friends is class.

The way this guy is playing, he could have easily been the Stephon Marbury type and ask for more from his teammates by talking about himself in the third person [remember those days?] or even by simply naming names. That’s the difference between Harris and the rest of the players in this league, though. That’s not his style.

However, I can tell you this much, if someone on this team doesn’t call somebody out soon, this team is going to be in the same situation they were in last season, scratching and clawing for a playoff spot they know isn’t coming.

Well 7-7 isn’t exactly first place, but it’s a lot better than most people thought the Nets would be at this point in the season.. And because this is the Eastern Conference we’re talking about, is it asking too much for this team to make the playoffs this season? The truth of the matter is the only reason why this team is still above water is because of the way guys like Devin Harris and Vince Carter have played this season. They give this team a chance to win every night

Speaking of Harris, the guy has shown the perseverance of a true professional and the heart of a warrior so far this season, playing with a bum ankle that should have limited him much more than it has. I mean seriously, can the Nets ask this guy for anymore than he’s giving? On top of that, the guy has a great attitude and has quickly made fans of this team forget the name of Jason Kidd.

It’s the kind of charisma and desire you wish the rest of the team could adopt.

“I’m Devin. I just try to be me,” Harris told Julian Garcia of the NY Daily News. “I don’t try to replace anybody. I figure it’s more of the mind-set we need as a team. We have to have that tough-mindedness.”

As far as the rest of the team is concerned though, I feel they have to start picking up their play in their own end. Too many times already has this team collapsed in this third and fourth quarter [the last game against the Lakers immediately comes to mind.] this season and something has to change soon.

It’s something the coaching staff feels has to be addressed as well.

“If we’re going to win games and we’re going to win games on the road, we have to get significantly better. It’s a process,” Frank told the Associated Press. “We may not be an elite defensive team—obviously, we’re going the opposite way—but we’re going to have to become a much better defensive team.”

With Eduardo Najera and Josh Boone out, things are only going to get tougher, but one player who absolutely has to step it up is Yi Jianlian,. Not even discussing his inconsistent play on offense, his defense has been even worse. After a good first week, he’s almost looked like a different player lately.

“With Yi, it’s not going to be an epiphany, it’s going to be a process,” Frank told Yahoo Sports.

Please don’t turn into another Jason Collins, Yi. It’s bad enough Bobby Simmons is under-performing, the last thing this team needs is another promising big man to turn into a waste of space.

In other news, my Islanders site, TheDriveForFive.com, has been nominated for Islanders blog of the year on YesIslanders.com. However, in order to win, I need votes from you, my readers! If you wish to support me in my quest to become an award-winning blogger, just click the following link and then register [They won't spam you, I promise]. It’s easy!

Thanks in advance!

After beating the Hawks two games in a row, Nets fans believed the team was ready to turn the corner. And they had plenty of reason to, as a healthy Devin Harris was playing like he was convinced he was a star in this league and Vince Carter was doing more than holding his own.

Reality then set in though after a disappointing 106-82 loss to the Cavaliers, where aside from Harris, the team had serious problems scoring and away from the ball had problems defending.

Like I’ve already said a bunch of times on the site, the Nets will only get as far as they can get collectively. They have to get production from everyone in order to stay successful. If not, Harris and Carter are going to score their 20 points a game and the team is going to lose by 15 points every night.

One of the guys that has to step up is Brook Lopez, especially with Josh Boone out for the foreseeable future. Averaging 6.4 boards and 7.6 points a game thus far, if Lopez can get himself to a double-double per game, the Nets will be in much better shape.

Still learning what his body is capable of at this level, Lopez knows this season is going to full of bumps and bruises both physically and emotionally.

“It’s more a mental issue,” Lopez told the New York Daily News. “I can’t question my talent. It will be there. I just can’t let myself get down like that. I have to bounce back and be ready for the next play. That’s what these guys keep telling me: ‘Next play. Next play.’ That’s what I’ve got to look forward to.”

Anderson Coming Around- A few weeks ago, I said I thought Nets first-year forward needed more playing time, especially with Bobby Simmons’ play leaving something to be desired. Well, in the team’s two wins this week, Anderson had a combined 33 points and was six for six from three-point land. Simply put, Anderson’s shooting ability alone should give him more time out there and if Simmons continues to falter and Yi Jianlian’s strained neck keeps him out of the lineup, you should definitely see a bit more of Anderson.

That to me is a very good thing. A good thing indeed.

“It’s too easy. Too easy. It’s a great way to play. I’m spotting up on the three-point line, and my shot’s felt real good lately,” Anderson told the Associated Press. “Vince is getting everybody open. And Devin is passing it. Those guys are demanding so much attention now with their scoring ability you can’t help but get open shots.”

With a 2-5 record through seven games, it’s fair to say I’m not talking about the Los Angeles Lakers. For all it’s worth though, in the two wins this team has this season, they’ve looked like a completely different team out there. They rebound better, they play much better defense, and they hustle. In their losses though, they get destroyed on the perimeter and have no jump to their game.

Take the recent loss to the Pacers as a perfect example of that. After battling back from 16 points down, this team just comes up lame and forgets about doing the little things on the court that got them back into the game in the first place. I know with Devin Harris out, the Nets are running a little thin in the energy department, but where are the rest of these guys? Vince Carter can only score 20 points a game and aside from Keyon Dooling, who has been solid in place of Harris, the rest of these guys look a bit out of place.

Nets coach Lawrence Frank sees this as a potential problem as well.

“We’re putting a lot of stress and strain on Keyon and Vince,” Frank told the AP “You’re asking both those guys to play basically 39 minutes a night at both ends. You’re asking a lot of them, and it changes your rotation a little bit. Pus, Devin is one of our best paint attackers, so we have to get enough paint penetration using Vince and Keyon as hubs.”

One guy that has to step up is Bobby Simmons. 26 minutes a game and he’s only pulling down seven points a game? Start taking more three’s buddy; that’s about the only thing you’re hitting right now. In order for this team to break out of this funk a guy like Simmons, has got to step up and score 1,000 points this season. Otherwise, the Nets bench will have to come up with someone else that can produce.

In other news, AP round ball writer Tom Canavan wrote an interesting piece yesterday, detailing a plan for the Nets to give away 1,500 tickets to unemployed fans that submit resumes to them.

Talk about taking the recession by the horns.

“Our belief right now is let’s invest in people who might invest in us later,” Nets chief executive Brett Yormark told the AP. “In doing so, we can help people who need it most.”

Even the Nets themselves think it’s a good idea.

“I think it’s great,” forward Jarvis Hayes, told the AP. “Everybody knows the economy is struggling right now and if people can turn in their resumes to our sponsors and get jobs, I think it is wonderful. Hopefully, when the economy turns around we’ll have more fans.”

After a convincing season opener against the Wizards, the New Jersey Nets have dropped their last two games, the latter being a disgusting loss to the Phoenix Suns where they were ripped limb from limb on defense.

“They could really play,” Devin Harris told the Centre Daily Times after the loss. “I mean they pound the ball in and they shot exceptionally well. Sometimes we give them too much of one, tonight we gave them both and you can’t really trade baskets with them.”

Duh.

Aside from the shoddy defensive play however, it’s nice to see now that the Nets have options on the bench and finally have the big bodies to hold their own down low. Now it’s just a matter of getting all those pieces together, working on the same page. Once that happens and guys like Ryan Anderson get more than 16 minutes a game, this team will be right around .500 where they should be.

Things aren’t going to get easier for the Nets tonight either as Allen Iverson will make his debut for the Pistons.

Ask any Net and they’ll tell you too. This is their first big Eastern Conference test this season.

“He’s willing to sacrifice,” Harris told the Philadelphia Daily News of Iverson. “He’s proven that he can still get assists, that he can be that assists guy. He still likes to get his shots up, though obviously that’s one of the things that have to give if they’re going to start him at the point. Playing pick-and-roll with ‘Sheed’ [Rasheed Wallace] and Allen, that’s pretty much a nightmare.”

Simmons has to get going- If this guy is going to get 23 minutes of playing time a game, he has to score more than seven points a game. Overall, he hasn’t looked like the player he was on the Clippers a few years back or even the guy who was solid with the Bucks in ’06. While his confidence doesn’t look completely shattered, it feels like he’s not comfortable yet in the Nets offense.

“I just need to be more aggressive, if it’s putting the ball on the floor getting to the basket, maybe getting offensive rebounds, putbacks, things of that nature instead of just waiting for the ball to come to me,” Simmons told the AP.

Talk about cliché-riddled. Nevertheless, the guy is right on the ball here. If he’s not hitting threes and doing the other things that make him dangerous, mixing it up down low couldn’t hurt, could it?

Well Nets fans, the season has begun.

With one game already under their belts, the team is on pace for an undefeated season and has four players looking at 1,000 point seasons, in Vince Carter, Jarvis Hayes, Yi Jianlian and Devin Harris.

Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves here.

Even though the Nets won their first game of the season over the Washington Wizards, things are only going to get more difficult from here.

Coach Lawrence Frank knows this better than anyone.

“We’re not going to be a finished product now,” the coach said to the AP after the game. “This is going to be an evolving thing—clean up and improve and continue to put in things whenever the group is ready for it. We have hardly anything in.”

Guys like Jianlian [who looked extremely solid in his first game and may in fact be able to live up to the hype this season if he isn’t over exposed early on] and Hayes helped out by going a combined 13 for 20 from the field and in the end, contributions like that have to be almost every night occurrence for this team to stay above water. Josh Boone and Brooklyn Lopez also played well too, and should be able to provide a solid presence down low this season. That to me is a good sign that this team understands what they have to do this season and all that extra time spent together during the summer is looking to have paid off.

Aside from that, it’s a little weird to see Sean Williams sit this one out and it makes you wonder if Frank is going to ostracize another first round pick this season. Simply put, they have to find minutes for this guy. Once Eduardo Najera comes back, it’s not going to be easier either, so he has to earn his bumps and bruises now.

In other news, the Nets picked up the options of Boone, Jianlian and Williams, keeping the size and strength they’ve lacked over the past few years, locked up for another season. That’s good news if you ask me. Seriously, how solid could the Nets have been last season if they had that much depth at power forward and center? Wait, aside from Yi, they had Boone and Williams last season, so what was missing? I don’t know, maybe a bit of polish as Williams and Boone both showed how green they were as the season wore on the Nets flubbed their way out of a playoff spot.

Let’s hope the added depth turns this team into heroes, rather than…what they ended up being last season.