On Thursday, 26 May 2016, Lamont "No Answer For Me" Shuford led the Nets to victory over the trotting Bulls.  Shuford, Tony Reese (#42), and Rodney Patrick (#30) are building a reputation that is causing other teams to pause and look.  Shuford is everywhere!!  He is controlling the boards (on both ends), leading fastbreaks, scoring, playing pressure defense, and more.  He is truly a one-man package (not a team, but a package).

The Bulls have a floor leader, of their own, in James Daniels (#23).  This is the title that I have placed on him because, for some strange reason, he refuses to demand it and the team is not respecting it.  Daniels is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Bulls.  His defense is misunderstood.  You may not see a one-on-one defender, as you are accustomed to seeing, but where there is a loose ball - there is JD.  He can score 25 to 30 points a night, with 20 of those points coming from rebounds and putbacks.  I wish he would accept his position to lead and guide his warriors into the playoffs as contenders for the National Old School Basketball League Title.  What I am seeing is a team that is drifting apart, not communicating basketball, not studying their opponents, and playing without a plan.

The Nets' starting lineup consisted of:  #21 Keith LaFavor, #32 Willie Walker, #45 Lamont Shuford, #42 Tony Reese, and #30 Rodney Patrick.  The Bulls' starting lineup consisted of:  #33 Ian Trowers, #23 James Daniels, #22 James Dix, #10 Desi Johnson, and #45 Jimmy Foster.

The game started and the action began.  The jets, from the Nets, started immediately.  Willie Walker (#42) put up two 3-pointers of his 9 points; #42 Tony Reese flew pass go to dropoff his 8 points; #30 Rodney Patrick stood tall to deliver 12 points; and #45 "No Answer For Me" Shuford anchored the flight with 13 first half points.  The Bulls made a great effort to keep the game competitive behind the scoring of #23 James Daniels with 12 points, #22 James Dix with 8 points, and #45 Jimmy Foster with 9 points.  Though they were scoring, they forgot to plan a strategy to win.  The Bulls did not plan for their opponents.  If you do not plan a strategy, Shuford will have a field day with you.  The Bulls committed four team fouls and the Nets committed two team fouls.  The Nets closed out the first half with a 48 - 33 point lead.

The second half was even in scoring.  Both teams scored 32 points.  The Bulls committed six team fouls and the Nets committed four.  Shuford and Reese added 11 points, for 22 points, to lead the Nets.  JD Daniels continued with 13 points to lead the Bulls.  The Nets defeated the Bulls 80 - 65.

The greatest thing that came out of the game was that I finally got to hear the Bulls discuss what they need to do, as a team, to start winning.  There were no comments about officiating or one bad call.  They focused on the team and were ready to assess their shortfalls.  I know the Bulls are better than their record, but they need to do what winning teams do: Plan for a win.

The Nets' scorers were:  #45 Lamont Shuford with 24 points, #42 Tony Reese with 19 points, #30 Rodney Patrick with 16 points, #25 Trea Tells with 10 points, #32 Willie Walker with 9 points, and #21 Keith LaFavor with 2 points.

The Bulls' scorers were:  #23 James Daniels with 25 points, #45 Jimmy Foster with 17 points, #22 James Dix with 12 points, #28 Bernard Adams with 4 points, #11 Bernard Jones with 3 points, #33 Ian Trowers with 2 points, and #3 Desi Johnson with 2 points.