2% KMart and other observations...

1) Even though Vince shot a crappy 7-21, he willed the team to a win with his KMart-like intensity after hitting that 3 pointer right after subbing in. I expected Jefferson to be the vocal leader in KMart's absense but Vince stepped up the plate tonight. Only a tremendous leadership effort like this allows me to look past how he hurt the team with his missed shots. I don't know if they showed this on TV, but I was at the game and I could see the intense look on his face and him yelling at his teamates.

2) Jefferson's 5-16 is almost as bad as Vince's 7-21. However, Jefferson played much better defense vs Johnson/Harrington/Donta Smith and team defense as well. He iced the game by drawing the charge vs Johnson. I'm still disappointed though, he was chuckin' (and missin') 3's Vince Carter style.

3) Jason Collins continues to play great. He did a great job on Harrington and did a great job drawing charges as well.

4) Kristic is great. He didn't shoot so well tonight, but he's 50% FG for the year while his rebounding keeps getting better and better.

5) Zoran continues to impact the game in other ways than scoring. He puts the defense on their heels. Just look at the play where he crossed over 2 Hawks defenders, drove the paint, and kicked out to Kristic for the 3.

6) Lamond Murray is a great team player. He is not complaining and doing alot of grunt work. 6 rebounds in 8 minutes? That's pretty good in my book.