Kevin Durant missed significant time with a left MCL sprain, logging heavy minutes when healthy to make up for an ineligible Irving then overtaxing himself down the stretch to get the Nets in the best possible playoff situation."Proud of 'em. We grew a lot, we're just not able to see it at this moment in time"
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) April 26, 2022
- Steve Nash on the Nets' 2021-22 season pic.twitter.com/jjAIYdGiRP
KD's, Kyrie's legacy on the line in must-win scenario
Kevin Durant's turnover problems nothing new for Brooklyn
The turnover bug bit the Nets' star throughout the regular season. Whether it's the 43 different starting lineups Steve Nash has used this year, the rotating carousel of the supporting cast members, or simply dumb basketball, Durant is absorbing plenty of blame. Meanwhile his running mate, Kyrie Irving, followed up his masterful 39 point outing on Sunday with an eerily quiet 10-point game. Brooklyn's season is slipping away quickly and a perimeter oriented offense without wing players who attack the rim has left the team exposed. Brooklyn hosts Boston on Saturday looking to get its first win of the series.In 55 regular season games, Durant tallied at least five turnovers 18 times. If #Nets hope to come out on top of Celtics, supporting cast will need to step up, and get on same page as Durant. Costly turnovers lead to easy run-outs and Nets are not good at transition D #NetsWorld
— Nets Insider (@NetsInsider1) April 16, 2022
Ben Simmons ruled out for Game 2, Nash leaves door open for Game 3 return
Brooklyn travels to take on Boston on Wednesday night and while Nash has all but ruled out Simmons for Game 2, it's appearing more and more likely that Game 3 at Barclays Center is a potential target for his return.Nash said Simmons would not play in Game 2. When asked about possibility of Game 3, Nash was non-committal — saying this is such a unique situation with how much time Simmons has missed they are waiting to see how his back responds over next few days before deciding next steps.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) April 19, 2022
The Nets are in dire need of a defender to help contain Jayson Tatum and Simmons is the perfect candidate to fill that team need. Brooklyn trails the series 0-1 after a gut wrenching buzzer beating loss on Sunday, courtesy of a Tatum game winning layup. While the Simmons news is encouraging, the Nets need to first equalize the series on Wednesday to avoid a 0-2 hole before Simmons can even take the court.Ben Simmons played 4 on 4 yesterday. His first contact practice since arriving.
— Michael Grady (@Grady) April 19, 2022
Still no update on debut…
Nash needs to summon Nets' unused weapons off bench in Game 2
Not only did Nash opt for a small ball lineup, but he stuck with a switching defense putting grossly undersized defenders in compromising positions and allowing the Celtics second chance possessions. Despite these tactical flaws, the Nets could have and probably should have stolen the series opener. If Brooklyn hopes to turn the tide Wednesday in Game 2, Aldridge and Griffin will need to play a role in the defense and rebounding department. Nash has answers on his roster, but he'll need to summon them from his bench and trust his big men to make a tangible impact."I'm proud of the guys... We had a poor start to the second half which cost us, obviously. But other than that I thought there was a lot of growth" - Steve Nash pic.twitter.com/PUhVsNQkt7
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) April 17, 2022
Kyrie Irving questions Elon Musk's future plans for Twitter
Musk's supposed plans to privatize Twitter and put the future of the company entirely into the hands of shareholders has drawn concerns that profit, stock price and other factors will supercede freedom of speech.Peace @elonmusk
— A11Even (@KyrieIrving) April 15, 2022
I have a few questions about what the future will look like.
Asking for my people.#stillmoretodoinourworld
Big tech has been under fire for censoring and even banning certain public figures from joining the discourse on the free, public platform. Irving has been a major proponent of the free speech and advocate of social justice before and through tumultuous times amidst the pandemic. Irving is posing an interesting question regarding how a potential sale to Musk will impact any people with dissenting views, particularly those belonging to marginalized communities. Musk, a business leader and forward-thinking entrepreneur, and Irving, an otherworldly athlete and outspoken social justice advocate, bring intriguing, but contrasting world viewpoints that will hopefully create an open and healthy dialogue regarding big tech and censorship.Will endeavor to keep as many shareholders in privatized Twitter as allowed by law
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 14, 2022
Nets cryptic tweet sends mixed messages about Ben Simmons' status
Call in marketing, or call it a simple tease, but anyway you slice it, the Brooklyn Nets are not closing the door on Ben Simmons returning to action during the playoffs. The Nets tweeted out footage of Simmons shooting during practice at the HSS Training Center over the weekend. No, he's not participating in 1-on-1 or 5-on-5 drills, but the development is significant on the dawn of the playoffs.
Working on the weekend. pic.twitter.com/VSOY7Ivf0e
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 10, 2022
Previously, head coach Steve Nash indicated he's not counting on Simmons returning in time for the play-in tournament, which begins next Tuesday or even the first round of the playoffs, assuming the Nets advance to that stage.
Brooklyn has been notoriously mum on the injury status of its players and only revealed within the last month that Simmons needed an epidural to calm down the herniated disc that was flaring up in his back.
It's difficult to say whether the Nets are playing cat and mouse games with the media and the rest of the NBA by tweeting out Simmons' progress, but it appears that both the player and the organization are not ruling out a potential return barring any setbacks.