NETS INSIDER

  The Brooklyn Nets have officially unleashed Cam Thomas and the results have been nothing short of spectacular. In fact, Thomas' scoring output has been downright historic. Youngest players in NBA history to score 30+ points in each of first 3 games of a season: Shaquille O'Neal: 21 years, 248 days Cam Thomas: 22 years, 17 days — Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) October 31, 2023  So when the Brooklyn Nets tweeted about their young shooting guard's performance around spooky season, it definitely drew a few laughs!   Scary accurate pic.twitter.com/VWhSb5kRpz — Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 31, 2023  Thomas is one of the league's most exciting young players and if he keeps anything close to this pace up, it will be hard to deny him an All-Star bid come February. 

  Kyrie Irving was the driving force that brought Kevin Durant to Brooklyn. A Jersey kid that grew up in West Orange and sat in the upper deck of the Meadowlands, formerly known as Continental Airlines Arena. Irving idolized Jason Kidd and vowed to get the Nets to the finals just like the captain did, except he promised that he'd win that elusive Larry O'Brien Trophy. A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory ! @dbearak #netsworld #Durant #Irving #nba pic.twitter.com/hbBdREm4XQ — Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) July 6, 2022 After nearly four years of drama, disappointment and injuries, Irving came and went without delivering on his promise.  In fact, Irving demanded a trade at least year's deadline. Apparently, Irving was unhappy with his ongoing negotiations for a long-term contract extension.  Alas, the Nets and Irving broke their part...

  The Brooklyn Nets can proudly boast they have the highest scoring player in the league, albeit after just one game.  That's right, Cam Thomas with his 36-point outburst off the bench has earned the top scorer designation. Thomas' 36 is the most points scored in a season opener by a player off the bench in NBA history. Thomas became the first Net since Cliff T. Robinson scored 45 on March 9, 1980, to score more than 40 points of the bench last year on February 4, 2023 against the Wizards when he dropped 44.  Thomas' minutes have been a major talking point at the start of the season as head coach Jacque Vaughn refused to play the talented scorer for any significant minutes in last year's playoffs sweep at the hands of the Sixers. Thomas looks to have a more integral role and now the challenge remains how will Vaughn avoid a second straight loss when Brooklyn visits Kyrie Irving in Dallas on Friday. 

  Ben Simmons looked primed for an All-Star campaign in the preseason, then the regular season hit. Simmons tallied four points, nine assists and ten rebounds in 23 minutes.  Cam Thomas poured in 36 points in 25 minutes but missed the potential game winner as Brooklyn squandered a six point lead with 90 seconds left.  The Nets looked out of sorts offensively and lacsadaisical defensively in the first quarter as they surrendered 37 points in the opening period to the Cavaliers. Mikal Bridges added 20, but was not the focal point of Brooklyn's offense.  Simmons only attempted six shots and converted two, looking reluctant to even look at the basket. The Nets committed 17 turnovers as the sloppy play from the preseason carried over to the opener.  Jacque Vaughn told reporters following the game that the goal as far as minutes distribution is to get each rotation guy 30 minutes per game.  As Vaughn tinkers with lineups, it's undeniable the Nets have a flawed of...

  It should come as a surprise to no one that the Brooklyn Nets are not the betting favorite to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy this season. But just how unlikely is it the Nets will be the last team standing? According to FanDuel Sportsbook, a $100 bet would net a winner a whopping $13,000! NBA title odds entering 2023-24 opening night, per @FDSportsbook : pic.twitter.com/P9zA8NEdQy — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 24, 2023 While there are exactly nine teams with worse odds and three other teams with identical odds, it basically puts Brooklyn in the bottom third of the league.  Sean Marks and the Nets would be the first to admit they're not in ring chasing mode.  Instead, they're trying to find untapped potential in Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton, getting Ben Simmons back to his All-Star self, keep Mikal Bridges on his path to a first All-Star nomination and let veterans Spencer Dinwiddie and Cam Johnson serve as unspoken leaders for the squad.  While only one...

 Kevin Garnett spent parts of two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets and in his short time he left a mark on the franchise. So, when Garnett speaks, the basketball world listens. Shout out @BenSimmons25 you took last year and all the criticism like a g and jumped back in your bag. Keep going bro ✊🏾💯 https://t.co/0I5hKmMWsD pic.twitter.com/Htx3oQwxAW — Kevin Garnett (@KevinGarnett5KG) October 24, 2023 Nets point guard Ben Simmons has been a polarizing figure in the NBA.  From his unceremonious exit from Philadelphia to his largely injury riddled tenure in Brooklyn, Simmons has caught the brunt of criticism from detractors. A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory ! @dbearak #netsworld #Durant #Irving #nba pic.twitter.com/hbBdREm4XQ — Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) July 6, 2022 Now appearing to finally be fully healthy and confident, Sim...

Half man, half amazing may have hung up his basketball shoes but he's going to be a big part of the Nets family moving forward. You watched part of his legendary career on YES while he played for the Nets, now he’s going to break down the action! Welcome back @mrvincecarter15 , the newest addition to our #NETSonYES coverage. One of the greatest basketball players of his generation. pic.twitter.com/97BgFISlfd — YES Network (@YESNetwork) October 24, 2023 Carter played five of his illustrious 24 seasons with the New Jersey Nets, forming an original big three alongside Richard Jefferson and Jason Kidd. Carter will be eligible for the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024 and his longevity along with his theatrical dunks and scoring prowess will almost assuredly land him in the hall in Springfield, Massachusetts. A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory ! @dbea...

  Join Nets Insider's Rick Laughland and BackSportsPage's Randy Zellea as they welcome former New Jersey Nets and Brooklyn Nets executive Fred Mangione on the show.  Mangione served in roles ranging from Senior V.P of  Ticket Sales to Chief Marketing Officer to Chief Operating Office with the Nets. He started his career with the Nets Organization in 1999 and stayed with the team until 2017.     With nearly two decades of experience including: back-to-back NBA Finals runs, a record-setting 12-70 season, an NBA lockout, a move to Brooklyn and redefining the Nets brand, Mangione has seen the good, the bad and the ugly from both the business side and the basketball side of the team. A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory ! @dbearak #netsworld #Durant #Irving #nba pic.twitter.com/hbBdREm4XQ — Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) July 6, ...

  An unthinkable tragedy took place on June 7, 1993, as Dražen Petrović's life was lost in an auto accident on the rain-soaked Autobahn 9 in Bavaria.  The Croatian sensation left an indelible mark on the Nets franchise and electrify the NBA during an era in which European players were starting to make their mark in the league. Petrović was just 29 at the time and merely scratching the surface on his superstardom. Celebrating Nets legend Dražen Petrović on what would have been his 59th birthday 🙏 pic.twitter.com/312LNVNeRz — Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 22, 2023 The Brooklyn Nets retired Dražen's No. 3 Jersey in the rafters at then -Meadowlands Arena, and it currently hangs at Barclays Center. A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory ! @dbearak #netsworld #Durant #Irving #nba pic.twitter.com/hbBdREm4XQ — Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) July 6, ...

  Ben Simmons is due to make $35.45 million in 2023 and the Brooklyn Nets point guard is making sure he lives large in the borough.  In an exclusive interview with Esquire Australia , Simmons gave a sneak peak into his life off the court. Simmons calls home to the sprawling appartment within the Olympia building, situated in Brooklyn's  Dumbo neighborhood.  With a personal stylist, chef and luxury watch collection that would make even the most carefree person jealous, Simmons is soaking up the New York City lifestyle. While, it's fun to see Simmons in his element and appearing to be settled into the borough of Brooklyn, many Nets fans think their point guard has quite a bit to prove this season. Hampered by injuries the past two seasons, Simmons has been a shell of his former self and the butt of many jokes on social media for his inflated salary and inability to stay healthy. All indications are that Simmons is, at least in part, back to his former All-Star form....

  The Brooklyn Nets will have a hell of a time navigating a brutal first nine games of the regular season. Despite Ben Simmons showing signs of his former All-Star form, Cam Thomas seeing his minutes expand under Jacque Vaughn and Nic Claxton continuing to develop into an All-NBA defender, the road ahead isn't exactly pretty. The Nets open the season with tough opponents including: Cleveland, at Dallas, at Charlotte, at Miami, at Chicago, Boston, Milwaukee, Los Angeles Clippers and at Boston. If there was ever a more daunting first nine games, I haven't seen it. Brooklyn will likely only be favored against Hornets.  The Nets shouldn't be a bottom barrel team in the NBA this season with an ascending Mikal Bridges chasing his first All-Star bid, but the caliber of their opponents is undeniable. Brooklyn's defense looked lackluster for the majority of its first four preseason games, Simmons committed 18 costly turnovers and Vaughn has yet to establish a go-to rotation or o...

  For all of the flowers Ben Simmons has received for his newfound confidence and explosiveness, there's one department where Nets fans aren't exactly thrilled with their point guard.  Turnovers have been an issue for Simmons in the preseason. While he dished out 28 assists in parts of four games, he also committed a whopping 15 turnovers, including eight against his old club, Philadelphia.  A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory ! @dbearak #netsworld #Durant #Irving #nba pic.twitter.com/hbBdREm4XQ — Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) July 6, 2022 Simmons has regained a great deal of his "attack dog" mentality, but there have been more than a few occasions where he's committed careless mistakes.  Part of the learning curve is acclimating with many new teammates, but Simmons and center Nic Claxton have a net negative -17 when on the cour...

Ben Simmons has looked much improved this preseason but that wasn't the case on Wednesday night in Miami. The Nets point guard went 0 for 4 from the field with just two points and four turnovers but added seven assists and eight rebounds.   A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory ! @dbearak #netsworld #Durant #Irving #nba pic.twitter.com/hbBdREm4XQ — Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) July 6, 2022 It was Simmons' second game in two nights, as he showed a reluctance to attack the basket with the same fervor and force he showed during the first three preseason games.   Brooklyn had five players reach double figures in scoring, including Lonnie Walker IV, who poured in a team high 22. The Nets prevailed 107-104 in their final tune-up before the regular season opener as they host the Cavaliers next Wednesday, October 25.

  Mikal Bridges appeared the new TBS show, "The Reel with Kenny Beecham". The show made its debut on Monday, October 17th at midnight EST. The episode explored Bridges interests beyond basketball as well as his basketball journey throughout the ranks to reach NBA stardom. The interview is sure to delight Nets fans as Brooklyn's good guy is admired by fans and teammates alike.  Stay tuned to TBS.com  or other platforms to rewatch the interview as it becomes available. 

  The Brooklyn Nets were down 12-0 within the first few minutes of Thursday's contest against the Sixers at Barclays and never climbed out of an early hole.  The Nets were in full preseason mode, while the Sixers were in playing with playoff-like intensity. The always fiery Patrick Beverly was ejected after receiving two technical fouls, including a dust up with Nic Claxton and Ben Simmons, who also received a tech.  Simmons continued to show a great burst of energy and willingness to attack the basket  but committed eight turnovers to go along with eight points, nine assists, six rebounds and three steals.  Brooklyn was laughably careless with the basketball as they handed the ball to the Sixers a whopping 26 times. A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory ! @dbearak #netsworld #Durant #Irving #nba pic.twitter.com/hbBdREm4XQ — Nets Insider ...

 The world is watching in horror as innocent lives are lost with Israeli forces gather nearing the Gaza Strip to counter the violence and atrocities committed by Hamas. As chaos and war breakout overseas, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment is doing its part to keep everyone safe at Thursday night's preseason meeting between the Nets and Maccabi Ra’anana of the Israeli League at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.   Statement from #Nets parent company BSE Global on Thursday game vs. Israeli club Maccabi Ra’anana: “We take into consideration the specific security needs of each event. For tomorrow evening we have increased visible and nonvisible measures in place to ensure a safe environment.” — Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) October 12, 2023 There are mixed emotions and opinions from fans and players about whether the game should even be played, including Nicholas Claxton, who shared his belief that the game should be cancelled.  With unrest in the Middle East, the game will g...

According to ESPN's top 100 NBA player rankings , Nets small forward Mikal Bridges hits at No. 33 overall. Bridges, 27, is looking for his first All-Star nomination this upcoming season. Many argue that Bridges should be higher up the list but another Net turned Maverick actually fell behind Brooklyn's good guy. A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory ! @dbearak #netsworld #Durant #Irving #nba pic.twitter.com/hbBdREm4XQ — Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) July 6, 2022 An 8-time All-Star, former Rookie of the Year and NBA champion, Kyrie Irving was named just behind Bridges at No. 34 overall. While it's worth debating if both players should be ranked higher, Bridges' best ability is his availability, as he played in 83 regular season games and all five playoff games last year. While Bridges has been an NBA Ironman, Irving has been quite the oppos...

Kenyon Martin is a name that lives in Nets' lore. A fiery and gritty competitor that helped lead the Nets to two consecutive, and to date their only,  NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. Martin wasn't shy about imparting his basketball wisdom on Simmons.   On the GilberArenaShow, the one-time All-Star with the Nets, Martin, noted Giannis Antetokuonmpo and Russell Westbrook as two players Simmons should model his game after. Former @BrooklynNets Kmart has some advice for @BenSimmons25 Do y’all agree with Kmart? Should Ben Simmons play more like Westbrook and Giannis? pic.twitter.com/qhW10bSMad — Cook Carter (@CookCarter) October 10, 2023  Simmons looked healthy in Monday's preseason opener against the Lakers in Vegas. If he can start to play downhill and put pressure on teams to protect the paint, the Nets could be a sleeper team to keep an eye out for this regular season.  Full episode below: https://www.youtube.com/live/Ve3CJTHBfaY?si=w6FwL645e-0qdRWa ...

 Save all the Ben Simmons jokes because he might make you eat your words. After 14 minutes in preseason section on Monday, it was clear this is not the same Simmons that was laboring his way through the season last year in Brooklyn or disengaged with teammates the way he was two years ago in Philadelphia. A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory ! @dbearak #netsworld #Durant #Irving #nba pic.twitter.com/hbBdREm4XQ — Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) July 6, 2022 Simmons looked stronger, faster and healthier than ever and he let it be known to all the doubters. Ben Simmons says this is the best he has felt in two years pic.twitter.com/TWeiOclImy — Nets Videos (@SNYNets) October 10, 2023 You can never take too much from the preseason, but the explosiveness he showed in the open court and attacking the basket, along with a new found confidence to look at...

  Ben Simmons looked a heck of a lot closer to his former All-Star self than he did to the shell of himself he was last season with the Nets.  Appearing healthy and apparently fully recovered from back surgery, Simmons had an extra pep in his step during the first half of his preseason debut. A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory ! @dbearak #netsworld #Durant #Irving #nba pic.twitter.com/hbBdREm4XQ — Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) July 6, 2022 Simmons was attacking the basket, split four free throws, poured in 10 points and dished out three assists in 14 minutes. No matter how much progress Simmons has made, he'll always have his detractors. So when the Nets point guard skipped across half court in what appeared to be a travel, went behind his back and attempted a no look pass to the wing that nearly ended up in the stands, his trolls were o...

  Ben Simmons made an early preseason statement, by looking as healthy as he's ever been since he donned a Nets uniform. Brooklyn's, point guard opened the team's scoring with a smooth hook over LeBron James to set the tone for the night. Ben gets us on the board pic.twitter.com/2ziBg1x3zF — Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 10, 2023   In 14 minutes, Simmons tallied ten points and three assists on 2 of 4 from the charity stripe.  The Nets defense was about as casual as having a cup of coffee with an old friend, letting up 75 first half points against a starting five of James, Anthony Davis and DeAngelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Taurean Prince.  Brooklyn fans anticipated the team being an elite defensive ball club, but the opening half of the preseason has to raise a ton of concerns for Jacque Vaughn and company. 

  Have you ever imagined how the 1976 ABA Champion New York Nets would fare against the 2003 Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Nets? How about the 2020-21 Brooklyn Nets against the 1975-76 New York Nets? Well, courtesy of  WhatifSports , you can see any team in sports history take on another all-time team, either current or historic.  Of interest to Nets fans is what team is definitively the best of all-time. Selecting three of the best Nets teams of all-time, we let the simulation do the work! The first matchup saw the 2002-03 New Jersey Nets take on the 2020-21 Brooklyn Nets The results might shock you! So naturally, the next matchup we'd all pay to see is the 1975-76 New York Nets against the 2020-21 Brooklyn Nets. Those results may shock you, too! And finally, Dr. J's 1975-76 New York Nets take on Jason Kidd's 2002-03 New Jersey Nets. A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $3...

Former Seton Hall standout and Brooklyn Nets second round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Isaiah Whitehead, who currently plays for Ironi Ness Ziona of the Israeli Basketball Premier League, let his fans know via X, that he is safe.  Made It Out Of Israel Safely! I Continue To Pray For Those Impacted By What’s Going 🙏🏾🇮🇱 — Isaiah Whitehead (@isaiahwhitehead) October 8, 2023 The Israeli-Palestinian conflict reached code red on Saturday when Hamas mobilized a surprise attack as Gaza militants launched thousands of rockets, resulting in at least 300 casualties. With Israel 'at war' according to its Prime Minister, the world is hoping for a speedy and peaceful resolution to this violent conflict. 

It started with a clean sweep and ended with a clean sweep. Bookended by utter bliss and overwhelming dysfunction, the Nets superteam era was littered with disappointment and sprinkled with highlights.   From James Harden's lingering hamstring strain to Kyrie Irving's season-ending ankle injury and finally Kevin Durant's toe in the line in Game 7 of the 2021 NBA playoffs, even the most anticipated season in Nets' history ended in bitter anguish.   The offseason to come was filled with optimism that all three superstars would ink long-term extensions, but only Durant made good on his long-term commitment to the franchise, one he would reneg on not just once, but twice. A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory ! @dbearak #netsworld #Durant #Irving #nba pic.twitter.com/hbBdREm4XQ — Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) July 6, 2022 Irving's unva...

"The Big Ticket" will be going box office in 2024 to show off his true entrepreneurial spirit.  You heard right, a former Net, Timberwolf and Celtic great will be dipping his toe in the proverbial Pro Streetball League waters. A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory ! @dbearak #netsworld #Durant #Irving #nba pic.twitter.com/hbBdREm4XQ — Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) July 6, 2022 According to CBS Sports , Kevin Garnett has his sights set on creating a 3-on3 basketball league called, Str33t. It will feature men's, women's and co-ed teams competing over 4-weeks. Garnett's company, Big Ticket Sports, is forming a partnership with Pro League Network to get the venture off the ground. Str33t is gearing towards a streaming audience with fast-paced games and will play under FIBA 3-on-3 rules.  The success of rapper Ice Cube's BIG3 has been...

 Nets fans looking for an up close and personal look at the 2023-24 Brooklyn Nets can look no further than Brooklyn Bridge Park on October 14th. October 14. Practice in the Park pres. by @Ticketmaster . Tickets are available starting Monday 🎟 — Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 6, 2023  The Nets may not have the star-studded rosters of season's past, but Mikal Bridges is well on his way to a first All-Star selection. A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory ! @dbearak #netsworld #Durant #Irving #nba pic.twitter.com/hbBdREm4XQ — Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) July 6, 2022 Former three -time All-Star Ben Simmons is showing signs of returning to form, while Cam Thomas is one of the most exciting young players in the game.  Nic Claxton is aiming for the NBA's defensive player of the year award, while Spencer Dinwiddie's veteran leadership...

  According to Rolling Stone , current Dallas Mavericks shooting guard and ex-Net Kyrie Irving has been appointed to the role of Chief Creative Officer at ANTA, a China-based apparel company with questionable business practices, to put it lightly.  Irving signed a five-year mega deal with ANTA last year after Nike suspended its partnership with him in light of him promoting a film with anti-Semitic tropes.  The Nets and owner Joe Tsai suspended Irving after the incident last season and refused to reinstate him until he fulfilled a checklist of tasks. The list included reaching out and apologizing to members of the Jewish community. A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sending us a message @NetsHistory ! @dbearak #netsworld #Durant #Irving #nba pic.twitter.com/hbBdREm4XQ — Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) July 6, 2022 ANTA has been under fire from not just the NBA, but the U.S...

You can't fault the reporter for trying to get a reaction but Ben Simmons wasn't taking the bait.  When asked by the media at HSS Training Center about how he spent his 2021 Sixers Media Day, a time during which he was away from the team, Simmons offered the run of the mill, "no comment," followed by a wry smile.  I could watch this Jake Fischer & Ben Simmons exchange all day pic.twitter.com/izlY1pTLy9 — Mike Bisceglia (@MikeDeliversPod) October 2, 2023 The question, of course, pertained to James Harden's acrimonious relationship with Philadelphia and specifically general manager Daryl Morey. Despite Harden claiming that he'd never play for a team where Morey is employed, the point guard has since reported to training camp, with many NBA insiders surmising that he'll make it as uncomfortable as he can for the Sixers. A limited number of autographed author copies of new #Nets history book are still available! Order direct today for $30 by sendi...