NETS INSIDER

 Brooklyn led by as many as 21 points Sunday against Orlando before a 16-2 run down the stretch helped the Magic grab a comeback win.  Cam Johnson left the game after aggravating a hip injury he first suffered on December 26 against Milwaukee. That injury caused him to miss the Spurs game on December 27.  Cam Thomas returned from injury and produced 25 points, six rebounds and six assists while Jalen Wilson added 16 and Noah Clowney 13. Despite those stand out performances, the Nets were disjointed in the fourth quarter and were outscored 34-16.  It was a difficult loss for Brooklyn, a game that they had control of for 40-plus minutes.  Before Sunday night's game tipped off, Sean Marks executed a trade with the Lakers that brought Brooklyn back their point guard in D'Angelo Russell along with Maxwell Lewis and three future second round picks in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.  Since Dennis Schroder was traded to Golden State earlier in th...

 The Brooklyn Nets are in a free fall. Last year, the Nets started 13-10 after beating the Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn endured a miserable final 59 games that year.  This year, after beating the Suns and moving to 9-10 on the season, The Nets are just 2-8 and headed straight for the lottery.  That's not a bad thing according to many Net fans who want the team to draw as many ping pong balls as possible with the hopes of nabbing a top pick and grabbing Cooper Flagg or Dylan Harper. Sean Marks already sold off Dennis Schröder with more vets, including Dorian Finney-Smith among others, likely on the move.  For first year coach Jordi Fernandez, a promising season will likely see his roster poached by true championship contenders as the Nets front office aims to stockpile draft picks and future assets.  Those who are in the anti-tank camp only wished that Marks jump started the tank last season by trading veterans at that early juncture. Now, the Nets have picked a direct...

 The Brooklyn Nets were winning too many games.  That was the concern general manager Sean Marks had when he moved point guard Dennis Schröder and a future second round pick acquired from Miami, for two-second round picks, De'Anthony Melton and Reece Beekman. Sitting at a record of 10-15 entering the start of the week, Jordi Fernandez's crew was sitting pretty in the play--in position.  Meanwhile, Marks, has become enamored with the 2025 draft class, including multiple scouting trips to New Brunswick to evaluate top prospects, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey from Rutgers.  Many half-witted fans on social media applauded the move by Marks in a not so subtle attempt to tank the season.  By simply trading the Nets emotional leader and leader of the offense, Marks is aiming to position this team for a good chance at a top three to five pick.  The reality is the NBA draft lottery is a different system from that of the NFL, where in football it behooves teams to tank...

Ja Morant led the Memphis Grizzlies to a 135-119 win on Friday night over the Brooklyn Nets, but that wasn't the biggest story.  In fact, Morant's 28 points and 10 assists as splendid as it was, took a backseat to the histrionics that took place at halftime and after the game.  Morant hit a clutch bucket right before the halftime buzzer to send the Grizzlies into the locker room on a high note. Instead of celebrating with his teammates and heading to the home tunnel, Morant headed the opposite direction to jaw right in the face of Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez.  It wasn't an uncomfortable moment to watch, and Morant seemed to revel in the trash talking.  Fernandez did not react or engage in any back and forth, but his reaction clearly showed he was not pleased.  Then, with the final seconds taking off in the fourth quarter, Morant  continued jawing in the Nets direction. Dennis Schröder took exception after Ja Morant talked in the direction of Jordi Fer...

 The New Jersey Nets era of basketball is one that is often forgotten. While the Brooklyn Nets have been in existence since 2012, when the franchise called New Jersey home for 35 seasons, there were plenty of historic moments.  From consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003, to a litany of All Stars that called the Garden State home, it is truly a remarkable run in the franchise's history.  Now, one of the most reveled names in Nets history is becoming part of an ownership group with the Buffalo Bills. This former player was recently named a NBA Hall of Famer this past summer and he will be inducted into the Nets Hall of Fame on January 25.  Vince Carter joins Tracy McGrady and eight others as limited partners in the Bills ownership group. Former Nba standouts Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady are now part of the Bills ownership group. https://t.co/GPCD9sO0yS — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2024 Carter was one of the most dynamic an...

  Social media has become synonymous with everyday life, and in particular the sports world.  So as we approach the start of 2025, it's surprising to hear that a sports professional doesn't have a social media platform.  Now add to that equation someone that is in the largest media market in the country in New York. "I didn't know that. It's a good thing that I don't have social media, for the good and the bad" 😂 Jordi Fernández was asked about being one of the nominees for NBA Eastern Coach of the Month for November "I don't play. It's not about me. It's about how these guys play" pic.twitter.com/qGe0Gxbzv5 — Nets Videos (@SNYNets) December 5, 2024 Well, there is one member of the Brooklyn Nets who you won't be able find on any social media platforms.  It's not any player on the roster, but head coach Jordi Fe rnandez.  Perhaps staying out of the online media swarm is good for the first year coac...

 Jordi Fernandez has been tremendous for the Brooklyn Nets this year. The fact that the Nets are within striking distance of  .500 is miraculous in and of itself.  So when talking about the NBA's Coach of the Month award for November, Fernandez should be on a short list. Strictly based on the lack of talent on his roster and number of injuries his team has persevered through, Fernandez is a strong candidate.  So while Fernandez was listed as a finalist, he ultimately did not win the award. The winner, is a familiar name to Nets fans.  His team has the best record in the NBA and in his second opportunity as a head coach, he's maximizing the potential of his team.  That man, Kenny Atkinson, is more than deserving of the honor.  So while it's likely that Fernandez will be in the hunt for Coach of the Month and potentially Coach of the Year honors, his time hasn't come yet.  Perhaps, Atkinson will be the magic elixir to help the Cavaliers get back to ...

 Jordi Fernandez wasn't making any excuses after his team was blown out 128-102 on Monday night against the Chicago Bulls.  Playing without Cam Johnson, Cam Thomas, Dorian Finney-Smith, Zaire Williams, Noah Clowney, Ben Simmons and Bojan Bogdanovic, Brooklyn's short-handed squad couldn't keep pace in the second leg of a back-to-back.  The Bulls fresh legs prevailed in the second half as they outscored the Nets 72-52 with Dariq Whitehead leading the way with 18 points, Dennis Schroder adding 16 and Tyrese Martin 15.  The Nets shot just 40 percent from the field and allowed 62 points in the paint.  Fernandez's crew will return home to Barclays Center to take on Indiana on Wednesday. It's unlikely that many of the players on the shelf will return from injury in time for Wednesday's game with only Finney- Smith possibly able to give it a go.  The Nets are going to need to find a spark to snap a two-game losing streak.