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Showing posts with label Ben Simmons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ben Simmons. Show all posts

Simmons confirms: 'This is the best he's felt in two years'

 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.

Simmons looked stronger, faster and healthier than ever and he let it be known to all the doubters.


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 the rim offensively, will make Simmons a major X-Factor for the Nets this season.

Ben Simmons commits laughable turnover amid positive night

 


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.

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 out in full force.

 The Nets season opens on October 27 and Simmons will have an opportunity to silence his haters when the games truly count. 

Ben Simmons reaches double digits in scoring in preseason debut

 


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.

 

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. 


Simulation determines best Nets team ever

 


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.

Does the winner of this matchup settle once and for all the best Nets team of all-time?

We like to think so! Once again, the results are quite stunning!


The Simulation possibilities are endless, but according to this set of simulations, the 2002-03 Nets rated as the best team in franchise history!





Former Net announces he 'made it out of Israel safely'




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. 



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. 

How Kooky Kyrie, The Bearded One, and Kevin, too, ruined Nets' Superteam

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.

Irving's unvaccinated status caused him, fairly or unfairly, to be ineligible for home games and eventually the team refused to let him be a part-time road player. Discontent formed in the locker room with Harden growing impatient without Irving and eventually Durant who was sidelined by a knee sprain suffered a few weeks before the All-Star break. 

 Every step of the way, Durant, Irving and Harden had a chance to take a leadership role to keep the organization on the tracks. All three refused to hold each other accountable, culminating in Harden asking out and getting dealt to Philadelphia centered on a package around a physically and mentally damaged Ben Simmons. Irving eventually rejoined the team in time for a late season push, but with a friend turned foe Ime Udoka leading the hottest team in the NBA, the Boston Celtics, the Nets couldn't simply flip the switch come playoff time.

 The Nets lost four highly competitive games with Simmons in the series sweep, including falling victim to a Jayson Tatum game winner in the opener. Brooklyn was back to the drawing board and now it was Durant who grew disenfranchised with the direction of the team by demanding a trade that summer, only to rescind it a few weeks later. The Nets, with Durant and Irving leading the charge, raced out again to an impressive start to the 2022-23 campaign, but Irving's off the court antics, including promoting a film with anti-Semitic tropes became a breaking point in his relationship with the team. 

 Owner Joe Tsai gave Irving a punch list of tasks to complete to get reinstated by the club, which he ultimately fulfilled and then returned. For the second straight year, Durant suffered another pre-All-Star break MCL sprain and the locker room, led by Irving, unraveled. 

 Only weeks later, Irving, who was set to become a free agent at season's end, held the Nets feet to the fire to offer him a near max contract extension. The two sides were miles apart, leading Irving to requesting a trade and the Nets obliging, sending him to Dallas for a package centered on Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and picks. 

 With his co-star gone, it wasn't long before Durant revisited his trade request and skipped town like the other two thirds of the superteam. It was a tragic story of misfortune, missteps and a lack of leadership. The front office and ownership deserve their share of the blame for the dysfunction, but the trio stars not only gave up on their teammates and the organization, but the fans and each other.

 Irving, Durant and Harden will remain as not only the biggest What-if in Nets history, but in sports history as well.

Former Net launching 3-on-3 Pro Streetball League




"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.

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 well documented and it appears Garnett is looking to throw his hat in the ring and be the hottest ticket in the 3-on-3 circuit.

Str33t is set to get underway in 2024 and will be sure to capture basketball fans' imagination, especially those who have been longing for a viable streetball league to watch.

Even since the grassroots And-1 mixtapes, there's been a growing demand for streaming and televised pro streetball to whet hoopheads appetites for nonstop action on the blacktop and Str33t might just satisfy the craving. 

Nets will hold annual Practice in the Park event on Oct. 14



 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.

 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.

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 and bubbly personality will be sure to amuse fans.

Nets fans looking to get notified about tickets, click on the link at the tweet above for more details!

Simmons laughs off question about his Sixers holdout when compared to Harden'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. 

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.

With Harden trying to force the 76ers hand for a trade, Simmons is trying to get on the court and healthy for his first time since being traded to the Nets. 

While some Nets fans maintain optimism that Simmons will regain his All-Star form, neither Brooklyn nor Philadelphia can be overly pleased with their end of things at this point in time.

Irving challenges Barstool's Portnoy to 1-on-1

 



Dave Portnoy and Kyrie Irving are two entertaining and at times controversial Twitter accounts to follow. So when their worlds collide, you can expect fireworks.

Portnoy, the face of Barstool Sports included Irving in a post and referencing karma, to which Irving took exception.

Portnoy, along with all of Boston have no love lost for Irving, who indicated he was committing to the Celtics long-term, only to renig and sign with the Nets during the summer of 2019.

Irving has stayed out of the person battles-that was up until now. The NBA star issued Portnoy a man to man clash on the hardwood, to which the sports blogger and pizza reviewer obliged. 


Should Irving and Portnoy make this an actual event, it would break all ratings records, and the proceeds should be donated to a charitable cause.

Nets potential trade package for Dame revealed

 


The Brooklyn Nets are atop Damian Lillard's wish list if he moves from Portland this summer.

While Nets nation has mixed emotions about acquiring the 32-year old, seven-time All-Star, a potential trade package has surfaced.

Shams Charania of The Athletic speculates on the framework for a potential deal between Brooklyn and Portland.





As tempting as going big star hunting this offseason would be for the Nets, the better route for the long-term future is to engage Portland for a trade involving the No. 3 overall pick in a package centered on Mikal Bridges. 

Lillard has called Bridges the best small forward in the game and co-starring alongside him in the Pacific Northwest is a perfect pairing.

Brooklyn already went the route of purging future assets for declining superstars and if Sean Marks is playing the long game, acquiring Scoot Henderson at No. 3 overall is his best option on the table.

Bridges recruiting Celtics free agent to join Nets

 


Mikal Bridges hasn't been shy about trying to make Brooklyn a free agent destination, especially after the superstar Exodus that took place the last two years. 

The Nets are big game hunting this offseason as they likely plan to build around Bridges and match any offer for restricted free agent Cam Johnson.

Bridges will be turning 27 and entering the prime of his career. Grant Williams fell out of favor in Boston and head coach Joe Mazzulla buried him on the bench in the Eastern Conference Finals series loss to the Miami Heat.

Brooklyn needs at least two pieces to complete with the heavyweights in the east, but adding a selfless role player like Williams is an under the radar move that will help Brooklyn build a deeper rotation come playoff time.

CP3's next stop might not be where you'd expect



 Chris Paul is still chasing that elusive first NBA title and after his future is being discussed on Wednesday, he'll likely be searching for a new home next year. It was initially reported Phoenix informed Paul they are planning to waive him, but recent reports indicate the Suns are exploring all options including: waiving and re-signing as well as trade avenues.

The 38-year-old veteran point guard is in the twilight of his eventual Hall of Fame career's landing spot not might be the place you think. 

That's right, Broooooklyn. Reuniting Paul with ex -Suns teammates Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson makes too much sense. In fact, the trio made an NBA Finals in 2021 and in fact led the Bucks 2-0 before dropping four straight and the series. 

The Nets have been lacking a true point guard send distributor since James Harden quit on the squad.

It's unclear what Paul's contract demands will be and his willingness to play on the east coast, but basketball-wise it's an absolutely no brainer.

If the Nets, who are rumored to be in the Damian Lillard sweepstakes, pull the trigger on that deal, Paul could be a finishing piece for a contending team. 

Lillard lists Nets, Heat as 'obvious' landing spots

 


Damian Lillard is likely on the move this offseason. While all of NBA Twitter speculates on his next destination, Lillard spoke with Showtime about his preferred places to play. 

While the Celtics, Knicks, Heat and Nets have all be rumored to be in on the "Dame Time" Sweepstakes, Lillard set the record straight once and for all. 


It shouldn't come as a shock to Nets or Heat fans, but it definitely confirms prior suspicions that Lillard will be on the move from the Pacific Northwest. Lillard's close relationship with Bam Adebajo in South Beach and Mikal Bridges in Brooklyn will definitely be a factor this summer. 

At the end of the day, the Trailblazers won't simply move Lillard to his preferred destination without getting a haul of picks and young assets for him. Another team to keep an eye on his Philadelphia as James Harden looks to have one foot in the door and one foot moving towards a reunion with Houston as a free agent. 

Should Harden bolt, a package centered on Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris and picks might be enough to entice Portland to move their franchise cornerstone. The Sixers will need to scramble to keep Joel Emiid happy and bringing in a costar to potentially replace Harden is a good start.

This will be a very intriguing offseason for the Nets, who are caught in limbo between being a rebuilding team and a true contender. While Lillard can push them toward contending status, he alone won't put them over the top and Sean Marks will need to make additional moves if Brooklyn hopes to rise to the top of the Eastern Conference. 

A Look Back at Nets Original Big Three Era




Author Rick Laughland joins the Only Nets Fans you Know Podcast to discuss the Nets' Vince Carter, Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson led Nets teams in the mid-2000's.



Rick and Peter reminisce about Carter's iconic run with the franchise,  they discuss if the Nets should retire his number and how Jason Kidd's legacy in New Jersey should be remembered today.

Remember when Jimmy Butler had Nets on his wish list?

 



A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, the Nets and Jimmy Butler seemed almost destined to unite.

Before the sign and trade for Kevin Durant, before signing Irving and DeAndre Jordan in Brooklyn's clean summer of 2019 free agency sweep, Butler had the Nets as a preferred destination.

After falling in Game 7 of the semifinals on a dramatic Kawahi Leonard game winner enroute to Toronto's lone title, Butler went on a free agent tour that included Brooklyn, the Lakers, Sixers and Heat.

Ultimately, Butler landed in South Beach, while the Nets pulled the trigger on the duo of Durant and Irving.

Durant and Irving were a package deal, but Nets fans can't help but wonder what things would have been like had Butler replaced Irving alongside Durant.

While Irving was the impetus for Durant joining Brooklyn, the New Jersey native had a tumultuous four seasons with the Nets that culminated in his and then Durant's trade demand.

Butler is the kind of selfless superstar that Brooklyn needed. The anthesis of Irving. Low maintenance and dedicated to basketball. Butler has a Brooklyn grit to his game that would have resonated with the fan base and complemented Durant even moreso than his eventual costar Irving.

Alas, the stars were not aligned and Butler is in the midst of his second NBA Finals appearance in three years. Last year his title push fell short in Game 7 of the Conference Finals as he barely missed a last second shot that would have sent Miami to the finals.

Meanwhile, Durant and Irving didn't sniff a finals appearance and their tenure was rife with dysfunction, off the court distractions, and injuries that derailed a potential championship push. 

A Nets trade package for Brown too good to resist

 



If following the Brooklyn Nets has taught us anything, it's that anything is possible. From forming an unprecedented super team to watching it vanish overnight, Nets fans have experienced the highs and lows of NBA free agency and the trade deadline in recent seasons.

Back in the summer of 2022 when Kevin Durant made his first trade request, there were rumored deals of him going to Boston in exchange for a package centered on Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and draft picks.

That deal never came to fruition, due largely to Durant rescinding his request, only to reissue it behind the scenes. This was after Kyrie Irving skipped town by demanding a trade two days before Durant and being shipped to Dallas for Dorian Finney Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie.

 Durant was ultimately packaged with TJ Warren for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and four first rounders. That deal is looking pretty good for Brooklyn, despite being swept out of the first round of the playoffs. 

Meanwhile, Brown's name has been beaten into the ground in Beantown as Jayson Tatum's costar had a difficult series against Miami including an ugly Game 7 where he shot 8 of 23 and committed a career high 8 turnovers.

Brown is eligible for a supermax extension and is set to become a free agent following the 2023-24 season. The Nets are currently looking to rebuild a contending team and adding Brown is one way to transform the club into a force to be reckoned with in the East.


Now there are a few factors to consider here, chief among them is Brown's willingness to not only leave Boston, but to show a desire to come to Brooklyn to play for Joe Tsai. Brown heavily criticized the Nets owner's handling of Kyrie Irving's suspension in the wake of his promotion of a film with antisemitic tropes. Tsai made Irving compete a five step program for reinstatement. 

Ultimately, Boston would need a haul to move on from Brown and the proposed trade would be at least a conversation starter for Sean Marks and Brad Stevens. While Houston and newly hired coach and former Boston head man Ime Udoka are clearly the front runners to acquire Brown, the Nets could be the dark horse in the race to nab the two-time All-star this summer. 




Two Ex-Nets need to rejoin Brooklyn in FA




 The Brooklyn Nets have turned the page from yet another dysfunctional and disappointing Big three era, but that hasn't stopped Brooklyn fans from keeping tabs on three former Nets'  free agency status. 

Believe it or not, James Harden, Kyrie Irving and DeAngelo Russell are all available to the right suitor.

Harden has been linked to rejoin the Rockets, who hired former Nets assistant and Celtics head coach Ime Udoka. 

 Irving spent the second half of the 2022-23 season with the Dallas Mavericks. While Irving rejoining the Mavericks is a likely scenario, both the Suns and Lakers have been listed a possible destinations for the maestros who orchestrated the destruction of Brooklyn's superstar era. 

Finally, Brooklyn's starting point prior to Irving, Russell enjoyed a superb year in his return to the Lakers for a run to the Western Conference Finals before his production took a major hit at the hands of Nicola Jokic and the Nuggets.

The most likely Nets reunion is Russell as the Nets have a glaring hole at point guard with fans not exactly onboard with Spencer Dinwiddie playing the role as the everyday starter.

Another former Net fan favorite becomes a free agent this summer: Caris LeVert. If Sean Marks were to reassemble the "Good Guy Nets," save Kenny Atkinson and Jarrett Allen, it would create a lot of goodwill with fans.

The front office would need to make some roster maneuvering to make this a reality.

While it's clear neither Irving or Harden would be welcomed to return or have any desire to come back to Brooklyn, bringing back Russell and LeVert may be the answer Marks has been searching for after the Big Three era fell apart at his feet this season. 

 Adding experienced but still ascending pieces around Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, who the team has interest in extending, could make Brooklyn an intriguing team next year.


Is it Time for Nets to bail on the Ben Simmons experiment?

 


Ben Simmons' NBA career isn't over, but his time with the Brooklyn Nets might be just about up.

Fresh off off-season back surgery, Simmons was a shell of his former self in 2022-23. While the former Sixer showed flashes of promise, before his debut season for the Nets gathered virtually any steam, knee and back problems sidelined him for large portions of the season.

Simmons has never been a shooting savant, but his lack of confidence and willingness to attack the paint were clearly evident this past season.

Steve Nash and eventually Jacque Vaughn did little to unlock the All-star talent that is buried somewhere within this broken player.

If the Nets are hoping to be relevant next season, Vaughn and his staff's number one priority has to be tapping into Simmons' psyche and maximum his contributions by getting him mentally and physically right.

The Nets championship window with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving has officially closed and ushered in a new youth moment led by Mikal Bridges, Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson who will more than likely re-sign this summer.

Brooklyn has cap flexibility to add a superstar, but they have a former star who has been languishing on the injury report the better part of the last two seasons.

The onus is on Simmons to attack his rehab this summer and for Vaughn's retooled coaching staff to make the point forward whole again. Simmons can be part of the Nets youth movement of the future, but unless he starts showing some strides, Sean Marks may send him out of town for whatever return package he can net come the trade deadline.



Kevin Durant has yet to thank Nets fans for time in Brooklyn

Kevin Durant is awfully active when he's conversing with randoms on Twitter or defending his legacy against former NBA greats like Shaq, but the former Net has yet to bid farewell to the place he called home since 2019. 

 Durant was traded in the wee hours of the night just prior to the morning of the NBA's trade deadline day on February 7. After his partner in crime, Kyrie Irving, requested and was granted a trade to the Dallas Mavericks, following failed contract extension talks, Durant followed in suit.
NBA.com
The 7-footer, known for his Twitter fingers and skipping town when things get difficult, hopped ship again to Phoenix to join his second super team after choosing Golden State back in 2016. 

 Durant only furthered the narrative that he can't be the bus driver for a championship team and his lack of a tribute to the hard working fans who cheered for him and paid their hard earned money to see him is nothing short of classless. 

 Durant's running mate, Irving, had nothing but a contentious relationship with the media, rocky rapport with the front office and was a major reason for James Harden's trade demand a season ago. 

 Regardless of Durant's feelings towards ownership or the front office, Durant owed a debt of gratitude to the fans for their loyal support. The Nets even traded him to his preferred destination in Phoenix and did the same for James Harden last year when he requested a move to Philadelphia. 

 Durant's partner, Rick Kleinman, of 35 ventures, also tweeted a subtle jab in the aftermath of the former Nets trade request. Durant leaves the organization without delivering a single title, NBA Finals appearance, conference finals appearance, divisional banner or any noteworthy accomplishment. 

 Nets fans deserve better. If Durant couldn't deliver a single banner, the least he could do is acknowledge Nets fans as he slips out the backdoor overnight.
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