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Showing posts with label Chris Paul. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chris Paul. Show all posts

Nets beat Hawks again to inch closer to final play-in spot

 


Behind Mikal Bridges' 38 points and a scorching hot 15 or 32 from downtown, the Nets won their second consecutive game. 

Brooklyn is now two games behind Atlanta for the number 10 seed and the final play-in spot. 

Cam Johnson went for 23 while Nick Claxton scored 12 points and ripped down 13 rebounds. 

Without Cam Thomas and Ben Simmons in the lineup due to injuries, Brooklyn put on a show in front of the home crowd.

The Nets season has been in turmoil, but with a softer schedule coming up and two wins under the belts against the Hawks, life has been breathed backed into this often. Listless nets squad. 

Brooklyn hosts Memphis on Monday looking for its third straight win. 

Nets beat down decimated Grizzlies for Ollie's first win



 The Brooklyn Nets snapped a four game skid with a 111-86 win over Memphis on Monday night. 

The Nets fixed many of their defensive issues and kept the Grizzlies at bay as seven players reached double figures in scoring.

Even on a night the Nets came out on top, Cam Thomas turned his ankle and was not putting weight on his foot. Thomas told reporters after the game that he doesn't think the injury is as serious as the injury he suffered earlier this year, but it's not great news nonetheless 

It's almost certain that Thomas will not be available on Tuesday night in a back to back against Orlando and the team already ruled out Simmons for playing for a second consecutive night.

It's been a feel good night for Brooklyn, but the Nets will need more than one win to catapult them back into the playoffs conversation. 

Curry takes over Brooklyn as Warriors down lackluster Nets

 


Not since the final two seasons at the IZOD Center in the Meadowlands and the two seasons to follow at The Prudential Center in Newark, have opposing fans taken over a home arena the way they have at Barclays Center this season.

Last month, it was Knicks fans chanting Jalen Brunson for MVP in a comeback win and now it was Steph Curry stans soaking up his 29 points.

Cam Thomas and Mikal Bridges combined to go 9 of 36 from the field for just 31 points. The Nets shot just 38.2 percent from the field and 31 percent from deep.

Nic Claxton was ejected with a flagrant foul 2, Lonnie Walker IV left with hamstring tightness and Jacque Vaughn refused to use Trendon Watford or Harry Giles off the bench. 

It was all around ugly for Brooklyn. While the stands in Brooklyn are filled with fans, the enthusiasm for the Nets is pailing in comparison to the roars for opposing players.

The deadline is fast approaching and with unrest in Nets World, fans are clamoring for Sean Marks to bring some excitement into an arena that has been comatose due to an inferior product on the court. 

Nets late game blunder dooms upset bid of defending champ Nuggets




Cam Thomas giveth and Cam Thomas taketh away. That was the story in Brooklyn as the 22-year old youngster showed just how promising he can be. But his inexperience showed in the worst way down the stretch.

After Thomas hit a miraculous 4-point play inside of 20 seconds to narrow the Nuggets lead to 115-114, all hell broke loose. 

Jamal Murray hit the front end of his free throws on the ensuing Denver possession, then he clanged the second attempt off the iron, but Thomas didn't block out the shooter and Murray snagged the rebound.

The Nets waived goodbye to a potential game winning scenario as Thomas' mistake cost his team dearly.
 
Mikal Bridges had another rough night as he shot 7 of 16 for 14 points, but missed all three of his 3-point attempts.

Thomas led the way with 23, but
Brooklyn has now lost five straight and will welcome Detroit in for a back to back starting Saturday at Barclays.

The Pistons are currently mired in a 25-game losing streak and are only three losses from tying a league record. The Nets need a win in the worst way and they don't want to be on the wrong side of history when they take on Detroit. 

Nets commit unforgivable coaching gaffe in lackluster loss to Hornets

 


Cam Thomas returned to the Nets on Thursday night after missing the last nine games with an ankle sprain. 

The Brooklyn Nets indicated that Thomas would be on a minutes restriction, but with Brooklyn stuck in a tight contest with Charlotte down the stretch, Thomas was not on the court for the most important minutes. 

Thomas poured in 26 points in 25 minutes, but the Nets lost 129-128 as Cam Johnson missed an open 3-pointer just before the buzzer sounded.

It's incomprehensible how the coaching staff prevented its best player from being on the floor in clutch minutes and with the game on the line.

Even if Thomas was limited to 25 minutes, the coaching staff should have budgeted the minutes to allow him to be on the court for the final five minutes. 

The Nets paid the ultimate price as they were handed a loss and denied their fourth win in a row. 

Nets have a buying or selling conundrum ahead of the deadline



 The Brooklyn Nets currently sit at a record of 9-8 and in tenth place in a crowded Eastern Conference. The team is exceeding expectations and will be getting leading scorer Cam Thomas back in the lineup on Thursday night after he missed the last nine games because he suffered an ankle injury. 

The Nets are not quite ready to compete with the heavyweights in Boston, Milwaukee or Philadelphia, but find themselves in a mix with about a half dozen other teams looking to make the next jump in the conference. 

So as Sean Marks looks to maintain roster flexibility with one eye on building a contender and the other on stockpiling young assets, he's faced with a bit of a crossroads for this Brooklyn squad.

The Nets have four key players who will become free agents after this season including: Nic Claxton, Royce O'Neale, Lonnie Walker IV, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dennis Smith Jr. and Harry Giles. Marks has bird rights for Dinwiddie, Claxton and O'Neale and each can play a critical role for a true contender this year. The return for any of those respective players would also be significant with first round picks not being out of the question.

Even Dorian Finney-Smith, with years remaining on his contract has been rumored to be a player multiple teams are interested in for a first round pick.  

Marks will need to evaluate which of those names are candidates to remain with the core of the team as they develop the young player and build a contender for the future. Since Marks doesn't want players to walk after the year without receiving anything in return, he'll need to walk the GM tightrope. 

Could the Nets get a top 5 seed in the East and pull an upset against Cleveland, New York, Indiana, Orlando or even Miami? 

It's absolutely possible, but how much would the prospect of a potential first round playoff upset and likely second round exit change the calculus for Marks to hold on to multiple pending unrestricted free agents? 

On the flipside, should the Nets go big game hunting at the deadline or in the offseason?

 Brooklyn is only 17 games into the season, but as it draws near the midway point of the year, fans and the front office will have a better indication of where this team is headed, what pieces to keep, what pieces to send out and what additional talent they can bring on the roster to get the Nets back into contending status. 

Cam Thomas injury latest example Nets can't have nice things

 Cam Thomas hasn't just been good for the Brooklyn Nets this season, he's been historically good. 



So, with the Nets in cloud nine watching a budding 22-year old superstar blooming before their very eyes, the franchise standout fell on tough luck on Wednesday night against the Clippers.

 Thomas turned his left ankle in the first half of the Nets eventual win over Los Angeles as he attempted to dribble around PJ Tucker. The Nets have indicated that Thomas will be revaluated in two weeks and an MRI revealed an ankle sprain.

 After a drama filled few seasons with mercurial superstars James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant all asking to be traded, Nets World was gearing up to enjoy a homegrown franchise cornerstone help make a playoff push. 

 The Nets have been a snake bitten franchise and this injury setback is just the latest example.

Mikal Bridges named ahead of ex-Net superstar on ESPN top 100 player rankings

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. 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 opposite. 

Irving missed games for a multitude of reasons ranging from personal to unexcused absences to injuries.

It's clear Brooklyn is in good hands with Bridges leading the charge. 

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 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. 

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.

Two Ex-Nets aim for superteam reboot with Suns

 



Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden didn't exactly work out in Brooklyn. So why would two of the three superstars want to reunite in the Valley of the Sun to run things back?

ESPN LA's Romona Shelburne tells fans to keep an eye on Harden possibly making nice with Durant and joining him in Phoenix.



The Suns waived point guard Chris Paul on Wednesday, but left the door ajar for him to re-sign on a team friendly deal.

Although,  it does seems more likely than not that Paul will play elsewhere this upcoming season.

Meanwhile, Harden is reportedly torn between staying in Philadelphia or returning to his old stomping grounds in Houston.

While Durant and Irving continue to lobby for more stars to join their squads in Phoenix and Dallas respectively, Nets fans can sit back and watch the duo's tired act. 

Irving and Durant won't give up their schtick of playing general manager with shortsighted moves that will likely cost their teams in the long-run if they fail to win a title

With new CBA rules in effect, it's makes top loading rosters will bloated contracts financially burdensome and handcuffs GMs from building the rest of the roster will quality pieces. 

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. 

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