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Showing posts with label NBA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NBA. Show all posts

Adidas, Durant trade barbs over Anthony Edwards' new kicks

 Anytime a Nets fan hears Kevin Durant and big toe in the same sentence, it triggers the painful 2021 Game 7 playoff loss to the Bucks. 

But in this instance, Durant was speaking on Anthony Edwards new she's put out by Adidas. 

Durant was overly critical of the new shoes and the manufacturer, Adidas, took exception in a since deleted tweet. Durant is no stranger to online beefs, but the shoe giant had a comical explanation for coming at the NBA superstar.

Executive shares successes and challenges of near three decade career with Nets



Lou Terminello is synonymous with the New Jersey Nets era of the franchise. Having joined the club in 1981 when the team opened Brendan Byrne Arena and staying with the team 2009 up until it left the renamed venue, IZOD Center, for a two-year, interim move to the Prudential Center in Brooklyn.  

Terminello is a well-respected name in Nets history and ascended from a role of Director of Sales to Vice President of Partnerships and Sales upon his departure from the team. 

Nets Insider Podcast

The Nets 28-year stay in the Meadowlands is the longest at one venue in the team's now 56-year history. 

Terminello sits down with Randy Zellea of Backsports Page and Rick Laughland of Nets Insider to reflect on the Jersey Days and all the ins and outs of what was happening both on the court and on the business side of the team.. 

Nets can't hold their breath hoping Ben Simmons returns healthy




When healthy, Ben Simmons is a difference-maker. A 6-foot-10 point guard who can race out on fastbreaks and find teammates for open shots. He's a lockdown defender and while his offensive game leaves a lot to be desired, he's an impactful starter when he can stay on the court. 

The only problem is, when the Nets traded James Harden to Philadelphia for a package revolving around Simmons, they didn't get the All-Star level point guard, but a physically compromised and mentally taxed version of him.  

Simmons never saw meaningful minutes when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were on the team  and Sean Mark's vision of forming a new big three after the departure of Harden went by the wayside. 

Simmons underwent back surgery in the 2022 offseason and returned for the 2022-23 season, still looking sluggish and not fully healthy. The Nets shut him down 42 games into the last campaign and were hopeful that the 2023-24 campaign would mark a breakout season for the former All-Star. 

Things looked promising early, but once again an injury has Simmons sidelined and set to be revaluated in two weeks after a nerve issue cropped up in his back. 

Nets fans have been on this rollercoaster journey with Simmons and the Nets medical staff before. For Brooklyn, anything Simmons adds this year will be a bonus, but the organization cannot put its trust and faith fully in the idea of him returning to full health this season, if not ever. 

Marks needs to look to the free agent market to look for backup point guards and utlize the veteran savvy of floor general Spencer Dinwiddie to  lead the way. Led by emerging star Cam Thomas, borderline All-Star Mikal Bridges and a team that runs nine deep including a supporting cast of Lonnie Walker, Dennis Smith Jr,, Dorrian Finney-Smith and others, Brooklyn is in a good position.

If Simmons is able to get back on to the court and make the impact he did early this season pushing the pace in the open floor, then great, but Nets fans shouldn't be holding their breath. 

Philly traded Brooklyn damaged goods in Ben Simmons

 


When people debate who won the trade between Philadelphia and Brooklyn centered on Ben Simmons and James Harden, the answer is quite simple: they both lost. 

Harden failed to deliver a championship to the City of Brotherly Love and is 0-5 with his new team, the Clippers, while Simmons can't manage to stay healthy with the Nets.

Simmons has underwent multiple back procedures and now will be sidelined at least another week with a nerve issue.

Harden battled nagging hamstring injuries with the Nets and Sixers, but his lack of work ethic and penchant for growing disgruntled if he doesn't get his way is a tired act.

The Nets are now stuck with Simmons for two more seasons. Until he gets on the court again, he has virtually no trade value and his market is as narrower than a runway model, as he's due nearly $38M this year and over $40M next year.

Brooklyn is stuck between a rock and a hard place and seem to be in a holding pattern season after season waiting for Simmons to get healthy.

It's the same old story that is all also a tired act and a gift from Daryl Morey that keeps on giving the front office, coaches and fans headaches time and time again.

Ben Simmons injury might be worse than are Nets letting on

 


Ben Simmons has spent more time on the injury report than 90 percent of NBA players the last few seasons.

Returning from back surgery last season, Simmons played in 42 games before Brooklyn shut him down for the season with a nerve issue.

Simmons returned this year after a another procedure, supposedly healthy, and with offseason workout videos being met with elation and optimism from Nets fans.

Just six games into the 2023+24 campaign, Simmons looked improved physically but still not his former All-Star self. Now, the Nets have shut him down and he will miss his fourth consecutive game.





The Nets are notoriously guarded with injury news and are classifying Simmons' most recent ailment as a hip contusion. Nets World holds its collective breath as the prospect of him missing significant time is not off the table. 

Nets could add two-time Finals MVP if his super team flops

February's trade deadline is sure to be compelling. 

With superstars changing teams as frequently as ever, there's an outside chance the Nets could be on the receiving end of another mega-deal.

 The Los Angeles Clippers have stocked up on talent, albeit aged and oft injured talent that has yet to mesh together. 

 With Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Kwahi Leonard and Paul George joining forces, the Clippers have a formidable roster on paper. 

 However, things have been far from rosey since trading for Harden as The Clippers have lost all three games he's played with them and four overall. Los Angeles sits at 3-5 in a conference loaded with championship hopefuls including the: Nuggets, Lakers, Warriors and Mavericks.

 Should things continue to spiral out of control, Leonard may look to get out of LA and the organization's feelings may be mutual for a player who's been injured, more than he's played.

The Nets are a true proven star away from being a true force in the East and while Leonard comes with his share of injury baggage and isn't exactly a larger than life personality, his track record as a big time playoff performer is unquestioned. 

Mikal Bridges hits career low in this statistical category


Mikal Bridges is the NBA's Iron Man. With 401 consecutive games played and a summer full of FIBA competition in the Philippines, Brooklyn's small forward doesn't have the words "load management" in his vocabulary. 

 Bridges has shot a dismal 29.3 percent from long range. Whether this is a mini slump, a cumulative effect from not missing any time during the season or this summer or a combination of both, it's something Nets fans will keep an eye on. 

 It's only nine games into the season, but without Cam Thomas, Nic Claxton and Ben Simmons in the lineup on Friday against the defending Eastern Conference Champion Celtics, Bridges produced just 12 points on 4 of 11 from the field and 1 for 6 from 3-point range. 

 It's such a small sample size to draw any definitive conclusions but if the Nets hope you tread water without three starters, Bridges will need to play like the star he showed he can be in the second half of the 2022-23 season when he was the return package for Kevin Durant.

Player Nets need to trade before deadline isn't the one you think


 The Brooklyn Nets are one of the surprise stories in the NBA this season, sitting at a very respectable 4-4 record heading into Friday night's matchup against the Boston Celtics. 

Led by a sensational 22-year old in Cam Thomas, who will be sidelined at least two weeks with an ankle sprain, and supported by veterans Mikal Bridges, Spencer Dinwiddie and Ben Simmons.


Brooklyn might be some subtle roster maneuvering away from making serious noise in the East. 

So, as Sean Marks looks to maintain cap flexibility, he'll have big decisions about the future free agent status of Nic Claxton heading into this upcoming summer and Simmons the summer to follow.

While most are rumoring that Simmons will be on the move ahead of February's trade deadline, it's actually Claxton who makes the most sense to ship out.

The Nets center has missed more games than he's played in during his young career and it's problematic from a spacing and free throw efficiency standpoint for him to play alongside Simmons for extended minutes, particularly in clutch time.

Claxton could be a huge add for a center-needy contending team and could bring in a combination of significant draft capital and perhaps a quality big man in return. 

Brooklyn has an embarrassment of riches at the wing position and Marks could get very creative pairing Claxton with Royce O'Neale to bring in valuable draft and front court pieces 

Kyrie's Hollywood story with Nets became a nightmare on Atlantic Avenue

 


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.


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 partnership and went their separate ways. Kevin Durant followed in suit and here is Brooklyn without the star power of years past, but with a happy, relatively healthy and younger locker room.

Now, on the eve Irving's first game against his former club, Nets fans are rooting for the hometown kid to come up as short as he did in big moments time and time again in Brooklyn both on and off the court.

Cam Thomas drops 36, Simmons just 4 in Nets' tough opening loss

 


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 offensive roster and when they come out without a willingness to defend like they did at the beginning of this game, they don't stand much of a chance. 

Brooklyn will play in Dallas on Friday against friend turned foe Kyrie Irving. 



Nets longshot championship odds revealed

 


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!



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 team will be truly content at the close of the upcoming season, the Nets have many team and individual goals that could be building blocks toward being in the championship conversation in the seasons ahead. 

Ex-Net standout offers high praise for Ben Simmons

 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.

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.

Now appearing to finally be fully healthy and confident, Simmons may be primed for a breakout year according to Garnett. 

Mikal Bridges appears in exclusive interview on TBS' "The Reel"

 



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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 




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.

This trade can help stabilize reeling Nets

The Brooklyn Nets are fading fast with superstar Kevin Durant sidelined at least another two weeks and with Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons in and out of the lineup due to injury maintenance. Brooklyn lost Durant to an isolated MCL sprain in his right knee in what turned out to be a win over Miami on January 8. To that point, the Nets were eyeing a matchup with the defending Eastern Conference Champion Celtics on January 12, with a chance to win and take over first place in the conference and secure the NBA's best record. Three straight defeats later and with Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Cleveland all gaining ground, the Nets now sit in a virtual tie for fourth place in the East. How quickly things change in the NBA landscape. But with a little creative manuevering on the part of Sean Marks, the Nets can recharge and stop the sinking ship without Durant shouldering the scoring load. Unfortunately, after multiple ankle surgeries, Joe Harris' mobility is not where it once was and his shot making from 3-point range has been erratic this year. Patty Mills has been a consummate professional and locker room leader, but he's been relegated to reserve minutes if he even cracks into Vaughn's rotation. As for the Nets second-year guard Cam Thomas, he's a lethal scorer, but his defense, playmaking and overall awarness leave quite a bit to be desired at this point in his young career. Now the Nets have been burned by Danny Ainge before while he was in Boston managing the Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry trade, so while Utah's GM may push for additional picks, the following makes sense for both clubs. With his team struggling to find an identity and its way without Durant, Marks will need to be active ahead of the trade deadline if he hopes to contend with the top clubs in the East.

Kyrie Irving's latest tweet reveals hope for his Nets' future




For the first time since tweeting an apology for promoting an anti-semitic film, Kyrie Irving's latest tweet is letting fans know that he'll likely be back on the court sooner than later. Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai set forth six steps that Irving needed to take to be reinstated with the club. Assuming Irving satisfied those requirements, he will be eligible to play after serving his five game suspension.

While the tweet doesn't provide complete clarity, it is the clearest indication to date that there is a path forward for Irving with the Nets.

Even Nets fans don't like the Brooklyn Nets

 

Doug Bearak


The Brooklyn Nets are making it impossible for even their own fan base to tolerate their complete chaos.

Steve Nash and the club mutually agreed to part ways on Tuesday, while former assistant Ime Udoka has been reportedly finalizing a deal with the team.

This comes on the heels of the bombshell report two months ago from the Celtics that Udoka had an consensual relationship with a female employee in Boston. Not many details have emerged from the report, but many believe it's a lot messier and uglier than it looks.

Before the Nets could complete damage control with Kyrie Irving, who took to Twitter and Instagram to promote a film based on a book with anti-semitic tropes, a coaching change was made.

Nash is out, Udoka is reportedly in and Irving is so far off scott free after double down on his support for a film that promotes hate speech.

It's the latest in a Brooklyn fiasco with Irving at the center of it all. In the interim, Jacque Vaughn has been named the interim head coach starting when the Nets host the Bulls Tuesday night.

To make matters worse, Ben Simmons will miss his second straight game after suffering an apparent knee injury. Since Irving and Durant's arrival, the Nets have been without a title and filled with drama, causing more headaches than triumphant moments for fans.

Things have been an on unmitigated disaster since 2019, so can you even blame Nets fans for turning their backs on this laughing stock of a franchise?

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