Nets Insider Videos
Nets electric scorer mired in shooting slump since return from injury
Cam Thomas is a walking bucket. So when the Nets second year guard is struggling finding his stroke, it begs the question: what's wrong?
In his four games since returning from an ankle sprain, Thomas has shot 7 of 23 for 20 points, 3 of 10 for 7 points, 7 of 19 for 17 points and 7 of 20 for 19 points.
That's a combined 24 of 72 from the field and 15.8 points per game. The struggle is real for Thomas.
It's likely a simple case of catching his rhythm, but certainly something to keep an eye on as the Nets travel to the Valley of the Sun on Wednesday night to take on Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns.
Former Net escapes scary injury with minimal damage
Mention Kyrie Irving and foot injury to a Brooklyn Nets fan and they will immediately hang their head in frustration.
Of course, their thoughts will immediately go to the Game 4 in the second round of the 2021 NBA playoffs injury when Giannis Antetokuonmpo slide under Irving on a layup attempt and caused the then-Nets point guard to severely turn his ankle.
Irving was lost for the remainder of the playoffs and Brooklyn lost a devastating Game 7 with Kevin Durant's toe touching the line on a potential game winning three.
Flash forward 2 and 1/2 years and Irving is on Dallas after demanding a trade from the Nets.
Now with his new club, Irving suffered what looked like it could be a horrific foot injury on Friday night against the Portland Trailblazers.
Luckily, Dallas' point guard avoided a worst case scenario.
Tests show Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has a heel contusion, avoiding a substantial injury after teammate Dwight Powell landed on his right leg, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Irving is beginning treatment on the heel and there is no return timetable yet. pic.twitter.com/8srMIY7KEG
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 9, 2023
Nets shockingly lead all NBA teams in this statistical category
When you think of the Brooklyn Nets, you probably think of a gritty team full of selfless players who are overachieving through 20 games this year.
Led by Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas, the Nets have a fun, up-tempo style of play that makes heads turn and lights up the scoreboard. An overlooked factor for this Nets squad is the fact that it astonishingly leads the entire league in rebounds per game at 48. Just last season, the Nets ranked second-last at 40.5 per contest.
It's a remarkable turnaround to go from virtually the worst rebounding team in the league to the best, but that's exactly what the Nets have done.
Led by big men Day'Ron Sharpe, Nic Claxton and veterans Dennis Smith Jr., Spencer Dinwiddie and Cam Johnson, Brooklyn is attacking the boards with ferocity.
Much of it has to do with an organizational philosophical change from a 1 through 5 switching defensive scheme last year, to a drop defense with hints of matchup zone sprinkled in.
The personnel has changed over drastically as well with divas Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving playing elsewhere, and the 2023-24 version has adopted a hard hat mentality to gang rebound and do the dirty work.
Brooklyn is one-game out of the No. 5 seed, held by the Knicks, as they're crowded among other Eastern Conference squads looking to reach the top six.
As long as the Nets are able to shake the early injury bug that has plague virtually every player on the roster outside of Nic Claxton, there's no reason to believe the Nets rebounding prowess will change for the worse anytime soon.
Injury bug ravaging underdog Nets as another player is sidelined
The Brooklyn Nets can't seem to stay healthy. Between Ben Simmons's nerve impingement, Nic Claxton's ankle injury, Cam Johnson's knee, Dennis Smith Jr.'s back, Cam Thomas's ankle and now Lonnie Walker IV's hamstring injury, it's amazing that Brooklyn is just one game out of the sixth seed in the East.
Walker will miss Wednesday's contest in Atlanta and while the majority of the Nets starters, sans Simmons, has returned healthy, the Nets x-factor and sparkplug off the bench is the latest name to be sidelined.
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
Brooklyn knows a thing or two about injuries derailing a season, just ask Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden about that.
Luckily, the 2023-24 Nets run nine players deep and have the requisite depth to overcome a few injuries.
This year has seen an inordinate amount of injuries afflict the team this season, so Jacque Vaughn will need to go into his bag on tricks and use his bench to make it out of a tough stretch of upcoming games will Walker working his way back.
Nets disrespected in latest NBA Power Rankings
NBA.com released its Week 7 Power Rankings, and while the Brooklyn Nets jumped up three spots, their place in the league pecking order seems somewhat disrespectful.
The league webpage cites, Ben Simmons' injury status and all the inferior teams the Nets have beat on the schedule as reasons as to why they landed where they did at No. 19 overall.
The Warriors and Clippers, respectively, are ranked just ahead of the Nets despite both clubs fashioning sub .500 records.
Jacque Vaughn and crew will gladly take this recent slight as motivation to fuel the remainder of the campaign.
While Brooklyn might not be ready to mix it up with the heavy weight title contenders, the emergence of Cam Thomas, the continued development of Mikal Bridges as a option 1B. and a supporting cast that runs nine deep and can shoot the lights, make the Nets a team to watch.
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
One interesting note from the NBA.com piece is that the Nets are 10-1 when they surrender less than 120 points this season with their only loss coming on opening night to Cleveland.
The Nets prolific offensive scoring was not something on many pundits radar as the team is littered with outstanding individual defenders, but that has taken a backseat to a run and gun offensive system predicated on volume threes.
Brooklyn's schedule gets a bit tougher over the next nine games as they play eight on the road including a West Coast swing in Sacramento, Phoenix, Denver, Golden State and Utah before coming home December 20 to play host to the Knicks.
If the Nets are able to tread water of this tough stretch, they may continue to slowly climb up the Power Rankings ladder.
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.Won’t EVER see me put a big toe in them Mfers. https://t.co/6dxKV55QPi
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) December 1, 2023
Durant is no stranger to online beefs, but the shoe giant had a comical explanation for coming at the NBA superstar.👀 Adidas’ response to KD! https://t.co/SM3AgzoGWn pic.twitter.com/VWzgzQ4oSo
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 1, 2023
meant to send that from the burner account…
— adidas (@adidas) December 1, 2023
Executive shares successes and challenges of near three decade career with Nets
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 could add two-time Finals MVP if his super team flops
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.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
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.
Kevin Durant has yet to thank Nets fans for time in Brooklyn
NBA.com |
— Ace (@richkleiman) February 9, 2023Durant leaves the organization without delivering a single title, NBA Finals appearance, conference finals appearance, divisional banner or any noteworthy accomplishment.
This trade can help stabilize reeling Nets
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.Who says no?? #netsworld #nets #nba pic.twitter.com/v1MqK7WqPz
— Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) January 13, 2023
Kyrie Irving's latest tweet reveals hope for his Nets' future
Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai set forth six steps that Irving needed to take to be reinstated with the club.🤞🏾♾
— Hélà (@KyrieIrving) November 9, 2022
Assuming Irving satisfied those requirements, he will be eligible to play after serving his five game suspension.Sources: Nets have delivered Kyrie Irving six items he must complete to return to team:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 6, 2022
- Apologize/condemn movie
- $500K donation to anti-hate causes
- Sensitivity training
- Antisemitic training
- Meet with ADL, Jewish leaders
- Meet with Joe Tsai to demonstrate understanding
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.
Attention #Nets fans the preseason opener is upon us! Catch up on 55 years of the franchise's journey from Teaneck to Brooklyn! Message us for a signed author copy! #nba #NetsWorld #netslevel pic.twitter.com/qNtHG1ZgGf
— Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) October 3, 2022
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?
Ben Simmons owns this embarrassing NBA distinction
So far, Ben Simmons looks like a player who hasn't played regular season basketball for over a year.
List of starters with more than 100 minutes played but totalled fewer than 25 points and 25 rebounds:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 27, 2022
1. Ben Simmons
End of list. pic.twitter.com/a66ougJ9R6
The Nets point guard wasn't acquired for his scoring prowess, but his offensive numbers are downright ugly.
Brooklyn was hoping that Simmons' defense, rebounding and playmaking would be a major asset, but on Wednesday night, Giannis Antetokounmpo played bully ball to the tune of 43 points and 14 rebounds as the Nets lost by 11 in Milwaukee.
Head coach Steve Nash was ejected in the third quarter after arguing a defensive foul call on Patty Mills. Simmons' rust and the Nets lack of overall offensive and defensive continuity have them sitting at the bottom of the Eastern conference at 1-3 to start the year.
Nets are league worst in this NBA statistical category
Three games into the season the Brooklyn Nets sit at 1-2 with a lot left to be desired by their fan base.
The Nets allowed 130 points in a lopsided opening night home loss to New Orleans only to bounce back with a strong 109-105 win over Toronto last Friday night. Brooklyn's defensive deficiencies reared its ugly head again on Monday in Memphis as the Grizzles poured in 134 enroute to a 10-point win.Fun fact:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 25, 2022
The Lakers have the worst offensive rating this season.
The Nets have the worst defensive rating this season. pic.twitter.com/v4OjKontby
First year point guard Ben Simmons has fouled out in both the team's losses, while the offense has looked discombobulated with a rusty Simmons trying to find his niche.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the Nets season has been the lack of defensive connectivity as opponents are scoring at will.
The Nets face perhaps their stiffest challenge yet as they tangle with the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
As Brooklyn aims to climb back in the win column, attention to detail and defense will go a long way and determining how far the Nets go this season.
Ben Simmons' airball video goes viral
The Nets had a successful Practice-in-the-Park session on Monday with a record of over 8,000 fans looking to catch a glimpse or a free t-shirt from their favorite player.
While the festivities appeared to be enjoyed by all, one fan video went viral as it caught Ben Simmons jacking up a haphazard jump shot that failed to catch iron.
Ben with the shot 👀
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) October 11, 2022
(h/t @AhnFireDigital) pic.twitter.com/sRcy5SRa6Q
This drew more than a few snickers from Nets detractors and Simmons haters as Brooklyn's point guard looks to refine his less than stellar shooting stroke.
Head coach Steve Nash already told reporters this preseason that he won't need Simmons to shoot jumpers as his primary roles will be defending, rebounding and facilitating to Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and the rest of the team's prolific scorers.
While Simmons' shooting deficiencies will draw laughs from the masses, the real concern after two preseason games is his lack of explosiveness after off-season back surgery and his mounting turnovers as he tries to get acclimated with his new teammates.
Another downright ugly preseason loss causes unrest in Nets World
Kevin Durant finished with 22 points and 4 rebounds, Ben Simmons 4 points, 4 assists, 10 rebounds and 6 careless turnovers.Attention #Nets fans the preseason opener is upon us! Catch up on 55 years of the franchise's journey from Teaneck to Brooklyn! Message us for a signed author copy! #nba #NetsWorld #netslevel pic.twitter.com/qNtHG1ZgGf
— Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) October 3, 2022
Steve Nash has shifted away from isolation basketball to a more team centric approach predicated on ball movement and man movement.Kevin Durant was asked what he liked from tonight's game:
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) October 7, 2022
"I didn't like anything. I liked that we came out of it healthy." pic.twitter.com/Z2hBUro8KX
With NBA's planned expansion to Seattle, Las Vegas, will New Jersey get a team back?
Photo by Andrew Bernstein
Some interesting news has been trickling out of the NBA commoner's office this week as the league may consider expanding into additional cities in the near future.
The Supersonics, who were stationed in Seattle from 1967-2008, could see a revival along with adding a club in the hottest growing market in the country in Las Vegas.
With both cities being located in the Western market, a realignment of divisions would be in order to create even teams in both conferences.
LeBron James has thrown his hat in the ring and called for dibs on a potential Vegas club, while Adam Silver insists that the expansion still is years away.The NBA plans to negotiate new television/media and Collective Bargaining deals before seriously examining the adding of new teams. The possibilities of Las Vegas and Seattle as expansion candidates are real, but likely years away. https://t.co/aF7ypjzGbd
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 6, 2022
The question many fans are wondering that followed the Nets in the Garden State is: what about New Jersey?
The Nets, who were founded in 1967 as the New Jersey Americans and played at the Teaneck Armory, spent one season there before moving to Long Island as the rebranded Nets starting in 1968.
Attention #Nets fans the preseason opener is upon us! Catch up on 55 years of the franchise's journey from Teaneck to Brooklyn! Message us for a signed author copy! #nba #NetsWorld #netslevel pic.twitter.com/qNtHG1ZgGf
— Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) October 3, 2022
The Nets had trouble drawing fans when stationed at the Meadowlands due to a lack of public transportation and area attractions in the swamp. The now -defunct Xanadu project lost funding during the Nets stay at the then-IZOD Center as it sat for years half-developed as an eyesore.
Now, the American Dream mall has been built with countless activities, along with a transit line to send fans to and from Secaucus Junction. All the infrastructure and amenities the Nets were hoping for during their stay in East Rutherford are now up and running.
The IZOD Center is still standing, even though it's not used for concerts or sporting events, just merely, filming for television and movies.
The reality is all the pieces are in place for New Jersey to make a bid for another team in the future.
The question will remain if the politicians in office, lobbyists and pubic at large will make enough waves and show enough support to get the NBA and Silver's attention. A return of NBA basketball to the Garden State is viable, and a renaissance in the swamp is what many basketball diehards are rooting for and hoping for in the near future.
Nets best ability needs to be availability this season
Without making any excuses for Steve Nash, who is entering his third year as Nets head coach, injuries, vaccine compliance and players in and out of the lineup have all been commonplace in Brooklyn since his arrival.
Brooklyn will need to find a happy medium where it can manage its stars minutes, but build enough cohesion as an overall unit to form a powerful team.Attention #Nets fans the preseason opener is upon us! Catch up on 55 years of the franchise's journey from Teaneck to Brooklyn! Message us for a signed author copy! #nba #NetsWorld #netslevel pic.twitter.com/qNtHG1ZgGf
— Nets Insider (@NetsHistory) October 3, 2022
Durant was overtaxed last season without Kyrie Irving for large chunks of the year and then James Harden after he jetted out of town.
The 34 year old Durant will need enough run with new teammates, but enough rest to stay fresh for a playoff push.
Irving has also shown to be an injury prone player and was a shell of his former self in the playoffs when conditioning and fatigue impacted his performance beyond the play-in game and Game 1 against the Celtics.
The delicate balance will be a challenge for Nash as he'll also have a trio of veterans rehabbing their respective injuries in Joe Harris, Seth Curry and T.J. Warren.
Brooklyn may need to play deep into their bench in the early season until the big guns are fully healthy.
So while Nets fans want to see the fully healthy and committed version of this club playing day in and day out, Nash and Marks will certainly keep an eye on the biggest picture, that being keeping his stars healthy, but conditioned enough to compete for a championship come playoff time.