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Showing posts with label cam thomas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cam thomas. Show all posts

NBA's leading scorer doesn't even start for Nets

 


The Brooklyn Nets can proudly boast they have the highest scoring player in the league, albeit after just one game. 

That's right, Cam Thomas with his 36-point outburst off the bench has earned the top scorer designation.

Thomas' 36 is the most points scored in a season opener by a player off the bench in NBA history.

Thomas became the first Net since Cliff T. Robinson scored 45 on March 9, 1980, to score more than 40 points of the bench last year on February 4, 2023 against the Wizards when he dropped 44. 

Thomas' minutes have been a major talking point at the start of the season as head coach Jacque Vaughn refused to play the talented scorer for any significant minutes in last year's playoffs sweep at the hands of the Sixers.

Thomas looks to have a more integral role and now the challenge remains how will Vaughn avoid a second straight loss when Brooklyn visits Kyrie Irving in Dallas on Friday. 



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. 



Dražen Petrović would have been 59 today

 


An unthinkable tragedy took place on June 7, 1993, as Dražen Petrović's life was lost in an auto accident on the rain-soaked Autobahn 9 in Bavaria. 

The Croatian sensation left an indelible mark on the Nets franchise and electrify the NBA during an era in which European players were starting to make their mark in the league.

Petrović was just 29 at the time and merely scratching the surface on his superstardom.

The Brooklyn Nets retired Dražen's No. 3 Jersey in the rafters at then -Meadowlands Arena, and it currently hangs at Barclays Center.

Widely regarded as the best shooter and arguably the purest scorer of his era, his memory lives on and continues to inspire a new generation of European born players to carry the torch and make their impact felt in the NBA. 

Ben Simmons shows off $13M Brooklyn home to Esquire Australia

 


Ben Simmons is due to make $35.45 million in 2023 and the Brooklyn Nets point guard is making sure he lives large in the borough. 

In an exclusive interview with Esquire Australia, Simmons gave a sneak peak into his life off the court.

Simmons calls home to the sprawling appartment within the Olympia building, situated in Brooklyn's Dumbo neighborhood. 

With a personal stylist, chef and luxury watch collection that would make even the most carefree person jealous, Simmons is soaking up the New York City lifestyle.


While, it's fun to see Simmons in his element and appearing to be settled into the borough of Brooklyn, many Nets fans think their point guard has quite a bit to prove this season.

Hampered by injuries the past two seasons, Simmons has been a shell of his former self and the butt of many jokes on social media for his inflated salary and inability to stay healthy.

All indications are that Simmons is, at least in part, back to his former All-Star form. 

Clearly, the Nets are committed to Simmons for at least the next two seasons and with a mass Exodus of superstars including James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving the last few years, the fan base is hopeful that Simmons along with Mikal Bridges can ascend and bring star power back to Brooklyn.


Nets in for rude awakening with brutal early schedule

 


The Brooklyn Nets will have a hell of a time navigating a brutal first nine games of the regular season.

Despite Ben Simmons showing signs of his former All-Star form, Cam Thomas seeing his minutes expand under Jacque Vaughn and Nic Claxton continuing to develop into an All-NBA defender, the road ahead isn't exactly pretty.

The Nets open the season with tough opponents including: Cleveland, at Dallas, at Charlotte, at Miami, at Chicago, Boston, Milwaukee, Los Angeles Clippers and at Boston.

If there was ever a more daunting first nine games, I haven't seen it. Brooklyn will likely only be favored against Hornets. 

The Nets shouldn't be a bottom barrel team in the NBA this season with an ascending Mikal Bridges chasing his first All-Star bid, but the caliber of their opponents is undeniable.

Brooklyn's defense looked lackluster for the majority of its first four preseason games, Simmons committed 18 costly turnovers and Vaughn has yet to establish a go-to rotation or offensive system that can generate points for a roster that lacks consistent shot creators and makers.

It might be an steep uphill climb out of the gate, but it Nets can weather an early storm, they may stay relevant in the playoff picture.

Ben Simmons fails to score from field in Nets win over Heat



Ben Simmons has looked much improved this preseason but that wasn't the case on Wednesday night in Miami.

The Nets point guard went 0 for 4 from the field with just two points and four turnovers but added seven assists and eight rebounds. 

It was Simmons' second game in two nights, as he showed a reluctance to attack the basket with the same fervor and force he showed during the first three preseason games.

 
Brooklyn had five players reach double figures in scoring, including Lonnie Walker IV, who poured in a team high 22.

The Nets prevailed 107-104 in their final tune-up before the regular season opener as they host the Cavaliers next Wednesday, October 25.

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. 

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. 

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. 


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