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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.

This Ben Simmons stat is alarming to Nets fans

 


For all of the flowers Ben Simmons has received for his newfound confidence and explosiveness, there's one department where Nets fans aren't exactly thrilled with their point guard. 

Turnovers have been an issue for Simmons in the preseason. While he dished out 28 assists in parts of four games, he also committed a whopping 15 turnovers, including eight against his old club, Philadelphia. 

Simmons has regained a great deal of his "attack dog" mentality, but there have been more than a few occasions where he's committed careless mistakes. 

Part of the learning curve is acclimating with many new teammates, but Simmons and center Nic Claxton have a net negative -17 when on the court together. 

While physically and mentally Simmons is looking closer to his pre-injury All-Star form than ever, he'll need to familiarize himself with the Nets system and his supporting cast to play a much more efficient and mistake free style of ball in the regular season.

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. 

Simmons commits 8 turnovers, Nets 27 total in sloppy loss to Sixers

 


The Brooklyn Nets were down 12-0 within the first few minutes of Thursday's contest against the Sixers at Barclays and never climbed out of an early hole. 

The Nets were in full preseason mode, while the Sixers were in playing with playoff-like intensity. The always fiery Patrick Beverly was ejected after receiving two technical fouls, including a dust up with Nic Claxton and Ben Simmons, who also received a tech. 

Simmons continued to show a great burst of energy and willingness to attack the basket  but committed eight turnovers to go along with eight points, nine assists, six rebounds and three steals. 

Brooklyn was laughably careless with the basketball as they handed the ball to the Sixers a whopping 26 times.

Philadelphia was without Joel Embiid, who was under the weather, and of course James Harden, who reported to camp but is playing hardball with former friend, turned foe in GM Daryl Morey. 

The Nets have one more preseason contest on Wednesday night in Miami, before hosting the Cavaliers in their season opener on October 27.

Based on the performance from Simmons and company, they have more than a few things to clean up before the games start counting for real next week. 

Nets host Israeli club Maccabi Ra’anana with extra security expected




 The world is watching in horror as innocent lives are lost with Israeli forces gather nearing the Gaza Strip to counter the violence and atrocities committed by Hamas.

As chaos and war breakout overseas, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment is doing its part to keep everyone safe at Thursday night's preseason meeting between the Nets and Maccabi Ra’anana of the Israeli League at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.  

There are mixed emotions and opinions from fans and players about whether the game should even be played, including Nicholas Claxton, who shared his belief that the game should be cancelled. 

With unrest in the Middle East, the game will go on as planned with extra security measures in place. 

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