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Sean Marks' training camp extension deadline for Kyrie Irving, James Harden approaching fast with no deal finalized

NBA training camps open September 28 and Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks put a self-imposed deadline for Kyrie Irving and James Harden extensions to be completed before training camp.
Kevin Durant already reached a four-year extension, but the second and third parts of the Nets' three-headed monster still need to have their futures secured. Of course, there is still time to lock up two of the franchise's cornerstone pieces long-term, but the longer things drag out and as the training camp deadline draws near, the more angst it will cause Nets fans, the more it will be a media storyline, and the more it will be a distraction for players. 

 It's far from panic time for Brooklyn, but the next 15-30 days will be critical in solidifying the team's off-season and ensuring top talent stays on the roster for the foreseeable future.

Nets grab top spot in ESPN's NBA preseason power rankings

The Brooklyn Nets didn't set the world on fire during free agency, but despite not making any splashy moves to the league's most talented roster, ESPN has the team that calls Barclays Center home its top ranked franchise heading into the 2021-2022 campaign. Extending Kevin Durant, and with likely extensions for James Harden along Kyrie Irving are major factors for why Brooklyn's bunch is above the rest of the pack. Signing Patti Mills, James Johnson, drafting the 2021 rookie class' premier scorer in Cam Thomas, and re-signing Blake Griffin add to Sean Marks already sterling resume.
The health of the Nets big three will be the major storyline throughout the year and ultimately determine if they'll remain on top at season's end. Depth in the front court with DeAndre Jordan's future with the club murky at best is another hole Marks will have to fill. As far talent, continuity, and overall lethal scoring capability, the Nets are head and shoulders above the rest of the league. With a full off-season to recoup from a playoff run derailed by injuries, Durant, Irving, Harden and company will be extra motivated to claim what they believe should have been theirs if they were healthy last season.

NBA 2K22 disrespects Kevin Durant with 96 overall rating

What did Kevin Durant do wrong? He showed the world he could come back from an Achilles tear and regain his status as arguably the league's best player.

The Nets star was within centimeters of sending his shorthanded squad without Kyrie Irving and a hobbled James Harden to the conference finals before being outlasted by the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks.

Brooklyn's main attraction is on a short list of the NBA's all-time most lethal scorers. The 6-foot-12 forward has a point guard's handles, a shooting guard's soft touch from the perimeter and the tenacious rebounding and defense of the league's top big men.

So why did the developers keep the man's rating at the same 96 from 2K21, when he proved to be the same player and perhaps even better than before his injury?


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“In my opinion, they f--ked it up” 👀<a href="https://twitter.com/Money23Green?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Money23Green</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/KDTrey5?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KDTrey5</a> call out Bob Myers and Steve Kerr for how the Warriors handled their infamous argument vs. the Clippers in 2018<br><br>Watch the full interview NOW <a href="https://t.co/iG2bXZC859">https://t.co/iG2bXZC859</a> <a href="https://t.co/rGQTr0F9A2">pic.twitter.com/rGQTr0F9A2</a></p>&mdash; Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1428008796119461890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That remains a mystery, but as if Durant needed another chip on his shoulder to provide added motivation, the team at 2K has done just that.

Player ratings change throughout the season depending on a player's progress, development and injuries, so don't expect any changes before opening night, October 19, but you can bet Durant will do his part to inch his ranking up to a near perfect 99.

Nets face likely ECF opponent in Bucks opening night, potential finals preview at Lakers on Christmas Day

 The NBA released its marquee matchups ahead of the 2021-2022 season and the Brooklyn Nets will travel to Milwaukee on the league's opening night, October 19, while Brooklyn will head to Staples Center Christmas Day to take on the Lakers.




Both clubs will likely pose obstacles on the Nets path to a championship. The defending champs, Milwaukee, bested a shorthanded Brooklyn squad in seven games in the second round of the 2021 playoffs, while Los Angeles bowed out to the eventual Western Conference champion Suns.

Assuming injuries don't ravaged the three best teams on paper in the league, it's likely that each of the franchises has a major say in who hoists the Larry O'Brien Trophy at the end of the season.

Cam Thomas' emergence in Vegas Summer league will help Nets withstand loss of Spencer Dinwiddie

 After a sign and trade that saw the Brooklyn Nets send Spencer Dinwiddie to Washington as part of a sign and trade deal where Sean Marks' diamond in the rough inked a three-year, $54 million deal, the Nets had a gaping hole in their bench.

Free agent signing Patti Mills will help fill some of the scoring void left by the recently departed Dinwiddie, but a 19-year old rookie may have an unaccounted for impact this upcoming year.

Cam Thomas out of LSU has been tearing up the NBA's Vegas Summer League and remarkably fell into Marks' lap at No. 27 overall in the 2021 NBA draft.




Thomas led all freshmen in scoring with the Tigers at 23 points per game, but pro scouts poked holes in his game and doubted his ability to score at the same level against NBA level players.

So far, Thomas is making his doubters look foolish as he's led all scorers in Vegas including dropping 36 points on Sunday night against San Antonio.

The Nets had a historic offense last season, despite their big three playing in a total of nine games together, and adding a dynamic, yet inexperienced raw scorer like Thomas to the fold could take the team to unprecedented heights. Brooklyn won't be short on offense, but defense and rebounding remain the team's most glaring weaknesses heading into the regular season.


Jason Kidd's son reveals distant relationship with his father in emotional post

Jason Kidd's son, T.J., took to Instagram to open up to the world about the troubling relationship he has with his father.


Since Kidd divorced from Joumana back in 2008, T.J. opened up about the difficulties of being the son of a famous star in the aftermath of his parents separating.
Hopefully whatever chasm has developed between the father and son can be filled soon.

Extensions looming for Harden and Irving means scary hours in Brooklyn is here to stay

General manager Sean Marks is normally cold and calculated in his personnel moves and equally guarded when making these machinations public. So, when Marks met with reporters this week and not so subtly hinted that James Harden and Kyrie Irving are engaged in extension talks, and to take it one step f urther, on the verge of agreeing to long-term deals should excite Nets fans.
With the trio of stars in the fold for the foreseeable future, Brooklyn maintains its status as an Eastern Conference powerhouse. Harden and Irving are fully recovered from injuries suffered during the Milwaukee playoff and have revenge on their minds with the regular season two months away.
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