Nets Insider Videos
Bar none, Nets have assembled most talented, decorated roster in NBA history
The Nets have 44 combined All-Star appearances on the roster with marquee names like James Harden, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, Paul Millsap headlining a fantasy basketball lineup.
All this is fine and well, but if the Nets fall short of a championship as they did a season ago, they'll be alongside the likes of the 2015-2016 Warriors, the 2003-2004 Lakers, the 1992-1993 Suns and the 2017-2018 Rockets as immensely talented squads that all go in the history books for all the wrong reasons.
Brooklyn needs a clean bill of health with Harden and Irving missing portions of last year's playoff run and Steve Nash needs to show a willingness to go into his newly rebuilt and more experienced bench when things get tight during the playoff run.
Aside from the Dream Team and All-star teams, the Nets could go toe to toe with any club from any era. Time Will tell whether this club delivers on a championship promise, but if one thing is for certain, Brooklyn's talent level is otherworldly and rightfully make it the team to beat heading into the 2021-2022 campaign.
Kyrie Irving is not a fan of NBA Twitter comparing his game to Steph Curry's
Kyrie Irving is masterful on the court with incredible improvisation skills off the dribble and eye popping, dazzling finishes for a player who plays predominantly under the rim.
Steph Curry is this generation's most lethal shooter with tricky handles and the ability to utilize screens well enough to make Reggie Miller proud.
So when backup point guard Mike James took to Twitter and insisted that Irving's all around game is superior to that of Curry's save the long range shooting accuracy, social media went bonkers.
Kyrie more skilled then Steph. Steph just shoot better. Everything is in kyrie favor skill wise. But whatever u say fam.
— Mike James (@TheNatural_05) August 30, 2021
This comment from the Nets backup point guard raised eyebrows and in recent days Kevin Durant even liked an Instagram post that echoed James' comments.
While a small part of Irving must appreciate his teammates showing respect for his game and elevating him into top tier status, Brooklyn's floor general took to social media for the first time in a long time to set the record straight.
LOL, when will all these comparisons of people and “expert hot takes” cease to exist? Like bruh, just appreciate the persons greatness and enjoy what you’re experiencing. It’s like some people can’t enjoy life without comparing the moment to something or someone else
— A11Even (@KyrieIrving) September 4, 2021
In the 2016 NBA finals, Irving most famously hit an eventual game winning 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the Cavaliers-Warriors Game 7 over an outstretched Curry. That shot gave Cleveland its first ever NBA title after overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to the heavily favored 73-win Warriors.
The debate will rage on between Irving and Curry, but fans should take time to appreciate reach player's individual greatness.
Curry's squads have won three out of four NBA finals matchups with Irving's teams, and with Golden State primed for a bounce back year and Brooklyn the favorites to hoist the Larry O'Brien, both players could be on a collision course come June.
Nets finally unload DeAndre Jordan in trade to Pistons, save $47M in salary and taxes
Okafor spent two seasons with Brooklyn after the former 2015 NBA draft's third round pick was traded by Philadelphia to the Nets. Marks signing Paul Millsap and likely inking LaMarcus Aldridge in the near future make Jordan even more dispensable.ESPN Sources: Brooklyn is trading C DeAndre Jordan, four future-second round picks and $5.78M to Detroit for Jahlil Okafor and Sekou Doumbouya. Pistons plan to work through a buyout on two-years, $20M owed Jordan; Nets will save $47M in salary and tax on deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 3, 2021
Aging former All-Stars Paul Millsap, LaMarcus Aldridge might not have much left in the tank to help loaded Nets
Flash forward ten years and adding a pair of 36-year-olds even to a star-studded roster doesn't nearly have the same impact.
Brooklyn had a glaring weakness in regards to the quality depth of its front court last season and that was no more evident than by their second round ousting at the hands of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Aldridge, a seven-time All-Star and Millsap a four timer have all the credentials to step in and make an immediate impact with the franchise.The concern and question marks revolve around the mileage and age on both players and how much they'll be able to bring to the table.
Sean Marks and Steve Nash will likely employ heavy load management to Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden, but how will they handle the minutes from the newly signed veterans?
During the playoffs, the versatile big men will provide a boost in the rebounding and inside scoring department, but depending on the matchup, teams can utilize small ball lineups that would likely force Aldridge to the bench.
Raining on the Nets free agency parade isn't the goal, but age and minutes restrictions during the regular season may minimize the duo's impact along with potential playoff opponents' pace of play and utilization of a small ball lineup to negate Nash using frontcourt depth.
Former Nets PG, NBA sensation Jeremy Lin discharged from Shanghai Hospital after COVID-19 treatment
In May of 2021, Lin hinted at his retirement from the NBA after playing for the Warriors G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors. The cultural icon took his talents to Beijing at the start of this year too serve as the Ducks starting floor general.Beijing Ducks player @JLin7 has been discharged from a hospital in #Shanghai on Thursday upon recovery from #COVID19. Lin thanked all of the “brave” medical staff in a Weibo post and said he is “so touched” and “very healthy.” Lin is currently quarantined in a hotel. pic.twitter.com/kbJGZ5sx9q
— Shanghai Daily (@shanghaidaily) September 2, 2021
NBA's updated restrictions on unvaccinated players may have a tangible impact on Nets
The NBA is doing everything in its power to nudge unvaccinated players in the direction of taking the COVID-19 vaccine prior to training camp opening later this month.
Due to HIPPA laws, the names of the league's players who are yet to be vaccinated has not been made public, but without a medical or religious exemption, the league's players will be unable to perform their everyday job of playing at the team facility or home arena in markets that require vaccinations.Sources: Unvaccinated NBA players in markets with local requirements — such as NYC (Knicks, Nets) and SF (Warriors) — will not be allowed to enter home arenas or facilities for games or team activities conducted there unless there’s approved medical or religious exemption.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 1, 2021
A few weeks back, the Nets put similar restrictions on unvaccinated employees or anyone in contact with players, staff or team executives.
The Nets starters: Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Joe Harris and Blake Griffin are expected to be at the team's facility for training camp, but if any of the aforementioned names are absent from camp, concern will start to grow from the fan base that a key player or players will be unable to play due to the new vaccine requirements.
This follows local governmental policies, meaning unvaccinated players on the Nets, Knicks and Warriors are not allowed to play in home games. Visiting players are exempt from the vaccination requirements in NYC and SF. https://t.co/fPePW722Og
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 1, 2021
Recent reports have indicated that as many as 90 percent of all NBA players are vaccinated, but until the familiar faces Nets fans are accustomed to seeing electrify Barclays Center are present for roll call, the more adjuda it will produce for a fan base just hoping for its nucleus to stay healthy and on the court.