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Ex-Net Deron Williams wins exhibition boxing bout with former NFL RB Frank Gore

Deron Williams may have missed his calling. The Brooklyn Nets former franchise point guard took his talents to the boxing ring as an undercard in a heavyweight exhibition match with Frank Gore prior to Saturday night's main fight between Jake Paul and Tyron Woodley. The Williams and Gore fight was scheduled for four rounds with Williams getting a split decision from the judges. The fight was surprisingly chippy when Williams clinched Gore and knocked him into the ropes and out of the ring tumbling into the camera equipment. Gore appeared shaken up, but upon resuming action he got Williams in the clinch and nearly wrestled him out of the ring. After the fight Williams insisted his boxing debut is a one and done scenario, but he did call out ex-Jet receiver Brandon Marshall who challenged the toughness of NBA players as opposed to NFL players. Williams never panned out with Brooklyn despite being named an NBA All-Star in 2012. The Nets floor general drew major criticism after signing a near $100 million contract upon the team's move to Brooklyn and never living up to the hype. In fact, due to a stretch provision the Nets still paid Williams $5 million annually five years after he was released and up until June 2020 as part of the stretch provision. Williams was a terrific player in his heyday, but whether it be the pressure of playing in New York, or some of the aging supporting cast around him in Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Williams left Nets fans wishing for more

Nets changing course on Kyrie's status reeks of desperation

Nothing has changed since September when the Brooklyn Nets organization, including Joe Tsai, Steve Nash and Sean Marks, came together to rule out Kyrie Irving as a part-time, unvaccinated player. Irving is still unvaccinated, the New York City vaccine mandate hasn't changed and we are still very much living in a pandemic world. What has changed is the growing number of Nets landing on the virus protocols list and positive tests across the country and league. This development has prompted Marks to make quick decisions to fill roster holes by signing Langston Galloway, James Ennis and Shaquille Harrison to ten day contracts to fill the void. James Harden and Kevin Durant remain in virus protocols, while there's a high level of concern about the minutes Durant is logging in the early season. The timing of Irving's return couldn't be stranger as cases are increasing with the omnicon variant spreading throughout the United States. In fact, Irving has landed on the virus list and will need to produce negative tests two consecutive days to be eligible to play in addition to a ramp up period to make sure he's in game shape. The reality is, the decision to flip flop on Irving's eligibility is based on desperation and not logic. Brooklyn simply isn't a true title contender without Irving in the fold and now with him back, they become the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn's brass knows a championship is at stake and changing course shows exactly how dire things are in Brooklyn.

KD's hurt ankle, Seven on COVID-19 list, Kyrie teases return, all hell breaking loose in Nets' World

While you were sleeping a whole lot has changed around the Brooklyn Nets. Kevin Durant has a tweaked ankle, James Harden is among seven players in COVID-19 protocol and Kyrie Irving tweeted out a video that hints at a return to the court. Despite dressing eligible players, Brooklyn escaped in overtime by Toronto 131-129 on Tuesday night. Durant led the way with 34 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists while Patty Mills added 30 points. It was arguably the most impressive win of the year for the Nets against a Raptors squad that was winners of four of its last five heading into the contest and with plenty of offensive and defensive firepower. Brooklyn survived one night with rookies Cam Thomas (4), David Duke Jr. (10) and Kessler Edwards (17) contributing in the scoring column and playing meaningful minutes. The attention now turns to how Steve Nash will handle a paper thin roster and when Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge and Bruce Brown will be eligible to return to action. In the immediacy, Nash has his hands full, but a potentially season altering development came when Irving posted yet another cryptic tweet, this time a video of him lacing up sneakers. Speculation has been mounting that Irving could return to the Nets with reports indicating there's increased optimism among Nets players and coaches that may be in the offing. Brooklyn has its hands full right now, but at least there is one encouraging sign coming out of Nets world.

Kevin Durant questionable against Toronto with ankle injury, five Nets out due to COVID-19 protocols

The Brooklyn Nets have announced that Kevin Durant has officially been added to tonight's injury report and is questionable to play against Toronto. Coming off a 51 point game against Detroit, it's not clear exactly when Durant suffered the injury, but it's significant enough to potentially impact his playing status. Along with Durant, Joe Harris remains out following ankle surgery, but five players have landed on the league's COVID list including DeAndre Bembry, LaMarcus Aldridge, James Johnson, Jevon Carter and Paul Millsap.

Brooklyn will be extremely shorthanded and is now dealing with a potential COVID-19 outbreak. The Chicago Bulls already had their next two games postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak, so if things continue in this direction the Nets could be going down a similar path.

KD closing gap in MVP race with Curry

Take Kevin Durant off the Nets or Steph Curry off the Warriors and both clubs would be fighting for their playoff lives. 

 With both players in the fold, Golden State is the best out West and Brooklyn the beast of the East, record-wise. Durant and Curry are truly irreplaceable and it's not a coincidence they're in the middle of a MVP race that is tightening with each passing day. 

 Durant made his latest case for MVP with a 51 point outing in Detroit without James Harden, Paul Millsap, Joe Harris and oh yeah, Kyrie Irving. The Nets franchise player is leading the NBA in scoring at 29.4, 2.4 points higher than Curry and The Greek Freak. Durant is shooting a remarkable 52.9 percent from the field to lead the league and is 9.7 percentage points higher than Curry. 

 The numbers don't lie and Brooklyn's point forward passes the eye test, Durant is more than deserving of the MVP award. His unprecedented efficiency, clutch shooting and effortless scoring is the stuff of legends, not to mention Steve Nash has to literally force him to the bench to rest.

 At the quarter pole, Curry is just a hair ahead of Durant, due in large part to his team's overwhelming success and ascension back atop the Western Conference. 

Things can change in a hurry and with news breaking that optimism is growing around Irving's return to the court in Brooklyn, the Nets are hoping to stack wins and make an even stronger case for Durant during this superb season.

Report: 'Nets players and coaches want Kyrie to join team ASAP'

 According to Shams Charania of the Athletic, there is renewed optimism about Kyrie Irving returning to the Nets this season.

Charania indicates there's been increased dialogue between Kevin Durant and Irving about his fit on the team and analyzing Nets' game.

It's unclear the exact scenario around Irving's potential return. There's been no clear indication that vaccine mandates for pubic venues in New York City will be lifted anytime soon. 

Back in September, the Nets' brass of Joe Tsai, Sean Marks and Steve Nash refused to allow Kyrie to be a part-time player and practice with the team, while playing only in road games where the vaccine mandate doesn't apply.

The recent report could mean one of three things, either the Nets are softening their stance regarding Irving being a part-time player, Irving has agreed to get the vaccine or there has been a change to New York City's vaccine mandate.

Whatever the case may be, the report is a major development for the Nets' title chances this upcoming season. Brooklyn has the best record in the Eastern Conference, but has failed every litmus test against the NBA's elite teams. As this story is updated, further details will emerge, but this has to be an encouraging sign as virtually nothing has been reported about Irving's status changing since the start of the year.

Angry Nets Fans Remember, Without Kyrie there's no KD or Harden

 


Fans can be fickle and forgetful. Kyrie Irving is absorbing heat for his refusal to get vaccinated and comply with local mandates. The Nets don't want Irving as a part-time player and thus the standoff has reached its fifth month.

Fans and media clamoring for the Nets point guard to make the decision they want and what's best for their team, not the individual. 

At the end of the day, Irving has a personal choice, but he'll have to live with the consequences of his decision.

No NBA basketball unless there's a change to New York City vaccine requirements or he opts for some form of the vaccine.

Most fans and the public at large are outraged at Irving's decision amidst a health crisis with the pandemic simply much bigger than the game of basketball.

Most quickly forget that it was Irving who was the key driving force for bringing Kevin Durant to Brooklyn with him back in 2019 and forming a superstar duo that James Harden couldn't resist joining upon wiggling out of Houston.

The Brooklyn Nets as you see them today, are a culmination of Irving assuming the role as lead recruiter for his childhood team. 

So not matter how upset, annoyed or disenfranchised you are with the Nets franchise point guard, remember, there's no KD or Harden without Kyrie.


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