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Brooklyn Nets: Taurean Prince stays put, signs big deal with Nets

by
Brooklyn Nets, Taurean Prince

What better way to lead up to the Brooklyn Nets opener and the NBA opener in general, than with news breaking. Recently acquired, Taurean Prince doesn’t have to worry about leaving the borough of Brooklyn in the immediate future.

The ever-reliable Woj adds more information to the deal, describing it as a two-year deal that would dish out a little more than 14m/yr.

This is a swift move by the Nets organization. Sean Marks and Nets brass seem to sign their guys instead before their contracts are up so as not to be at the mercy at the overpaying market. We’ve seen it with Joe Harris, Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris Levert, and now Prince. A trend is being established, a pattern that looks to be a good one. We have seen plenty of players get new contracts over the last few days, and the consensus for a lot of them is that they have gotten overpaid. With this in mind, Marks recent deals look more and more like bargains and steals.

But just as important as the financial aspect of things, if not more so, is the on the court ability Prince brings. The casual NBA fan may not realize it due to his time on the Atlanta Hawks, but Prince is a lethal shooter. I mean, he has an absolute burner. For his career, Prince is shooting 38% from beyond. A lot of that stems from his last two years, where he shot 38.5 and 39% from 3. Another important note is that every year, his shooting percentage from the field overall and the three has increased. In his fourth year, he has a chance to improve on those numbers yet again. He’ll have more attention taking from him than he probably did in Atlanta, and he’s under Kenny Atkinson, one of the best developmental coaches in the NBA. Most players under his tutelage usually improve, especially from beyond the arch.

To add to this, the Fresh Prince has had a great Preseason. Yes, I know it’s Preseason, and yes, I know it is only four games, but hopefully, these are signs of things to come. In those four showings, not only did Prince average a team-high 16.8ppg, but he also shot 69.6% from deep (while shooting above 60% overall). Now while we expect these numbers to go down, it is an exciting thing to see. Last season there was buzz around Joe Harris and his shooting. Some wondered if Harris could find his way into a very exclusive 50-40-90 club. Well, now we have to wonder the same thing about Prince.

The last thing to note, the Nets seem more or less invested in this core. They are trying to keep their pieces intact for the next couple of years. When Kevin Durant returns, he and Kyrie Irving will have no shortage of help surrounding them. Now, if they can retain Joe Harris, they’ll have two of the league’s best role-playing shooters to go along with two of the NBA’s best shooters in general. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, this is how Prince feels about the organization and this move. We’ve come a long way, Nets Nation.

Boston’s Past Locker Room Issues Shouldn’t Plague Brooklyn

by
Brooklyn Nets, Spencer Dinwiddie

A couple of days ago, Stefan Bondy spoke on former Boston Celtic and newly acquired New York Knick, Marcus Morris, and his thinking on why the locker room dynamics will be the difference in Madison Square Garden vs. TD Garden.

“The teams are different. We don’t have that one guy where it’s like, okay, he’s first,” Morris said. “It’s a team thing. No knock on Ky, but obviously he’s a superstar, he’s first. Sometimes his emotions were put in front of the team. I think here, we’re all transparent with each other. We can all go up to each other and be honest with each other. That’s the biggest thing, when you can go out and speak to your brother.”

Morris feels that there will be no special treatment, and that will create ease in any tension when trouble arises. Players will be acknowledged and more comfortable to call out.

That may have been one of the problems with the Boston Celtics locker room, but I don’t expect that will be the case for Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets.

A big reason for this is the man in question himself, Kyrie Irving. Over the past few months, Irving has acknowledged many things. He admitted he has high expectations, expectations he didn’t exactly live up to last season. He was candid in his assessment of himself as a leader. He told us of his internal struggles with personal issues, while not giving himself an out as an excuse. Kyrie has said a lot of the right things, whether in concerns to himself, the team, or the tensions between the league and China. I don’t believe he’s had a misstep yet. These are all signs of a man who has done soul searching and has grown with the lessons that life has given. Also, he was there in the Boston locker room to see first hand what happened and what part he played in all of it. If anyone can keep history from repeating itself there, it’s him.

The other person that comes to mind in all of this is Coach Kenny Atkinson. Through the years in Brooklyn, Atkinson does not seem like the kind of coach to let players get much if any special treatment. Before Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant blessed the borough of Brooklyn with their presence, we didn’t exactly have an abundance of star/superstar players while in the Kenny Atkinson Era.

Well, that was until last year when D’Angelo Russell fully emerged. But even being a top 3 pick in his draft, D’Angelo Russell should’ve had some pull that most players did not. He was probably the consensus best talent on the team, which is why he’d be a top 3 pick. But all that did not matter to Kenny Atkinson. Russell had to work long and hard for every minute of playing time he was given.

There were a lot of games where Russell watched his team in the fourth quarter. There were a lot of games where D’Angelo was seated next to Kenny as he watched his teammates fight the good fight.

Now I’m not saying D’Lo is a star on the level of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant but based off what we’ve seen from Kenny Atkinson. I can’t see him allowing the locker room to fracture or players to feel alienated because his team feels that he favors a player too much. But we’ll see throughout the season now, won’t we?

Is the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets rivalry now bigger than ever?

by
New York Knicks

This summer, the Brooklyn Nets were able to get the 2 superstar free-agents that the New York Knicks coveted.  Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving decided to sign with the Nets over the Knicks.  Knicks fans were too confident that they would land at least one, if not both.  But, that was not god’s plan.

Now that those two are in Brooklyn instead of New York, does this intensify the rivalry?  Is the Knicks-Nets rivalry bigger than ever now?

Well, it should be.  But, it isn’t.

Some fans of both teams will saw say there is always a rivalry and rightfully so.  The ‘Battle of Borough’ does mean a lot to basketball fans in New York.  It is a sibling rivalry.  It is fun and there is something extra to play when these two teams meet, regardless of their records.

However, the rivalry does not mean as much unless both teams are good and/or contenders.  This season, and for the duration of the Durant/Irving tenure, the rivalry does not carry as much weight unless the Knicks are good.

Regardless of what player went where, the Nets made the playoffs last year and were the better New York team.  The Knicks had the league’s worst record, enough said.  Therefore, the rivalry meant nothing, well to Spencer Dinwiddie it allegedly meant everything.

If the Knicks are able to become something like what the Nets currently are, then it will grow.  The Knicks will have to be contenders.  It might not be next season, but they are on the right path to make that happen.  Or, if the Knicks are able to get a big name free-agent next season, or trade for one, then the rivalry will be huge.  As long as whatever they do turns them into competitors.

There was no competition last season, or the year before.  The Nets were clearly the better team, so the rivalry was swept underneath the rug.  Even when Durant comes back from his Achilles injury, the rivalry will not mean much unless the Knicks are competitive.

If both teams are in contention for the playoffs, especially being in the same division, the rivalry intensifies.  The Knicks already have the ‘dog’ mentality ready to shock people with their play this season.  Will that play be good enough to propel this rivalry into a another stratosphere?  Or will the Knicks let the Nets try to take control of the city.

Brooklyn Nets: Sean Marks…Do Your Job!

by
Brooklyn Nets, Sean Marks

Now, this title isn’t to say by any means that Sean Marks hasn’t done a stellar job since taking on the mantle of the GM of the Brooklyn Nets. From bringing in D’Angelo Russell to his draft choices over the years to being able to attract marquee free agents this summer, Marks has had plenty of room for error yet made very few.

He’s been applauded for what he’s been able to do in one of the toughest positions in the league, if not the toughest, and he’s been applauded for the culture that he was able to build.

That culture was not easy to establish. It was not easy to build. It took a lot of time and effort and dark times to create. Today that culture takes another hit this off-season. First with a new member of the Brooklyn Nets, Wilson Chandler, who was handed a hefty 25 game suspension from the NBA for indulging in PEDs. Let me say that Chandler does claim that he and his doctor did not know the substance was an illegal one.

Now we hear the news that Rodions Kurucs was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. The news was broke from the New York Daily News.

Kurucs allegedly screamed, “I am going to kill myself!” He allegedly put his hand around the woman’s throat and choked her, then forced her to march to his bed.

The 6-foot-9, 210-pound forward allegedly pushed her on the bed, slapped her in the face twice, bit her lip and then picked her up and tossed her on the bed hard enough to hurt her ribs, the sources said.

She also suffered bruising to her ribs and face, according to prosecutor Wilfredo Cotto during the arraignment. Cotto said there are no pictures of her injuries, and noted the then-couple went to Las Vegas the next day.

Now let me say outright, as the details are laid out, this situation is horrific, disgusting, and completely UNACCEPTABLE! Every story has 3 sides. Kurucs’, his girlfriend’s, and the truth, but it’s hard if not impossible to think of any story that can excuse or condone these actions.

What is noteworthy and what I think has been glanced over in all this is what Rodions Kurucs yelled. “I am going to kill myself!” Those are not words without significant weight. That is something serious within itself. I don’t know what caused the argument or what led to the altercation between the two parties, but could Kurucs be suffering from some kind of mental illness or troubles? Could he possibly be suicidal? And possibly how could he have been provoked.

Via Stefan Bondy, the Nets made the following statement concerning Kurucs Saga:

After learning of the allegations against Rodions Kurucs, we notified and are assisting the League Office as they begin the process of gathering more information. The Nets organization takes allegations of this nature with extreme seriousness. While the investigation is underway and as we continue to learn more, we will refrain from commenting further.

Now, on one hand, it is always good not to overreact and be at the mercy of the mob. It’s better to get things right vs to appease the mob for its desire for a public execution.

On the other hand, the lack of response to the Chandler situation may give fans and eyes across the league the wrong idea. Either way, these allegations are BIG. Especially towards a young player who was a fan favorite and had a bright future ahead of him.

I hope the legal system gets things right. I hope the young lady involved is ok, even if it turns out she was the one to ignite this whole thing. Even if she was, doesn’t mean she needs to be harmed physically, just needs to face the law as justice demands. I hope Kurucs gets the help he potentially needs if he is indeed mentally ill. This is a reminder to Nets fans everywhere on humility.

Lastly, Sean Marks, you have tough decisions ahead. I hope you make the right one. It’s hard to imagine him cutting a player so beloved by the fans and his teammates, a player who was such a big part of our success last year, but no amount of talent excuses you from wrongdoing.

So Marks, do your job. Uphold the Culture!

UPDATE:

Via The Glue Guys:

Spoke to NYPD, they say Kurucs turned himself into police this morning. Kurds had an attorney with him. Police say Kurucs allegedly choked a 32 year old woman (that the Daily News says was his girlfriend)

Brooklyn Nets could look to Carmelo Anthony for farewell tour

by
New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony

Should the Brooklyn Nets consider signing Carmelo Anthony?

The last few years have seen Carmelo Anthony’s playing time decrease. They’ve seen him bounced around the league via trades and also cut unexpectedly. He’s been forced to play the bench as he’s watched players with far inferior resumes get signed or be invited for workouts.

Even players with as much baggage as Dwight Howard have gotten a shot at an NBA life yet again. Reading this you’d think Carmelo’s career was all, but over right?

That’s the thing, it is all BUT over. Stay Melo, he still has life. As the former NBA star readies to scrimmage with his former team in Manhattan, news broke of a hefty Wilson Chandler suspension. With the knowledge that Chandler was violating league policy by way of PEDs, the NBA hit Chandler with 25 games. That’s more than 25% of the season that he’d be MIA for. It does not help Chandler’s case that he went on to lie (or what looks a lot like a lie) about the situation.

Now I don’t know the stipulations within his recently signed contract, but that could be the key to Melo’s shot at being on an NBA team.

If the contract allows for cutting ties without paying all or any money for violations such as this one, Sean Marks and the Nets may decide to look into that. This organization has worked extremely hard to create a certain culture and atmosphere that could be in jeopardy if they let this slide. For appearance sake, the Nets may cut Chandler anyway, leaving the door open for the team to search for another SF/PF. And that would be of course where Melo comes in. It doesn’t hurt that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are pushing to have Carmelo Anthony added to the roster (per Frank Isola).  The Saga continues.

Will the Brooklyn Nets rotate at the point guard position?

by
Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have had various players at point guard over the years. It’s a position that generally has good depth in Brooklyn. I mean it makes sense. It’s arguably the most critical position on the court.

The point guard is the first line of defense. He directs the offense and sets the tempo of the game. He’s supposed to be an extension of the coach since the coach can’t be on the court directing things at all times.

This year is a little different for the Brooklyn Nets. There are only two players on the roster that naturally play the position — newly acquired member of the Nets Kyrie Irving and the man who recruited him, Spencer Dinwiddie. You could push the number to three with the addition of Jaylen Hands, but the rookie out of UCLA will probably spend his rookie year developing in Long Island.

So that leaves the question, what happens when one of the two main guys are in foul trouble? Or if both get into foul trouble? What happens during a load management day? Kyrie hasn’t exactly been the most healthy pg in the league, what happens if he has to miss games for an extended period?

These questions gave room for people to speculate specific point guards as viable options earlier on in the offseason. But with the Nets having 15 guaranteed contracts and the roster is more or less set in stone at this point, it’s clear Sean Marks believes the answer to these questions and the depth at point guard are on the roster.

The first person that comes to mind is Caris Levert. The young player has a diverse skill set. He can handle the rock and create for himself. His ability to break down a defender and penetrate, allow him to find the open man when the defense collapses. Levert has played some point guard during his tenure with the Nets, and the organization has liked what they’ve seen. Don’t be shocked to see Levert play someone for short stints this season.

The veteran Garrett Temple is another option at the point guard. Although seldom, he too has experienced at the point throughout his NBA career. Temple, like Caris, would give the Nets a more significant body to throw at opposing PGs, causing lots of matchup problems. And as a veteran, you don’t have to worry about him being overwhelmed with the responsibility of running a team or having someone take him out of his game. He’s seen a lot over the years so he can be a steady hand if need be.

Dzanan Musa is another option that Kenny Atkinson will probably look at to be a primary ball-handler and run the offense. Musa is a player the Brooklyn brass is very high on. They believe the young European player is oozing with potential and that he can be a very versatile piece to the roster. Through his young career in the NBA and before it, he hasn’t shown a knack for creating for others, but he does have a decent handle. He’d be an extremely tall PG for us, listed at 6’9″. During the Summer League, we saw him run the offense a little bit, and as he continues to learn the game, he should get better on that end. He’s probably the least likely option, but I expect to see him tested here during practices or possibly during garbage time.

Finally, the heart and soul of our bench mob, Theo Pinson might have his hand tried at being the floor general. Management might’ve spoken to him about him playing some point because Pinson seems to have his mind wrapped around the idea already. He opened up to Brian Lewis about it saying that he wants to, of course, do his job, but do it while taking care of the ball. He even mentioned playing the point guard position reporting:

I have the ball in my hands [as] the third point guard, knock down open shots — I think that’s the biggest thing for me. We’ve got a lot of guys who can create on our team, so being able to knock down shots and be respectable will just open up the floor for them.

So the Nets may not have that traditional third point guard to go to this season, but they have multiple viable options to hold down the fort if the need arises.

Brooklyn Nets: Here are the top games to circle on your calendar for 2019-20

by
Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets

On August 12th, at 3 pm, Brooklyn Nets fans everywhere were blessed with the schedule for this upcoming season. In the dry spot of the NBA calendar year, this is the most exciting piece we’ve gotten in awhile.

Now fans, analyst, and everything in between can look ahead toward the season to come. You can start picking games to go to, start counting wins and losses that haven’t occurred yet, and the endless speculation of everything an NBA season has to offer. With all this in mind, I thought it would be good to go through the most important games of the Nets schedule for the 2019-20 season. And first out of the gate is:

October 23 vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Yup, right out the gate. The first game of the NBA season is an important game for Brooklyn’s Nets. Why? Well for a few reasons actually. For starters, it marks the end to the drought without Nets Basketball. We get to see our favorite team compete and just having basketball back, in general, will be exuberant.

Secondly, it’s the first home game of the season. The first game may also show us potential trends in what we can expect to see in line ups and rotations from Coach Kenny Atkinson. And lastly, it is important to get off to a good start. Let’s get these winning streaks going early and often. Lets put our best foot forward and come out in droves to support. And in turn, the team should reward its fans with a win.

October 25 vs New York Knicks

Rivalry day. Not much else to say about this. Let’s get this over with, protect home court, and silence the bipolar optimistically pessimistic Knickerbocker fans and show them where the best basketball is being played in the state.

November 27 @ Boston Celtics

This is an important date outside of it being my sisters birthday. And yes, of course, it’s already a rivalry day game, but it’s so much more than that. Kyrie Irving makes his return to TD Garden after a less than optimal departure from the Boston Celtics. After a lot of the slander he’s received on his way out (although a few of his ex-teammates stepped up to defend him), this is a revenge game.

November 27th, Kyrie aims to show the Celtics and their fans that he wasn’t the problem or at least not the biggest problem. Also, Spencer Dinwiddie and Enes Kanter have had some entertaining twitter bouts back when the big man played for the New York Knicks. Keep your eye on twitter for potential laughs and shots. Max Kellerman also agrees with this being the revenge game of the year to look at.

 

December 15 vs 76ers

We had a Cinderella season last year. We got further than many may have thought and found ourselves in the 6th seed come season end. That brought us face to face with the 76ers. Well on December 15th, the Sixers come into town as we have a shot to rectify past mistakes with this playoff rematch. Both teams will be sporting new looks, especially Brooklyn, so the outcome of that postseason match up will matter little to nothing here. And of course, it’s a division rival. If you need any more to see that this is a big matchup, the 76ers twitter page posted a series of tweets. One being an overall schedule release tweet and then tweets of specific matchups. The tweets included their games against the Clippers, Rockets, Lakers, and Warriors (all included in the same tweet), their game against the Raptors, and of course, their game against Brooklyn.

 

February 5 vs Golden State

Aquarius season is in full effect as the prodigal son returns. D’Angelo Russell with his new team in the Golden State Warriors is probably hoping that he can do to Brooklyn what Kyrie Irving is supposed to be doing to the Celtics upon his return. Well as much as D’Lo is loved, it can’t be helped. Not even he can be excused from holding this L. I do expect him to be well received and get a standing ovation.

Which point guard is better for the Nets, Irving or Russell?

Also, look for the Dinwiddie vs D’Lo dynamic. Although D’Lo seems cordial to the organization and most of his teammates during his tenure here, Spence was one of the main people recruiting what would be D’Angelo’s replacement. D’Lo also was following most every other Brooklyn Net during the free agency frenzy, but it seemed Spence was unfollowed. Not only that, but D’Lo vs Spence has been brewing between the fans of Brooklyn all throughout Russell’s Brooklyn Nets tenure. Lots of storylines in this one.

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March 12 @ Golden State

Well, we’ll be visiting the Golden State Warriors at their new arena. Since Kevin Durant hasn’t been ruled out for the entirety of next season, there’s a possibility he plays in this game. If he does end up playing, he won’t get huge minutes, but it’s our job to help KD not only play well. It’s also our job to help him beat his old team. This is a chance for KD to get back at Draymond for his comments, at the GM and Kerr for subtle joke jabs, and the Warriors medical staff (although Kevin said he doesn’t feel they mishandled anything).

Honorable Mentions

  • November 20th vs Hornets where Kyrie Irving shows Terry Rozier that there’s a big gap in the caliber of player they are.
  • December 14th @ Toronto Raptors is a game not only against a division rival but also because it’s our first shot at the defending NBA champs. They for sure aren’t even close to the same team that won the championship, but they are the reigning champs and should be treated like such until someone else comes along.

Can the Brooklyn Nets make the playoffs without Kevin Durant?

by
Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets

The new-look Brooklyn Nets have certainly gotten their fair share of praise given to them since the off-season has begun. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving found new homes here. Sean Marks and Kenny Atkinson have to be applauded. But that doesn’t mean we have been without our critiques. On the NothinButNets site, I wrote about some of the criticism we have gotten. Specifically as far as Jalen Rose goes. You can find it here: https://nothinbutnets.com/2019/07/25/jalen-roses-prediction-brooklyn-nets-next-year-spot/

ESPN’s The Jump had a conversation on teams most likely to underachieve and mentioned the Nets as a potential team to miss the playoffs.

There was no real push back on the notion that the Nets, despite adding Kyrie Irving, would miss the playoffs. I could be missing something, but I’d like to think they are the ones missing things. So here are some reasons why the Nets will make the playoffs.

1. Continued Growth of Players

The Brooklyn Nets have made their name of their youth movement, players, with promise, and grit. This coupled with Kenny Atkinson and the player development staff, many players should be in for leaps in their game. Since drafting Caris Levert, he’s improved gradually year after year. This 2018-2019 season he had his best showing. If not for injury, he probably would have had a good case for the All-Star game. During his best stretches where he was healthy, he was Brooklyn’s best player. This includes post-season.

Spencer Dinwiddie is another player who has come a long way. His play and late-game heroics have won the organization and fans over time and time again. He’s improved his jumper in his time under Head Coach Kenny Atkinson and despite playing slightly fewer minutes than he did last season, we saw an uptick in his production. In less time (and with D’Angelo Russell and for stretches Caris Levert having career years), his points per game jumped from 12.6 to 16.8 while his shooting percentage also went up from roughly 39% to 44%.

Jarrett Allen continues to put on weight and gain strength. Another year, especially mentored by Nets newcomer DeAndre Jordan, will help him on the defensive end of the floor. DJ and Kenny can also help him better position himself for easy buckets and his Summer League play may be signs of him ready to take that next step.

Since coming to Brooklyn, Joe Harris has calmly improved in almost every statistical aspect. Last season he had career highs in minutes per game, points per game, assist per game, rebounds per game, effective field goal percentage, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, shot attempts per game, free throw attempts per game, and tied his career-high in free throw percentage for the season. Joe has the chance to join players like Malcolm Brogdon or fellow Net Kevin Durant in the 50-40-90 club. This is a club that only 8 players in NBA history have access to. He only fell short last season by 8% from the charity stripe and last season he fell short by 1% from the field and that same 8% from the line. He is within reach. And I haven’t even added Musa, Kurucs, and Pinson who all look ready to take a step forward after summer league. Not to also mention, but Kenny Atkinson is improving as a head coach. With another year of experience and an improved roster, look for him to continue to figure things out. Speaking of improved rosters…

2. Improved Roster

Let’s see what the off-season has done for us.

D’Angelo Russell->Kyrie Irving (UPGRADE)

Demarre Carroll-> Taurean Prince (UPGRADE)

Ed Davis-> DeAndre Jordan (UPGRADE)

Trevor Graham-> David Nwaba (UPGRADE)

Jared Dudley-> Wilson Chandler (UPGRADE)

RHJ->Garrett Temple (PUSH)

Allen Crabbe-> Kevin Durant who isn’t 100% and later in the season (UPGRADE)

It’s clear to see that the Nets have upgraded and gotten better personnel in exchange for everyone that was lost this off-season. Many other teams in the east have remained stagnant or gotten worse (with a few exceptions such as the Pacers), but the Nets have taken a step forward. We haven’t even discussed the rookies and the potential impact Nic Claxton specifically can bring to the team.

3. Chemistry

I know many media persons are down on the Nets DUE to the addition of Kyrie Irving rather than DESPITE it. They question Kyrie’s ability to lead and continue to peg him as a locker room cancer. And as the days go on, many may realize that this is an unfair notion. Since Kyrie’s time has soured in Boston we’ve heard all kinds of chatter concerning the all-star guard. Here I wrote for Nothinbutnets.com that Kyrie Irving will prove people wrong for a plethora of different reasons.

https://nothinbutnets.com/2019/07/10/brooklyn-nets-kyrie-irving-prove-doubters-wrong/2/

It details the other side of the story to the Kyrie Cancer Saga where other players besides Kyrie are held accountable. Not only that, but Jason Tatum has recently come out and said that he and Irving are still close and Marcus Smart has continued to defend the perennial all-star, Kyrie Irving. Marcus Morris earlier in the year also said the team loved Kyrie and wished to have him back. His former GM, Danny Ainge, has come to Irving’s defense. The only player who has been super critical and never backed off it seems is Terry Roizer, who had no choice but to take a backseat to a healthy Kyrie Irving. Even when asked if he wanted to be back in Boston, he said he couldn’t see himself back with this same group of guys. Not to say that Kyrie is without sin, but maybe Scary Terry was more so the malcontent and source of problems vs Kyrie being that.

But moving on from that, this Nets cast seems as tight-knit as any of the fan favorite rosters we’ve had in years past since the move to Brooklyn. The familiar faces have already added the new players into the group chat. Many of the players are hanging out or have hung out or are planning to hang out. There’s already a web of connection, for example, Kevin Durant being cool with Kyrie, DJ, Levert, and Prince. He can be the familiar face that makes any meshing of new people easier. There’s already friendly banter and competition brewing. You can see an example of it here on Dinwiddie’s IG.

Kyrie walks into a situation with friends and open-minded players excited to play beside him. With the culture that Kenny Atkinson and Sean Marks help mold and with the players themselves, I don’t see any chemistry issues brewing yet nor in the near future. We will have to keep a close eye on this so that we, as Nets Nation, can “I told you so” all those who doubted. But in conclusion, there’s no way on round earth or a flat one that we miss the playoffs.

Brooklyn Nets: Carmelo Anthony could have farewell tour in New York

by
New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony

Well, it’s the off-season. The Finals are a thing of the increasingly distant past, the NBA Draft is right on its heels, and every major player has pretty much left the free agency boards. Things are more or less set in stone with just a few loose ends needing to tied. So with this series, I’m going to throw out some names that remain out there in the Free Agency Pool. I don’t honestly believe that Sean Marks and the Brooklyn Nets brass are looking at these players, but these are players I wouldn’t mind the organization taking a chance on.

Unless you’ve lived under a rock or tried not to pay attention, you’ve seen how the game has treated future NBA Hall of Fame player Carmelo Anthony. It hasn’t been kind to him, it hasn’t been grateful, and it hasn’t been pretty. He’s been dashed aside like a commoner. And although everyone should get some love and recognition on their way out rather than disappear into the background like a Thanos snap victim, though who’ve given the game more probably deserve it more so. For over a decade he’s treated us to highlights and good play, whether you like him or not. Whether he was winning or not, whether he played as well as you wanted or not. Melo deserves to go out better. Now, this isn’t to say he isn’t somewhat a victim of his circumstance, but there’s a roster spot on every team that Melo could probably be utilized.

Now Carmelo is a New Yorker. But more importantly, he’s a Brooklyn baby. Birthed in Red Hook, the Brooklyn Nets have a chance to rectify the mistreatment of Melo by New York that was placed on him by the New York Knickerbockers. Now I’m all for helping and supporting a fellow Brooklynite out, but it can’t be at the expense of my hometown Nets. Melo must come in with the proper mindset for this to be a win-win.

Melo will need to join the team with the mindset that it’s not his team let alone his city anymore. He will need to give Kenny Atkinson the upmost respect and not question his authority without VALID and UNQUESTIONABLE reasoning. Melo will have to buy into the “Do whatever it takes,” attitude that veterans have when trying to win a chip. He’ll need to make that extra pass and dive for that loose ball and give at least some kind of effort on defense. The Nets won’t need him to try and score 30 a night so he must be prepared to have some nights where he won’t score or won’t score much. And on these nights, Chauncey’s words can not echo as he throws a passive-aggressive fit. His mental make up will need an overhaul if he were to return to his true home. That being said…

Although aging, Melo is still one of the best scorers the game has seen. In his twilight years, he offers a player with experience who can achieve the main focus of the game. Putting that ball in the hoop. Mid-range specifically, Melo can score from all three levels and can rebound at a stable rate. He gives the Nets depth at the small and power forward positions, the four being a prominent position of need. Melo is a veteran who can help mentor the younger players, especially with on the court play. He’d have the chance to be in the Rasheed Wallace, Jason Kidd, Kenyon Martin role that they had with the 2012-2013 Knicks that saw the most success of any Knicks team this decade. He can do similar things mentally but being able to contribute physically better. Lastly, Melo gives the team a shot creator and post scorer to implement into his system.

So depending on if the Nets were to sign him for one or two years, the Brooklyn Nets get another talented piece. The team becomes more experienced and get someone to hold down the three or four spot until Kevin Durant’s return. And when he does come back, Melo is depth and an insurance policy. Melo also isn’t one to get pushed around, so he becomes somewhat of an enforcer for this group of guys.

Melo gets a second chance in New York, the city he loves. He gets to leave both New York and or the NBA the right way. It’s been reported that Melo would like a farewell tour and that there have even been little push to try and get one.

If he chooses not to retire, he’ll have the chance to rewrite his reputation. He can also compete for that ever alluding championship and bring it to help bring it to New York, so that’s a resume builder and saver. And last, but not least, he gets a chance to stick it to the Knicks and help supplant the Nets as the team of New York. Everyone wins, if he comes with the right mindset… and cheap of course.

Brooklyn Nets: DeAndre Jordan is a bit late to the three-point party

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DeAndre Jordan, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn. Home of the Brooklyn Nets. Birthplace of Jay-Z. A melting pot of Caribbean Cultures. You can find a lot of things and different kinds of people in the borough of Brooklyn. One thing you haven’t been able to find though, a true jump-shooting big. Especially since the departure of Brook Lopez. Well, Kenny Atkinson might be in luck cause things can potentially change.

Deandre Jordan recently spoke on how he is working on his three-ball.

Nets Daily writes:

Appearing on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” podcast earlier this week, DeAndre Jordanthat he, too, is working on his three point shot, but doesn’t see it as a big part of his game. He noted that he makes his living underneath the basket.

Asked about a three-point shot, Jordan, said, “Yeah, everyone is developing that part of the game and I’m obviously doing it. But I also want to stay on the floor. If I’m just shooting three-point shots, obviously, and I’m missing them, then I’m old and I’ll disappear.”

Deandre Jordan is open to working on and expanding his game. He knows it’ll make him more valuable and useful to not only the team but also himself. It’ll give another weapon in this deep shooting era for Kenny can use. Good note number two, Deandre Jordan understands that obtaining another piece does not form a new identity for you. He understands his strengths lie closer to the basket.

A common saying is a jump shot is a blessing and a curse. Having the ability to shoot makes people fall in love with taking jump shots. It becomes easy to settle. Increasingly so as you get tired.

The mindset of him not forgetting what made him his reputation and money, it seems like we won’t have to worry about him just jacking up threes. But now we have the potential to get another floor spacer if it works out.

The final good note from all of this, despite Deandre Jordan shooting just 9% from three in his career (on 1 for 11 shooting), he could really make the leap to a somewhat decent three-ball shooter. His shooting form has never been horrid. It has always been solid, just not trusted.

On top of that, we seen Deandre Jordan take big leaps in his free throw shooting. Ten seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers have Deandre Jordan shooting roughly 45% from the charity stripe. Since leaving he’s shot around 70% from the stripe (68% with the Dallas Mavericks and 77% with the New York Knicks).

So with these big jump in conversation numbers, I don’t believe it’ll be impossible for Deandre Jordan to shoot around 30-33% from three if he works at it tirelessly. Let’s not forget, DJ is now being coached by Kenny Atkinson who has worked wonders with players as a means to get a reputation for a good player development coach. Most players have their career year from three under him and Deandre Jordan may be the next to follow.

My conspiracy take away — Deandre Jordan is quietly making a push to say that he should be a starter. The few things that Jarrett Allen have over DJ are as follows. Age, potential, and fro. Normally free throws would have been added, but as I stated earlier, DJ has been great strides in that aspect of his game.

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That might be more of a push at this point. Last season both Brooklyn big men shot around 70% from the line this passing season. Now add the potential of a jump shot that Jarrett Allen hasn’t figured out yet, we might be looking at yet another category in which DJ proves he has the edge over Jarrett Allen in. Hopefully, Jarrett Allen is also working on his jumper to bounce back from a less than stellar year from beyond. Either way, we are lucky to have both these guys.