The Nets suffered a third consecutive loss on Tuesday, dropping a 122-111 decision to the last-place Pistons, prompting some self-reflection from star guard Kyrie Irving and head coach Steve Nash, among others. Irving said the team looked “very average,” as Malika Andrews of ESPN writes, while Nash said the club needed to improve its “competitive spirit,” per Brian Lewis of The New York Post.
The Nets responded on Wednesday with a 104-94 victory over Indiana — it was just the second time since acquiring James Harden on January 17 that Brooklyn had allowed fewer than 100 points in a game.
That game, which Brooklyn led by as many as 36 points, was an encouraging sign, but the Nets will need to string together more wins like it to show that they’re truly elite, says Mike Vaccaro of The New York Post. The team, which has a modest 15-12 overall record, has too often looked discombobulated and disinterested, according to Vaccaro.
Here’s more on the Nets:
- Although Kyrie Irving‘s injured right index finger only forced him to miss one game, he admitted that it bothered him in his return on Tuesday, as Brian Lewis writes for The New York Post. “It’s uncomfortable, but at the same time I don’t want to make any excuses,” Irving said. “I’m out there, put myself out there, do a lot of treatment on it and we’re down a few players obviously, as well, so you just want to go out there and compete and worry about the pain later.”
- Nets center DeAndre Jordan bounced back nicely after sideline clashes with James Harden and Steve Nash on Tuesday, Lewis notes in a separate story for The Post. “If I’m honest, it was an emotional night (Tuesday),” Nash said. “D.J. and I got upset at each other for a minute. I know D.J. got upset a few times during the game. So I’m proud of him because he bounced back with an incredible attitude, effort, performance.”
- Tim Bontemps of ESPN polled a handful of coaches, scouts, and executives from around the league on which Eastern teams are capable of reaching the NBA Finals and found that the Nets and Bucks are still considered the two frontrunners, despite the fact that the 76ers are currently the conference’s No. 1 seed.
Kyrie still dropped 75 fantasy points so…
Nets dont need to push anything…Once Durants back just sit Irving thru the AS break and get him a nice rest
Matters not where the Nets land 1-5 come postseason- Buyouts, trades ,rest ,health is all that really matters till the last 15 reg season games then they need to try and form some continuity going in. Faces are going to change neways right now, id get Kyrie some rest asap
As much as I don’t like the spirit of it i agree. Nets will likely start to care at the end of the season, and as long as they make the playoffs they’ll be a threat. I believe these guys can turn it on when they want to. That said I can also see them losing a close one then giving up on a series. We’ll see.
Yea I dont like it either but this team is like a mad science experiment and theres no fans in the stands, with a brand new coach , and 3 loons… Im not counting KD but I am his burner ….shizz maybe 3.75 now w Deandre getting all emo lately
Saying all that, they are going to be absolutely fascinating to watch come playoffs
Team chemistry is vital prior to the playoffs.
Right now, the Nets don’t have any.
Anyone who believes they can just “turn it on” is a total fool.
Hang in there D.J. Durant runs this team. If you need to make adjustments to your game KD will let you know. The other guys are just noise… Literally & figuratively!
D.J. probably does need to be darn flexible with so many line up changes, and opponent scheming. Its easy to get frustrated when you are getting demoralised by the opponent. He really isn’t that versatile in the middle. Claxton hurry…
76ers ceiling is second round exit
Celtics are still capable to defeat any team in East after using TPE
Heat will be good after making a couple of good trades
In West
Nuggets ceiling is 2nd round exit
Suns and Mavs ceilings are making playoffs
If 76ers make a great trade to acquire Beal, they can win the East
Keep Ben Simmons
Use 3 -way trade
So how exactly are the Sixers getting Beal without giving up Simmons or Embiid? Washington wants Harris that badly?
Yeah thats stupid, you want a star you give up big time assets not some salary fillers and picks
This is what the Nets signed up for when they put 3 head cases on one starting lineup together.
“discombobulated”, well done Vaccaro!
I don’t remember the big 3 in Miami getting a single pass the way the big 3 in Brooklyn gets a pass… I guess fans make excuses for who they want & choose to hate on who they want…
People just hate LeBron, KD got off the hook for joining the warriors to easily
I can cite specific reasons on why I am not a part of the LeBron James fan club. Blanket hate & emotional choice has nothing to do with it.
Neither does Miami, Cleveland, Michael Jordan, or whether he wins MVP, or the All time scoring title.
Its the people in his circle I do not care for, and what comes out of it socially. Its as fake & even worse than M.J. hysteria was.
On M.J. What is he one of the worst talent scout & team owners in NBA history? He’s stunk as long as Dolan pretty much. How can his team possibly have been run so badly for so long? Gets a free pass mostly because he was a good player.
Yea people hate. I don’t have the space to hate, I’m too busy growing as a person and in life…
Hating is childish. But I can appreciated not liking a player. MJ killed my Knicks. So I never liked him, he got away with a lot of stuff. But I appreciate him much more now. I got respect for him.
Sixers are for real. Embiid in playoffs will be tough for any team. This yr he got shooters around him. I’m sure teams will add players by TD. Bucks, Sixers, Nets, Celtics are top contenders to me.
Nash said the club needed to improve its “competitive spirit.”
That’s what happens when you put three ball-dominant guys on the court together. Everyone else on the team, who’s not getting the ball, will stand around and watch. They will also not hustle on fast breaks, hustle back on defense.
That’s not from me, but an observation Candace Parker made a few weeks ago, one that Dwayne Wade affirmed.