James Harden won’t play on Tuesday but Nets coach Steve Nash is optimistic the star guard will see action in at least one regular season game heading into the postseason, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. Harden has missed 18 games due to a hamstring strain.
“He is putting in his consecutive high-intensity work modes, he has responded and so it’s all positive,” Nash said. “We can’t commit to anything right now because we’re not committed to anything … but definitely possible that he plays one or more of these next four games.”
We have more on the Nets:
- Brooklyn will likely be either the No. 2 or 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs but its seeding is not a high priority for Nash, Dunleavy relays in a separate story. “I think the No. 1 thought and priority as a staff is health over seeding,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean we’re 1,000 percent in on health over seeding.”
- Since joining the Nets as a buyout-market addition, Blake Griffin has settled in with the club, producing a 20-point game against Denver this weekend. Kyrie Irving believes Griffin will be a big key in the postseason, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “That’s what we need Blake to be in terms of being out there, being an option for us, being a playmaker,” Irving said. “His game has evolved. We understand that he’s going to play a different style with us out there, and that’s going to complement when he figures that role out.”
- Owner Joe Tsai is seeking out new corporate partnerships to raise money, including a jersey patch sponsor, Lewis and Josh Kosman of the Post report. A name change for the Barclays Center could be in the works as well, as the franchise could get $15-20MM annually for the naming rights to the arena. Barclays Center owes more than $500MM in debt, the Post duo adds.
Once they get Harden back the Nets will be very hard to beat in the playoffs.
They have a pretty good chance of beating the Bucks in the second round, then they should face the Sixers in the ECF, assuming Philly can get past the Knicks.
I love how with the Nets it’s “their talent will win out” but with the Lakers it’s “LeBron will need time to get back into form”. Nets have no way to stop AD and match up poorly with LA
He’s a homer and a bag. And clearly wants harden in more ways than basketball. It is what it is with him at this point. He won’t respond because he doesn’t have the basketballs to.
It’s his opinion, just like anyone else. Why the hate?
Both the Lakers and the Nets have big red flags with health. The Lakers though have one big advantage. The main core of their team won the championship last year and played together. Look up how few games all 3 stars for the Nets played together. I don’t even think they hit 10 games.
I’m glad you love it because that’s how it is. Nets risk is spread over 3 players who have all been in and out. LA is spread over 2, one of which has only just come back, and another who isn’t at all.
Yeah, they match up poorly — in the finals. While Nets have an easier road, neither one of them is guaranteed, and so talking about their matchup is pointless at this stage.
tl;dr chill out bro
Nope. He’s still Harden. Game 6 against Spurs. Said it all.
Barclays has been really pulling back on their American dreams. The 2008 housing bubble gets blamed for their retreat to England but I suspect they had a crazy CEO. I’m glad they’re not slapping their name on so much; it was getting confusing what sport “The Barclay tournament” might refer to, when brought up in sports news.
Irving to Griffin: “To get minutes on court, he needs to find a game that does not interfere with mine.”
I bet the Warriors go deeper into the playoffs than the Nets. Just a gut feeling I have…
With Blake Griffin playing center for the Brooklyn Nets it’s obvious this Brooklyn Nets team is a small ball type team trying to win a championship.
Lol thanks for making us all aware.
You’re welcome and maybe next season.