The Nets had a three-game winning streak snapped by the Warriors on Monday but they’re garnering attention with their improved play and young talent, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News writes.
Before giving up 120 points to Golden State, Brooklyn had the No. 1 ranked defense in the league during December. The Nets notched wins over Toronto, Philadelphia and Minnesota during the mini-streak.
“Looks like it’s working,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I watched the Minnesota game, that was impressive. And I don’t know, I just think that every time we’ve played them over the last couple years, they’ve been energetic, well-organized, well-coached. So, you know, they came to our place last year and beat us. We came here last year, and it was like 24-to-6 right out of the gate. We had to fight to win at the end, so I just think they’re doing a great job. Jordi (Fernandez) is doing a great job, his staff, player development, in the face of obviously a rebuild, but seven out of 10 wins, best defense in the league in December.”
We have more on the Nets:
- Michael Porter Jr. had the 10th-most votes among Eastern Conference players in the first round of fan voting. It reinforces the notion that Porter is a long shot to be selected for the 12-man squad despite posting career-high numbers, but that won’t stop the Nets from campaigning for him, writes Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “Mike is a leader by example. He shows up, always been very professional since I got to know him at 19 years old. He’s worked on his body, came in and did his work. Obviously, that shot is pure, but he puts a lot of time into it,” Fernandez said. “He makes open shots, contested shots and impossible shots. That’s the work that not a lot of people see and his teammates see it.”
- The front office must keep in mind the long-term picture during this competitive stretch in which they’ve moved up a few spots in the standings, Lewis opines. General manager Sean Marks and team owner Joe Tsai must make a tough decision on whether Porter is a trade asset or a building block for the future, as well as seeking a market for Cam Thomas. They could also ponder other moves, such as trading Nic Claxton or absorbing another salary dump into their league-high $15MM in cap space to acquire more draft assets.
- While Haywood Highsmith continues to work his way back from right knee surgery, he’s trying to assist the club any way he can, such as mentoring rookie Drake Powell. “Just a true vet,” Fernandez said of Highsmith, per Holmes. “You see him right now, he’s passing the ball to Drake and we’re not asking him to do it. So that shows you the type of veteran he is, his leadership. He holds him accountable and he wants him to get better. So that’s very important for us. That leadership is priceless and we’re very happy with him… He’s doing his job every single day.”
Porter Jr and a 1st for a bench player on a huge contract!!!!! Horrible trade
Keep Porter, everyone else is expendable. Collect first rounders or move experience for recently drafted. Better luck with draft position and hopefully solid drafts can turn them around as fast as the Spurs did.
Keep everyone who is the age of 18-21.
Demin, Traore, Powell, Saraf, Wolf and Clowney. Trade everyone else.
Trade Porter and Cam Thomas for a good 1st
I think there’s something to this trio of MPJ, Clowney, and Claxton. Their size causes matchup problems at both ends of the floor and their skill sets seem to complement each other. You replace Mann with a legit difference maker and suddenly this starting 5 is a competitive unit.
However, I think its a tough situation with MPJ because of his lengthy injury history. Serious back issues for a guy approaching his 30s is a major concern. Is that the guy the Nets should bank their future on? Tough call.
He’s 27 and has played more games than almost anyone else since the 22-23 season. He’s turned into an iron man.
My amazing James can’t win against good teams, he needs to play against bad teams to win
James who?
My cute LBJ
Pickle where the sun does not shine.
Nets Notes: STEVE KERR SAYS THE NETS ARE FINE AT PLAYING BASKETBALL
Can’t even blame Davey anymore lol
What does Davey have to do with the Nets?
Nothing to do with the Nets. Everything to do with finding ways to talk about Steve Kerr.
Yeah Kerr, everyone beats you, even the crappy Nets of last year because you telegraph all your coaching moves now, its “go small” under any circumstance. You spend 75% of the game going small and it doesn’t work.
Christie Paul would be good get. To teach the young guys. He did wonders for SGA. I think Porter is a keeper. He is not that old. Don’t see Thomas getting a first in a trade. Morant may be a good target