Nets on the Net: 3/10/10 Edition
Mar 10, 2010 Barclays Arena, Brooklyn, Devin Harris, Free Agents, LeBron James, Nets on the Net
Sebastian provides some of his expert insight of some mistakes the Nets made against the Grizzlies on Monday, over at his NBA Playbook site.
In a roundtable at SI.com, NBA writers discuss which downtrodden Eastern Conference team that would buy stock in if they had the opportunity, and naturally, the Nets are brought up.
Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com talks Brooklyn.
David Biderman of the Wall Street Journal kicks the Nets when they’re down, but then offers some support: By now you’ve realized that the New Jersey Nets aren’t just a sad-sack basketball team, they’re profoundly horrible. But even with a 7-56 record, there are several recent sports teams that were even worse.
Just how talented is Dallas? As Al Iannazzone notes, even without Jason Terry, Erick Dampier, Brendan Haywood and Tim Thomas expected to play tonight, they still have Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Caron Butler and Shawn Marion to lean on.
And that Jason Kidd fella is still a very productive PG, as Julian Garcia writes.
Brooklyn Paper with more on the designers of the Barclays Arena.
People are apparently buying Knicks season tickets at the fastest pace ever because they believe they’re going to sign LeBron James.
Nets on the Net: 3/7/10 Edition
Mar 7, 2010 Chris Douglas-Roberts, Courtney Lee, LeBron James, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net, Rafer Alston
Over at the 2010 MIT Sloan Sports Conference, where I’m beginning to think I’m the only TrueHooper not in attendance (see some of Sebastian’s coverage at NBA Playbook Here), Mikhail Prokhorov was mentioned as the “next generation” of sports owner.
Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy on yesterday’s superstar, Courtney Lee, as told to Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger: “He’s a very good player,’’ Lee’s old coach with Orlando, Stan Van Gundy, said of the 6-5 second-year guard. “His rookie year, he basically took open shots, moved the ball, played very good defense, didn’t make mistakes. And I think early in the year (with the Nets, after coming to New Jersey in the Vince Carter trade), trying to get back to the way he was in college and trying to be more aggressive was a little bit more of a challenge.
In Al Iannazzone’s recap, Courtney Lee says he sees yesterday’s game as a turning point for the team: “It feels good,” said Courtney Lee, one of the Nets stars with 25 points in his first game back after missing the prior three with a sprained ankle. “We’re starting to play together. We’re starting to understand and make the right reads out there. I feel finishing the season we’ll be a pretty good team.”
Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni is none too happy about last night: “It is as bad as it gets,” Mike D’Antoni said. “We just have to come back Monday and try to do better. I don’t have a lot to say; we just have to pull it together and find a little bit of a combination that works a little bit.”
Adam Jacobi at SB Nation, says last night’s game means two things:
- The world has gone completely crazycakes
- The Knicks are falling apart faster than 4-year-old’s alibi in the case of the missing cake frosting
Just thought I’d mention that this New York Post report refers to the Nets as “impotent.” Does this mean the players should have just been taking viagra all season?
Brian Windhorst of the Plain Dealer mocks Chris Douglas-Roberts for his recent cryptic comments about whether or not he would help recruit LeBron James to the Nets: That’s what the Nets get, apparently, for upsetting a player making the minimum salary who is averaging 10 points per game.
Old friend Rafer Alston, who hasn’t played any better since going to Miami, was indefinitely suspended by the team and is mulling retirement.
Nets on the Net: 3/5/10 Edition
Mar 5, 2010 Courtney Lee, John Calipari, LeBron James, Nets on the Net, Nets vs. 72-73 Sixers, Newark, Rod Thorn, Terrence Williams, Vince Carter
Ben Couch gives a nod to us, so let’s nod right back and mention his great piece on Courtney Lee, who was really settling into a groove recently until he injured his ankle: “Once you start getting back to your normal self and playing well, something always pops up. I just look at it as adversity, and I can overcome it: just continue to work on my game and just work myself back into shape and being healthy and go from there.”
However, Kiki lists Lee as “doubtful” for tonight’s game against his former mates.
Make sure you check out njnets.com at 1 p.m. as the live stream their press conference from the Prudential Center.
Rod Thorn, meanwhile, is unsure of the impact Newark will have on this year’s free agent class: “It’s hard to say,” Thorn said when asked if the Nets will have an edge because of their arena situation. “I think Newark will be a good place to play but I don’t know what it means for free agents.”
Kentucky coach, and former Nets coach, John Calipari talks with Al Iannazzone and pays a compliment to the current Nets roster, while naturally saying how bad the roster he took control of was in the 90s: “You got other guys that are legitimate NBA players,” he said. “I go back and look at our team my first year [1996-97], and whew. You look at our roster … when we won our 10th game I had a celebration because I thought we were only going to win nine. The team I had, I couldn’t believe it.”
Terrence Williams has been playing better lately, but as Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger captures, it hasn’t been easy for him this season: “I really didn’t know what to expect,” he said Thursday. “I tried to come here and use the same game that I used in college, but my shot wasn’t falling. I had to re-evaluate myself as a player and change my game to more so going to the hole, but still do the other little things that I do and love to do, as far as, like, passing, playing ‘D’ and rebounding.”
Al Iannazzone looks at whether or the not the Nets miss Vince Carter’s leadership.
Dave Markowitz of the Daytona Beach News Journal assures Nets fans that the 72-73 Philadelphia 76ers were worse. Meanwhile, the Orlando Sentinel looks at the worst team’s in sports history and mentions an NJIT team I believe Sebastian is familiar with.
Another “Buckeye” argues against LeBron bolting for NYC.
Nets on the Net: 3/4/10 Edition
Mar 4, 2010 Brooklyn, Devin Harris, Jay-Z, LeBron James, Nets on the Net, Newark
The Barclays Center web site now has a countdown clock to the groundbreaking on March 11.
The New Jersey Sports and Exhibition Authority is still in massive debt, but the Nets move to Newark could help them out, according to a Business Week report.
The always kind (to the Nets) Kevin Pelton of Basketball Prospectus notes that with their expected assets this summer (draft picks, cap space), the Nets could very quickly resemble a 50-win team.
Michael Fensom of the Star-Ledger on last night’s game: Don’t be fooled by the Nets logo scrawled at halfcourt, this lame duck NBA arena belonged to James on this night. Fans jostled during pregame warm-ups near the Cavaliers’ end of the floor for a glimpse of No. 23. On the Nets’ end, Chris Quinn’s autograph didn’t seem as appealing to young fans.
In the New York Post recap, LeBron paid a compliment to the Nets again: “It’s a really good franchise, though. It’s not a franchise that’s lived long, but they’ve got a bright future. We’ll see what goes on in the future for this team. It’s really good, though.”
George Willis of the Post talks with sports marketing experts about LeBron’s financial potential if he came to the Knicks or Nets.
Julian Garcia of the Daily News asked LeBron about Jay-Z: Asked how Jay-Z is dealing with the season, James said, “He’s on tour, promoting (an album). So he has a lot of things going on. But he stays focused; he stays a member of this team. But I don’t ask him about the Nets. I’ve got my own team to worry about.”
Howard Beck of the New York Times has some fan response to Lebron: Desperation was in the air Wednesday night. Two minutes into the game, a fan bellowed, “Please come, LeBron!” — a plea that was easily heard across the morgue-like arena. Another wore a Knicks jersey stitched with “King James” and the No. 23. He held a sign reading: “119 days left. Please help us!”
Mitch Lawrence heard differently: Unlike Knicks fans, Net fans last night didn’t plead for James to sign this summer with the worst team in the NBA. They booed him. They taunted him. For all that, they deserve a round of applause.
Al Iannazzone talks to Devin Harris about LeBron: “Who wouldn’t want to play with this guy?” Devin Harris said before the game. “He’s a great player. But right now he’s on the other side of the court so we look to challenge him on the other end and the summer will take care of itself.”
Nets on the Net: 3/3/10 Edition
Mar 3, 2010 Brook Lopez, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Draft Lottery, LeBron James, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net
Oh, Chris Douglas-Roberts, you can never just not be cryptic when a reporter asks you a question can you? Al Iannazzone asks CDR whether he would “recruit” LeBron James, apparently a friend Douglas-Roberts has given “advice” to (tiger raising tips?). Here’s CDR’s response to Al: “Leon, LeBron, everybody’s together. Every relationship we have, that’s what it is. For example if they’re not happy somewhere or they’re not happy with something it’s all in the family, no one’s happy.”
Speaking of LeBron, as expected, the storyline from some beat writers is how this is the Nets last chance to “impress” James this season when he visits the Izod Center tonight. Julian Garcia of the Daily News brings up one advantage the Nets have over the Knicks: If putting up a fight is appealing to James, then the Nets have done a better job than the Knicks. The Nets’ worst loss to the Cavaliers this season was by 10 points, while the Knicks took a 31-point beating in Cleveland Monday night.
With Shaq out of the lineup tonight, Brook Lopez begins his preparation for what the Cavs are likely going to throw at him: “I look at it as a challenge, how it’s going to affect me defensively,” Lopez said. “Guys like Varejao and Hickson in, who are a lot more mobile – I think we can help a little bit more (on LeBron James and others), but at the same time, they’re going to be cutting a lot, they’re all great cutters; they play off the ball really well. So while we can help, we’ve sort of got to keep an eye on them.”
Al Harrington of the Knicks tells the New York Post that LeBron’s loyalty to Ohio may trump all this summer: “But if he’s as loyal as he says, I would think it’s very hard for him to leave, especially because he’s home.
Mikhail Prokhorov, prospective Nets owner, reportedly lost a $53 million deposit for a home he was looking to buy on the French Riviera.
Tom Ziller at NBA Fanhouse looks at the ping pong ball “derby” for this summer’s NBA draft.
Nets on the Net: 2/19/10 Edition
Feb 19, 2010 Izod Center, LeBron James, Nets on the Net
On Wednesday, the Nets couldn’t beat Miami without Dwyane Wade. Can they beat the Raptors tonight without Chris Bosh?
The Record talks to Nets fans about why they’re not showing up at the Izod Center. Money quote: “Obviously, the team and the crowds have gotten a lot worse over the seven years,” Walters said. “I’m considering whether to come back. It’s discouraging to watch a team with five wins. I used to come to every game no matter what. Now I pick and choose. Part of me feels like I already wasted my money to come here, do I want to waste my time, too?”
After the trade deadlines, Mitch Lawrence of the Daily News is getting the Canyon of Heroes ready for the 2010-2011 Knicks. Seriously.
John Krolik, of Cavs the Blog fame, breaks down the potential summer spenders over at NBC Sports.
Nets on the Net: 2/15/10 Edition
Feb 15, 2010 Jay-Z, Kiki Vandeweghe, LeBron James, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net, Rod Thorn
Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Rod Thorn will likely not fire Kiki Vandeweghe for the alleged under the table deal he made with Del Harris to become head coach of the Nets. Meanwhile, Tom Barrise, is headed to coach Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Rod Thorn is on his way to Vancouver to meet with Mikhail Prokhorov, while those back in New Jersey are working on getting the Nets to Newark next season.
Jerry Colangelo told the Daily News he is interested in a return to the NBA under certain conditions: “I would have to have full autonomy,” Colangelo told the Daily News. “I’m not looking to become a general manager. But if the right job came along I’d be willing to talk to anyone. Life is all about opportunities.”
Jay-Z and LeBron James threw an after party during All-Star weekend which Rod Thorn attended.
Looking at the business side of basketball, the New York Times reports that it’s unlikely that LeBron James would help the stock of MSG, a recent spinoff of Cablevision owners of the Knicks, trading on the NASDAQ.
Nets on the Net: 2/9/10 Edition
Feb 9, 2010 Chris Douglas-Roberts, Devin Harris, LeBron James, Nets on the Net
In the latest from Al Iannazzone, he previews tonight’s game against Cleveland, noting how the Nets are playing more competitive, but the Cavs have won 11 straight.
After his collision with Jarvis Hayes Saturday night, it sounds like Devin Harris won’t be afraid to go after a loose ball again in the future: “Why not?’’ he said. “You’ve got to have it. Especially at that point in the game – we’ve got 25 seconds left, down five (95-90), I mean, we needed the ball.’’
Julian Garcia notes that the Nets have done very little this season to attract LeBron James to New Jersey this summer.
Hey look! Chris Douglas-Roberts is still upset by the losing: “A little bit. I’m just more cold. But all that stuff, I don’t care one way or the other,” said Douglas-Roberts. “Caring about winning? Absolutely. But everything else doesn’t matter. All of this is because I want to win. I take losing bad. All of this, everything comes from me being a sore loser. I don’t like losing.”
Tomislav Pakrac of Slam Online talks about one of the best NBA players to never make an All-Star team, a personal favorite of mine as well, Drazen Petrovic.
Nets on the Net: 2/1/2010
Feb 1, 2010 Chris Douglas-Roberts, John Wall, LeBron James, Mikhail Prokhorov, Nets on the Net
Even while the Nets sit at 4-42, this column by Matt Moore at NBA Fanhouse has the potential make you smile: The New Jersey Nets are a near-mathematical lock for the No. 1 spot in the lottery. That only leaves them with a 25 percent chance of landing Wall, but that’s still a better chance than any other team in the league will have. So let’s say the Nets do in fact land Wall, which makes Devin Harris superfluous. The Nets will then have one of the best players to come out of college in the last five years (some consider him the best), oodles and oodles of cap space, a starting-caliber point guard to trade, and cap room beyond belief. The Nets will likely be in New Jersey until 2012, when they will move to the new Barclays center in Brooklyn, making it instantly one of the most marketable teams in the league. You’re seeing this, because you saw it when you read the headline.
This has been a tough few weeks for Chris Doulgas-Roberts and a roller coaster of a season. And while NAS has jumped on him lately with some criticism, I think you can still safely say the kid loves this game and the recent abuse is killing him. Don’t believe me? Read what he wrote on Twitter after yesterday’s in game in which he curiously played only 14 minutes: @ the lowest point in my career right now.I’m so confused.I put so much into this game.I just…don’t know.It’s hard to stay so tough.
The Nets got a visit from a motivational speaker yesterday. No word on whether or not he lives in a van down by the river.
NetsDaily dissects some recent press clippings about Mikhail Prokhorov.
Nets on the Net: 1/27/10 Edition
Jan 27, 2010 Chris Douglas-Roberts, Devin Harris, Keyon Dooling, Kiki Vandeweghe, LeBron James, Nets on the Net, Trade Rumors
Filip Bondy, of the Daily News, on the Nets and losing: Nobody but Casey Stengel ever derived much amusement from losing. So no matter how easy it is to poke fun at the Nets this season, or to remind them they are well on the way to becoming the most certifiably horrible team in NBA history, it’s tough to laugh directly into those long faces.
Dave Perkins of the Toronto Star tries to give Nets fans a boost: So, yes, the bar has been set high in this regard. Can the Nets really threaten it? Well, they lost their first 18 games – after 16 of which Lawrence Frank was gassed as coach – and set a record there. Still, it seems 7-31 the rest of the way is a long shot. Plus, record attempts usually fall apart. The 1993 Dallas Mavericks were 9-71 and threatening, but won their last two games. The 1998 Denver Nuggets also ended 11-71.
The Bright Side of the Sun blog runs through potential Amare Stoudamire to the Nets scenarios.
LeBron James has single-handedly produced more wins than the Nets (and the Timberwolves and the Pacers).
Chris Douglas-Roberts has been glued to the gym, trying to turn his fading season around: “Just the whole situation, the record, my game fell off and I just let that weigh on me in a negative way instead of doing what I usually do and turn it into a positive. So that’s the whole reason I’m getting back with Jerry and the whole reason I’m clocking in hours like I was in the summer.”
Keyon Dooling reacts to the lost weekend out west: “This was the worst road trip of my life,” the nine-year veteran said. “We got blown out every game. We weren’t competitive. We’re just not a very good team right now.”
Devin Harris is still suffering from his wrist injury and will probably not play against the Clippers tonight: “It’s on me at this point,” Harris said Tuesday at practice about determining when he will be back. “When it’s healthy enough to play you’ll definitely see me in a game.”
Al Iannazzone thinks the Nets have some “winnable games” this week.
Kiki Vandeweghe tells the Star-Ledger that a team can still recruit free agents with a bad won-loss record: “Having been through this before, having been down the recruiting process, having had a lot of cap space, having had a really bad rebuilding season, I was never asked once by an agent or a free agent about our record the year before,” Vandeweghe said. “You’re judged by not necessarily on your record, if you fast forward to July, you’re judged on the assets you have in place and what the free agents are going to come join. Having been through this, we had a 17-win season, we recruited all the best free agents available in that year and never asked once about the record.”