The Brooklyn Trolley Blogger: Nets: A Big Three Grows in Brooklyn

Tuesday, July 02, 2019

Nets: A Big Three Grows in Brooklyn

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

ICYMI:

Were it not for the efforts of D'Angelo Russell

perhaps the Nets off-season unfolds very differently.

Before a single game of the 2019-2020 season is played, I'd like to offer Sean Marks my heart felt thanks and sincerest appreciation for saving a moribund organization left in ruin by its former general manager, Billy King, whom negotiated a king's ransom for a pair of over the hill court jesters. This off-season's acquisitions begin a new narrative in Brooklyn which is yet to be written. When it is Sean Marks will certainly be judged. For now it can be said his transformation of the Nets in just three year's time is nothing short of remarkable. How ironic is it that Kyrie Irving leaves the Boston Celtics in order to sign with Brooklyn? It's downright wicked, I say. Mark this day. For the curse of Billy King is broken.

One of Brooklyn's glaring shortcomings last season was a frequent inability for finishing at the rim. Too often even the best dekes, dribbles, and drives ended erratically. D'Angelo Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris Levert, were all guilty: high pick and roll, drive the lane, erratic shot, change of possession. Kyrie Irving changes that. I anticipate him fitting into Kenny Atkinson's present system very well. More to the point, he's more adept as creating his own shot and is a proven accomplished finisher at the rim.

Is he a weird dude? I don't know. Weird is as weird does. And if the Nets are winning, he can be as weird as he wants to be. In the meantime, will he open himself to Kenny Atkinson's coaching? I'll let the man speak for himself:

On Monday Kyrie advises us about a man with a goal to fulfill. On his Instagram Kyrie says he is joining the Brooklyn Nets because "home is where my family is ... Home is where my legacy will continue." He ends his video saying, "I'm happy to be in Brooklyn."

Sounds like a player motivated to be here. And why not? Word of the culture fostered by Sean Marks and Kenny Atkinson has seemingly spread throughout the league.

Although born in Australia, Kyrie attends high school in New Jersey. Therefore he's no stranger to tri-state area chaos. After attending Duke, the Cleveland Cavaliers select Irving with the first overall pick of the 2011 draft. In 2012 he is named NBA Rookie of the Year, and in 2016 with Cleveland captures his first NBA title. The Nets may potentially shave some minutes from his accustomed allotment so as to not thrust the weight of the world on his shoulders in Kevin Durant's absence. That may not go over well considering he's accustomed to 33.8 minutes per game. Then again, averaging just 63.5 games over eight seasons may suggest a need for managing his time regardless.

DeAndre Jordan arrives in Brooklyn with a little help from his friends. Reports indicate Kyrie and Kevin Durant signed for slightly less money so as to allow their friend being squeezed into the fold.
The soon to be 31-year old eleven year center is averaging a double-double for the last six seasons. Listed at 6'11", 265 lbs Jordan addresses a second glaring need: interior size and physical presence.

There is plenty time ahead for discussing Kevin Durant's unexpected arrival Brooklyn. His is a curious situation to say the least. To that I say nothing ventured, nothing gained.