From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH
BROOKLYN NETS: A New Year Ushers A New Effort To Make Borough's First Season A Successful One.
I'm not going to say Coach Avery got a raw deal because he sort of earned his termination. But not entirely. He is tough, and a task-master. I like those qualities in a coach to a certain extent. But Coach Avery was too stubborn. That was his downfall - not a quick start and a cooling off period on way to a .500 record. And yes, not catering to his star partly got him fired in Dallas as well. Coach's style took Deron Williams far away from his game. But it was more than that. If you're a rookie like Shengelia, Tyshawn Taylor, or Teletovic, you weren't getting on the floor much. Some coaches just don't like rookies. And then you can ask Kris Humphries how hard it is to get out of Coach's doghouse. But in Avery Johnson's defense, an abbreviated pre-season, and only thirty games to get his new team to gel was a bad break. Continued fourth quarter and overall second half collapses however screamed for attention. And apparently, even GM Billy King couldn't save Coach from the team's basketball knowledgeable owner.
I walked out of Barclays Center on Christmas Day after that debacle against Boston saying to my son, this game just might get Avery Johnson fired. I felt a simmer had been brought to a boil that afternoon, and there would be consequences. However, I was thinking along the lines of what Coach Avery was going to do to the team. Instead, the situation turned into a case of what Mikhail Prokhorov did to Coach Avery.
I'm old school. So I can appreciate a good old fashioned post-up game and isolation offense. But in the Nets case, something had to give. And Avery Johnson wouldn't bend. I never checked the official stats, but in that game I do not believe the Nets scored a single fast break point, nor one transition basket. They additionally had an atrocious day at the line. But that sort of thing (cold shooting) happens. Problem was, nothing was happening Boston didn't see coming. The Celtics see that brand of basketball everyday in practice. It's what they're all about. So why wouldn't they be ready to defeat it?
It is too bad Coach Avery got fired. He was tasked with unceremoniously ending the New Jersey era and couldn't last the first season in Brooklyn. Being just a bit too stubborn was enough. I'm sorry to see him go. That said, I would like for the Nets to rectify their coaching situation quickly. Until then, while he does not have a strong supporter in me, I'm sure P.J. will do fine.
Mike.BTB
Showing posts with label Avery Johnson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Avery Johnson. Show all posts
Friday, January 04, 2013
Saturday, November 03, 2012
Brooklyn Nets: Team Wins Historic Kings County Opener
From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH
BROOKLYN NETS
"The Hoops of Flatbush"
GAME ONE
Toronto Raptors
vs.
BROOKLYN NETS
From
BARCLAYS CENTER
Flatbush Avenue, Kings County
Flatbush Avenue, Kings County
FINAL
Raptors 100
NETS 107
They're here! They saw! They conquered! Fuhgeddaboudit!
The Brooklyn Nets have arrived. Commissioner David Stern made the initial introduction to fans attending Barcalys Center for the first ever Brooklyn Nets basketball game and welcomed the Borough to the National Basketball Association. Members of the team were welcomed to town by former Bedford Avenue Bums players, Joe Pignatano, Ralph Branca, and a special appearance by Gil Hodges Jr. Brooklyn Dodgers jerseys and Brooklyn Nets jerseys were exchanged between old heroes and new. Deron Williams then addressed the home crowd. Both the Commissioner and Deron Williams made sure to make particular mention of all the area citizens who have undergone great hardships brought on by Hurricane Sandy.
The home crowd was also introduced to their new mascot, the Brooklyn Knight, defender of the court and all things Nets. Then after player intro's, it was game time. As expected, the Nets starting five consisted of Joe Johnson and Deron Williams in the back court. Brook Lopez, Gerald Wallace, and Kris Humphries were the starting forwards. The Nets, sporting their home whites for the first time, took to their new hearing-bone patterned court. And once Brook Lopez won the opening tip, the Hoops of Flatbush had begun.
Appropriately, Deron Williams scored the first two points of the night. When Brook Lopez grabbed an early offensive rebound, drew a foul, and scored the bucket, the crowd erupted. However, the Nets got off to a somewhat slow start in the first quarter. Toronto jumped out to an early eight point lead. After a quarter, the Nets were behind by a 35-27 score.
The Nets evened things up 38-38 on a pair of MarShon Brooks free-throws midway through the second quarter, then pulled away. C.J. Watson closed out the half by nailing a three-pointer at the buzzer to put Brooklyn ahead by eight points. Brooklyn led 60-52 at halftime.
Coach Avery might have been peeved over the initial defensive effort in which they allowed thirty five points. But the Nets tightened up in the second quarter and limited the Raptors to seventeen points.
Brook Lopez led the Nets with fourteen first half points. C.J. Watson scored thirteen off the bench. Deron Williams led the team with six assists, and scored six points. Reggie Evans came off the bench and led all players with five rebounds. Kris Humphries, Lopez, and Joe Johnson pulled down three apiece. Brooklyn's bench had a strong half with twenty three points.
* * * *
The Nets opened the third quarter by extending their lead to ten points on a sweet layup by Brook Lopez off a Gerald Wallace feed. Midway through the quarter, the Nets were still cruising with a 75-66 lead.
Toronto made a run towards the end of the third quarter and at 79-74, closed within five points of Brooklyn. Getting quality minutes in the third quarter, Andray Blatche had eight points in ten minutes played. However, he missed one of two free throws, and turned over the ball within a minute of each other. After three complete sessions, Brooklyn's lead was down to four as the Raptors closed with 82-78 of the Nets. Then at eighty-four points, the Nets went cold. When Toronto scored at 8:46 to make it a 84-83 game, Coach Avery called time out.
MarShon Brooks brought the Nets to ninety points. Halfway through the quarter, Toronto was still close as they trailed by a mere three points. Kris Humphries started exerting himself under the boards, and on the other end, MarShon scored again.
Brook Lopez was the only Nets player to get to the line with any kind of consistency. And he visited the stripe for the twelfth time with less than five minutes left. He nailed both shots to make it a 94-89 game with 4:45 to go. The Nets went cold again, failing to score for over two minutes allowing Toronto to pull within two. At 94-92, and with possession at 2:14, Coach Avery called another timeout.
C.J. Watson hit a big shot out of the break. That was his fourteenth and fifteenth points of the night. Gerald Wallace then took his turn playing strong on the boards. He gave the Nets a five point lead hitting one of two free throws. But Toronto came back with a three-pointer. With a minute left, Wallace fed Brook Lopez, who hit for two and buried another shot from the line to give the Nets a 100-95 lead with fifty nine seconds left.
Gerald Wallace then went down hard after blocking a shot with 27.7 left. He rolled his ankle and temporarily stayed in the game. Coach Avery called a full time out after Toronto converted at the line, to make it a 101-97 game. Gerald Wallace's strong night was over however, as he left the floor after the timeout.
Joe Johnson made the score 103-97 with 26.1 left. But Toronto responded with another three-pointer. With twenty seconds left and Humphries and Brook Lopez on the bench, Deron Williams sank two shots from the line to make it a 105-100 game. Toronto launched a three point attempt that careened out of bounds. The Nets then drew a foul on the possession with ten seconds left. Deron Williams buried another two shots.
A change of possession, and then..., Game! The Brooklyn Nets win their first ever professional basketball game as a member club of the National Basketball Association. As Ralph Cramden would say - How Sweet It Is!
* * * *
Brook Lopez led Nets scorers with twenty seven points. He pulled down five rebounds. Reggie Evans was key off the bench pulling down a game high thirteen rebounds. The Nets out-rebounded Toronto 41-37 with five players contributing at least five apiece.
Five Nets players also scored in double digits. After Brook Lopez, Deron Williams dropped nineteen points, and led the team with nine assists. C.J. Watson was tremendous off the bench. He scored fifteen points. Joe Johnson scored fourteen points and Gerald Wallace added ten before leaving.
Brook Lopez ended the night 11/15 from the line. Deron Williams buried late free throws to put the Raptors to bed. He finished 6/8 from the stripe.
Rookies Mirza Teletovic, Tyshawn Taylor, and Tornike Shengelia did not play.
It took a few days. But the crowd was electric all the same. Let's Go Nets was the chant, but Broook - Lynnn! was the anthem of the night. This what home sounds like fellas. It's been a long wait. But you're finally here.
The Borough of Kings has a team.
Mike.BTB
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Brooklyn Nets: Battle For The City Begins
From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH
An era ends. A new age begins. Over the last thirty five years, the New York Knicks foot print extended out and dominated the desolation of East Rutherford. The days when Nets players got taunted by Knicks crowds in their own arena, as was the case in the Meadowlands arena and in Newark, are done. The Nets have a new home crowd now, passionate and loyal as any. Many native Brooklynites that will be attending games this season have no particular need, want, or even like for Manhattan. So proceed thee now with caution Knickerbockers. In eight more days they'll be entering the very different Borough of Kings.
The Billboard Wars which played out over the last two winters, and the Battle for Melo are both long behind us. While the first official game isn't until November 1st, the modern Battle for Brooklyn and the greater city is upon us. Sometime late next Thursday afternoon, the New York Knicks in all likelihood will traverse the Manhattan Bridge and file down Flatbush Avenue. Their destination will be Barclays Center, to engage the Brooklyn Nets on their home court for the first time in history.
First, Brooklyn and New York will return to the site of the Nets organization's greatest triumphs to date. Wednesday's pre-season game will be played in Long Island's Nassau Coliseum; the arena where the once formerly New York Nets won two American Basketball Association championships. Those were the days of Julius Erving, more popularly known as Dr. J. This trip into Long Island also hearkens back to the days when the Knicks imposed not one, but two territorial rights tariffs against the Nets. On top of paying the NBA entrance fee once the NBA/ABA merger took effect, the Nets were also forced to pay the Knicks their due tax for entry into the local market. The Knicks nailed them again for the Nets subsequent move into New Jersey.
This time, the Nets relocated to the 4th largest city in America, which just also happens to be right next door, and the Knicks weren't entitled to a dime. Conveniently forgotten, if not ignored, Brooklyn is the western tip of Long Island. So I guess in a manner of speaking, the cycle is complete.
If you're headed to the Nassau Coliseum and get overwhelmed by a waft of Tiger Balm, that would be the Knicks you smell. When you write names on paper, they have a great team. In truth, I think the Knicks are in deep trouble. They have more senior citizens on the books than AARP. Amare and Camby are already out. And Rasheed Wallace, is back (!?) and out as well. The only real question is - Who's next? My money is on Jason Kidd having to swipe his Medicaid card.
Having Amare off the floor only makes Melo's world better anyway. Right? That used to be the case. The return of Ray Felton and the arrival of Jason Kidd should change that. Amare and Melo no longer need to learn how to exist together. The Knicks have two guards who will decide things for them. I'm even looking for Felton and Kidd to elevate Tyson Chandler's offensive game as well.
The Knicks biggest concern is now health, and lack of youth. Coach Woodson is going to have to manage his team very carefully. The Knicks actually have a few players who want to play defense now. But how long will they manage to stay on the court?
In their first pre-season as the Brooklyn Nets, the team is also not without their problems. While cohesiveness is still going to be a work in progress, their defense is far below Coach Avery's standards. Based on their overall play so far, who could blame Coach for voicing displeasure after allowing 100 points in three of five games. Despite a 3-2 record, the Nets have allowed 510 points, for a 102 ppg average. They have scored 484 points, for a 96.8 ppg average. I would also venture to say the team's overall free throw shooting needs major improvement as well. But hey, that's why it's called practice.
Tonight, the Battle for the City begins. Let's get it on!
Mike.BTB
THE DAWNING OF A NEW RIVALRY:
New York Knicks
vs.
BROOKLYN NETS
FROM
Nassau Coliseum
Long Island, N.Y.
BROOKLYN NETS:
Pre-Season Showdown Versus Manhattan Knicks;
It's Time To Face The Competition.
An era ends. A new age begins. Over the last thirty five years, the New York Knicks foot print extended out and dominated the desolation of East Rutherford. The days when Nets players got taunted by Knicks crowds in their own arena, as was the case in the Meadowlands arena and in Newark, are done. The Nets have a new home crowd now, passionate and loyal as any. Many native Brooklynites that will be attending games this season have no particular need, want, or even like for Manhattan. So proceed thee now with caution Knickerbockers. In eight more days they'll be entering the very different Borough of Kings.
The Billboard Wars which played out over the last two winters, and the Battle for Melo are both long behind us. While the first official game isn't until November 1st, the modern Battle for Brooklyn and the greater city is upon us. Sometime late next Thursday afternoon, the New York Knicks in all likelihood will traverse the Manhattan Bridge and file down Flatbush Avenue. Their destination will be Barclays Center, to engage the Brooklyn Nets on their home court for the first time in history.
This time, the Nets relocated to the 4th largest city in America, which just also happens to be right next door, and the Knicks weren't entitled to a dime. Conveniently forgotten, if not ignored, Brooklyn is the western tip of Long Island. So I guess in a manner of speaking, the cycle is complete.
If you're headed to the Nassau Coliseum and get overwhelmed by a waft of Tiger Balm, that would be the Knicks you smell. When you write names on paper, they have a great team. In truth, I think the Knicks are in deep trouble. They have more senior citizens on the books than AARP. Amare and Camby are already out. And Rasheed Wallace, is back (!?) and out as well. The only real question is - Who's next? My money is on Jason Kidd having to swipe his Medicaid card.
Having Amare off the floor only makes Melo's world better anyway. Right? That used to be the case. The return of Ray Felton and the arrival of Jason Kidd should change that. Amare and Melo no longer need to learn how to exist together. The Knicks have two guards who will decide things for them. I'm even looking for Felton and Kidd to elevate Tyson Chandler's offensive game as well.
The Knicks biggest concern is now health, and lack of youth. Coach Woodson is going to have to manage his team very carefully. The Knicks actually have a few players who want to play defense now. But how long will they manage to stay on the court?
In their first pre-season as the Brooklyn Nets, the team is also not without their problems. While cohesiveness is still going to be a work in progress, their defense is far below Coach Avery's standards. Based on their overall play so far, who could blame Coach for voicing displeasure after allowing 100 points in three of five games. Despite a 3-2 record, the Nets have allowed 510 points, for a 102 ppg average. They have scored 484 points, for a 96.8 ppg average. I would also venture to say the team's overall free throw shooting needs major improvement as well. But hey, that's why it's called practice.
Tonight, the Battle for the City begins. Let's get it on!
Mike.BTB
Friday, October 19, 2012
Brooklyn Nets: Payback; Nets Fall By Thirty To Celtics
From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH
BROOKLYN NETS: Boston Came To Brooklyn And Served Up Some Payback After Nets' Second Unit Buzzed Celtics In Tuesday's Game.
It's pre-season for everybody. Trust me. The fans are just getting started too. Before long, they will be in full swing and ready for tip-off. For the Nets players, in addition to playing the Celtics, they were given something else to contend with - a small smattering of boooos. Imagine once the Barclays faithful get warmed up? Play well fellas. It comes with the territory.
In the team's first national broadcast appearance as the Brooklyn Nets, the team played what Webster's defines as a stinker. The 115-85 final would suggest that. But during the TNT telecast, Coach Avery was interviewed and offered the Celtics were playing as if they were in a regular season game, while the Nets were approaching the evening as a pre-season game. In any case, what we saw wasn't pretty - not terribly ugly as pre-season goes, but not pretty all the same.
Consider this payback for Boston's starters getting drubbed by Brooklyn's second unit the last time they met in Beantown. Only problem was this time, the Nets starters were on the floor too. The Nets are now 3-1 this pre-season.
The Nets shot 37% from the floor, and all players were responsible. Their free throw shooting continues to be suspect as well. Thursday night they struggled to shoot 67% on 21/31 shooting from the stripe. Sure, the starting five all scored in double figures. But Brook Lopez was high man with only fourteen points. Meanwhile, the Celtics shot at a 56.5% rate from the floor, and a fairly proficient 80% from the line.
Boston won the overall battle of the boards, forty three rebounds to forty for the Nets. Andray Blatche (bless him) led all players in rebounds with nine coming off the bench. He added eight points for good measure, and continues his strong pre-season after playing just twenty six games last season and getting the amnesty treatment from Washington. Brook Lopez was second high player with seven rebounds. After four games, his efforts to pull down more rebounds are becoming more noticeable.
In thirty one minutes, Deron Williams scored ten points, and only dished out six assists. His counter-part Rajon Rondo had nine assists and fourteen points. Joe Johnson was the Nets second high scorer with eleven points.
Paul Pierce put Brooklyn in an early first quarter hole from which they could never quite dig out from. Down 59-44 at the half, the Nets won the third quarter 26-25, but the Celtic pulled away with a 31-15 fourth quarter. Thirty points was the final margin of victory. Paul Pierce and Courtney Lee tied for game high with eighteen points each. In all, Brooklyn's defensive breakdowns allowed seven Boston players to score in double digits. Like I said, not pretty. And I'm sure Coach Johnson is not too pleased either.
Next up, the Nets host the Philadelphia 76ers Friday night at Barclays.
Mike.BTB
May 2011
BROOKLYN NETS: Boston Came To Brooklyn And Served Up Some Payback After Nets' Second Unit Buzzed Celtics In Tuesday's Game.
PRE-SEASON:
GAME FOUR FINAL
Celtics 115
NETS 85
Nets Record - 3-1
It's pre-season for everybody. Trust me. The fans are just getting started too. Before long, they will be in full swing and ready for tip-off. For the Nets players, in addition to playing the Celtics, they were given something else to contend with - a small smattering of boooos. Imagine once the Barclays faithful get warmed up? Play well fellas. It comes with the territory.
In the team's first national broadcast appearance as the Brooklyn Nets, the team played what Webster's defines as a stinker. The 115-85 final would suggest that. But during the TNT telecast, Coach Avery was interviewed and offered the Celtics were playing as if they were in a regular season game, while the Nets were approaching the evening as a pre-season game. In any case, what we saw wasn't pretty - not terribly ugly as pre-season goes, but not pretty all the same.
Consider this payback for Boston's starters getting drubbed by Brooklyn's second unit the last time they met in Beantown. Only problem was this time, the Nets starters were on the floor too. The Nets are now 3-1 this pre-season.
The Nets shot 37% from the floor, and all players were responsible. Their free throw shooting continues to be suspect as well. Thursday night they struggled to shoot 67% on 21/31 shooting from the stripe. Sure, the starting five all scored in double figures. But Brook Lopez was high man with only fourteen points. Meanwhile, the Celtics shot at a 56.5% rate from the floor, and a fairly proficient 80% from the line.
Boston won the overall battle of the boards, forty three rebounds to forty for the Nets. Andray Blatche (bless him) led all players in rebounds with nine coming off the bench. He added eight points for good measure, and continues his strong pre-season after playing just twenty six games last season and getting the amnesty treatment from Washington. Brook Lopez was second high player with seven rebounds. After four games, his efforts to pull down more rebounds are becoming more noticeable.
In thirty one minutes, Deron Williams scored ten points, and only dished out six assists. His counter-part Rajon Rondo had nine assists and fourteen points. Joe Johnson was the Nets second high scorer with eleven points.
Paul Pierce put Brooklyn in an early first quarter hole from which they could never quite dig out from. Down 59-44 at the half, the Nets won the third quarter 26-25, but the Celtic pulled away with a 31-15 fourth quarter. Thirty points was the final margin of victory. Paul Pierce and Courtney Lee tied for game high with eighteen points each. In all, Brooklyn's defensive breakdowns allowed seven Boston players to score in double digits. Like I said, not pretty. And I'm sure Coach Johnson is not too pleased either.
Next up, the Nets host the Philadelphia 76ers Friday night at Barclays.
Mike.BTB
Tuesday, July 03, 2012
BKN Nets ~ Billy King Taking a Bullish Approach
From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH
BROOKLYN NETS: Billy King Bringing Moxy Back to Flatbush Avenue.
2012 NBA Draft - Billy King's Deals Left Brooklyn Quiet in the Night
My first impression of Billy King's recent transactions - The Nets are taking on an onerous $90 million dollars. So let it be written. So let it be done. I told you Billy King makes Nets' draft picks disappear, and that the salary cap would be next. And sure enough... POOF! Bye-bye draft picks from now till 2050, and so long salary cap flexibility.
Boy am I in trouble. I'm not a big Billy King fan to begin with, and now, unfortunately, I'm forced to reveal I'm not a big Joe Johnson fan either. And with Dwight Howard being so wishy-washy, the Nets perhaps feel obliged to put a representative product on the court this Fall. So decisions like this get made. And well, the bodies leaving the Nets in the deal to acquire Johnson are inconsequential. Jordan Farmar, Anthony Morrow, Jordan Williams, Johan Petro, DeShawn Stevenson, and a lottery protected 2013 first round pick. But more importantly to me, we can kiss all those expiring contracts good-bye. That's what the Nets are really losing.
Are they better for making this deal? That remains to be seen. This much is certain, Joe Johnson can score. But as far as I'm concerned, he does little else. And I really can't see Coach Avery being demanding of him, and Joe Johnson responding. At first, the Johnson deal was contingent on Deron Williams staying with the Nets. But later Monday evening, that changed, and it was reported the Nets were going through with the trade regardless of Deron Williams' decision to stay with Brooklyn or move on to Dallas. Should Deron elect to resign with Brooklyn, the Nets' back court of Williams, Johnson, and MarShon Brooks coming off the bench, seems pretty damn formidable though...doesn't it?
Dwight Howard is responsible for Billy King initiating this trade, and creating this quasi-mess, as much as anyone. If he wasn't so damn non-committal about his own situation in Orlando, this episode might have been resolved already. Now with the acquisition of Joe Johnson, there's no chance in hell of fitting Howard under the cap.
Or at least that's what we thought until today. The Dwight Howard trade apparently can still happen. The Nets would be giving up every player they have left from last season to get him. But the trade still seems to have legs. Involved in a still rumored possibility would be Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, and even more future draft picks.
Should all these moves, and/or proposed moves, pan out, the Nets indeed would be a vastly improved, if not contenting team, post-haste. There is still small forward Gerald Wallace to consider, and the recent acquisition of Tyshawn Taylor. Otherwise, Billy King is taking an awful lot of risks for a GM who doesn't have Deron Williams under contract yet. And should his plan crumble, this organization is in deep trouble. The Nets' General Manager is already facing salary cap hell, with only half his roster filled...., if that.
Mike.BTB
BROOKLYN NETS: Billy King Bringing Moxy Back to Flatbush Avenue.
2012 NBA Draft - Billy King's Deals Left Brooklyn Quiet in the Night
My first impression of Billy King's recent transactions - The Nets are taking on an onerous $90 million dollars. So let it be written. So let it be done. I told you Billy King makes Nets' draft picks disappear, and that the salary cap would be next. And sure enough... POOF! Bye-bye draft picks from now till 2050, and so long salary cap flexibility.
Boy am I in trouble. I'm not a big Billy King fan to begin with, and now, unfortunately, I'm forced to reveal I'm not a big Joe Johnson fan either. And with Dwight Howard being so wishy-washy, the Nets perhaps feel obliged to put a representative product on the court this Fall. So decisions like this get made. And well, the bodies leaving the Nets in the deal to acquire Johnson are inconsequential. Jordan Farmar, Anthony Morrow, Jordan Williams, Johan Petro, DeShawn Stevenson, and a lottery protected 2013 first round pick. But more importantly to me, we can kiss all those expiring contracts good-bye. That's what the Nets are really losing.
Are they better for making this deal? That remains to be seen. This much is certain, Joe Johnson can score. But as far as I'm concerned, he does little else. And I really can't see Coach Avery being demanding of him, and Joe Johnson responding. At first, the Johnson deal was contingent on Deron Williams staying with the Nets. But later Monday evening, that changed, and it was reported the Nets were going through with the trade regardless of Deron Williams' decision to stay with Brooklyn or move on to Dallas. Should Deron elect to resign with Brooklyn, the Nets' back court of Williams, Johnson, and MarShon Brooks coming off the bench, seems pretty damn formidable though...doesn't it?
Dwight Howard is responsible for Billy King initiating this trade, and creating this quasi-mess, as much as anyone. If he wasn't so damn non-committal about his own situation in Orlando, this episode might have been resolved already. Now with the acquisition of Joe Johnson, there's no chance in hell of fitting Howard under the cap.
Or at least that's what we thought until today. The Dwight Howard trade apparently can still happen. The Nets would be giving up every player they have left from last season to get him. But the trade still seems to have legs. Involved in a still rumored possibility would be Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, and even more future draft picks.
Should all these moves, and/or proposed moves, pan out, the Nets indeed would be a vastly improved, if not contenting team, post-haste. There is still small forward Gerald Wallace to consider, and the recent acquisition of Tyshawn Taylor. Otherwise, Billy King is taking an awful lot of risks for a GM who doesn't have Deron Williams under contract yet. And should his plan crumble, this organization is in deep trouble. The Nets' General Manager is already facing salary cap hell, with only half his roster filled...., if that.
Mike.BTB
Friday, March 09, 2012
N.Y. Knicks ~ Coach D'Antoni; Compare and Contrast
From the desk of: DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP
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NEW YORK KNICKS: Mike D'Antoni; Avery Johnson; Gregg Popovich; One of These Coaches is Not Like the Others.
I'm paraphrasing here, but Coach Avery Johnson said something after the last time the Knicks and Nets faced each other. It came after Deron Williams torched the Knicks for thirty-eight points in the return engagement against Jeremy Lin; you know, the game Williams said he circled on his calendar after LINsanity broke out.
Coach Johnson said, if the Knicks switched up and tried covering Deron Williams with a forward, that it was his (Coach's) job to make sure he got a guard back on Williams. Coach said he was responsible for making that adjustment, and that the onus was not on Deron Williams to adjust to the defense on the floor.
Wednesday night against the Spurs, I'm not sure exactly why Gregg Popovich flipped his lid and displayed open disgust towards his team, but you can be sure it was done for a reason. He's done that before. And when you've coached that team for as long as he has, you do that sometimes if it gets their attention. Thinking like a coach, I'm a big proponent of beating on your team when things are going well.
Obviously this is all leading up to Coach D'Antoni. I don't hear or see that chess-like intricacy from Coach D'Antoni like Coach Johnson talked about. I don't see a Knick Coach being the alpha-male with his stars like Gregg Popovich is with his stars. On countless occasions I've seen Popovich rip into Tony Parker, and especially his big man Tim Duncan. But of course we know that Duncan is complicit in Popovich's plan to get everyone to fall in line. Point is, I do not see Coach D'Antoni employing such tact with his stars; namely Carmelo Anthony.
Since Carmelo returned to the line-up, the Knickerbockers have come to a grinding halt, and I do not see the Coach adjusting one way or the other. Not to the extent of the two coaches I chose to use as examples.
I will say this about the Knicks' recent play. Without Tyson Chandler, their interior is exposed again.
That is all.
Mike.BTB
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NEW YORK KNICKS: Mike D'Antoni; Avery Johnson; Gregg Popovich; One of These Coaches is Not Like the Others.
I'm paraphrasing here, but Coach Avery Johnson said something after the last time the Knicks and Nets faced each other. It came after Deron Williams torched the Knicks for thirty-eight points in the return engagement against Jeremy Lin; you know, the game Williams said he circled on his calendar after LINsanity broke out.
Coach Johnson said, if the Knicks switched up and tried covering Deron Williams with a forward, that it was his (Coach's) job to make sure he got a guard back on Williams. Coach said he was responsible for making that adjustment, and that the onus was not on Deron Williams to adjust to the defense on the floor.
Wednesday night against the Spurs, I'm not sure exactly why Gregg Popovich flipped his lid and displayed open disgust towards his team, but you can be sure it was done for a reason. He's done that before. And when you've coached that team for as long as he has, you do that sometimes if it gets their attention. Thinking like a coach, I'm a big proponent of beating on your team when things are going well.
Obviously this is all leading up to Coach D'Antoni. I don't hear or see that chess-like intricacy from Coach D'Antoni like Coach Johnson talked about. I don't see a Knick Coach being the alpha-male with his stars like Gregg Popovich is with his stars. On countless occasions I've seen Popovich rip into Tony Parker, and especially his big man Tim Duncan. But of course we know that Duncan is complicit in Popovich's plan to get everyone to fall in line. Point is, I do not see Coach D'Antoni employing such tact with his stars; namely Carmelo Anthony.
Since Carmelo returned to the line-up, the Knickerbockers have come to a grinding halt, and I do not see the Coach adjusting one way or the other. Not to the extent of the two coaches I chose to use as examples.
I will say this about the Knicks' recent play. Without Tyson Chandler, their interior is exposed again.
That is all.
Mike.BTB
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Knicks vs. Nets ~ Clash of the Tired
From the desks of: DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP and THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH
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Previous Posts:
SATURDAY NIGHT
NJ/BROOKLYN NETS
vs.
NEW YORK KNICKS
From,
33rd Street at 7th Avenue
NYC
The official end to the New Jersey Nets - New York Knicks slightly neighborly border war commences tonight in Madison Square Garden. Because after June of this year, New Jersey will never visit the corner building at 33rd Street and 7th Avenue as the Nets ever again. So take in what you can of it, because unfortunately tonight's game is shaping up to be more like a Battle of the Beaten and Battered than a prelude to a hot inner city rivalry. No; instead these two teams are currently generating as much heat as the bottom side of a pillow.
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But if you're one for living in the moment, then the Battle for Third Place is ON! Enticing - isn't it? The Knicks and Nets will be meeting for the third time this season. The only difference this time is this game counts. Both teams spent what the NBA called a pre-season playing two games against each other, in which the Knickerbockers took both. But right about now, the Knicks might be wishing this game wouldn't count either. They're the team with high expectations who aren't living up to them while the Nets are still trying to piece things together.
After two tough, tightly contested losses to the Bulls and then the Celtics last night, Saturday's game will be the Knicks' third game in three nights. They lost by three points to Chicago and by two points to Boston. What will they have left in the tank for tonight? Good question. Meanwhile, last night Shumpert and Tyson Chandler may have established a nice connection together and might be on to something moving forward. Or maybe the aging Kevin Garnett just kept getting caught out of position?
Is there any good news in the Dutch Pants section of town? I don't know. Without a point guard, Don Nelson's old system of running the offense a-la through Anthony Mason; that is, through Carmelo Anthony isn't going very well for Coach D'Antoni. Because he has a roster of round pegs he's trying to fit in square holes, I think we're finally starting the witness Coach get sweaty under the collar. There's a smoldering fire building under his already hot seat. A normally confident and sharp Coach D'Antoni sounds a little despondent lately. When coaches start eluding to things in the abstract and saying things like - I don't know, - that can't be good.
You know what else isn't too good? Ending last night's game against the Celtics by launching two bricks. They couldn't even negotiate a creative-to-decent in-bounds pass. Little things like that to me wreak of apathy. It didn't seem like the Knicks had a plan for their last two plays. It looked more school yard to me.
You know what else isn't too good? Ending last night's game against the Celtics by launching two bricks. They couldn't even negotiate a creative-to-decent in-bounds pass. Little things like that to me wreak of apathy. It didn't seem like the Knicks had a plan for their last two plays. It looked more school yard to me.
The Nets will be playing their third game in four nights, and at least have a win over the Pistons to show for their efforts lately. For the Nets, Deron Williams is Deron Williams, but now he's rolling with Anthony Morrow who's fresh of a forty-two point game against the T-Wolves. While Coach D'Antoni has a bunch of mismatched players, Coach Avery is not sitting on any kind of hot seat. He just wishes he had enough players. Due to a couple of injuries, the Nets were only able to dress eight players a couple of nights ago.
Is there any good news for the future Hoops of Flatbush? Well, Deron Williams has given his strongest indication to date that he will stay on with the Nets and move with the team to Brooklyn. And word around the way is that Dwight Howard still views the Nets as his first option. In more immediate matters, Brook Lopez is progressing well after his foot surgery.
So maybe there's actually something to this game tonight. It's not exactly the Battle for the City yet. One team has the gas pedal floored in their Honda Accord but isn't getting very far, while the other team can't understand why it's Benz is a lemon. So yeah, games like this usually turn out to be rather fun to watch. Let the Battle for Third Place...begin.
ATLANTIC DIVISION
3rd - New York Knickerbockers 8-15
4th - New Jersey-Brooklyn Nets 8-16
Previous Posts:
Knicks: Blame Dolan. I Do.
Mike.BTB
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Knicks and Nets ~ The Battle For The Boroughs
From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH ~ NETS
....and the desk of: DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP ~ KNICKS
The Knicks Are A Two-Star Solo System Surrounded By A Lot of Dark Matter Hiding The Chaos Within; While The Nets Are Building a Franchise The Old Fashioned Way, Quite Literally From The Ground Up.
One team executive is making his mark on a franchise by putting his fingerprints all over an organization in a short period of time while working for a relatively hands-off owner. Another team executive, who started out similarly and with success, except for the part about a hands-off owner, is making his exit having performed one last act of mercy for an organization and an insufferable and adversarial owner.
Since Billy King jumped in the pool as Nets' new GM, he's been splashing water at the Knicks. Sure the Knicks landed Melo, considering Carmelo Anthony was actually close to signing with the Nets assuming a lock-out. But very shortly after that deal went down, Billy King stole a lot of the Knicks' thunder by landing Deron Williams from Utah in a move that stunned most across the League.
Earlier this week, Coach Avery Johnson threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a Brooklyn Cyclones' game. It was there on the field during an interview Coach characterized his owner as a passionate man who's fairly hands-off. - "But he'll supply you with all the resources to succeed."
So, with the conclusion of the 2011 NBA draft, Billy King proved once again he doesn't need a micro-manager obsessing over his moves or raking over his decisions. And behind the glitz of the Deron Williams trade, the Nets are quietly but very effectively engaged in team building.
The Nets originally owned the 27th pick of the first round. They traded that pick to Boston along with a future pick, for G-Marshon Brooks; selected by the Celtics with the 25th pick. He stayed in college for four years and guys like that usually come into the League much more polished and ready for the NBA.
A second deal by Billy King landed F/G-Bojan Bogdanovic; selected #31 by the Timberwolves. Billy King sent them a 2013 pick and cash in exchange for the former EuroLeaguer. And with the 36th pick, Billy King selected F-Jordan Williams.
In all, the Nets are resoundingly said to have had a very solid Draft Day. The hopes now are in signing Chris Humphries to a deal. If they can manage that, then the Nets off-season will have been considered a huge success (in the absence of an extension for D-Will).
And what of Donnie Walsh; Jim Dolan; and the Knicks? Madison Square Garden might be undergoing renovations this summer, but Dysfunction will always have a home on 33rd Street and 7th Avenue for as long as Jim Dolan keeps Zeke, his phantom teddy bear, behind the curtain. But that's another story.
With the 17th pick in the first round, the Knicks selected IMAN SHUMPERT. At first I hated the selection. I'm still waiting for a big body to clog the middle and get some rebounds for this glass challenged bunch. But after digesting the selection for a day, it grew on me. At any moment, Chauncey Billups (whom I didn't want retained) is a tube of Ben Gay away from getting hurt again. Landry Fields disappeared after the Knicks made the Melo trade, as they switched and adopted the Star System; foregoing the Team Concept. With Team Ball out the door, Landry's game went MIA.
So, Shumpert will be called upon for much needed back up duty. His defensive prowess will be negated if the other four Knicks on the floor with him don't buy in also, because they sure as hell aren't going to get the defensive impetus from Coach D'Antoni. Tony Douglas perhaps can join forces with him in the back-court and form an effective defensive minded duo. Where they fit into the 0.7 second shot offense is any-body's guess.
The Knicks also acquired Josh Harrelson from the Hornets for cash. Out of Kentucky, He's a 6'10" center selected by the Hornets with the 45th pick. Will he stop the opposition from walking their dog in the paint on their way to an uncontested dunk or lay-up? Doubt it.
But that was Donnie Walsh's last official act as a team executive. He is now just a token Team Consultant for cosmetic purposes of course; and for the next fiscal year only. Jim Dolan pays former employees handsomely for their strict and binding silence once they ultimately sour on the owner like many not named Isiah Thomas. But even Jim Dolan knew, as he was in the process of pushing Walsh out the door, that Donnie was still the best man to conduct the Draft for him because of the time; effort; and research already logged in.
The exit of Donnie Walsh also means Mike D'Antoni is officially a coach in limbo without the GM who hired him around. Mike D'Antoni sacrificed his reputation as a winning coach for two seasons at Donnie's behest in order to get the Knicks turned around. Now the next, unknown GM inherits a roster/coach relationship which raises more questions about the team's direction than it does supplying a clearer picture like before when Donnie was still in charge. The Knicks are left guided by a coach which One; the fans were never overwhelmingly enamoured with. - Two; a coach whom most are down on because of his lack of interest in emphasizing defense. - And three; someone who no longer has someone in the Front Office watching his back.
The Nets on the other hand, will continue forward with a General Manager and a Coach working together while building a franchise the old fashioned way; from the ground-up; just like their new arena. Everything about the Nets organization you used to know has been purged. There is a new owner; GM; coach; and a young roster completely turned over from the last era. The Nets' foundation is strong; very strong;....like steel and concrete rising above Flatbush Avenue at Atlantic Avenue strong.
The Knicks? Faced with real direct competition for the first time EVER, the Knicks franchise is scrambling to renovate their own arena and sticking season ticket holders with the bill. They are also trying to patchwork a roster together without the services of a GM as of this day going forward. And yes, the roster is an inharmonious patchwork.
I still believe Melo and Amare are incompatible players. But the Knicks (err...Dolan) sold out to the Star System over the Team Concept. Donnie Walsh would have negotiated a better price for Melo and not have left the roster so vastly incomplete. But the owner played Capitalist Media Mogul and made sure to acquire drawing attractions for his Entertainment Empire.
It never was about Basketball with him. Look no further than his opposition to the West Side Stadium. In all the years Isiah Thomas ran the Knicks, Jim Dolan never said "Boo." The owner however, has done everything to step all over Donnie Walsh's toes; whom was basically forced on the Knicks by David Stern; because of the direct threat posed by Prokhorov's Nets. Basketball decisions are not order of the day on 7th Avenue. Business preservation is and in my opinion, will turn out all wrong.
It seems as if the closer the Nets get to Brooklyn, the more erratic and anxiety riddled James Dolan becomes. Behind the Knicks Two Star solo-system is a lot of dark matter hiding the chaos within.
The Nets? There is a lot of scaffolding obscuring the old fashioned creation of an organization from the ground up. And like their new arena under construction, when all the work is considered complete and ready for the Brooklyn Opener, we'll see just how strong the team's foundation really is. But I think they're taking sure steps and getting it right.
I truly believe, because of the tactics employed by both teams in their escalating Battle of the Boroughs, the Nets are on more solid footing than the Knicks are. It may not seem that way to the naked eye. But if you expose a lens long enough on both team's path's towards the New York City showdown, you'll see what I'm talking about.
BARCLAYS CENTER
UPDATES ON CONSTRUCTION:
Photos as/of June 23, 2011
Mike.BTB
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
BKN CYCLONES ~ Ninth Inning Thrill In Coney Island
From the desk of: THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS
BROOKLYN CYCLONES: A Pair Of Runs After Seventh Inning Stretch, Then Luke Stewart Sent 'Em Home Smiling.
Head Coach of the soon to be BROOKLYN Nets; Avery Johnson; threw out the first pitch at MCU Park before tonight's Cyclones game.
In game two of this series against the Orioles affiliate, The Cyclones over-came a woeful 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position and committed three errors Tuesday night but still managed to crank out 10 hits and pull out a late inning win against the Aberdeen Iron Birds.
After an inning the Cyclones trailed by one. After three innings, they trailed by two. And that's the way it stayed until the home seventh. The Cyclones tied up the score when they strung together three consecutive two out hits. Ismael Tijerina and J.B. Brown both singled. Javier Rodriguez promptly drove them home with a double to left.
But once again, chalk this win up to the bullpen who were superb over five innings. They kept the Cyclones around long enough for Luke Stewart to double home Javier Rodriguez; who walked to reach base; with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Casey Hauptman; Tyson Seng; and T.J. Chism combined to pitch five innings; allowing only one hit; no runs; one walk; with three strikeouts. In the ninth, T.J. Chism retired the Iron Birds in order and picked up the win after earning his first save Sunday.
GAME FREAKS:
* Javier Rodriguez - now has 5 RBI.
* Lead-off batter - Ismael Tijerina - 2 for 3; run; 2 walks.
* Luke Stewart - game winning RBI double.
SEASON RECORD:
4-1 First Place, McNamara Division
Mike.BTB
TUESDAY FINAL:
Iron Birds.......2
CYCLONES...3
BROOKLYN CYCLONES: A Pair Of Runs After Seventh Inning Stretch, Then Luke Stewart Sent 'Em Home Smiling.
Head Coach of the soon to be BROOKLYN Nets; Avery Johnson; threw out the first pitch at MCU Park before tonight's Cyclones game.
In game two of this series against the Orioles affiliate, The Cyclones over-came a woeful 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position and committed three errors Tuesday night but still managed to crank out 10 hits and pull out a late inning win against the Aberdeen Iron Birds.
After an inning the Cyclones trailed by one. After three innings, they trailed by two. And that's the way it stayed until the home seventh. The Cyclones tied up the score when they strung together three consecutive two out hits. Ismael Tijerina and J.B. Brown both singled. Javier Rodriguez promptly drove them home with a double to left.
But once again, chalk this win up to the bullpen who were superb over five innings. They kept the Cyclones around long enough for Luke Stewart to double home Javier Rodriguez; who walked to reach base; with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Casey Hauptman; Tyson Seng; and T.J. Chism combined to pitch five innings; allowing only one hit; no runs; one walk; with three strikeouts. In the ninth, T.J. Chism retired the Iron Birds in order and picked up the win after earning his first save Sunday.
GAME FREAKS:
* Javier Rodriguez - now has 5 RBI.
* Lead-off batter - Ismael Tijerina - 2 for 3; run; 2 walks.
* Luke Stewart - game winning RBI double.
SEASON RECORD:
4-1 First Place, McNamara Division
Mike.BTB
Sunday, April 24, 2011
N.J./BKN NETS ~ An Off-Season of More Rebuilding & Construction
From the desk of: The Hoops of Flatbush
New Jersey Nets ~ Barclays Center and Brooklyn's Future Team.
I don't know many who are willing to call a 24-58 season a resounding success. But in terms of rebuilding the club as they lurch forward towards an Opening Night in Brooklyn, in the Basketball Nets' case, it is just that. Considering they finished with only twelve wins the season before, the team only had one direction to go. But their strides towards success should be described in a broader scope than just by what transpired on the court. The local area has heard more from the Nets over the last year than they have over perhaps the last decade.
Even more so than just Bruce Ratner's original announcement to move the Nets to Brooklyn, Mikhail Prokhorov's arrival on the scene can be said, without a doubt, to have caused a dramatic upheaval in the local Basketball market. Determined and direct competition from Mikhail Prokhorov and the Nets' move to Brooklyn, which is only one season away from being realized, have stimulated the other team in town to enact dramatic changes of their own.
Mikhail Prokhorov kicked everything off with, The Battle of the Billboards, in where Mikhail Prokhorov fired the first shot by placing a advertising mural within blocks of Madison Square Garden. Then twice, the Knickerbockers found themselves in direct competition with the Nets over players. First, they competed for the services of LeBron James last summer, and then at the trade deadline for the services of Carmelo Anthony. Unable to acquire Lebron and losing Carmelo to the Knicks, the Nets quietly dealt for one of the best point guards in the NBA today; Deron Williams. To maximize on their acquisition, the Nets quickly relaunched a new ad-campaign promoting their upcoming move into the five boroughs.
The construction of the Nets' new arena has also instigated the Knicks' owner to make renovations to his own house in preparation for what will surely become a Battle for the Fan Dollar.
So, it's obvious, direct competition between the teams has already fostered dramatic change that has so far upgraded both Knicks' fan's, and Nets' fan's products and both team's outlooks for the near future.
For them to further upgrade the product on the court, the Nets' are well under the salary cap, and have a surplus of picks leading into the next NBA Draft. New coach Avery Johnson having completed his first season, guided a very young team to a doubling of their win totals from the year prior, while imploring defense and demanding they compete the whole time. Kris Humphries became a monster on the glass. His resigning will be a priority for the club. Brook Lopez established himself as a legitimate NBA scorer. And of course, there are the hopes Deron Williams will extend his contract and lead the Nets into Brooklyn.
The 2010-2011 NBA Playoffs are in full swing. And construction on the arena that Brooklynites hope will one day soon host playoff basketball has been full steam ahead for over a year now. Groundbreaking for Barclays Center took place last year in March. Most work has been concentrated along Atlantic Avenue and 6th Avenue. The first year's construction effort was capped off with Arching Beams over Atlantic Avenue, which caused the arena to start revealing it's personality, as opposed to just being another over sized erector set. View more construction through March 21st, HERE.
New Jersey Nets ~ Barclays Center and Brooklyn's Future Team.
I don't know many who are willing to call a 24-58 season a resounding success. But in terms of rebuilding the club as they lurch forward towards an Opening Night in Brooklyn, in the Basketball Nets' case, it is just that. Considering they finished with only twelve wins the season before, the team only had one direction to go. But their strides towards success should be described in a broader scope than just by what transpired on the court. The local area has heard more from the Nets over the last year than they have over perhaps the last decade.
Even more so than just Bruce Ratner's original announcement to move the Nets to Brooklyn, Mikhail Prokhorov's arrival on the scene can be said, without a doubt, to have caused a dramatic upheaval in the local Basketball market. Determined and direct competition from Mikhail Prokhorov and the Nets' move to Brooklyn, which is only one season away from being realized, have stimulated the other team in town to enact dramatic changes of their own.
Mikhail Prokhorov kicked everything off with, The Battle of the Billboards, in where Mikhail Prokhorov fired the first shot by placing a advertising mural within blocks of Madison Square Garden. Then twice, the Knickerbockers found themselves in direct competition with the Nets over players. First, they competed for the services of LeBron James last summer, and then at the trade deadline for the services of Carmelo Anthony. Unable to acquire Lebron and losing Carmelo to the Knicks, the Nets quietly dealt for one of the best point guards in the NBA today; Deron Williams. To maximize on their acquisition, the Nets quickly relaunched a new ad-campaign promoting their upcoming move into the five boroughs.
Flatbush Avenue at 8th Avenue.
The construction of the Nets' new arena has also instigated the Knicks' owner to make renovations to his own house in preparation for what will surely become a Battle for the Fan Dollar.
So, it's obvious, direct competition between the teams has already fostered dramatic change that has so far upgraded both Knicks' fan's, and Nets' fan's products and both team's outlooks for the near future.
For them to further upgrade the product on the court, the Nets' are well under the salary cap, and have a surplus of picks leading into the next NBA Draft. New coach Avery Johnson having completed his first season, guided a very young team to a doubling of their win totals from the year prior, while imploring defense and demanding they compete the whole time. Kris Humphries became a monster on the glass. His resigning will be a priority for the club. Brook Lopez established himself as a legitimate NBA scorer. And of course, there are the hopes Deron Williams will extend his contract and lead the Nets into Brooklyn.
The 2010-2011 NBA Playoffs are in full swing. And construction on the arena that Brooklynites hope will one day soon host playoff basketball has been full steam ahead for over a year now. Groundbreaking for Barclays Center took place last year in March. Most work has been concentrated along Atlantic Avenue and 6th Avenue. The first year's construction effort was capped off with Arching Beams over Atlantic Avenue, which caused the arena to start revealing it's personality, as opposed to just being another over sized erector set. View more construction through March 21st, HERE.
As April comes to an end, construction is currently concentrated along Flatbush Avenue
at Dean Street and 5th Avenue.
APRIL 21, 2011
Flatbush Avenue at 5th Avenue and Dean Street; Downtown Brooklyn.
Mike.BTB
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
A "Thorn" in Who's Side?
After all, he, Mikhail, immediately took the position of front man at the Draft Lottery professing very lofty ambitions for his new team on TV while there. He then followed that up with a giant advertisement a few blocks from Madison Square Garden (which by the way I thought was brilliant!). He came on board with a bold new Mission Statement.
The fact Brett Yormark turned out to be Thorn's phantom menace is quite a revelation to me. I never saw that coming.
Read Peter Vecsey's Column from the October 2nd edition of the NY Post to get a better insight into the friction between Brett Yormark and Rod Thorn.
So, let's skip over Bruce Ratner for now, who initially did more harm than good when he dropped the ball with Kenyon Martin. But he is after all the reason why I care. He's bringing them to Brooklyn. Let's be straight about that before I digress. Let's move on.
Mikhail Prokhorov was the new billionaire owner who is passionate about basketball, who has a vision for his team and a drive to see it become successful (We don't know that for sure yet. It's what we want to believe. Based on what Mikhail is telling us, why not dream; right?). I thought maybe he was coming in and refitting his organization's structure to suit his style which is his right as the new owner.
Brett Yormark is the team's CEO. I've heard him on the radio more than any other team's top executive around here. Of course that may have been natural at the time because of all the hoopla surrounding the initial sale of the team and the subsequent ground-breaking in Brooklyn. Mikhail's emergence on the scene gave the Nets CEO more reason to play front man while additionally championing the Nets move out of the IZOD Center as they finish out their days in New Jersey playing in Newark. In that time he's done nothing to give me the impression he doesn't have his act together. That said, Rod Thorn's departure truly surprised me (at the time, that is). And I thought naturally it might have something to do with Mr. Prokhorov.
The two battled with philosophical differences. The fact it struck us all as a surprise should still speak well of their professionalism and their ability to keep it in-house; no?
Apparently, one of the points of contention was over the next coaching selection after Mr. Frank was let go.
The CEO wanted John Calipari; The GM wanted Avery Johnson. Obviously we know who won that battle.
Avery Johnson was named coach. I think it's a very good hire by the way. At least he believes in playing defense unlike another coach around these parts. We took a step forward hiring Avery but we took two steps back losing Rod Thorn.
He rebuilt the New Jersey Nets into the team that made back-to-back Finals appearances. He's one of the most respected executives in all the NBA. I could gloat about him for a longer while, but at this point it would be an exercise in futility. I'm just sorry he is now in Philadelphia and not still with us.
Philadelphia ~All we did in effect was trade executives. The 76'ers get Rod Thorn, we get Billy King; their former GM. I'm sorry; we did not get the better of that deal and perhaps Brett Yormark should have this noted on his personal file. It's not like we can give him a demerit.
Brett Yormark and Rod Thorn traded barbs in the papers recently. The Nets CEO tried making a mockery of the seven win season Mr. Thorn engineered last season along with a few other points of contention he voiced in recent comments. Obviously what ever problem the two had between them, it became personal.
The NETS lost a good GM. There is no way getting around that. They did not land LeBron James and it appears as if Carmelo Anthony in a Nets uniform has lost it's flicker also. They have a good coach though. And there's your state of the Nets.
The hiring of new GM of the Nets; Billy King, tempered the momentum I've been building for the Nets, as this team gets closer to it's move to Brooklyn, more than any other development since Bruce Ratner purchased the team.
So in my "Un-Official" list of Key Moments in "Brooklyn Nets History" this places in the top five:
1) Bruce Ratner purchases team; announces move to Brooklyn.
2) Nets lose Kenyon Martin
3) Mikhail Prokhorov buys into and assumes majority ownership.
4) Ground Breaking on Atlantic Yards makes things a little more real for me to believe.
4) Rod Thorn resigns as team's GM/Billy King new Nets GM
...Just sayin'
Mike.BTB
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