Brooklyn Nets: Steve Nash is the New Dude of Flatbush

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Sean Marks Doubling Down on His Investments; Goes All In With Steve Nash

Sean Marks was afforded considerable time for contemplating a new head coach - six months to be exact.  Granted, COVID froze everything in place.  But it didn't prohibit Sean Marks from donning a mask and shopping outside the bubble.  Meanwhile, the pundits entertained us with talk of Mark Jackson, Jason Kidd, Tom Thibodeau (until he was hired by the Knicks) and even Gregg Popovich.  That would have been something, I thought.  Add in the obligatory Jeff Van Gundy click bait and everything seemed like another day at the office.  The head coaching scuttlebutt only picked up again after Brooklyn's exit from the playoffs.  After which, Jacque Vaughn's name was rightfully added to the list of candidates.

But unbeknownst to almost everyone the decision had already been made.  Sean Marks didn't need to go very far either.  His candidate already resided in the Big Apple.  Which is to say Brooklyn's new head coach has been safe and socially distanced from the minds of every NBA executive and credentialed media member this whole time.  

Tom Thibodeau is a damn good coach.  I wanted him like I wanted Pop or Jackson.  But knowing what we know now, well, therein lies the silent assassin that is Sean Marks.  All that is so in the box.  Only now after being illuminated can I say with confidence that Thibodeau would have been a terrible fit for Brooklyn, much like the others, sans Pop(?).  In the first place I couldn't envision, say, Thibodeau yelling at Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving to get back on defense.  But it's really not about that or any of the aforementioned candidates.  Sean Marks is running a proactive organization.  MSG, on the other hand, is still operating a completely reactive shop therefore making Thibodeau the right guy for them to restore order on the floor.  Brooklyn is beyond that.  Pundits may not want to admit this just yet, but Sean Marks is the one pulling the wagon in this town.  Since taking over Brooklyn the Knicks have been steps behind his every move.  Insofar as the rest of the league, that's where Kyrie Irvin and Kevin Durant come in.

Ask yourself this question: would you rather have Kenny Atkinson or Steve Nash coaching Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irvin?  The Nets organization and fans are indebted to Kenny Atkinson for all his efforts.  He helped elevate this organization like no one's business and deserves all his due credit for this emerging situation in Brooklyn.  I liked him and appreciated him, and was dismayed like many other fans when the team and him parted ways.

Steve Nash does not have coaching experience.  I get it.  But does that mean he lacks experience with X's and O's, or does that mean he lacks interpersonal skills and the ability to negotiate multiple personalities, or that he lacks the requisite leadership qualities, or all three?  Because if these are just some of the criteria, I'm checking off the boxes.

Is this the right man to maximize Kyrie Irving's and Kevin Durant's potential together on the floor?  All the focus has been on Steve Nash's relationship with Kevin Durant and rightly so.  Nash will indeed coach him, but Durant trusts Nash unconditionally.  Who wouldn't want to perform under those conditions.  Then there's the enigmatic Kyrie Irvin.  Nash has been here long enough to have New York City coursing through his veins.  He and the New Jersey native will at least connect on that level.  However, Nash is not an authority figure.  He is a former NBA player and member of the Hall of Fame who behind closed doors could probably still toast Irving in a game of twenty-one.  Nash's acumen and resume are something Irving can grasp and respect.  When loners respect someone they quickly submit with little issues, and we know Kyrie has a few.

Durant and Irvin already have their uniforms, but they've lacked for playing time.  All that's about to change.  What the Nets needed moving forward was a coach for who these two stars would be willing to go through a brick wall.  Brooklyn has lots of brick walls.  

I believe Steve Nash is a brilliant hire ... now.

Never saw it coming.

That's how Sean Marks operates.

Brooklyn Nets: Why Sean Marks is the Sharp End of the Stick

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

HEAD COACH KENNY ATKINSON and BROOKLYN NETS 

MUTUALLY AGREE TO PART WAYS

I'm stunned.  Never saw this coming.

Shocked?  Not really.

Make no mistake.  Kenny Atkinson has a fan in me.  Coach was absolutely the right man for the job.  He served the Nets very well, nurturing a rebuilding club and coaching them up into a burgeoning contender.  Last year's playoff appearance has Atkinson's name written all over it.  What transpired along Flatbush Avenue was pure home grown.  And Atkinson was a leading force behind the organization, the fans, and Brooklyn itself, finally solidifying a long term relationship together.  So, yeah, Sean Marks nailed it when he hired Kenny Atkinson.

Sure Coach had some X and O issues, and suffered occasional bouts of game mismanagement.  What coach doesn't.?

Player conspiracy?  You tell me.

However, an analytics driven system predicated on the high screens and pick and roll, over dependence on three-point shooting, and ruinous fourth quarter meltdowns had become all too predictable.

After three seasons of steady improvements, Sean Marks this last off-season upped the ante.  Expectations changed, injuries be damned.  The Nets presently have a precarious hold on seventh place in the conference standings with just 20 games left to play.  Kenny Atkinson indeed helped get the Nets to this point.  But let's be honest, he rarely deviates from the plan.  In the midst of year four, it cost him.  Now Sean Marks wants more.  I believe in his narrative about needing a new voice in the locker room.  In fact, the more I ponder Saturday's action the more I agree with the decision.  Next season the dynamic in the Nets locker room is sure to change.  I view this as Sean Marks jumping in front of the situation.  While the timing seems odd, I applaud his conviction.  Above and beyond the position of head coach, I want the general manager of the organization operating with proactive confidence rather than in some panic riddled reactive manner.

And this is what makes Sean Marks the sharp end of the stick.

Brooklyn Nets Face Big Test Against League's Stingiest Defense

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Just Not Hard Enough ...

SUNDAY

Nets    112

Suns   138

FINAL

Entering game ten of this still young season, we may now speak in trends.  Look no further than Brooklyn's defensive effort or lack thereof for the Nets 4-5 record and eighth place conference standing.  They rank third in the NBA with 119.8 points per game, but allow 121.7 points per game which ranks second to last.  While some of the names have changed, none of this is new.

There's plenty of fodder from Sunday's 26-point loss at Phoenix to feed off.  Like the Suns game opening 10-1 run; Jarrett Allen's early foul trouble; having no answer for Devin Booker; Ricky Rubio's double-double and a game high 12 assists; allowing Phoenix 19/42 (45%) from beyond the arc; or even Coach Atkinson's inclination to walk the near length of the floor in order to berate an official.

I will just say Sunday's game marks the Nets second double-digit loss, and their worst defeat to date.  In either instance, the Nets failed to score their season average against a defensively viable opponent.  Of Brooklyn's first nine opponents Phoenix and Indianapolis play the best defense.  The Pacers, presently ranked eighth in the NBA in points against, defeated the Nets by ten points in game four at Barclays.  Then Sunday happened.  The Suns, 13th in the NBA in points allowed, deny Brooklyn a 20-point scorer.  Kyrie Irving is Brooklyn's lone starter in double-digits with 15 points on 7/16 from the field.  Otherwise Spencer Dinwiddie leads the Nets with 18 points off the bench.  DeAndre Jordan and Dzanan Musa score in double-digits, also off the bench.

Defensively speaking, Brooklyn's four victories have come against the 15th ranked Knicks; 26th ranked Rockets; 30th ranked Pelicans; and the 23rd ranked Trailblazers.

Otherwise they've sustained one point losses against the 20th ranked Mavericks, and 27th ranked Grizzlies; a four point loss against the 17th ranked Pistons; and the aforementioned double-digit losses against the Pacers and Suns.

Brooklyn next faces the Utah Jazz whom sport the NBA's stingiest defense.  The Jazz are undefeated at home and have allowed just 97.0 points per game.  While the Nets should rightfully be credited with defeating the Houston Rockets, it is the Jazz whom to date represent their toughest match.  If you wanna know how potent the Nets offense really is, let us wait and see how well they click against Utah ... or not.

Brooklyn Nets: Houston Rockets Sputter at Barclays Center

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

James Harden and Russell Westbrook 

Experience Frightful Night at Barclays Center

FRIDAY

Rockets   116

Nets         123

FINAL

No need looking at the win/loss record.  We knew heading in Kenny Atkinson would be tinkering with various line-ups and combinations.  On Friday, he conjured a jambalaya of minutes for everyone.  Taurean Prince and Garrett Temple prove problematic for the visiting Houston Rockets.  Getting the start Prince leads the Nets with 27 points and a game high 12 rebounds in 34 minutes.  Temple posts a +4 off the bench with 16 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes.  Caris LeVert contributes 25 points in 32 minutes.

• Caris Levert is averaging 19.8 points and 33 minutes through the first five games.

However, Brooklyn's defensive effort refreshingly is Friday night's lead story.  The Nets dominate the battle of the boards, out-rebounding Houston by a 55-40 margin, with 45 boards coming on the defensive end.  They also force Russell Westbrook and James Harden into settling for quantity over quality.  The Houston duo joins for 22/56 (39%) from the field, and a mere 3/22 (13%) from beyond the arc.

The Nets are now 2-3 through five games, with victories against the Knicks and Rockets, one outright loss against the Pacers, and a pair of one-point overtime losses against the T-Wolves and Grizzlies.  Brooklyn leads the Eastern Conference with 120.6 points per game, but rank last with 120.8 points allowed.  Makes one appreciate Friday's effort that much more.


THE IRVING FACTOR

• Through five games the Nets have attempted 458 shots from the field, or 91.6 shots per game.  Kyrie Irving has attempted 117 shots, or 23.4 shots per game, which accounts for 25.5% of Brooklyn's field goal attempts.

MEN IN THE MIDDLE

• Garrett Allen and DeAndre Jordan join for 13 points and 17 rebounds; Allen leads the floor with a +29 in 31 minutes.  Allen to date leads at center with 58 minutes played versus 37 minutes for Jordan.

SATURDAY

Brooklyn Nets @ Detroit Pistons

FROM

MOTOR CITY

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Opens Eighth Campaign Poised to Expand Turf

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

YEAR EIGHT

FRIDAY
New York Knicks
vs.
Brooklyn Nets
FROM
FLATBUSH AVENUE

SINCE THE FIRST MOMENT SHOVELS SCOOP DIRT AT GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES, BROOKLYN FOR BETTER OR WORSE REMAINS ONE STEP AHEAD OF THEIR EAST RIVER RIVALS.

More better than worse ...

Kings County native and real estate developer Bruce Ratner in 2004 reveals plans to purchase the New Jersey Nets with the intent of relocating them into a new arena proposed for construction in downtown Brooklyn.  On more than one occasion his vision appears dead on the drawing board.  For six long years protests and seemingly endless litigation stymie any and all forward progress.  A sudden contraction of the national economy further compromises Ratner's finances and development efforts.

With Ratner bogged down in court, New York Knicks owner James Dolan in 2005 is able to successfully devote his full attention and financial resources towards thwarting a more tangible threat posed by a New York Jets stadium being proposed for construction atop Manhattan's west side rail yards.  However, Dolan's victory over NYC's politico and the Jets is short lived.  By 2010 Bruce Ratner not only wins court approval to move forward with construction of an arena, but also secures an infusion of needed capital courtesy of new partner Mikhail Prokhorov.

On March 11, 2010, fifty-three years after the Dodgers play their last game at Ebbets Field, groundbreaking ceremonies take place for Barclays Center ironically in the same general location Walter O'Malley had once hoped to secure for his baseball club bordered by Flatbush Avenue and Atlantic Avenue.  Back here in the future, Ratner's legal victory makes certain direct inner-city competition will soon be arriving at James Dolan's door step.  This time there's nothing J.D. can do to prevent this from happening.

Later that summer Mikhail Prokhorov launches the first salvo in what becomes known as the Billboard Wars when he commissions a building-side mural featuring Jay-Z and himself just a few blocks away from Madison Square Garden along Eighth Avenue.  James Dolan strikes back with a rather clever purchase of billboard space located within the Atlantic Yards footprint itself.

Hostilities ratchet up in February of 2011 upon outbreak of the now infamous Melo War.  Carmelo Anthony makes it clear he wants out of Denver and is a handshake agreement away from authorizing a sign and trade to the New Jersey Nets.  That is until Jim Dolan catches wind of it and launches himself headlong into the Carmelo Anthony trade negotiations like a charging bull through a fine china shop.  Dolan tramples general manager Donnie Walsh with an utter lack of compunction, and is equally dismissive of head coach Mike D'Antoni en route to securing one of the league's perennial scoring threats.  But to his great dismay the Nets are the next morning's lead story, arresting tabloid and sports radio attention away from the Knicks with a stunning overnight acquisition of well regarded point guard Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz.  A squabbling media rages throughout the day debating which team executed the better deal.  Because there is a point guard involved, the consensus says Nets.

With Barclays Center scheduled for opening by the 2012-2013 season, James Dolan also in 2011 orders a billion dollar renovation of Madison Square Garden.

• Question: Were it not for Barclays Center does James Dolan renovate a his tax-sheltered building that really isn't his?

Neither Carmelo Anthony or Deron Williams perform up to their team's respective satisfaction.  In 2012-13, Carmelo Anthony leads the Knicks to an Atlantic Division title, but they've failed to qualify for the playoffs in the six seasons since.  The Knicks average just 34.2 wins during Melo's five seasons in Manhattan, and just 33.3 wins in the five years prior to David Fizdale's arrival.  Meanwhile the Nets make three straight playoff appearances in their first three seasons at Barclays.  In truth their ill fated acquisition of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett better serve as springboards into the abyss.  Suffice it to say the Melo/Williams era ends with a whimper.  In 2015 the Nets buy out the remainder of Deron Williams' contract, and by 2017 the Knicks trade Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

A new rebuilding period ensues.  The Nets are first to acknowledge their organizational failures and by 2016-2017 recommit themselves to a grassroots rebuild.  They hire Sean Marks as new general manager who in turn hires Kenny Atkinson as head coach.  Bereft of high draft picks the new general manager and head coach strip down the team, and through organizational discipline manage to effectively and efficiently build it back up.  Agreeably ahead of schedule, the Nets last season put forth a spirited and unified effort resulting in a well earned post-season appearance.  If nothing else it serves to confirm Sean Marks, Kenny Atkinson, and the Nets, have gone about their business in fine manner.

The Knicks on the other hand are far slower in recognizing their blight, and perhaps more stubborn, as well.  I view Sam Mills as nothing more than James Dolan's lone remaining friend in the building, and Scott Perry as a rather inconsequential league executive.  This, along with the Phil Jacksons in life is why I believe the Knicks lag far behind the Nets and continue losing ground by the day.  Lest we forget this is about direct competition.  The Nets are the invaders, and Jim Dolan was made to defend.  To date, he's tried matching them move for move.  Yet somehow continues falling farther and farther behind.  His front offices tried clearing cap space in order to facilitate a free agent haul a first time and came up woefully short.  They retried clearing cap space this past off-season in order to facilitate yet another proposed free agent haul and again fail miserably.  Unfortunately the free agent market proved shy on players motivated to shoulder 20 years of dysfunction and front office futility.  Why bother when today's NBA player can easily make big money elsewhere with far less headaches.

This is precisely why Sean Marks' acquisitions of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are prime examples of culture, chemistry, competence, and ultimately competitiveness, coming together under the same roof.

It's true ...

But this has never been about the Knicks.  The Nets are foolish to think they can steal fans away from the establishment.  Barclays Center attendance bears that out.  Since day one this has always been about winning over the 2.7 million denizens of Brooklyn.  James Dolan has always benefited from playing in a midtown arena where tourists ensure a sellout every day and night no matter what.  In that respect he is well shielded.  Anywhere else and Dolan's gate receipts would more accurately reflect true fan ire (same holds true for the Rangers).  Brooklyn is a different kinda cat.  Therefore the real test lay ahead.  Last season's organic rise to competitiveness was an endearing experience bringing club and fan closer together than at any other time over the previous six seasons.  That, along with the off-season acquisitions of Kyrie Irvin and Kevin Durant make this easily the most anticipated season in Brooklyn's NBA history.  Whether that translates at the gate remains to be seen.  So far, the pre-season buzz in Kings County is palpable.

But there is no rivalry; not yet; or at least not until the Knicks step up their game.  We're entering Year Eight with no signs of improvement across the river.  A true rivalry would be nice.  In the meantime, bet on Brooklyn.

 OPENING NIGHT

WEDNESDAY

Timberwolves

vs.

Nets

FROM

BARCLAYS CENTER

Brooklyn Nets: Pair of Premium Free Agents Bum Rush Barclays

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

WELCOME TO BROOKLYN

Kyrie Irving  and  Kevin Durant

Were it not for the efforts of D'Angelo Russell perhaps this Nets off-season unfolds very differently.

I would be remiss if I didn't first thank D'Angelo Russell and express to him my utmost appreciation.  Were it not for his efforts perhaps this Nets off-season unfolds very differently.  As the story goes Russell is stigmatized as a clubhouse subversive by Magic Johnson and is banished from Tinsletown.  Unconcerned with Los Angeles scuttlebutt, Nets general manager Sean Marks sees in D'Angelo a talented 21-year old whom merely needs a second chance in a new environment.  Russell in his first season under Coach Atkinson receives far less playing time than he's previously accustomed to as a Laker.  I assume that's a hard pill to swallow for a 2nd overall 2015 draft pick, but he demonstrates exemplary maturity in gulping it down.  Russell in turn respectfully buys into Kenny's system, essentially relearning his position as Atkinson's pupil.

In his fourth season and second with the Nets D'Angelo Russell starts a career high 81 games.  Early in the season during fourth quarters D'Angelo is often regulated to the bench.  But that changes with a Caris LeVert injury in November.  Brooklyn ends calendar year 2018 with a sub-par 17-21 record.  But through continued coaching, confidence building, and growing proficiency, the Nets begin playing increasingly compelling basketball.  Brooklyn posts a 25-19 record the rest of the way for a 42-40 regular season finish which is not only a 14 win improvement over the previous season but qualifies them for the 2018-2019 NBA playoffs as the Eastern Conference sixth seed.  D'Angelo Russell plays a major role throughout.  Along the way he sets career highs with 30.2 minutes, 21.1 points, and seven assists per game.  He also establishes new career highs shooting 43.4% from the field and 36.9% from beyond the arc.  In fact, under Atkinson he becomes an NBA all-star.

Displaying on-court leadership qualities, he helps establish Brooklyn's emerging team culture and identity.  Moreover, he relocates to and embraces private life in Brooklyn.  How do we know?  Because he repeatedly tells us so.  In fact, Nets players have done a exemplary job integrating themselves into the Borough.  And for that I applaud them including of course the departing D'Angelo Russell.  He proves himself a great ambassador of Flatbush.

The 2012-2013 Nets previously strain to establish an emotional attachment with newly targeted locals.  Despite a few relatively competitive seasons with a playoff round victory to boot, the initial relationship nevertheless remains cool and somewhat distant.  Attendance figures prove that out.  The emotional attachment and unconditional love a fan base develops with its team and vise versa ignites in earnest this past season at Barclays with D'Angelo Russell, Jarrett Allen, and company spearheading the way.  D'Angelo Russell make a big impact in a short period of time, and I wish him well.

However, D'Angelo Russell was brought in as part of a much greater vision.  With very little to no resources at his disposal, the Nets quick rise to their present condition and emerging state of competitiveness can't go under-spoken.  With just a shade over three years spent rebuilding the franchise from the foundation, up, Marks enters this year's free agency period set on kicking Brooklyn's basketball operation up another notch.

D'Angelo Russell is only 23-years old, and it remains to be seen just how high he can elevate his level of play.  It's actually somewhat unsettling to ponder.  He no doubt caught the league's attention this past season.  Is Kyrie Irving better?  The short answer is yes.  He doesn't turn 28-years old until next March.  Entering his ninth year in the league, he's averaged at least 30-minutes in all eight seasons.  He's also averaged at least 20-points in six seasons of eight seasons.  However, I'm rather unimpressed with his 5.7 career assists.  The Nets were quite erratic and somewhat out of control when assaulting the rim.  Kyrie Irving brings that skill to both create and finish with polish.

We have a whole year to ponder the Kevin Durant signing.

In the meantime, the whole of the NBA's global influence is today focused on Brooklyn.

Moving forward, I'm hoping Sean Marks formulates a plan for locking up Caris Levert and Jarrett Allan.

Brooklyn Nets: The Start of a Wonderful Relationship

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Last One Out Turn Off The Lights

Rest assured, all is well even though the Nets series against the Sixers didn't end well.  Like I say, you can't be disappointed with what you do not expect.  Which is what made this entire season so enjoyable.  Every one of their regular season victories along with their series opening victory over Philadelphia were all fun as hell.

More importantly, Brooklyn finally seems emotionally invested in their team.  I knew coming into this venture the Nets would be up against a very apathetic Borough, and that attendance would be an issue.  If you're familiar with Madison Square Garden, then you know how many tourists both the Knicks and Rangers attract.  That's what makes this a Brooklyn only issue.  Sure enough, Nets annual average attendance has indeed been problematic.  However, this team is a far cry from the costly collection of carpetbaggers assembled by former general manager Billy King.  That Nets team had the fleeting novelty of being new in town which wore off rather quickly.  As it turns out, Billy King's transactions of mass destruction were perhaps the best thing that ever happened to the Brooklyn Nets.  For without his general managerial malfeasance perhaps there is no Sean Marks, and in turn no Kenny Atkinson, or Jarrett Allen, or D'Angelo Russell, or Caris LeVert, or no genuine feel good story of the 2018-2019 season.

While the team on the other side of the river employed tank tactics in order to achieve their aim, the Nets hierarchy opted for the more grassroots approach, and in just three seasons are beginning to bear the fruits of their labors.  In turn, fans supported their team down the stretch unlike any time during  the preceding six years since their move to Brooklyn.

Just to be clear, I am not speaking of the New Jersey Nets fan.  Any fan making the trek into Brooklyn from New Jersey should be commended.  That speaks of tremendous passion and loyalty.  Instead I speak specifically of the Brooklyn fan - the basketball fans who positioned themselves on the fence upon the Nets arrival on Flatbush Avenue.  

In addition to being an apathetic population, Brooklynites are a guarded bunch as well.  Think Dodgers.  But once the Borough embraces you, you're forever part of the family.

Go Brooklyn.

Go Nets.

#GoingHardTogether

Brooklyn Nets: The Birth of a Cult

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

THE COMMAND CENTER

GAME FIVE

Brooklyn Nets

vs.

Philadelphia 76ers

I believe players across the National Basketball Association are noticing developments taking place in Brooklyn.  I bet they're salivating like a Pavlov dog watching an owner, a general manager, and a head coach, rally behind their players, and together draw a collective line in the sand.

Everyone knows head coaches aren't allowed to criticize referees; and that general managers shouldn't go barging into referee locker rooms; and that owners shouldn't be saying stuff detrimental to the league.  Kenny Atkinson, Sean Marks, and Joseph Tsai are all guilty.  We know it; everyone knows it.  But they couldn't be more right, and at this very moment couldn't be more beloved for it.

As a completely subjective observer, I think this is great!  And I believe other people and potential free agents do too.

The crowds at Barclays Center have spoken.

A basketball cult grows in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn Nets: A Rivalry Breaks Out in Flatbush

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

THAT EMPTY FEELING

Sixers lead series 3-1

I - BKN 111; PHI 102

II - PHI 145; BKN 123

III - PHI 131; BKN 115

IV- PHI 112; BKN 108

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Takes One On The Chin After Jared Dudley Confronts Schoolyard Bully.

Nothing Kenny Atkinson tried in game two seemed to work.  Coach said that's why no Nets player exceeded 26 minutes.  That left some scratching their heads.

I left off wondering what adjustments Atkinson would make heading into game four.

Sadly, the results are in.

It took two games but Kenny finally relented.  Four starters exceeded thirty minutes each.  He also broke up the trio of Joe Harris/DeMarre Carroll/Rodions Kurucs whom all started games one through three.  In place of Carroll and Kurucs, Coach (finally) started Caris Levert, and inserted Jared Dudley.

Levert logged 42 minutes as the starting two, scoring 25 points, and tying for team high with six assists, versus 21 ppg in less than 24-minutes per game off the bench.

In game one, Jared Dudley was 0/2 from the field, and 4/4 from the line in 28 minutes off the bench.  He did not see action in game two, then played 17 rather inconsequential minutes - if you ask Philly - in game three, recording no points and one rebound.

Then came the game four fracas on Flatbush Avenue.

Say what you will about Dudley - the Sixers do - but there's something to be said for Atkinson's decision to start him.  Dudley brings defense and acumen to the floor.  And there he was leading the Nets with a plus/12 and a team high five assists (and eight points) until the moment of his ejection at 7:42 of the third quarter.  I absolutely respect Jared for confronting Joel Embiid.  And that's exactly what Dudley did: confront him.  He didn't punch, slap, kick, scratch, thumb him in the eye, or do anything of the kind.  But Jared most certainly grabbed Embiid's arm, and his attention, and added an extra shove for good luck.  Someone needed to do it, and a veteran stepped up.  It was a questionable play on Embiid's part that perhaps appeared to Dudley harder than it was.  Jared, like every fan in the building, clearly grew tired of watching Jarrett Allen get pushed around in the presence of increasing ref approval.  However, Joel's previous transgressions both on and off the court are what really ignited the moment.  The game and series had already been building up pressure and was primed to blow, and so I feel the eruption was rather unavoidable.  I agree with Dudley insofar that no player should have been ejected, but I do not begrudge the officials final determination.

The Sixers are guilty of playing nothing more - and certainly nothing less - than aggressive playoff basketball.  For instance, the Sixers have been kicking the Nets ass on the glass.

REBOUNDS

• GM1 - BKN 45; PHI 50
• GM2 - BKN 32; PHI 49
• GM3 - BKN 43; PHI 54
• GM4 - BKN 42; PHI 55
• Total - BKN 162; PHI 208

This has been quite a telling series.  I believe it's safe to assume Sean Marks has watched every second.  In fact, the more I think about it the more I believe the Sixers were the best possible match-up for this Nets team.  Philly demonstrates on both sides of the ball the importance of size and physical presence in the paint.  But I'm not about to gauge Marks' level of concern over what has transpired over the last four games where it concerns his future organizational considerations.  Truth is he and Kenny should be commended for getting the team this far this fast.  This is still a rebuilding year after all, and with both money and draft picks at his disposal Sean Marks is on the precipice of constructing something very special; something we hope above and beyond that which fans can presently imagine.

In the meantime, Marks is also staying busy bursting into refs locker rooms in search of those who put forth piss poor performances in playoff games.  I say this in jest, so you're better off reading the link for a clearer detail of events.

I say we all chip in to pay the fine levied by the NBA upon Sean Marks for entering ref locker room after game four. #WeGoHard

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) April 21, 2019

I digress ...

Back to Saturday's game ... we pick up this story with the Nets leading by six at the time of Dudley's ejection.

Enter Joe Harris, who despite continued struggles started game four.  After the game Kenny Atkinson said he played a great game on Saturday.  Technically speaking ... I guess.  The bottom line is the Nets need him burying three's at an all-star rate, which he is clearly not.  The numbers speak for themselves:

• GM1 - 13 points; 3/4 from three; 30 minutes.
• GM2 - 4 points; 0/2 from three; 26 minutes.
• GM3 - 8 points; 0/4 from three; 29 minutes.
• GM4 - 10 points; 0/6 from three; 35 minutes.

On the eve of game one, I said this:

Through the Nets first three regular season games versus Philly, Joe Harris averaged just 11.3 ppg., but was a hawk-eye 6 for 12 (50%) from three point land.  The Nets fourth game against Philly is perhaps the first time Joe Harris exerts himself, posting a team high 22 points and shooting 4/6 from beyond the arc.  The problem is the Nets will require from him more than just four attempts (3-pointers) per game.  In fact "his here today gone tomorrow" act must end post haste if the Nets are to hang around through an extended series against the Sixers.  What I ask for is a little more consistency; playing up to his averages on a nightly basis.  Granted, he only averaged 13.7 ppg for the season.  Make no mistake; I'm not picking on Joe.  But we all know the impact a sharpshooting Harris can have on any given game.  In fact, when Joe Harris glows hot the rest of the Nets radiate brilliance.

On the eve of game four, I said this:

Joe Harris must impact these next several games.  So far he's done quite the opposite.  He played up to his career average with 13 points and shooting 3/4 form behind the arc in game one's opening win.  But he's been missing ever since.  Harris scored just four points and was 0/2 from three range in game two, and scored eight but was 0/4 from the arc in game three.  That's 0/6 from three range with just twelve points over his last two games.

Then game four happened - there goes that phrase again - and another 0/6 performance from three range.  Joe Harris is coming off easily his best season since joining the Nets three years ago.  In his first playoff series, he is now OH! for his last 12 from three range, and averaging a shade under eight ppg.  It pains me to see him go through this, because when Joe is on he draws defense away from Coach's high pick-and-roll and trilateral guard commission.

For one Nets guard in particular, this season and these playoffs are providing an invaluable education.  D'Angelo Russell is clearly a marvelous talent - that bounce pass to Joe Harris was just stupid!  But the 23-year old is still learning.  To a certain extent the Sixers have him bottled up.  Moving forward, this gained experience will teach him how to better fight through the trees.  If this season is indeed the genesis of a star, these last four games were difficult but necessary steps towards that future.

• GM1 - 26 points; 4 assists.
• GM2 - 16 points; 2 assists.
• GM3 - 26 points; 4 assists.
• GM4 - 21 points; 6 assists.

Russell averaged 21.1 ppg in the regular season.  But if you watched him over the second half of the season, you know what he really did.  He also averaged seven assists per game.  Through four playoff games, he's averaging 22.2 points but just four assists.  Looming in the near future a dilemma awaits Sean Marks: securing Russell to a max contract or spending his Nets money off campus.

Good problems ahead.

In the meantime, welcome to the birth of a legitimate rivalry manufactured here in Brooklyn, by Brooklyn, for Brooklyn.

Game Five is Tuesday at Philadelphia.

Brooklyn Nets: Sixers Let Game Four Play Do All Their Talking

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Sixers lead series 2-1

I - BKN 111; PHI 102

II - PHI 145; BKN 123

III - PHI 131; BKN 115

GAME FOUR

Philadelphia 76ers

vs.

Brooklyn Nets

FROM

Flatbush Avenue

Brooklyn Nets: No Joel Embiid ... no problem.  With their second straight victory, the Sixers take back home court advantage, and gain control of the series.

Joel Embiid or not, we're starting to see the Philly team that won 51 regular season games and entered the playoffs as the Eastern Conference third seed.

It's that simple.

Ben Simmons made Jared Dudley eat his words, showing just how average he can be by leading the floor with 31 points and a game high nine assists.  Meanwhile, Dudley failed to score a single point in 17 minutes of play.  The Nets also had no answer for Tobias Harris whom scored 29 points and secured a game-high 16 rebounds, nor JJ Redick who added another 26 points.  All three Sixers exceeded thirty minutes of play.  In a curious distribution of playing time, only D'Angelo Russell managed thirty minutes of play for the Nets.

That said, Coach Atkinson is receiving some criticisms for the way he negotiated game three.  However, I'm not going there - not at all.  That would be completely taking this whole season and what he and the team have achieved to date completely out of context.

Everything else, though, is fair game.

For instance ...

GM3 #Nets put up 39 shots from three, missed 31 of them.

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) April 19, 2019

For a team that largely predicates its game on rebounding, spreading the floor, pick-and-roll, and taking three-point shots, Thursday's game was about as confounding as it gets.

On the eve of game one, I said this:

Through the first three regular season games versus Philly, Joe Harris averaged just 11.3 ppg., but was a hawk-eye 6 for 12 (50%) from three point land.  The Nets fourth game against Philly is perhaps the first time Joe Harris exerts himself, posting a team high 22 points and shooting 4/6 from beyond the arc.  The problem is the Nets will require from him more than just four attempts (3-pointers) per game.  In fact "his here today gone tomorrow" act must end post haste if the Nets are to hang around through an extended series against the Sixers.  What I ask for is a little more consistency; playing up to his averages on a nightly basis.  Granted, he only averaged 13.7 ppg for the season.  Make no mistake; I'm not picking on Joe.  But we all know the impact a sharpshooting Harris can have on any given game.  In fact, when Joe Harris shines hot the rest of the Nets radiate brilliance.

Therefore I say again: Joe Harris must impact these next several games.  Because so far he's done  quite the opposite.  He played up to his career average with 13 points and shooting 3/4 form behind the arc in game one's opening win.  But he's been missing ever since.  Harris scored just four points and was 0/2 from three range in game two, and scored eight but was 0/4 from the arc in game three.  That's 0/6 from three range with just twelve points over his last two games.

Cycling back to my Tweet, Brooklyn shot 20.5% from beyond the arc, and just 41.1% from the field.  In game two, Philly shot a stellar 56.1% from the field, then followed up shooting 48.4% from the field, and 40.7% (11/27) from three range on Thursday.  None of this even begins to describe the damage they're causing in the paint.

And on the glass ...

REBOUNDS

• GM1 - Nets 45; Sixers 50 (-5)
• GM2 - Nets 32; Sixers 49 (-17)
• GM3 - Nets 43; Sixers 54 (-9)

Ball distribution has also been a major problem.  Sixers head coach Brett Brown seems to have pulled a fast one over Coach Atkinson as Philly has D'Angelo Russell and the rest of the Nets seemingly slogging through a bog.

ASSISTS

• GM1 - Nets 15; Sixers 20 (Russell four assists)
• GM2 - Nets 20; Sixers 29 (Russell two assists)
• GM3 - Nets 12; Sixers 26 (Russell three assists)

Despair not, folks.  The Nets are a resilient bunch.  They've given us many reasons over the course of the season, and within this series, to believe they can bounce back and win game four at Barclays Center.  I'm particularly interested to see what adjustments Coach Atkinson has in store.

But if game three proved anything, it's that Flatbush is behind him, and this team 100%.

Brooklyn Nets: Philly Creates Some Elbow Room

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

BACK IN THE LAB

Series tied 1-1

I - BKN 111; PHI 102

II - PHI 145; BKN 123

III - Thursday @ Nets

GAME TWO

Nets     123

Sixers  145

FINAL

Brooklyn Nets: Sixers Counter Punch in Game Two; Series Shifts to Flatbush Avenue.

This is the Philadelphia team Nets fans - and even their own fans - expected to see.  The Sixers played with great physicality unlike game one.  Just ask Jarrett Allen who took a Joel Embiid elbow to the face.  There is great debate as to whether or not Embiid should have been hit with a flagrant-two.  I say that's neither here nor there.  Not when the Nets put up 123 points and still lose by 22 points.

In game one, Embiid scored 22 points with 15 rebounds in 24 minutes mostly spent loitering around the three-point line.  He shot 12/18 from the floor, and 0/5 from beyond the arc.  In game two, he scored 23 points with 10 rebounds in 21 minutes.  However, the biggest difference from game one to game two was Embiid taking his game into the paint.  He attempted no three-point shots in game two, while going 8/12 from the field and 7/8 from the line.

In game one, Philly had only three players score in double-digits.  They featured six double-digit scorers (four from the starting lineup) in game two on Monday.  Jared Dudley, so instrumental to Coach Atkinson's defensive scheme in game one, did not participate in Monday's loss.

Most concerning to me was the Nets getting overwhelmed on the boards by a wide 49-32 margin.  They managed just 12 offensive rebounds, while the Sixers secured 34 defensive rebounds.  And although the Nets shot a respectable 47.8% from the field, Philly executed at a rate of 56.1% and benefited from nine more possessions.

While the win/loss sequence somewhat dampens the mood, the Nets nevertheless accomplished what needed to be done: earning a split on the road.  Now it's back to the lab in preparation of game three at Barclays Center on Thursday.

Brooklyn Nets: All the Pressure Now on Philly

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Where it All Began

2018-2019

NBA PLAYOFFS

Round One

BROOKLYN NETS

vs.

PHILADELPHIA 76ers

Brooklyn Nets: Sixers seem to have more problems than a math book.

Cell phone jokes not necessary ...

• ICYMI: Flatbush Takes Game One 

If Saturday was any indication, the Wells Fargo Center will continue to be a difficult place to play - not for the Nets, but for its own occupants.  The home crowd made that very clear throughout game one.  And for good reason.  The Sixers couldn't throw a beach ball into the Delaware River if they stood mid-span on the Ben Franklin Bridge.

In addition to the Nets, The Sixers are also contending with all the fans pent up frustrations caused by years of planned tanking.  Now the club is being forced to meet expectations.  And the fact that Ben Simmons even mentioned the crowd after game one means (IMO) either the fans, or the pressure of the playoffs, or both, are messing with their heads.

But the true source of Philadelphia's anxiety lies in the status of their star center, whom is still being  hobbled with a bum knee for the better part of a month.  Although Joel Embiid played in game one, he only logged 24-minutes and once again is listed as questionable for Monday's game two.

There's also talk of how Kenny Atkinson utterly out coached Brett Brown of the Sixers, which he did.

#WeGoHard

Brooklyn Nets: A Playoff Team Blooms in Brooklyn

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

NO TANKING IN BROOKLYN

No Outside Help Needed

#WeGoHard

BROOKLYN NETS CLINCH PLAYOFF BERTH 

SUNDAY

Nets     108

Pacers   96

FINAL

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Punches Ticket To Post-Season; Triumph Over Bucks and Pacers on Back-To-Back Nights.

It's been five long seasons since the Brooklyn Nets last topped 40 wins.  

During the last four years, the Brooklyn Nets have gone from being a badly flawed playoff qualifier under Billy King, to completely stripping down the entire operation to the ground and rebuilding what is to date a young inexperienced playoff contender under Sean Marks.

Beware: part of being a fan means allowing emotions and expectations to change like the wind.  That said, I hear some declaring Sean Marks' three year rebuild complete.  The Nets turnaround has indeed been remarkable.  If they seem ahead of schedule, they have an effective executive plan, good coaching, and a united locker room to thank.  But I would argue the rebuild is nowhere near complete.  There's so much more which needs to be done.  Granted, their patient grassroots effort is indeed paying earlier than expected dividends.  By no means, however, should Sean Marks all of a sudden alter his blue print now.  I would implore him to continue forwarding his vision.  Be penny wise, draft smartly, and let pragmatism rule the day.

If emotions ruled the day, Kenny Atkinson would have been fired already.  I wonder how those fans and media calling for his head back in November feel about him now.  Upon snapping that near crippling eight game losing streak on Dec. 5, the team went on to post a 33-22 record as they head into Wednesday's season finale.  Sunday's victory over the Pacers improved the Nets record to 41-40 thus ensuring they'll finish the season no worse than par.  With a victory over Miami, Brooklyn would likewise post their first winning record in five seasons.

The Nets stretch run was more like an odyssey, as ten of their last 14 games have been on the road.  They're better for it, having emerged alive and quite well.  In the end, they eliminated any need for outside help by defeating the Bucks and Pacers on back-to-back nights.  They can expect a hero's welcome when they host the Miami Heat in the season finale at Barclays Center on Wednesday.

The Dudes of Flatbush #WeGoHard #BrooklynNets https://t.co/7tC1k8uXPe

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) April 7, 2019

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Wins Thriller in Milwaukee

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Biggest Victory of the Regular Season!

SATURDAY

Nets       133

Bucks    128

FINAL

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Takes Another Step Closer to Playoff Berth; One Giant Leap Forward for Nets Kind.

How big was Saturday's victory at Milwaukee?

Let us count the ways ...

Already facing the league's toughest rated schedule down the stretch, nine of Brooklyn's last thirteen games have been on the road, and almost exclusively against playoff contenders.  That's medieval torture in and of itself, much less having to negotiate another quick turnaround for Sunday afternoon's penultimate game at Indianapolis.

Milwaukee had won all three of their previous meetings against the Nets this season.  Meanwhile, Brooklyn entered Saturday a game under par (.500) upon losing four of their last five games.  Self determination of their playoff destiny was fast slipping from their grasp.  Now for a second time within the span of just four days they were tasked with playing the Eastern Conference top seeded Bucks whom already had clinched of the NBA's best overall regular season record.

However, on this day Brooklyn catches a break of sorts.  Giannis Antetokounmpo is a DNP for the game, reportedly resting a sore calf.  Milwaukee's depth nonetheless takes Brooklyn to task.  Despite the Nets maintaining a lead for most portions of the night, the more polished Bucks not surprisingly have the Nets reeling late.  Six Milwaukee players finish with double-digit points, led by Eric Bledsoe's game high 33-points, complimented by Khris Middleton's 24-points.

Enter Kenny Atkinson, the mastermind whom I think negotiates the Nets through this critical juncture in their season.  After all, this is a young team still learning how play meaningful games in April.  That said, a few key time outs, some targeted kicks in the proverbial posterior, along with Atkinson's insistence on attacking Milwaukee's size by going small in the closing minutes wins the day.  Led by their back court, eight Nets score in double-digits.  D'Angelo Russell posts team highs with 25-points and ten assists, with Caris LeVert adding another 24-points and six assists.  Veteran Jared Dudley added another 16-points and six very key rebounds off the bench, but contributed so much more through his veteran leadership on the floor and smart composed play in the closing minutes and seconds.  D'Angelo Russell's driving layup with less than a minute left ultimately put the game out of reach.

The Nets are now 40-40 for the season.  It's their first 40 win season since winning 44 games during the 2013-2014 season.  They've certainly come a long way since winning 21 and 20 games respectively from 2015 through 2017, and posting just 28 wins last season.

The Nets are presently tied for sixth with the Orlando Magic, with a half-game lead over number eight Detroit, and a 1.5 game lead over the (outside looking in) Miami Heat.  Brooklyn has two games left on their docket, perhaps needing to win either Sunday afternoon at Indianapolis, or against Miami at Barclays Center on Wednesday in order to help ensure a playoff berth.

Playing important games in April is downright fun.  This emerging Brooklyn team makes it more so.  For a night at least, Saturday's triumph is easily the greatest Nets win in the last four years or so.

But don't take your eyes off the scoreboard just yet.

Brooklyn Nets: D'Angelo Russell and the Comeback Kings

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

#LinksNYC

Brooklyn Nets: D'Angelo Russell Seizes the Reigns, Rallies Team to Greatest Comeback in Franchise History.

Faced with playing the NBA's toughest schedule to close out the regular season, we knew heading in the gauntlet that lay ahead.  Thus, Flatbush opens this brutally uncommon seven game road trip with a loss at Oklahoma City, where they excel through three quarters before being undone by the hands of Russell Westbrook.  Next stop was Salt Lake City where they get routed by the Utah Jazz.  After which the Nets make the first of two stops at Los Angeles, where they fall to the Clippers in heart breaking fashion on a Lou Williams last second buzzer beater from long range.

Teetering at par (36-36) with only ten games left in the season, the Nets enter Tuesday's match at Sacramento in obvious need of a win.  However they open play with great lethargy, falling behind by upwards of 16-points before closing the gap to eight by halftime - if only because Coach Atkinson flips out midway through the second quarter.  The turnaround is short lived as the Kings open the third quarter with a 20-0 run.

And then, the remarkable happens.  Down by 25-points to open the fourth quarter, and Coach Atkinson fit to be tied, the Nets go on to achieve their greatest comeback in franchise history. D'Angelo Russell leads the way with 27 of his career high 44 points coming in the fourth quarter, as Brooklyn outscores the Kings 45-18 in the final session.  The Nets all-star guard also leads all players with 12 assists.  During their final possession with only seconds left to play, rather than have Rondae Hollis-Jefferson surrender the ball, Russell audibles commanding RHJ to drive the lane.  Rondae does just that en route to the game winning layup.

Road Ahead:

• 3/22 @ L.A. Lakers
• 3/25 @ Portland
• 3/28 @ Philadelphia

Return to Flatbush:

• 3/30 - BOSTON
• 4/1 - MILWAUKEE
• 4/3 - TORONTO

Back to Back:

• 4/6 - @ Milwaukee
• 4/7 - @ Indiana

Home Finale:

• 4/10 - MIAMI

A week ago, the Nets were defeating the Pistons for control of the sixth seed.  But they've since slipped to seventh in the Eastern Conference standings, a precarious 1.5 games ahead of eighth place Miami (and three games ahead of ninth place Orlando).  If they are to realize their playoff aspirations, the Nets will need to somehow manage at least a few more victories against the East's top ranked contenders before this race is through.  Easier said than done, I know. 

But Tuesday's comeback against Sacramento bears testament to this team's increasing confidence and resiliency.  And if we correctly keep the Nets within the context of a rebuilding team, then what a marvelous season it's been already.  Here we are late March talking meaningful basketball, with relevant games in April still yet to play.

The Nets remain easily the best story of the local cold weather sports scene.  The Giants, Rangers, and Knicks could all learn something from Sean Marks' business model.  Meanwhile, Kenny Atkinson seems to be extracting from D'Angelo Russell what Magic Johnson claims he could not.

See you in L.A.

Brooklyn Nets Bench Brigade Turn Away Hapless Knickerbockers

From the desks of:  

DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP  and  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS-IV

Nets win season series 4-1

I - BKN 107; NYK 105

II - NYK 115; BKN 96

III - BKN 112; NYK 104

FRIDAY

Knicks  99

Nets    109

FINAL

Brooklyn Nets: Mounting Injuries Put Spotlight Squarely Upon D'Angelo Russell.

Make that six wins in a row, and 19 wins in their last 24 games.  The Nets are now 19-5 since snapping an eight-game losing streak back on Dec. 7, marked by noteworthy victories over Toronto, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Boston, Houston, Sacramento, and of course their crosstown rival Knickerbockers.  They've done all this while hurt.  The Nets were just 6-8 on Nov. 12 when Caris LeVert was lost to a foot injury.  After which Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Allan Crabbe, and Jared Dudly, also went down and remained out.  Only on Friday did Jefferson finally return to the lineup against the Knicks.  However, the Nets now lose Spencer Dinwiddie - arguably on pace to win the NBA's 6th man award - sidelined a torn ligament in his thumb.  Surgery is pending.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

6th) Nets        27-23 (.540)

14th) Knicks  10-37 (.213)

As injuries mount, all eyes now turn towards D'Angelo Russell.  This is his team now, and he'll have the fourth quarter all to himself.  Although he has played himself into the All-Star conversation, there's been many games this season where in much of the final session Coach Atkinson has kept him wrapped in sweats.  It's only recently that Russell's and Dinwiddie's games have begun to mesh on the floor together.  There was clearly an initial disconnect, of which Coach says the two have learned how to play together and the results bear that out.

It's been a happy new year for D'Angelo Russell indeed, who was named NBA Player of the Week.  Through 12 games in January, he's averaging 23.1 point and 7.4 assists per game.  On Jan.14, he scored 34-points in a winning effort over Boston.  Two games later, he dropped 40-points in a win over the Magic at Orlando, then followed that up with 31-points on Jan. 21 against Sacramento.  In their lead-up to Friday's game versus the Knicks, Russell posted a double-double (25-points; 10 assists) in Wednesday's rematch against the Magic.  For the season (49 games) he is averaging 19-points and six assists per game.

Against the Knicks, however, Russell was limited to just 12-points in 24-minutes.  Joe Harris was the only other starter to score in double digits with ten points in 28-minutes.  The real story of the game, and for the matter the continuing narrative of the Nets season, is the next guy in line stepping up and contributing effective play and productive minutes.  Brooklyn featured more four scorers in double digits all off the bench.  Theo Pinson led all Nets with 19 points.  With 29-minutes in Dinwiddie's absence, Shabazz Napier was next in with 18-points.  Ed Davis played big man on campus with 17-points and a game high 16-rebounds.

Friday's 109-99 victory over the cross-river Knicks gives the Nets a 27-23 record on the season, good for sixth place, 2.5 games ahead of the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference standings.  They also improve to 15-11 at home.  Lest we forget they started the season 3-10 at home.  They've since won  92% of their games (12-1) at Barclays Center.

And don't look now, but their season long negative point differential now reads +0.4 for the season; another benchmark; more evidence of sustained improvement.

Against the Nets, Noah Vonleh scored a double-double Friday with 22-points and 13 rebounds; Trey Burke led all scorers with 15-points off the bench.

New York Knicks: Unfortunately for Enes Kanter, this is what happens when you become enmeshed with the Bockers.

One the one hand, Enes Kanter knew he was opting into a rebuilding situation.  Therefore, part of his present calamity came by his own hand.  Money will do that.  Little did he know there would be a heavy price to pay for his (micro vs. macro) decision.  On the other hand, Friday's performance was a picture perfect demonstration of tank-a-thon in action.  This game was perfectly suited for Kanter.  Just take a look at his last three games against the Nets.  He's right to express displeasure, and for that matter demanding a trade.  A man of his talents riding the bench is hardly ideal for either party.  Kanter is actually my favorite Knick, but he obviously needs to go.  The Knicks just have no real leverage to work with, so what can they reasonably expect in return?  Where this tank-a-thon ultimately gets the Knicks, remains to be seen.  But for as long as Steve Mills remains a part of this organization's decision making process, I expect nothing good.

I'll say this much about Coach Fizdale: if the intention is indeed to tank the season, he's in the midst of masterminding something epic.  With Friday's loss, the Knicks fall to just 10-37 on the season.  They extend their losing streak to eight games, making them just 1-16 in their last 17 games.  With February just around the corner, 37 games remain in the season.

Brooklyn Nets Creating a Winning Culture and Identity, As Promised

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

23-23 (.500)

Sixth Place Eastern Conference

New arena, new uniforms, new crowd, in a new town - a new owner knew the Nets couldn't just quietly tip-toe into Brooklyn.  At least that's the way incoming tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov viewed things.  Lest we forget his stated goal of winning a championship within five years.  We're now seven years away from Prokhorov's rather bold mandate which former general manager Billy King failed to satisfy.

Insofar as delivering a title: there's really no one person to blame for the way those initial years played out.  They made an organizational decision meant to ignite a new Nets economy in Brooklyn.  That's just the nature of doing business when one capitalist invades the territory of another.

It can be argued both teams during that time operated and transacted rather erratically.  However, none more crippling than the exorbitant price in draft picks Billy King paid to acquire Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce from Boston.  Blame as I may, the owner signed off on it.

And while the trade got Brooklyn this far ...

... by 2015-2016 the win-now plan had proven itself overwhelmingly futile.  On the heels of another January loss at Detroit which saw the Nets record fall to 10-24, Billy King's tenure as general manager ends.

On Sunday, January 10, 2016, Mikhail Prokhorov orders a rebuild:

"By making this decision now it enables our organization to use the rest of the season to diligently evaluate candidates with proven track records.  It's clear from our current state of affairs that we need new leadership.  With the right basketball management and coach in place we are going to create a winning culture and identity and give Brooklyn a team that it can be proud of and enjoy watching." Ryan Bort, Newsday

The Nets hire Sean Marks on Feb. 18, 2016, as new general manager.  In April, the team ends the regular season with a 21-61 record.  Before the month is through, Sean Marks offers Kenny Atkinson his first head coaching position.

• Season One (2016-2017): Oct. 28, 2016, the Nets boast a 1-1 record; it marks their lone moment playing at or above the .500 mark.  On April 8, 2017 they win their 20th game of the season; a 107-106 victory over the Bulls at Barclays Center.  They finish the season with a 20-62 record.

• Season Two (2017-2018): Oct. 27, 2017, the Nets are 3-3, but never again reach .500 for the rest of the season.  This time, however, they win their 20th game of the season by Feb. 26, 2018; coincidentally, another 104-87 victory over the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center.  The Nets would finish the season with a slightly improved 28-54 record.

This is Kenny Atkinson's third season.  After 210 games, he owns an 71-139 (.338) overall record as Nets coach.  As recently as a month ago - with the Nets in the midst of an eight game losing streak - fans and faux experts across social media were calling for Atkinson's termination.

What say you?

Me?

That was a kneejerk and not very well thought out reaction.  Truth be told, one-third of all Kenny Atkinson's victories as Nets coach have come in the first three months of this season alone.

They won their 20th game of the season on Jan. 5, 2019, against none other than the Bulls; another 117-100 victory at Chicago, no less.  They're now 15-5 (.750) over their last 20 games, and are within five victories of surpassing last year's entire win total.  And with a 23-23 record, they presently occupy sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

Despite this relative success, injuries to key players (Caris Levert; Allen Crabbe; Jared Dudley) should not go under spoken.  Yet, adversity seems to have revealed within these Nets an endearing Brooklyn-like resiliency.

Is reaching .500 in January important?

Alas, consecutive benchmark victories against Boston and Houston transpired without Kyrie Irving on the floor, and James Harden essentially playing by himself.  However, where it concerns the Nets I would argue the answer is indubitably, yes.  Sean Marks and Kenny Atkinson somehow adapted and overcame the great mistake left behind by Billy King.  Over the last 2 1/2 years, they've methodically engineered steady improvement to the point where the Nets are now experiencing upwards climb.  The added ability to effectively impact the team through the draft is also back in their control, not to mention their substantial salary cap reserves at the ready. former cap reserves ...

Cycle back to the 2016 mission statement ...

At this point, I believe it safe to say a new basketball culture is indeed growing in Brooklyn; an earnest grassroots effort to build an NBA contender, involving many wonderful and individual player stories, to be sure.  The plan put in place back in 2016 is working.  This year's play bears that out.  As a result, the Nets are becoming increasingly more enjoyable to watch, as promised by Mikhail Prokhorov, and reaffirmed by incoming partner, Joseph Tsai.

Just don't wait for an apathetic local media to start shaking their pom-poms.

Go Brooklyn!