Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Bullied in Chicago

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

MONDAY

Nets       95

BULLS  113

FINAL

Playing Consistent Ball In All The Wrong Categories

You know I've been antagonizing these Nets since opening night at Milwaukee if you ride this Trolley - not that I find it enjoyable.  In fact, it's frustrating.  And I again uttered a few days ago that prolonged success under these circumstances is unsustainable.

Picking up against the Toronto Raptors, for only the third time through their first ten games, the Nets held the opponent under 90 shot attempts.  However, for the tenth consecutive game, the opposition put up more shots than Brooklyn.  Points in the paint are also an ongoing item of contention.  The Raptors were +18 against the Nets in that respect.  But Flatbush made it all up by shooting 17/38 (44.7%) and outscoring the Raptors by 30 points from behind the arc ...

... which is precisely how they got off to a 7-3 record entering Monday's game.

In their tilt at Chicago, the opposition for the eighth time in eleven games exceeded 90 shots, and for the eleventh consecutive game, Flatbush attempted fewer shots than the opposition.  

This time they paid the price.  Three-point conversions and free throws were within a respective range of one another, but the Bulls benefited from 16 more field goal opportunities and converted 12 more attempts from the field.  

Brooklyn again got sandblasted in the paint by a 54-24 margin or, said another way, a 30 point discrepancy.  Chicago also secured 15 offensive rebounds leading to second-chance opportunities.  Otherwise, Brooklyn lost the overall battle of the boards by a 56-42 margin.

The game started in what is now typical Net fashion.  After getting outscored by eight in the first quarter, Flatbush recovered and took a 57-51 lead into the half.  But the output failed to flow in the second half.  Brooklyn was limited to 21 points in the third quarter and just 17 points in the fourth.  Whereas the Bulls rolled to 42 points in the fourth en route to a 23-point margin of victory.

The search for a third consistent contributor continues ...

Coming off his first double-double this season, Blake Griffin helped with seven boards and four assists but suffered another case of the chills going 1/5 from the field and 0/4 from three, not to mention 0/2 from the line.  Bruce Brown was frozen solid, shooting 0/8 in 31 minutes.  Five other players attempted more shots than Joe Harris, who finished 3/5 from behind the arc for nine points.  The three together combined for just eleven points on 4/20 from the field.

Kevin Durant went double-double with a game-high 38 points with ten rebounds.  Meanwhile, the word is out across the league: hack James Harden cause the Refs aren't blowing their whistles.  The absurdity continued against Toronto and again Monday against the Bulls.  Harden wrapped up with 14 points, of which only 3/3 came from the line.

Chicago starters outscored Brooklyn's starting five by an 85-63 margin.

The "third man in" recipient goes to LaMarcus Aldridge, who finished with 19 points with seven rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Waves Victory Flag at Motor City

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

YEAR TEN

FRIDAY

Nets     96

PISTONS  90

FINAL

Much of what transpired Friday night at Detroit effectively described the first nine games of the Brooklyn Nets 2021-2022 season.

For just the second time in nine games, the Nets held their opponent to under 90 shots.  Conversely, Flatbush was outshot by their opponent for the ninth time in as many games to start the season.  But for as long as the competition continues with a poor (or poorer) shooting percentage, the Nets continue to get away with it, winning two of every three games played.

The Pistons put up seven more attempts than Brooklyn, all from beyond the arc.  But whereas the Nets converted 11/27 (40.7%) for 33 points, Detroits was 11/34 (32.4%) to forge a draw.  The Pistons also had four more attempts from the line to no avail, as both teams converted and equal 13 times.  Detroit was 22/53 (41.5%) from the rest of the field, while the Nets were only slightly more efficient with 25/53 (47.1%) for a six-point advantage and the final margin of victory.

The Nets barely won the battle of the boards but allowed the Pistons seven offensive rebounds and only secured four of their own.  Detroit was also plus-three in points off turnovers and plus-four in points in the paint.

All of which discussed here have been recurring characteristics.

Kevin Durant led the floor with 29 points and tied for a game-high with ten rebounds.  He accounted for 27 (50.9%) of Brooklyn's 80 total shot attempts.  The rest of the Nets accounted for 53 shots.  James Harden finished 3/5 from beyond the arc and was 4/4 from the line for 13 points along with ten rebounds and a game-high ten assists to complete the triple-double.  

Blake Griffin also "broke out" for 13 points on 5/8 from the field but only 1/4 from three.  Blake's starting mate Bruce Brown chipped in ten points in 26 minutes.  After an 18 point performance against the Hawks, Joe Harris scored a quiet seven points to round out the starters.  

LaMarcus Aldridge led the bench effort with 16 points, five boards, and a block in 21 minutes.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Wraps Up Homestand With Win Over Hawks

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

YEAR TEN

WEDNESDAY

Hawks   104

NETS    117

FINAL

Joe Harris Takes Turn Filling The Big Three Void

I'll keep saying it till I'm blue in the face: this is the Joe Harris needed by the Nets in Kyrie Irving's absence.  According to the lineup card, Joe Harris is the defacto number three.  Along with Kevin Durant and James Harden, only Harris has started all eight Net games to date.

Joe tied with Bruce Brown for third-most shots against the Hawks with ten, but more importantly, Harris was 6/8 from behind the arc for a season-high 18 points and six defensive rebounds in 34 minutes - the Nets' second-most floor time.  His previous high was 15 points against Miami.

Harris has now scored in double-digits in five of eight starts with an average of 11.9 ppg.  But it's his lack of consistency that is so maddening.  That being said, he has yet this season to put together three consecutive double-digit scoring performances when we all know he's capable.  We'll see what transpires in Detroit.

For the seventh time in eight games, Kevin Durant led the Nets with a game-high 32 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in 36 minutes.  This marks the third time he's eclipsed 30 points and the first time since scoring a season-high 38 points on Oct. 24 against Charlotte.  James Harden matched KD in minutes and pulled in with 16 points and a floor-high eleven assists.

Flatbush got blasted on the boards by a margin of ten and got outscored in the paint by 20 points.  But they did a far better job of ball distribution which helped the Nets convert nine more three-point attempts than Atlanta.  It also helped mask the fact that for the seventh time in eight games, the opposition has not only exceeded 90 shot attempts per game but has likewise outshot the Nets in every game to date.  Even in the one game when Brooklyn held Detroit to just 79 shot attempts, the Nets still only finished with 72 attempts of their own.  

The opposition has hoised up 747 shots for an average of 93.3 per game; the Nets have attempted 674 total shots for a rate of 84.2 per game.  As the season marches onward, if you factor in potentially improved shooting percentages by Brooklyn opponents, then ... then there will be issues.  But that's for Steve Nash to figure out.

Blake Griffin and Bruce Brown continue starting games together.  Brown finished with ten points in 31 minutes.  However, Griffin's scoring struggles remain ongoing.  He was 2/7 from behind the arc and 1/1 from the line for seven points but secured four offensive rebounds and seven overall.  I know he's trying to transform his game, but truth be told, Blake's transition to a three-point shooter is not exactly going well.  Fill the center role and stick with the mid-range stuff and rim rockers when opportunity allows.  Otherwise, hanging around the perimeter is Joe Harris' job.

Patty Mills added 14 points and was second on the team with six assists, and LaMarcus Aldridge dropped ten points in 17 minutes, both off the bench.

Brooklyn wins their third consecutive game at Barclays Center and wraps up their homestand with a 4-2 record.

Next stop: Motor City.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Gives Pistons a Tune-Up

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

YEAR TEN

SUNDAY

Pistons  91

NETS    117

FINAL

Sometimes Teams Gotta Do What They Gotta Do

Call it reinforcement training.  The Nets are still ironing out some wrinkles, but this matchup required a convincing victory. 

On Sunday, Flatbush did what needed to be done ...

Jerami Grant led Detroit starters with eleven points in 27 minutes.  Corey Josepg led the Pistons with a team-high 13 points in 21 minutes off the bench, and Josh Jackson was the third and last Piston in double-digits with twelve points in 25 minutes.  In other words, the Pistons were begging to be routed.

James Harden saw to it, notching his 59th triple-double of his career with 18 points, and game-highs with ten rebounds and twelve assists in a floor-high 29 minutes.  Kevin Durant was 10/13 from the field and 2/3 from the line for a team-high 23 points in 27 minutes that is before being ejected in the third quarter for what was deemed overly physical play.

Insofar as someone filling in to form a big three, Joe Harris contributed twelve points on 5/9 from the field.  Meanwhile, the combo of Blake Griffin and Bruce Brown got another start together but only combined for ten points.

LaMarcus Aldridge led the second unit with 16 points on a stellar 7/8 from the field and 2/2 from the line.  But in this game I have to #3 credit to DeAndre' Bembry who finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, and two steals in 24 minutes off the bench. 

I'm not going to wrangle this time over the Nets getting (consistently) outshot again by a margin of minus-seven, or that the Pistons secured seven offensive rebound against just two by the Nets.  When you nail 65.3% of field goal attempts and shoot 52% from behind the arc, what is there really to complain about ...

Steve Nashh was obviously managing minutes, as well he should have against the Pistons.  Although Durant was on course for another 34-mintute game until his ejection, no player exceeded 29 minutes, and nine different players clocked no less than 20 minutes.

Jevon Carter was 3/5 and 2/4 from three-point range for eight points in 17 minutes.

Brooklyn was +17 in rebounds and +9 in assists, and did everything else to make this a decisive win.

Lest we forget, this team has high expectations.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Outpaces Indiana at Barclays

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

YEAR TEN

FRIDAY

Pacers  98

NETS   105

FINAL

Steve Nash Reminds Refs How To Blow Their Whistles

James Harden left little for the naysayers to wrangle over.  In control of his own narrative again, Harden led the floor with 29 points and distributed a game-high eight assists.  

Meanwhile, Steve Nash appeared to clarify matters for the referees as well.  Harden had attempted just 15 total free throws through the season's first five games.  After Coach Nash's powwow with the whistleblowers, Harden scored 16 points on a season-high 19 attempts from the line.

Brooklyn got off to their obligatory poor start as the Pacers jumped out to a 38-26 first-quarter lead.  Afterwhich, Flatbush started dropping shots and clamping down on defense.  Indiana was held to just 17 points in the second quarter and 19 in the third.

Kevin Durant scored 18 of his 22 points in the first half, then handed off duties to Harden and LaMarcus Aldridge.  Durant still tied for game-high with eleven rebounds and finished with seven assists in 37 minutes.  

LaMarcus Aldridge was 10/16 from the field en route to 21 points with eight rebounds in 28 minutes off the bench.  It marks the second time in five games this season he has exceeded 20 points.  

With over 15 years in the league, LaMarcus Aldridge became the 48th player in NBA history to achieve 20,000 career points on Friday.

Through six games, Kevin Durant is now averaging 35.3 minutes per game.  But truth be told, after playing 30 minutes in the season's first game against the Bucks, Durant has since averaged 36.4 minutes and also played both games of game-to-back nights against the Hornets and Wizards.  He is yet to sit out for maintenance.

Steve Nash, for the third time, started Blake Griffin together with Bruce Brown.  But Griffin's troublesome start continues.  He scored just three points against the Pacers and secured three rebounds.  He was just 1/7 from the floor and is now a mere 6/24 (25%) through five starts.  He has so far converted just two shot attempts in two different games and just one shot in each of his other three starts.

The Nets next host the Detroit Pistons on Halloween.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Fails to Protect Their House

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

YEAR TEN

OPENING DAY

SUNDAY

Hornets   111

NETS        95

FINAL

After Three Games, We Can Speak of Trends

The tenth opening day in Brooklyn Nets history will be a difficult one to forget.  

After splitting games at Milwaukee and Philadelphia, Flatbush fans were left stung by a listless fourth-quarter effort en route to a ponderous loss against the Charlotte Hornets at Barclays Center.  It's a game poised to remain swollen in our memory all season long.

After a recurring slow start, the Nets took a 58-50 lead into halftime.  The meltdown ensued post haste.  Charlotte outscored the Nets 29-20 in the third to seize a one-point lead, then in the fourth quarter, blew them out by a 32-17 margin.  All told, Brooklyn was outscored 61-37 in the second half, a margin of 24 points.  Thus, there were issues on both sides of the court and everywhere in between.

Kevin Durant led the floor with 38 points in a game-high 36 minutes, being asked to do everything.  James Harden was the only other Net in double-digits with 15 points and a game-high eight assists.  However, Harden likewise turned the ball over eight times.

Otherwise, Flatbush Avenue reeked of lethargy.  They totaled just 12 shots from the free-throw line, four by Nicolas Claxton.  The Hornets had eight more assists, four more rebounds, four more blocks, seven more fastbreak points, and most glaring, 14 more points in the paint.

Wait ...

Charlotte marks Brooklyn's third straight opponent to lead the game in total shots.  The Nets have so far been outshot by a 290-259 overall margin.  All three opponents have exceeded 90-plus attempts.  Whereas the Nets have been limited to 86.3 shots per game, Kevin Durant averages 26.6% of those.

Speaking of which, six Brooklyn players took more shots than Joe Harris, who finished with seven points in 28 minutes.

Brooklyn's bench got outscored by a 39-27 margin.  Patty Mills was ice cold, shooting 2/10 from the field and 1/6 from three in 32 minutes.  LaMarcus Aldridge led the bench with nine points in 22 minutes, and Bruce Brown added eight points in 27 minutes.

This was Coach Nash's first lineup change in three games.  Jevon Carter started replacing Blake Griffin with back-to-back games, who is due to start Monday against Washington.  Carter was 1/7 from the field for three points in 26 minutes.   

When Blake Griffin returns on Monday, I'm curious to see if, after three straight games, Nicolas Claxton continues in a starting role.

Brooklyn Nets: Resilient Effort at Philadelphia Results in Season's First Win

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

FRIDAY
NETS      114

SIXERS  109

FINAL

Nets Give Flatbush Fans Attitude Adjustment With Win Over Sixers

Two games, same lineup, same slow and sloppy start.

At halftime, I took a look at Twitter and saw everyone clamoring for Bruce Brown, myself included.  He did not play - coach's decision.

But then, in the second half, the Nets started playing defense.  Through the second half of last season, the Nets fell into a habit of falling behind early, coming back before the half, and taking leads in the third.  These first two games got off to somewhat similar starts, but unlike against Milwaukee, this contest favored the Nets.

Coach Nash is still doing what in pre-season he could not: better understand what he's working with.  We know Bruce Brown will not sit for much longer.  For now, Brown is seen as a known variable, other players not so much, and that's what Coach Nash is trying to figure out.  Meanwhile, after trailing most of the night, this lineup on this night showed their coach some resiliency.

Joe Harris needs to hit more three-pointers like the one he nailed at 7:50 of the fourth.  However, poor transition defense resulted in a ten-point deficit with 5:32 left.  After Patty Mills cut the Nets deficit down to two points, Brooklyn turned the ball over on a 24-second violation.  Durant later drew a charge, and Harden scored on the ensuing inbounds play again, tying the game at two.

An 11-0 run and LaMarcus Aldridge scoring 13 of his 23 points in the fourth propelled Brooklyn late in the fourth.  They seized a 111-109 with 15.2 seconds left.  With Durant, Harden, Aldridge, Harris, Patty Mills on the floor, Durant was fouled on an inbound and converted both free throws giving the Nets a four-point lead.  The Nets, who took their first lead in the fourth, finished on a 16-1 run to end the game.  Philadelphia, who led by seven at halftime, was outscored 29-18 in the final session.

Either James Harden is not getting whistles, or he might be working with Coach Nash to figure out this new cast.  He finished with 20 points and eight assists.  Against the Bucks, Harden had just four attempts from the line and the same against the Sixers.  For now, that's an acute deviation from his usual game.

But the Nets turned things around when KD became the facilitator.  Kevin Durant posted a triple-double with 29 points, 12 assists, and 15 rebounds, all game highs, in 37 minutes, and cycling back to my point about Harden, KD was 10/10 from the line.

Joe Harris represented himself well with 14 essential points and five rebounds in 33 minutes.

Too much cannot be said of LaMarcus Aldridge, who matched both Philly starters Tobias Harris and Seth Curry with 23 points in 23 minutes off the bench.  He was 10/12 from the field and a perfect 3/3 from the line.  Patty Mills was again a sparkplug off the bench with eleven points and a +31 in 30 minutes.  All told, Brooklyn's bench outscored Philly's by a 44-23 margin.

Unlike game one's shot disparity, Philly only outshot Brooklyn by a 91-88 margin.

Blake Griffin is still trying to find his way, going 1 for 6 from the field and scoreless in five attempts at three.

Brooklyn Nets Fail to Buck The Trend in Season Opener at Milwaukee

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Look What The Milwaukee Bucks Did to Flatbush, Again!

Going up against Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo, I was somewhat surprised to see Nicolas Claxton starting over, say, LaMarcus Aldridge, James Johnson, and/or Paul Millsap.

That's not a criticism of Claxton, who scored twelve points with seven rebounds in 24 minutes.  With so many new faces, this team still is learning how to play alongside one another.  Therefore, Claxton has seniority and lineup experience.  So, I'm not begrudging Coach Nash's decision.

However, the trio of Aldridge, Johnson, and Millsap joined together for a grand total of two points, three assists, and six rebounds, with none on the offensive boards.  Meanwhile, Giannis finished tied with a game-high 32 points and led the floor with 14 rebounds.  Said another way, Antetokounmpo outscored all players mentioned above by five points and outrebounded them by one.

The game result was the Nets getting outrebounded by a factor of ten.  Milwaukee secured 13 offensive rebounds and 54 boards overall.  A microcosm of Brooklyn's interior play was Antetokounmpo pulling down five offensive boards, which matched the entire Nets team.  Otherwise, defensive rebounds were almost equal, but possession was far from that.  Throw in twelve turnovers and Milwaukee attempted 21 more shots than Brooklyn.

Kevin Durant canceled out Giannis with 32 points of his own and eleven defensive rebounds.  James Harden and Kris Middleton cancel each other out with 20 points apiece.  Claxton and Jrue Holiday also canceled each other out.  Patty Mills scored 21 points in 29 minutes, while Pat Connaughton scored 20 points in 30 minutes, both coming off the bench.

Afterwhich, the scales favored the Bucks, who had six players scoring in double-digits while the Nets had four.  Milwaukee got 15 points off the bench from Jordan Nwora, and Grayson Allen added ten.  Joe Harris picked up where he left off with nine points in a team-high 31 minutes (yeah, that's a dig), and Blake Griffin was limited to six points in 23 minutes.

James Harden distributed a game-high eight assists, but the Bucks did a better job overall with 25 team assists versus 19 for the Nets.

But the true listlessness of Brooklyn's season-opening game was punctuated by 13/23 (56.5%) from the free-throw line.  On a side note, Giannis was afforded nine opportunities from the line, but Durant and Harden together were limited to ten.

Tuesday's opener indeed brings interior defense, physicality, and other more outstanding issues into the spotlight, but this was only game one.  Coach Nash still needs time to reestablish a cohesive rotation. 

Thus, all other criticisms are at this moment put on hold.  

Brooklyn Nets: Tuesday Tune-Up Before Conference Showdown at Philadelphia

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

TUESDAY

Nets    127

T'Wolves 97

FINAL

Flatbush Simply Does What Needed To Get Done

Let's first keep Tuesday's game at Minnesota in context, shall we?

The game marks the tenth time this season the Nets held their opponent under one hundred points which, considering the Timberwolves are the worst team in the league, is no great achievement.  Minnesota had just two players score in double-digits led by Anthony Edwards' team-high 27 points and the familiar D'Angelo Russell's 15 points in 20 minutes off the bench. 

Despite the competition, Coach Nash's starting lineup was no less intriguing.  Nicolas Claxton, Jeff Green, and Chris Chiozza were teamed up with Kevin Durant and Joe Harris.  Nash also distributed at least 20 minutes to eight different players on the front end of back-to-back nights.

Jeff Green quietly scored seven points in 19 minutes, while Chris Chiozza scored four points in a near-silent 14 minutes.  Nicolas Claxton got the start in the middle, scoring six points with seven rebounds in 21 minutes.  However, the real center of attention was DeAndre Jordan making his first reappearance since LaMarcus Aldridge's acquisition.  Jordan scored 13 points with seven rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench.  LaMarcus Aldridge did not play.

In only his third game back, Kevin Durant was 11/15 from the field, including 4/6 from behind the arc and 5/6 from the stripe for a game-high 31 points in just 27 managed minutes.  Durant has now participated in just 22 (40%) of Brooklyn's 54 games to date.  Playing minus James Harden and Kyrie Irving, the three have played together this season a mere seven times.

Enter Joe Harris, who tied for third-most attempts on the team with twelve.  He converted eight times, including 5/8 from long range and 2/2 from the line for 23 points, the second-most on the team behind Durant.  It's the first time he's eclipsed 20 points this month and the tenth time this season.  He is currently averaging 14.1 ppg through 54 games which rates slightly behind last year's 14.5 ppg mark.

Landry Shamet gave Brooklyn four scorers in double-digits.  He was 7/12 from the field and 5/9 from three-range for 19 points in 26 minutes.  Shamet and Chiozza also tied for the team lead with five assists each.

Blake Griffin struggled, shooting 0/6 from the field with only four points from the stripe in 24 minutes.

Otherwise, Flatbush finished plus-13 in rebounds, plus-15 in assists, and doubled up the T'Wolves by a 48-24 margin in the paint.  

Flatbush reestablishes a first-place tie with the idle Philadelphia Sixers atop the Eastern Conference standings with the victory.  It just so happens the two teams square off Wednesday night at the City of Brotherly Love.  The season series is knotted at one game apiece, with each team winning at home.

Brooklyn Nets: Ejected, Rejected, and Dejected

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

OUT SICK WITH SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

Lakers  126

Nets      101

FINAL

MISSING: Small Forward, 29-years old, 6'6", 220 lbs, Answers to Name of Joe Harris; Has Tendency to Disappear When Team Needs Him Most.

With visiting Los Angeles missing both LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Nets still manage to trip, stumble, and fall to the Lakers at Barclays Center.

The Lakers were leading 66-62 when Kyrie Irving and Dennis Schroder took exception with one another and were ordered off the court at 9:41 of the third quarter.  Afterwhich, the Lakers outscored the Nets by a 60-32 margin for a commanding 25-point pull-away victory.

Playing in only his second game since returning to action, Kevin Durant led the Nets in all categories with 22 points, five assists, and seven rebounds.  That right there should otherwise clue fans into the general lack of performance put forth by his fellow Nets.  

With James Harden out of action, Kyrie Irving, despite playing only 21 minutes, was second to Durant with 18 points.  But as the team's primary point guard, he ponderously recorded no assists.

If you follow THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH, you know, all season long, I've been pressing Joe Harris like bricks on a stack of newspapers at the corner stand over performances, or lack thereof, just like Saturday's against the Lakers.  Fans and pundits love raving about his career three-point scoring and percentages.  But when it comes to any of the Nets' big three missing games requiring the next man to step up his game, Joe Harris has been no Fred Astaire.  With Harden out and Kyrie Irving missing the entire second half essentially, Harris tied with LaMarcus Aldridge and Chris Chiozza for third-most shot attempts and finished sixth on the team in scoring.  LaMarcus Aldridge was the only other Net to score in double-digits, with 12 points and three rebounds in 23 minutes.  Joe Harris was a mere 2/8 from the field, including 0/4 from behind the arc and 2/2 from the line for a mere six points in a team-high 29 minutes!

Meanwhile, eight different Lakers scored in double-digits.  Coach Nash summoned eight players from his bench.  They collectively accounted for 37 points, seven assists, and 21 rebounds in 117 total minutes.  Three Lakers bench players scored that many with 18 rebounds and six assists in just 73 minutes.

Otherwise, Brooklyn was minus-five in rebounds, minus-eleven in assists, minus-six in steals, and a plus-five in turnovers. 

Philly's victory over OKC coupled with Brooklyn's loss knots the teams again in a tie for first place in the East.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Runs Pelicans Out of the Building

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

WEDNESDAY

Pelicans 111

Nets     139

FINAL

Kevin Durant Plays in Support of Starting Lineup During Return to Action

The intersection at Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues is a dangerous place for Pelicans, but that didn't stop the Nets from running them out of Barclays Center by 28 points.  

Brooklyn obliterated New Orleans from behind the arc, shooting 19/46 (46.3%) versus just 6/27 for the Pelicans.  The Nets were plus-five in rebounding and razzle-dazzled to a plus-14 in assists.  Brooklyn also outscored the Pelicans by six in the paint and rushed off to a 22-12 edge in fastbreak points. 

James Harden is out, but Kevin Durant is back.  Easing him back into the flow, Coach Nash limited Durant to 19 minutes off the bench.  Otherwise, in his first game back since Feb. 13 against Golden State, KD was a perfect 5/5 from the field, including 2/2 from behind the arc and 5/5 from the line for 19 points, along with seven rebounds and five assists.  Blake Griffin also returned to the floor with ten points in 13 minutes off the bench.

Kyrie Irving again led the Nets with 24 points in 30 minutes.  However, veteran LaMarcus Aldridge was the big man on campus with 22 points in 23 minutes.  Joe Harris is next in with 14 points in 22 minutes.

Coach Nash emptied the bench with the exception of DeAndre Jordan, who once again was the lone Net to not touch the floor.  Chris Chiozza scored twelve points with a game-high eight assists in 18 minutes, and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot once again saw big minutes.

With Wednesday's victory, the Nets take over sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference by one-half game over the idle Philadelphia Sixers.

The Nets are off until Saturday when they host the LeBronless defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.

East River Showdown: Flatbush Sweeps Season Series From Manhattan

From the desks: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH & KICKING CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

EAST RIVER SHOWDOWN 

Nets defeat Knicks; 3-0

I - BKN 116; NYK 109

II - BKN 117; NYK 112

III - BKN 114; NYK 112

No Kevin Durant, No Blake Griffin, No DeAndre Jordan, Essentially No James Harden, and No Room For Error.

Monday's Nets victory was a costly one.  Already playing on a barking hamstring, James Harden was out of the game after just four minutes on the floor.  

Yet, he somehow tied for second on the team with three assists ...

That's because Kyrie Irving took charge in a manner unlike Sunday's game against the Bulls when he finished with 15 assists and 24 points.  Irving led the team with seven assists but topped all players with 40 points in 37 minutes.  It's the fourth time this season he has scored forty or more, and it was slightly more than double Julius Randle's output, who finished with 19 points in a game-high 39 minutes.  Randle achieves the triple-double with a game-high 15 rebounds and 12 assists, albeit in a losing effort.

RJ Barrett led the Knicks with 22 points in 33 minutes, Reggie Bullock added 21 points in 31 minutes, and Derrick Rose scored 16 points in 25 minutes off the bench.

Nerlens Noel going up against LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Claxton was essentially a wash.  Noel scored six points with five rebounds, while Aldridge and Claxton joined together for eight points and twelve rebounds.  DeAndre Jordan has not played a minute since the acquisition of Aldridge.

Jeff Green's tenacity resulted in him leading the Nets with 13 attempts from the line and 4/8 inside the arc en route to 23 points in 36 minutes.  Joe Harris put up the third-most attempts behind Irving and Green while scoring 16 points in 34 minutes.  Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot played his most minutes since Mar. 24 at Utah.

Both teams scored equally fourteen points on fast breaks.  But whereas the Knicks outscored the Nets by 12 points from behind the arc, the Nets dominated the paint by a 58-40 margin.  Brooklyn was also plus-four in rebounds and plus-three in assists.

The Knicks led the Nets by ten at the half (and at one point led by 14 points) but failed to hold on.  Brooklyn outscored the Knicks by eleven points in the third.  Alec Burks tied the game at 112-112 with 26.1 seconds left in the fourth.  But Jeff Green converted two free throws with 3.7 seconds left to clinch it for Brooklyn.

Flatbush sweeps the season series three games to none.  The Knicks fall back one game under par.

Since losing at Detroit on Feb. 9, the Nets have posted a 21-4 record over their last 25 games.  Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden have only played seven games together with only 21 games left in the regular season.  This team needs to get healthy and just over a month to get it done.

Brooklyn Nets: Going Through The Motions in Chicago

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

SUNDAY

Nets  107

Bulls 115

FINAL

Brooklyn's Effort Puts The Flat in Flatbush

Back at the start of the season, no one could have anticipated Steve Nash putting out a starting five of Blake Griffin, Joe Harris, Bruce Brown, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Kyrie Irving.  Yet, there they were, taking on the struggling Bulls who entered Sunday's game losers of six in a row.

Flatbush starters scored just 66 total points.  Kyrie Irving scored a team-high 24 points with a game-high 15 assists in 39 minutes.  But it wasn't enough.  Despite putting up the second most shots among starters, Joe Harris was still a mere 5/11 from the field for eleven points, and that just will not do.  Otherwise, Blake Griffin scored ten points with eight rebounds in 22 minutes, and Bruce Brown likewise added ten points in 30 minutes.  

Meanwhile, LaMarcus Aldridge scored eleven points with three rebounds and three blocks in 26 minutes.  But that is all the Nets need of him.  That being said, Nicolas Claxton was given just eight minutes, and for the second game in a row, DeAndre Jordan did not play.

Otherwise, Jeff Green contributed 21 points in 25 minutes off the bench, but the rest of the reinforcements weren't up to the task, accounting for just 20 points in 63 total minutes.  Landry Shamet scored 13 points in 22 minutes, leaving little credit for the rest but a detrimental minus-19 while on the floor.

On the other hand, Chicago starters scored 89 points, and the Bulls got another 26 points from the bench.  Zach LaVine led the floor with 25 points, and Nikola Vucevic followed with 22 points.

Brooklyn essentially got blown out in the second quarter by a 32-18 margin and went into the half trailing by eleven.  The Nets trailed by 17 points after three.  Despite outscoring the Bulls 35-26 in the fourth, the Nets lose by eight.

If you're not drawing fouls, you're not trying.  Just look at the totals posted by the starting five.  Brooklyn collectively failed to get to the line, and the results proved costly.  Just three Nets players (none named Kyrie Irving) joined together for 6/7 from the charity stripe, whereas the Bulls were 21/30 from the line for a plus-15 point disparity.  The Nets were coming off a two-day break, and it's not like they flew cross country for the game.  Thus, I'm left to believe this was perhaps symptomatic of lazy play, plain and simple, and therein lies the difference between the Nets winning and losing.

Having failed to seize upon Philadelphia's loss against Memphis, the Nets and Sixers end the weekend in a first-place tie.

EAST RIVER SHOWDOWN

MONDAY NIGHT

KNICKS vs. NETS

FROM

FLATBUSH AVENUE

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THURSDAY

Hornets 89

Nets   111

FINAL

Newest Net LaMarcus Aldridge Brings Old School Artistry to the Paint

Change (verb) - 1. make (someone or something) different; alter or modify.  2. replace (something) with something else, especially something of the same kind that is newer or better; substitute one thing for (another).

Making his Nets debut, LaMarcus Aldridge, who turns 36-years old this coming summer, scored eleven points with nine rebounds and six assists.  His play in the paint was a work of art, featuring post-ups, a blocked shot, a plus-22, and two personal fouls in the prevention of easy layups, for which I am very appreciative.  Meanwhile, Nicolas Claxton played only 14 minutes, and DeAndre Jordan played none.

We've been witnessing James Harden involve and demand from DeAndre Jordan a higher level of play.  To his credit, Jordan tries keeping up and perhaps leads the team in the highest percentage shot in basketball, slam dunks.  How minutes at the center position get dispersed moving forward remains to be seen.  That being said, I cannot wait till James Harden plays together with LaMarcus Aldridge, who brings both a complementary and different dynamic to the Nets.

I don't mean to pile on Joe Harris, but I must.  Consistency for him remains an alien concept.  Thursday's performance against Charlotte effectively renders inconsequential Wednesday's 28 point effort against Houston.  Among Thursday's starting five against the Hornets, Joe played the second-most minutes but was the lone starter to not score in double-digits.  He finished 3/9 from behind the arc for nine points and distributed six assists.

Otherwise, playing without Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Blake Griffin, Kyrie Irving took on the distributor's role with a game-high eight assists and a game-high eleven rebounds to go along with 15 points.  Spearheading Brooklyn's group effort, Jeff Green led the floor with 21 points in 31 minutes.  

Landry Shamet and Tyler Johnson were strong off the bench with 17 points and 15 points, respectively.

Brooklyn's collective defensive effort was palpable.  The Nets outscored the Hornets 32-11 in the first quarter and took a ten-point 68-48 lead into the half.  Charlotte was limited to 89 total points, as the Nets cruised to a 22 point margin of victory.

Flatbush improves to 20-6 at home and retains their first-place Eastern Conference standing by one-half game over Philadelphia.

Brooklyn Nets: The Beard Burns Rubber Through Motor City

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

The Motor City Madman

Excuse me; pardon me; The Beard coming through ...

James Harden essentially said I got this.  He was 14/30 from the field and 12/14 from the line and posted game-highs with 14 rebounds and eight assists.

And there's the rub ... distribution.  Harden wasn't much interested in sharing.  With Coach Nash implementing a nine-man rotation, no other Net attempted more than eight shots.  That was the cutoff point as five other players did indeed attempt eight shots apiece, but no more.

For a third time, Harden this season scores forty points or more.  It's his second time as a member of the Nets and the second time this month.  His 44 points Friday against Detroit match his season-high effort back on opening night while still with Houston.  

Steve Nash was in a sharing mood, as no player received any less than twenty minutes.  But whereas Harden clocked in a game-high 42 minutes, Jeff Green was next in with a comparatively paltry 30 minutes.

DeAndre Jordan was the only other starter to score double digits.  His ten points in 20 minutes were highlighted by a romp through the lane for a monster dunk.  He just missed a double-double with nine rebounds.  Blake Griffin has dunked more with the Nets than he has in the last fifteen months.  He was second to Harden with 17 points in 20 minutes off the bench.

It's hard picking on Joe Harris (this time) when no one else attempted more than eight shots.  But I was expecting more from Harris than what the Nets got on this now completed three-game road trip.  It started out well enough; he scored 17 points in 32 minutes during their four-point victory at Portland.  Then against the Jazz, poof!  After going 0/3 from the field in five minutes, he never saw the floor again. 

Otherwise, he capped off a ponderous trip with nine points in 29 minutes against the Pistons. 

Sean Marks strikes again.  Here comes LaMarcus Aldridge.  Defensive help at the center position is on the way.  All the Nets need is for the 15-year veteran to work together with Nicolas Claxton and DeAndre Jordan.