Brooklyn Nets Finish Strong In Opening Victory Over Boston Celtics

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

PLAYOFFS

ROUND ONE

SATURDAY
BOSTON CELTICS  93

BROOKLYN NETS  104

FINAL

Here we go!

The spotlight is squarely on Nets general manager Sean Marks.  His construction of this so-called super team comes with weighted expectations.  A championship is in order.  Anything less runs the risk of being labeled a failure.  

But nothing ventured, nothing gained, and Sean Marks should be applauded for putting himself out there and having the chutzpah for executing such bold and controversial maneuverings.  This is about his vision, and to date, he's proven to have the eyes on an eagle.  Marks has repeatedly plucked talented complementary players from seemingly private stock.  This is about rebuilding the Nets despite former general manager Billy King gift-wrapping so many high-round drafts picks to the Celtics in exchange for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.  This has everything to do with D'Angelo Russell, and Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Jarrett Allen, and even Kenny Atkinson.

Whatever we make of this, payback against the Celtics for all those years of draft picks, or even Kyrie Irving versus his former team, or the fact that the Big Three have still played less than ten games together, this all ultimately goes back to Sean Marks.  His brilliance will either be confirmed or denied.

🏀

The first half of game one is a discombobulated hodge-podge of disjointed isolation and otherwise erratic offensive interplay.

If you were suffering a conniption in the first quarter or found yourself in a second-quarter stupor, then you haven't been watching this season.  

Big Three or not, Brooklyn's slow and sluggish first quarter start had a very familiar look, which should have caught no one off-guard.  Ponderous, maybe, because, after all, this was game one of the playoffs.  But we've seen this before: poor start, strong finish.

They played poorly, but if Boston's early performance qualifies as a best effort, well, then Brooklyn was still keeping within striking distance despite stumbling and fumbling out of the gate.

The Nets were down 13-8 until Kevin Durant dunked, making it 13-10 Celtics.  But Boston did lead 15-10 at the halfway mark.  In the first, the Nets go ice cold in the closing minutes, missing their initials, second and third attempts.  The possessions and misses keep coming.  At one point, Flatbush was 1 for 13 from behind the arc.  Boston ends up closing out the quarter hitting a long-distance buzzer-beater, giving them a 21-16 lead.

Flatbush still lacks accuracy midway through the second quarter.  They end the first half trailing by a 53-47 difference.

But then comes the third quarter.  The Nets tighten things up and finally take their first lead, but only for a brief moment as the Celtics take it right back.  However, by this time, Brooklyn is poised to make a move and mount a 65-59 lead midway through the third.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, Kevin Durant makes a steal and slams it home at the other end for his 32nd and 33rd points of the night.

Boston is fouled with the Nets leading by eleven and 1:40 left in the game and goes to the line.  But by this time, the Celtics know they're out of time and out of luck.  

Brooklyn wins 104-93, an eleven-point margin of victory.  Despite struggling in the first, the Nets stabilize in the second, recover in the third, and pull away in the fourth.  They've done that numerous times this season.

Did the Nets prove the pundits wrong and play representative defense?  They certainly made a few key stops.  Let us not understate that despite getting off to a quick start, the Celtics end the game with just 93 points.  That's partly due to the absence of Jason Tatum, who seemed to disappear in the second half.  Ask yourself why.  Joe Harris led the team with a +22, Kyrie Irving was next with a +16, and the bench netted a +6 despite Landry Shamet's -14 in 14 minutes.  But it's still worth mentioning this marks Boston's lowest point total against the Nets this season in the three regular-season games and now one in the playoffs.

• Dec 25, 1920 - Boston 95 points.
• Mar. 11, 2021 - Boston 109 points.
• Apr. 23, 2021 - Boston 104 points.
• May 22, 2021 - Boston 93 points.

Jason Tatum led the Celts with 22 points in a game-high 41 minutes, but as noted, failed to factor in over thirty minutes to finish the game.  The Nets outrebounded the Celts by ten, and after a dismal cold start, they recover to shoot 41.7% from the field over the same number of possessions.  Boston outscored Brooklyn by nine on points off turnovers and six points on the fast break, but shooting  36.7% failed to keep up.  Brooklyn was plus-six from the line and plus four in the paint.  Marcus Smart was next in for the Celtics with 17 points in 40 minutes.  Boston got 25 points from their bench.

No Brooklyn Net played upwards of 40 minutes.  Their bench contributed eleven points.  However, the starting lineup featured three players posting over 20 points for the game.  Kevin Durant led the Nets with 39 minutes and led all scorers with 32 points and a game-high twelve rebounds.  He was just 1/8 from behind the arc but 11/12 from the line.  Kyrie Irving took over this game for a stretch in the third. He was 11/20 from the field and 5/5 from the line for 29 points.  James Harden added 21 points with nine rebounds and a game-high eight assists.  All of which pretty much meets most pregame expectations.

Joe Harris adds ten points in 37 minutes.  He slotted in well with the fourth most shot attempts but lacked accuracy shooting 4/11 from the field.  

There was much curiosity and speculation about who Steve Nash would and should have included in the starting lineup.  Some pundits thought Harris should come off the bench.  But he took his normal spot in the rotation, joined by Blake Griffin, who finished with no field goal attempts and just one basket from the line in 20 minutes.  To that end, Jeff Green played 27 minutes off the bench.

 

Brooklyn Nets: Adversity Makes Early Visit to Flatbush

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Grizzlies  116

Nets        111

FINAL/OT

Hello, adversity, it's been a while ...

Flatbush is faced with its first dilemma of the 2020-2021 season.  Sunday's two-point loss at Charlotte somewhat exposed their general lack of physicality on the interior.  Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both registered 36 minutes each, and there are calls to begin staggering their minutes.  I say you plan accordingly while keeping the competition in mind, although I agree their deployment needs some reconsideration.   

The loss is secondary to the disheartening news regarding Spencer Dinwiddie, who in Sunday's game suffered a partially torn ACL of the right knee and will undergo surgery.

With Dinwiddie out, Irving and KD likewise did not play against the Grizzlies on Monday night at Barclays.  It was the second game of back-to-back nights and their third game in four days.

Memphis, who last season clinched a play-in berth, jumped out to a 32-23 lead against the short-handed and unsettled Nets in the first quarter.  But the Brooks regrouped and turned the tables with a 32-22 second-quarter effort for a one-point advantage at the half.  Caris Levert negated Dillon Brooks' three-pointer with the last possession floater for the lead.  

With 1:44 left in the fourth quarter, LeVert's shot from three gives Brooklyn a 106-104 lead.  But LeVert, in the closing seconds, would miss his final two attempts.

Into over time, they go ...

Memphis doubled-up on Flatbush in the extra session for the win, 10 to 5.

In the final minutes of the fourth, Coach Nash kept DeAndre Jordan on the floor; he blocked a shot and committed a turnover.  He had four blocks and four turnovers for the game, scoring four points and securing nine rebounds in 30 minutes.  Jarrett Allan, after playing a season-high 25 minutes against Charlotte, was back down to 22 minutes.  He still managed a game-high fifteen rebounds and eight points.

Caris LeVert tied for a game-high 28 points in 38 minutes.  He was 12/29 from the floor but just 2/9 from the arc.  Getting the start, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot was second on the team with 21 points in 40 minutes.  Joe Harris played a game-high 42 minutes, with fourteen points and 2/4 from the arc.

Chris Chiozza (welcome back) led the bench effort with four assists and fourteen points but posted a minus-9 in 27 minutes.  Landry Shamet, who will also be seeing more minutes, had three steals and five points in 24 minutes.  

There's no hiding a bad start by Taurean Prince.  He scored nine with five rebounds in 19 minutes.  After starting the first three games 1/11 from the field, he was 2/8 against Memphis, making him 3/19 (15.7%) through four games.

• Next: home-and-home vs. Atlanta Hawks.

Brooklyn Nets: For Jarrett Allen, Time is of the Essence

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

"Center of Attention"

In Sean Marks, we trust, right?

Jarrett Allen is my favorite player.  Let's get that out of the way.  I was not pleased to hear his name mentioned in off-season trade rumors and would have been downright irate had he been included in a rumored deal for James Harden.  But I digress ...

Allan's contract status is the matter at hand.  Brooklyn's center of attention and the Nets recently failed to reach an agreement on an extension by the required deadline.  Thus, he becomes a restricted free agent at season's end.  This is just capitalism at work.  I have no compunction letting the market set Allen's price, so long as I know the Nets are committed to matching any potential offers.  And there's the rub.  Jarrett is effectively playing out the rest of the season to establish his future worth.  If all goes according to plan, Jarrett's annual value is due to spike from its present level of just under $4 million towards much higher and more cap and tax problematic sums.

Lest we forget, Caris LeVert last season signed an extension that was well celebrated by fans.  At this stage, I would also argue Spencer Dinwiddie is more expendable than Jarrett Allen.  

But the real phantom menace at play here is veteran DeAndre Jordan, who came loosely linked together with KD and Kyrie Irving.  He is taking up time and space that formerly belonged to Jarrett Allen.  In four games to date (two exhibitions, two regular-season), DeAndre Jordan started each time with Allen coming off the bench.  Jordan in the pre-season played 17 minutes and 19 minutes, respectively; Allen punched in 15 minutes and 17 minutes.  Through four games, Coach Nash has so far kept his starting lineup intact.  But whereas Jordan's playing time has remained consistent at 17 minutes against Golden State, then 19 minutes at Boston, Jarrett Allen's minutes were bumped up to 20 against the Warriors, and 21 minutes against the Celtics.  

Regular Season:

• Jordan vs. G.S. - 17 minutes, 11 rebounds, 4 points, 1 block.
• Allan vs. G.S. - 20 minutes, 7 rebounds, 8 points, 2 blocks.

• Jordan vs. BOS - 19 minutes, 7 rebounds, 4 points, 2 blocks.
• Allan vs. BOS - 21 minutes, 11 rebounds, 9 points, 4 blocks.

Albeit a small sample size, the numbers both collectively and individually speak for themselves.  No team in their right mind turns away 38.5 minutes, 18 rebounds, 12.5 points, and 4.5 blocks per game at center.  For the moment, it's a good problem for the Nets to have, but for how long?  Jarrett is averaging just 20.5 minutes a game.  He hasn't averaged as little as 20 minutes a game since his rookie season.  This, after spending the last two seasons as a prominent performer on an emerging playoff contender, punching the clock for 26.3 minutes per game.  Said another way, Allen, a starter for most other league teams, is theoretically deprived of a half-dozen minutes per game.  What Coach Nash has planned for Jordan and Allan moving forward remains to be seen.  Allen won't be 23-years old till next Spring.  Jordan, although very likable, is ten years Allen's elder.  Injuries can come into play for all we know.  But as they say: time is money.  In Allan's case, minutes are now his primary unit of value.  

So, what's a restricted free agent to do in the meantime?  

I guess learn from Jordan and Amare Stoudemire and prove himself an indispensable component of the Nets.

Circling back to Sean Marks, he continually reiterates the merits of being a disciplined organization, one that sticks with the plan, all the while prioritizing team and organizational culture.  Well, Jarrett Allen has been no less instrumental in establishing said culture than any player to don a Brooklyn Nets uniform.

Brooklyn Nets: Sean Marks' Vision Comes Into Focus

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

MAKE THAT BROOKLYN'S NINTH & MOST 

ANTICIPATED OPENING DAY SINCE 2012-2013

2020 ~ 2021

HOOPS of FLATBUSH

Warriors    99

Nets         125

FINAL

OUT OF THE LAB AND FINALLY ON THE COURT: A NEW ERA IN BROOKLYN NETS BASKETBALL BEGINS, NOW!

Opening night at Barclays Center features Stephen Curry and the visiting Golden State Warriors (playing without Klay Thompson and Draymond Green) against host Brooklyn featuring their former teammate, Kevin Durant.

Punching in his time card for the first time since Game 5 of the NBA Finals as a member of the Warriors,  Durant is 7/16 from the floor and 7/7 from the line for 22 points in 25-minutes.  Kyrie Irving, the other half of Brooklyn's one-two punch, scores a game-high 26 points in 25-minutes.  

Kyrie Irvin and Kevin Durant joined in scoring 48 points or 38.4% of Brooklyn's 125 total points and propelled the Nets to a 40-25 lead in the first quarter and an 18 point lead at the half.

Coach Nash's distribution of minutes is consistent with the pre-season.  In fact, his starting lineup also remained the same.  DeAndre Jordan, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Joe Harris round out the starting five.  Of the starters, only Jordan failed to stay on the floor for at least twenty minutes.  Caris LeVert, like Durant and Irving, plays a team-high 25-minutes.  A qualified starter at this stage of his career for most other teams, and an emerging star for that matter, Caris is 6/17 from the field and 5/6 from the line with nine rebounds and a team-high five assists.  His 20 points off the bench make three Nets with 20 or more.  New addition Landry Shamet also played 20 minutes, with a +12 and six points.

DeAndre Jordan, in 17 minutes, secures a game-high eleven rebounds.  Jarrett Allen is given 20 minutes off the bench in which he secures seven rebounds and is 2/3 from the floor and 4/5 from the line for eight points.  Together, the "Centers of Brooklyn's Attention" join for 12 points, 18 rebounds (five offensive), with three assists and three blocks.  

As a new leader of the Nets, the television camera in the first quarter caught KD (admonishing?) encouraging Joe Harris to take a shot from the left corner, who instead elected to pass off.  That may not seem like much and will likely go unspoken.  However, I think playing alongside KD will be huge and beneficial to Joe's continued career advancement.  Sean Marks made re-signing Joe an off-season priority.  And truth be told, for the role he plays, he has always been a good fit in Flatbush.  When Harris is on his game and making his shots, the Nets are difficult to contend with.  But when opponents decide to eliminate Joe Harris from the equation, Harris is easily canceled out, and the team oft struggled to make up the difference.  After only one regular-season game together, I sense Kevin Durant will push Harris unlike any player or coach before him.  Harris is averaging 11.8 points per game since joining the Nets but is averaging 14.1 ppg over the last two seasons.  With teams overly concerned with Durant and Irving, Harris stands to have his best season to date.  Monday against the Warriors, he scored ten and secured seven rebounds.

The Nets outrebounded Golden State (55-45) by a margin of ten.  Assists were 26-24 in favor of the Warriors.  Brooklyn was 42/92 (45.7%) from the floor and an efficient 15/35 (42.9%) from the arc.  Golden State was 37/99 (37.4%) from the field; Steph Curry finished with 20 points in 30 minutes.

Flatbush faces an upgrade in competition when they next play the Celtics at Boston on Christmas Day.

Brooklyn Nets: Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving Play Together at Last

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Pre-Season Opener

Wizards 114

Nets       119

FINAL

... and the Hoops of Flatbush Take the Court!

Welcome to the Brooklyn Nets' most anxiously anticipated season to date, even more so than their initial arrival in Kings County.  Expectations were never nearly as high then, nor moving forward, as they are at this very moment.  

General manager Sean Marks is to thank.  His patience and discipline have so far prevailed.  Through his rebuilding and architectural vision, the team in these last two seasons has done more to endear themselves to fans than in any preceding six.  Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Joe Harris, even Spencer Dinwiddie (and the departed D'Angelo Russell) grew up here, along with others worth mentioning whether still with the team or not.  They're all responsible for elevating the Nets to a more competitive level.  I'm happy a trade to acquire James Harden never transpired.  Generally speaking, the point is the long-sought emotional bond between team and fan has finally been cemented.  That's a very different vibe than hiring a bunch of costly mercenaries in the hopes of grabbing a new fan base's attention, a la Mikail Prokhorov's and Billy King's device.  Although a Nets familiar crowd, Brooklyn can be an apathetic bunch.  Early attendance figures bear that out.

Some pundits are saying the Brooklyn Nets are now a legitimate Eastern Conference threat.  Then, all that remains is for Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to drive Sean Marks' vision forward and validate such prognostications.

That being said, the wait is over.  For the first time since their respective acquisitions, fans got to witness Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant playing in the same game at the same time and donning the same black and white uniforms, albeit in the first preseason exhibition game against the pedestrian Washington Wizards.  But if fans think they waited a long time for this moment, imaging Durant's plight, who last participated in an NBA game over 550 days ago.  He's been recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon ever since.  It was definitely a relief and very encouraging as a fan to see Durant moving so fluidly and without hesitancy.

Insofar as first impressions, Irving and Durant did not disappoint.  Their respective first-half effort was an exciting glimpse into what possibly could be a fascinating season in Flatbush.  The two joined for 33 points en route to a 68-50 first-half lead.  Said another way, they accounted for 48.5% of the Nets first-half scoring.  I can't stand math, but I'm completely copacetic with that measure of contribution for the sake of involvement.  Despite 0/3 from the arc, Spencer Dinwiddie scored ten and led the team with seven assists in 25-minutes.  Timothe Luwawu-Cabarro seems to have picked up where he left off with eleven points in 21-minutes.  Taurean Prince was an effective 6/9 from the field and 2/2 from the line.  Kyrie Irving led the team with 18 points in just 17 minutes, and Durants had 15 points in 24 minutes.

Meanwhile, DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen were not the centers of attention.  Coach Nash gave Jordan the start over Allen.  I'll wait out the preseason before I make that an issue.  Otherwise, the two joined for just seven points with eleven defensive boards while splitting 32 total minutes.

This brings to mind Steve Nash and his rather eclectic coaching staff.  I'll just start by saying holdover Jacque Vaughn is completely welcome.  Mike D'Antoni is the assistant head coach.  He'll definitely be a head coach of his own team again next season; I'm sure of it.  He, unfortunately, was the one person left standing in the latest round of head coaching musical chairs.  Nash, of course, played for D'Antoni while at Phoenix.  And then there's Amare Stoudemire, Nash's former teammate at Phoenix.  The two were great together, and the three went far together but never did get to light a victory cigar.  Amare is said to be here (partly) to teach Jarrett Allen how to play like a big man.  I hope it works.  However, I'm no booster of D'Antoni.  I do not and have never believed in his system.  We've seen it up close with the Knicks, and where did his system get him in Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Houston?  That said, I fully expect Steve Nash to be his own man and run his own game while being completely open to information and advice.  Above all else, I trust Sean Marks made the right decision.

I do not consider the upcoming season a championship year or bust situation.  I prefer to judge the upcoming season in stages.  For now, they are nothing more than a team with two stars who have yet to complete a full season together.  Of course, Durant is returning to the floor after an extended absence. However, Kyrie Irving with the Brooklyn Nets still must demonstrate durability, lest we forget he only played 20 games last season.

James Harden Clamoring For Trade to Brooklyn

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

BIG THREE?

James Harden Trying to Shoehorn Himself into Nets Neighborhood

James Harden wants out of Houston and to prove his point has turned down a two-year $103 million dollar contract extension.  Instead of potentially becoming the first player in history to break the $50 million per season salary barrier, he instead requested a trade to Brooklyn.

Sure he did ...

The Houston Rockets franchise is falling apart like wet toilet paper and Harden knows it.  Former general manager Daryl Morey left the organization, coach Mike D'Antoni is no longer there, Robert Covington was recently traded and now Russell Westbrook says he wants out as well.  Besides, I guess it's easy to snub your nose at another ten million when you're already making forty million per season.  

Not that I have any experience with that ...

Harden asked for a trade to Brooklyn indeed, where he has convenience and familiarity on his side.  He is former teammates with Kevin Durant when the two played at Oklahoma City, and his former head coach is now an assistant with the Nets.  According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in recent weeks have been in frequent communication.  Woj says Durant is enthusiastic about a potential deal and that contrary to rumors, Kyrie Irving is not known to be opposed.  Woj also says the Nets and Houston Rockets have spoken.  Discussions are being characterized as nothing serious.

Wednesday is the NBA draft.  If such a deal should occur, the potential cost for acquiring James Harden is being speculated to include anyone from Spencer Dinwiddie to Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen along with a slew of draft picks.  Some pundits say it would take someone more talented like Kyrie Irving in order to facilitate any trade.

I'm opposed to all of it.  

I understand Spencer Dinwiddie's value is as a trade chip.  However, I am particularly protective of Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert.  First, Allen is my favorite player.  But, mainly because Harden still has two-plus seasons left on his present contract.  He can become a free agent in 2022 if he opts out of the final year of his deal.  Then what?  Maintaining three super-max contracts on the roster is extremely prohibitive.  

I'm also completely averse to trading away draft picks.  This organization has already been there and done that.  The Nets are now on the other side of Billy King's disastrous Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett trade.  Waiting out the aftermath and smartly rebuilding is what laid the foundation needed to sign Durant and Irving in the first place.  

Why put yourself right back into the same hole?

I was completely geared up for Kevin Durant's return to the floor, and playing a full season together with Kyrie Irvin.  I was satisfied with that.  Otherwise, I reserve further judgment.  

Brooklyn Nets: Wait Till Next Year is Dead Ahead

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Raptors def. Nets; 4-0

I - TOR 134; BKN 110

II - TOR 104; BKN 99

III - TOR 117; BKN 92

IV - TOR 150; BKN 122

Trounced in two, swept in four ... I believe game one was closer that the final score indicates.

In any event, when the opposing bench scores 100 points (game four) there's no need sifting through the minutiae of what went wrong.  Give Toronto their respect as defending NBA champs and move on.  It's time for Brooklyn to get back in the lab.

We all know the Nets this season were a very compromised team.  All things considered I'm actually quite pleased with how the season ends.  Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen and Joe Harris are thrust into the team's primary positions of leadership.  The experience gained is invaluable.  These are the requisite growing pains.  In the meantime, enjoy the rest of summer best you can.  For the Hopes of Flatbush lay dead ahead.

How effective will Kevin Durant be upon his return to the floor?  Will Kyrie Irving be able to sustain a full season?  Will he have kinder things to say about his teammates?  Will the two mega stars mesh?  This remains to be seen.

But what if Irving is right?  Do the Nets have the requisite in-house pieces in order to facilitate a championship?  What if the Nets do not have the right mix of talent?  Does Sean Marks need to go off campus for another formidable threat?

Joe Harris is the team's most notable free agent.  Sean Marks says re-signing him is a top priority.  Whereas I have my reservations.  He is an easily blunted dagger in the Nets attack.  When teams decide to shut him down, they do.

Brooklyn has eleven players under contract entering next season: Kevin Durant; Kyrie Irving; DeAndre Jordan; Caris LeVert; Rodions Kurucs; Dzanan Musa; Nicolas Claxton; Taurean Prince and Jeremiah Martin ... meanwhile, extending the contracts of Jarrett Allen and Spencer Dinwiddie will not be easy.  The Nets have an option on Garrett Temple, but what Sean Marks does about Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is anyone's guess.

There is also a new head coach up for discussion.

Change is most certainly on the horizon.

But make no mistake, the future has arrived.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Bucks the Naysayers

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

TWO IN A ROW 

TUESDAY

Nets      119

Bucks   116

FINAL

! MAJOR UPSET !

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot scores a career high 26-points as the Brooklyn Nets deny the Milwaukee Bucks an opportunity to clinch top seed in the Eastern Conference.  Flatbush takes a 73-65 lead into halftime, then hold on for a stunning 119-116 upset. 

Making this a wondrous event is the fact that Brooklyn defeats Milwaukee minus the services of Kevin Durant; Kyrie Irving; DeAndre Jordan; Spencer Dinwiddie; Wilson Chandler; Taurean Prince; Caris LeVert; Joe Harris; and Jarrett Allen.  Meanwhile, Jamal Crawford's Nets debut is fleeting.  He exits Tuesday's game with a strained hamstring after just six minutes played.

That being said, both the Nets and Bucks appear in agreement insofar as defense be damned - no such effort Tuesday afternoon.  The Nets convert on just 43 of 103 (41.7%) attempts from the field, while hitting 21 of 57 (36.8%) attempts from beyond the arc.  Milwaukee is 42 of 88 (47.7%) from the field.

Timothe, after scoring 24-points in the Nets return game last Friday, leads the way connecting on five of seven from beyond the arc, and shooting a perfect five for five from the line.  Garret Temple is next in with 19-points.  Chris Chiozza goes double-double with ten points, and a game high ten assists, in 31-minutes off the bench.

Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo partakes in the first half only, yet still leads the Bucks with 16-points in 16-minutes played.  Former Nets favorite Brook Lopez did not play.

Flatbush (32-35) slides back into seventh place, one-half game ahead of Orlando.

Brooklyn Nets: Jarrett Allen and Spencer Dinwiddie Too Much For Cleveland

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

MONDAY

Nets          108

Cavaliers  106

FINAL

JARRETT ALLEN AND SPENCER DINWIDDIE CARRY FLATBUSH TO FOURTH STRAIGHT VICTORY.

After a well deserved and needed rest, Spencer Dinwiddie re-enters the game at 7:48 of the fourth quarter.  Playing in the final minutes of back-to-back games, the Nets appear noticeably tired.  Case in point Dinwiddie down the stretch fails to convert three of four layup attempts and misses a mid-range jumper.  With 21.5 left on the clock Dinwiddie fouls Collin Sexton whom with one of two conversions from the stripe ties the score (at 106-106).  But Brooklyn steps up their defense with a pair of blocked shots by Jarrett Allen and Dinwiddie respectively, thwarting two Cavaliers offensive rebounds, whom then turn over the ball on a shot clock violation.  With 6.2 left in regulation Coach Atkinson calls for time.  With 1.6 second left on the clock, Spencer Dinwiddie nails a mid-range jumper for a 108-106 road victory over Cleveland.

Spencer Dinwiddie, whom earlier in the day was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week, ties for game high with 23 points and leads the floor with nine assists in 33 minutes.  Brooklyn, however, does not maneuver into position for Dinwiddie's game winning shot unless Jarrett Allen places the team's injured and tired on his back and carries them there.  Playing minus his partner in the paint DeAndre Jordan (day-to-day injury), Allen puts forth his fifth double-double in his last seven games.  Easily his best game of the season, Allen ties his season high of 22 points, while securing a season high 21 rebounds, to go along with three steals and two blocks.  He shoots 9/10 from the field and is 4/5 from the line.

Chalk up another solid game for Taurean Prince, who adds 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists, in 33 minutes.  He leads the Nets with a +9 and is 4/6 from beyond the arc.  Joe Harris scores 19 and secures six defensive rebounds.

The Nets are now winners of four in a row, and a game back over par.  With a 9-8 record they continue occupying seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings, 2.5 games ahead of Orlando.  Not too long ago they were allowing opponents upwards of 119 ppg, but have since reduced that by nearly five less points per game.

Last Wednesday, I said ...

You can't a clinch playoff berth in November, but you sure can sabotage your chances.  Thus opportunity is presenting itself.  By defeating the Hornets, Flatbush leapfrogs into seventh place of the conference standings.  It would now behoove them to seize the moment against some lesser competition on their upcoming schedule: Sacramento at home, the Knicks at the Garden, and the Cavs at Cleveland.  Injuries be damned, there's enough available talent to get through these next few games.  Take advantage now before their showdown versus Boston, then come March there will be less ruing games lost in November. 

Mission accomplished, and a job well done.  They've gotten through the three aforementioned contests minus the services of Kyrie Irving, CarisLeVert, and DeAndre Jordan on Monday.

Wednesday they face the Celtics at Boston.

Let's get it on!


CHEMISTRY 101: ON THE MEND LOOKING IN

If nothing else, Monday's game should serve as a reminder to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant insofar as what they thought they were getting themselves into by signing with the Brooklyn Nets.  Still out with a shoulder injury Kyrie Irving last played on Nov. 14 at Denver.  He was averaging 22.9 shots per game through his first eleven games.  With Irving and Caris LeVert (averaging 15.5 shots through nine games) still in the lineup, Spencer Dinwiddie was averaging 13.4 shots a game primarily off the bench.  Jarrett Allen was averaging just 5.7 shots through the team's first eleven games.  Thrust into a starting role Spencer Dinwiddie is presently averaging 17.6 shots over his last six games.  Allen is likewise experiencing more touches, now averaging 9.8 shots over his last six games.  Which is to suggest there exists more shot diversity when Dinwiddie and Allen are sharing the floor, and the ball.  Therefore at issue is a growing number of Kyrie Irving's naysayers warning of the threat he still potentially poses to everything Sean Marks, Kenny Atkinson, and last season's returning Nets players hold dear.  I personally am not buying into the scuttlebutt, but Irving's eventual reintegration into the lineup will indeed become an intriguing development worthy of observation.  In the meantime, Flatbush is 5-1 in their last six games without Irving.

Just saying ...

Brooklyn Nets Pull Old Ball in the Back Routine at Madison Square Garden

From the desks of: DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP  and  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Nets lead Knicks; 2-0

BK 113; NY 109

BK 103; NY 101

SUNDAY

Nets (8-8)          103

Knicks (4-13)   101

FINAL

Julius Randle's offensive rebound and two point shot brings the Knicks within two with 0.4 left on the game clock.  After a Nets timeout, Joe Harris exercises a bit of craftiness by in-bounding the ball off the back of an unsuspecting Wayne Ellington whom then takes position as the buzzer sounds.

Game over ...

Still playing minus the services of Caris LeVert and Kyrie Irving, the Nets win their third in a row, defeating the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.  Spencer Dinwiddie continues leading the charge with a game high 30 points, with 13/14 coming from the stripe.  Both Taurean Prince and Jarrett Allen post double-doubles; Prince scores 14 points with 11 rebounds, and Allen adds 18 points with ten rebounds.  DeAndre Jordan's six points and five rebounds in 16 minutes gives the center position 24 points and 15 boards for the night.

Marcus Morris leads the Knicks with 26 points in a team high 33 minutes.  Julius Randle adds 15 points and eight rebounds.  The rest of the bunch muster little else.  The Knicks actually win the battle of the boards by a 43-35 margin, and post a 22-18 advantage in assists.  And with three more possessions shoot 37/80 (46.3%) from the floor and 18/35 (51.4%) from beyond the arc, versus just 31/77 (40.3%) from the floor and 14/38 (36.8%) from three for Brooklyn.  However, the Nets are 27/34 from the line, while the Knicks are just 9/16 (56.3%) ... there's your difference in Sunday's game.

Brooklyn has now defeated the Knicks in each of their first two meetings this season.

Brooklyn Nets: Jarrett Allen Doesn't Let Flatbush Lose Their Composure

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Jarrett Allen's Neighborhood

WEDNESDAY

Hornets   91

Nets       101

FINAL

CENTER OF ATTENTION: THE DAMAGE DUO JOIN FORCES FOR 36 POINTS AND 24 REBOUNDS

Neither team shoots particularly well.  The Nets with 91 possessions are 39% from the floor and 25% (10/39) from beyond the arc.  Charlotte with ten less possessions shoot 37% from the floor.  Brooklyn leads by five at the half, and by nine points through the third.  But the Hornets close to within three until 6:54 of the fourth when Spencer Dinwiddie converts two from the stripe for a five point Nets lead.  

Enter Jarrett Allen who essentially prevents Flatbush from losing their composure.  In just over five minutes down the stretch he secures eight rebounds, including consecutive rebounds on Charlotte's final three attempts of the game.  His offensive rebound and put back at 4:59 gives the Nets a 91-83 lead.  Another offensive board at the 4:21 mark and two conversions from the stripe extend the Nets lead to seven.  Allen leads the floor with 22 points and a game high 17 rebounds in just 28 minutes.  DeAndre Jordan adds a bench leading 14 points and seven more defensive rebounds in 20 minutes.  The duo put up a grand total of 36 points and 24 rebounds, and 8/10 from the line.

Taurean Prince scores 20 points with eight rebounds and four assists, with a +17 in 33 minutes.  Joe Harris scores a quiet eight points.  However, his three-pointer at 1:33 of the fourth proves a major blow to Charlotte's aspirations.

With Caris LeVert and Kyrie Irving out of action, the ball has been in Spencer Dinwiddie's hands.  He scores 20 points with a game high eight assists, but is just 7/18 (38%) from the floor and a mere 2/7 from beyond the arc.  That part I'm cool with.  It's just that he put forth another one of the more erratic fourth quarter performances I can recall.  Both he and to a lesser degree Caris LeVert still lack polish when attacking the rack.  And that's where Kyrie Irving comes in ...

The Nets win the battle of the boards by a 53-41 margin, and hold their opponent under 100 points for the first time all season - a job well done.  You can't a clinch playoff berth in November but you sure can sabotage your chances.  Thus opportunity is presenting itself.  By defeating the Hornets, Flatbush leapfrogs into seventh place of the conference standings.  It would now behoove them to seize the moment against some lesser competition on their upcoming schedule: Sacramento at home, the Knicks at the Garden, and the Cavs at Cleveland.  Injuries be damned, there's enough available talent to get through these next few games.  Take advantage now before their showdown versus Boston, then come March there will be less ruing games lost in November.  

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 Fend Off Knicks Late Surge in First Battle of the Boroughs

From the desks of: 

DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP  & THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS

FRIDAY

New York Knicks   109

Brooklyn Nets        113

FINAL

Nets Gain First Victory of New Season

Despite Erasing 19-Point Deficit Kicks Fall to 0-2

• ICYMI: Nets vs. Knicks: A Rivalry in Waiting

Straight out of the school yard.  A lot of pre-game from both camps.  Things get a little gritty and chippy at times, and a little rough and tumble during other times.  Brooklyn cruises to a 64-51 halftime lead, and lead 94-83 after three.  But what follows is another familiarly erratic fourth quarter and near Nets collapse.  Wayne Ellington nails a game tying three at the 4:23 mark.  On the Knicks next possession Ellington drops another three giving the Bockers their first lead of the night.  After a Nets turnover, RJ Barrett converts from mid-range upping the Knicks lead by a 109-106 margin.  But with less than a minute left to play Kyrie Irving takes over.  His jumper at 59.6 brings the Nets within one.  His second straight jumper taken from his favorite spot on the floor gives the Nets a 111-109 lead.  Spencer Dinwiddie then drains two buckets from the stripe to seal Brooklyn's 113-109 victory.

Coach Atkinson, opting for defense, diverted minutes towards Dinwiddie in the closing minutes at the expense of Caris LeVert.  Spencer scores 20-points and ties Irving with a game high five assists in 27-minutes off the bench.  LeVert scores 12-points with four assists in 24-minutes.  For a second straight game Kyrie Irving leads the floor with 26-points, and ties for game high with five assists.  He has now scored 76-points in his first two games with the Nets.  Nets control the glass by a 46-39 margin.  Jarrett Allen, DeAndre Jordan, along with the Knicks Julius Randle, all tie for game high with 11 rebounds.

Six Knicks players score in double-digits.  Allonzo Trier leads the pack with 22-points in 23-minutes off the bench.  After starting the Knicks season opener out of position, RJ Barrett scores 16-points on 9/20 (45%) from the floor, and 0/3 from the free throw line.  Kevin Knox also scores 16-points and is 4/4 from beyond the arc.  Marcus Morris is also a perfect 3/3 from three range.  In fact, the Knicks are a stellar 17/25 (68%) from beyond the arc.

Brooklyn Nets: Welcome to Mr. Irving's Neighborhood

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

OPENING NIGHT

Timberwolves  127

NETS                 126

OVERTIME

On behalf of the Brooklyn Nets, Kyrie Irving is bestowed the honor of greeting the opening night  Barclays Center crowd.  He gets choked up in a rush of emotion midway through his address, and fans respond accordingly.

At 2:24 of the opening session Irving scores his first points as a member of the Nets.  He continues on to post 12-points in the first quarter, and scores a floor leading 25-points by halftime.  By the end of regulation Kyrie leads all scorers with 43-points, and is tied with a game high seven assists.  After five minutes of overtime Kyrie finishes the night with a game high fifty-points, becoming only the seventh player in Nets history to achieve the milestone.

Brooklyn's first half defense proves ruinous, and Kenny Atkinson did not look happy about it.  At 8:18 of the second quarter Shabazz Napier converts two from the charity line staking the Wolves to an 18-point lead.  Spencer Dinwiddie's second quarter buzzer beater from half court reduces Brooklyn's deficit to twelve.  The Nets then open the third quarter on a 15-2 run.  A Joe Harris three at 8:19 gives the Nets a 71-70 lead.  The Wolves answer tying the game 80-80 with 4:30 left, but are otherwise outscored in the third quarter by a 37-20 margin.  The fourth quarter proves more harrowing for the Nets.  After a fine defensive stand at the other end, Irving drops a three from the left elbow extended giving the Nets a fleeting 115-112 lead with 1:16 left.  Soon after with six seconds on the clock, Kyrie feeds Jarrett Allen who is fouled while driving to the basket.  But Jarrett misses both free throw attempts.

And into overtime they go ...

Trailing by three, Kyrie Irvin drains a pair of free throws with 36.8 seconds left.  Coming out of a timeout with 14-seconds left, Kyrie again possesses the ball.  After burning seconds off the clock he breaks left, slips, and falls, but recovers and actually gets off a clear 18-footer which fails to finds its mark.  All his team mates rush to console him at mid-court.


TAKEAWAYS

#1  The Nets have no answer for Karl-Anthony Towns. 

#2  Caris LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie are still erratic as ever.  Just as D'Angelo Russell was.  All three last season demonstrate their ability to effectively drive and get to the rim.  But once their they often lose their freaking minds.  Said another way, they are not the polished finishers Kyrie Irving is, and the star of the night made that abundantly clear.  Don't get me wrong: I believe Caris is developing into an extraordinary player.  But if game one is any indication, he is still quite erratic at the rim.  Otherwise LeVert compliments Irving with 20-points and four assists.

#3  I'm curious how Kenny Atkinson will go about distributing minutes between Jarrett Allen and DeAndre Jordon.  Allen played 35-minutes against the Wolves, while Jordan played 17-minutes.  The two joined for eight points and twelve boards.  Allan blocks a game high five shots.

#4  15/26 (57.7%) from the free throw line; c'mon. 

Nets: A Big Three Grows in Brooklyn

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

ICYMI: 

Were it not for the efforts of D'Angelo Russell 

perhaps the Nets off-season unfolds very differently.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RESPECT!! Thank you. Be well, and good luck. https://t.co/AckJLvD4yj

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) July 1, 2019

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Takes Opening Game at Philadelphia

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

The Dismayed City of Brotherly Love

FINAL

Nets    111

76ers  102

Home Crowd Turns on Sixers as Brooklyn Nets Negate Home Court With Game One Victory at Philadelphia.

Philly is a tough sports town, and Saturday afternoon, they let their Sixers know exactly how they felt.  They appeared less distressed about getting outplayed by the Brooklyn Nets, and far more incensed with their team's own piss poor performance.  While Brooklyn was making it rain threes, the crowd spent the better part of their afternoon likewise raining boos down upon their team.

Oh, the glory of it all.

Joel Embiid, clearly hobbled by a bad knee, nonetheless contributed 22 points, 15 rebounds (11 on the defensive boards,) and five blocks, in 24-minutes.  However, more than half (12) of his points came from the free throw line, not to mention he shot a dismal 0 for 5 while loitering behind the arc.

Jimmy Butler showed up to play.  But the same can not be fully said of a Philly team well stocked with talent.

• Just three scorers in double digits.
• Tobias Harris led the Sixers with 41 minutes but only accounted for four points.
• Ben Simmons: nine points and just three assists.
• JJ Redick: just five points on 2/7 from the field.
• They hurt themselves at the line, converting just 29 of 42 (69%) free throws, but were even more pathetic shooting 3 of 25 (12%) from three range.

The Nets on the other hand, were 24 of 26 (92%) from the free throw line, and an efficient 11 of 26 (42%) from beyond the arc.

Jarrett Allen got into early foul trouble and only logged 10 minutes.  Enter Ed Davis, whom matched Joel Embiid with a double-double of his own, scoring 12 points off the bench and securing a game high 16 rebounds (13 on the defensive end).  Spencer Dinwiddie added another 18 points in 32 minutes off the bench.  Joe Harris played up to his average with 13 points and 3 of 4 form three point range.  D'Angelo Russell led the Nets with 26 points, but Caris LeVert's 23 points off the bench proved most lethal.  In fact, the Nets bench outscored the Philly bench by a 59-26 margin.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush at the Gates

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Sean Marks Hired February 18, 2016

2016-2017;  20-62 (.243)

2017-2018;  28-54 (.341)

2018-2019;  42-40 (.512)

2018-2019

National Basketball Association Playoffs

ROUND ONE

(#6) BROOKLYN NETS

vs.

(#3) PHILADELPHIA 76'ERS

Are Hoops of Flatbush Poised For First Round Upset Over Philly?

You can't be disappointed with what you do no expect.  That's exactly what is making Brooklyn's odyssey so enthralling.

Therefore, in the spirit of Ralph Kramden let's get right to the $64,000 question: Can the Nets defeat the Philadelphia Sixers?

My answer: Damn right they can!

Philadelphia head coach Brett Brown admitted as much (paraphrasing) saying the Sixers do not defend pick-and-roll very well (if at all), and will be hard-pressed to thwart Brooklyn's predilection and adroitness for creating space, working from the outside in, and raining three's.

It's no great secret the Nets oft times have difficulty matching up inside against bigger specimens.  Although, since the Clippers game they seem to have stepped up their physicality - smartly I might add.  In this instance, Joel Embiid is of course the X-factor of the series.  Naturally, the longer he remains hobbled by a bum knee, the better off the Nets will be.  For the moment, he's listed as questionable for Saturday's series opener.

Embiid led the Sixers this season with an impressive 27.5 points and 13.6 rebounds per game.  That said, no one is certain how he'll perform until we actually see him in action.  Otherwise Jarrett Allen I believe is quite capable of handling a nonathletic Boban Marjanovic, and helping with any Ben Simmons attempts down the lane.  The onus for Philly will fall on the trio of Jimmy Butler, JJ Redick, and Tobias Harris(?).  That's a scenario I believe Brooklyn is equipped to handle.

Brooklyn and Philadelphia split their season series down the middle; two victories apiece.

Nov.4)  BKN 122; PHI  97 @ Brooklyn

• Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons each post double-doubles.  Embiid scores 16 points with a game high 15 rebounds.  Ben Simmons leads the Sixers with 20 points and 12 rebounds.  Six Nets score in double digits.  Both D'Angelo Russell and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson tied for team high with 21 points.  Caris LeVert added 20 points, and Jarrett Allen scored 15 points with a team high ten rebounds.

Nov. 25) PHI 127; BKN 125 @ Brooklyn

• Nets lose by two.  Jimmy Butler leads Philly with 34 points and tied for team high with 12 rebounds with Joel Embiid whom added 32 points.  However, it was D'Angelo Russell who led all scorers with 38 points; Spencer Dinwiddie dropped another 31 points.  The two joined to distribute 13 assists.

Dec. 12) BKN 127; PHI 124 @ Philadelphia

• Joel Embiid posts a typical 33 points and 17 rebounds.  Ben Simmons follows with 22 points and eight rebounds.  This time, Spencer Dinwiddie leads the floor with 39 points.  Allan Crabbe is next in with 20 points, while D'Angelo Russell is limited to 12 points but ties for game high with seven assists.

Mar. 28) PHI 123; BKN 110 @ Philadelphia

• Philly earns a season split with a 13-point margin of victory.  This time Embiid leads the floor with both 39 points and 13 rebounds.  This is perhaps the first time Joe Harris exerts himself against Philly, posting a team high 22 points and shooting 4/6 from beyond the arc.  Otherwise, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson adds a double-double with 19 points and ten rebounds.

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 problem is the Nets will require more than just four attempts (3-pointers) per game from him.  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 him.  But we all know the impact a sharpshooting Joe Harris can have in any given game.

No need getting into the triumvirate of Russell/LeVert/Dinwiddie.  And I have nothing but love for Jarrett Allen.  The veterans on this team have been and will continue playing indispensable roles in any potential playoff success.  It's just that when Joe Harris shines hot, the Nets radiate brilliance.

Brooklyn Nets: Where Kings County Holds Sway

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Brooklyn Nets: Kings County Lays Siege ...

Sacramento - The Nets trail by 25 points to start the fourth quarter.  Brooklyn regroups, then sacks their hosts by a 45-18 margin over the game's final twelve minutes en route to a glorious last second 123-121 victory.  D'Angelo Russell usurps the local Kings with 27 points in the fourth quarter and a career high 44 points overall.  Their triumph goes down as the greatest comeback in Nets franchise history.

The Nets then advance on Los Angeles.  Joe Harris leads the siege with 26 points.  Three Brooklyn players post double-doubles.  Jarrett Allen scores 13-points with 11 rebounds.  D'Angelo Russell scores 21 points against his former team and distributes a team high 13 assists.  Off the bench, Ed Davis secures a team high 15 rebounds to go along with 14 points, while Spencer Dinwiddie proves disruptive with nine of his 19 points coming from the stripe.  In defeating the Lakers, the Nets officially eliminate them from playoff contention.  Moreover, their liege, LeBron, King James, is denied a 14th straight appearance in the NBA playoffs.

For on this day, Kings County holds sway.

Onward to Portland.  With a 45-27 record, the Trailblazers are the Western Conference four seed, just four games behind number one Denver.

With a 38-36 record, the Nets now have ten more wins than all of last season, and match their entire win total from the 2014-2015 season with eight game still to play.  They remain in seventh place of the Eastern Conference standings, a precarious 1.5 games ahead of Miami.  Orlando is presently looking in from outside the playoff picture, one game behind the Heat.

All seven of the Nets remaining opponents are in playoff contention (Portland; Philadelphia; Boston; Milwaukee [2x]; Toronto; Indiana; and Miami), with a combined 320-190 (.627) overall record.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Marches Towards Their Rubicon

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

FLATBUSH

36-33 (.522)

MONDAY

Pistons  75

Nets    103

FINAL

Brooklyn Nets: Packed Barclays Center Give Hoops of Flatbush a Rip-Roaring Sendoff.

While the rest of the NBA sticks to its schedule, Brooklyn's playoffs are well underway.  With 13 games remaining in the regular season, Monday night's commanding 103-75 victory over the Pistons in front of a packed house at Barclays Center nudges the Nets into sixth place in the Eastern Conference standing, one-half game ahead of Detroit.

Over 17,000 strong witnessed seven Nets players score in double-digits.  Spencer Dinwiddie led all players with 19-points off the bench, and Allen Crabbe posted a double-double with 14-points and ten rebounds.  Otherwise Brooklyn's defensive effort ruled the night, and the crowd roared with appreciation throughout.  Rodions Kurucs led the team with three steals.  Detroit shot just (27/97) 27.8% from the floor, and (8/33) 23.5% from three-point range.  The Nets meanwhile were (39/79) 49.4% from the field, and (11/31) 35.3% from beyond the arc.

Brooklyn snapped Detroit's five game win streak, and thereby extended their own to four games.

With a 15-17 road record, the Nets now march towards their Rubicon: a brutal seven game road trip which includes four against the Western Conference's top eight contenders, to date.

• 3/13 - @ OKC*
• 3/16 - @ Utah*
• 3/17 - @ LAC*
• 3/19 - @ SAC
• 3/22 - @ LAL
• 3/25 - @ POR*
• 3/28 - @ Phila

If they can survive these next four games, by this time next week we'll be speaking of a truly special season.  However, upon their return there will be no rest for the weary, as the top three Eastern Conference teams (Boston, Milwaukee, and Toronto) will be awaiting their arrival back at Flatbush.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Creates Some Elbow Room

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

PUSH FOR THE PLAYOFFS BEGINS NOW!

SATURDAY

Nets       117

Hornets  115

FINAL

Brooklyn Nets: Caris LeVert Provides Flatbush With a Little Elbow Room.

A week after making his NBA All-Star Game debut at Charlotte, D'Angelo Russell returned to North Carolina where on Saturday the fourth year point guard celebrated his 23rd birthday by smoking the Hornets nest with a career tying 40-point, and game high seven assist effort.

However, it was Caris LeVert who in the end stepped in to create the requisite elbow room needed for nudging the Nets through to a much needed team victory over one of the Eastern Conference's top eight contenders.  To the Hornets dismay, LeVert's flailing elbow block of Kemba Walker's last second attempt at a three earned no whistle.  Walker tried selling an infraction, but the refs weren't buying.

Brooklyn entered Saturday's action with an even 30-30 record.  Their 117-115 victory at Charlotte helps stabilize their sixth place standing after going just 3-6 in their previous nine games.  Brooklyn is presently one of just six Eastern Conference teams playing above the .500 mark.  The Hornets loss drops them to eighth, while Detroit now slips into seventh just 1.5 games behind the Nets.

D'ANGELO RUSSELL CONTINUES NEW YEAR SURGE

With Spencer Dinwiddie out since Jan. 23, D'Angelo Russell continues elevating his game.  Saturday marks the second time this season D'Angelo Russell has hit the 40-point mark.  No coincidence both have occurred during the new year (he scored 40-points at Orlando, Jan. 8).  He has scored 25-points or better in 20 games this season; eight times from October through December:

• OCT: once.
• NOV: three times.
• DEC: four times.

So far, the new calendar year speaks for itself:

• JAN: eight times.
• FEB: four times.

This month, D'Angelo Russell has scored 25-points or better in three of his last four games, and four times over his last eight games.  Closer to the point, he's averaging 26.1 point in February, after averaging 23.8 points in January.