NBA

NBA

P.J. Carlesimo’s next job will be with…

Posted on: May 19th, 2013 by Max Weisberg 1 Comment

 

ESPN.

The New York Daily News reports that former Brooklyn Nets head coach P.J. Carlesimo has been hired by ESPN to work as a studio analyst for the 2013 playoffs and fill the void that was left when Flip Saunders was hired by the Minnesota Timberwolves to become their President of Basketball Operations.

Says Carlesimo:

“The conversations have been let’s do the playoffs,” Carlesimo said. “Then we’ll sit down and talk about the future.”

"I’ve got to look at both options. But the likelihood is that I’ll be broadcasting next year,” Carlesimo. “I’m looking at broadcasting as what I’m going to do moving forward."

Carlesimo's experience with broadcasting includes stints with NBC Sports, Spurs television, FOX Sports West, and ESPN Radio.

Similar to Avery Johnson after he was let go by the Mavericks in 2008, it is likely that Carlesimo hopes the ESPN gig will keep his name afloat in the event that any coaching positions become available in the future.

"I have enjoyed television and radio way more than I thought when I first started,” Carlesimo said. “But if I told you it is the same as coaching I would be lying."

Carlesimo was released by the Nets following the team's Game 7 loss to the Chicago Bulls on May 5th.

Read More: New York Daily News -- Garden wall vanishes for ESPN & Mike Woodson after Knicks victory in Game 5

NBA

Jerry Sloan passes on Bucks coaching job

Posted on: May 16th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian 2 Comments

 

Sloan is reportedly a candidate for the Brooklyn Nets head coaching position, and both he and Deron Williams have said publicly that they would not mind a reunion. Sam Amick of USA Today reported earlier this week that a Nets-Sloan union is "not on the horizon."

Barclays Center , Brooklyn , NBA

Barclays Center to host 2013 NBA Draft

Posted on: April 24th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian No Comments

 

The Nets aren't the only thing that traveled from NY to NJ to Brooklyn. (AP)

In its inaugural year, Brooklyn's Barclays Center will host the 2013 NBA Draft, the NBA announced today. The draft will be held on June 27th at 7 P.M., with tickets going on sale on the 22nd.

The draft was held annually at Madison Square Garden from 2001 until 2011, when it moved to Newark's Prudential Center (then-home of the then-New Jersey Nets) for the 2011 and 2012 draft.

“Brooklyn has become a major NBA market and basketball fans throughout the borough will be excited to welcome the next class of outstanding talent into the league,” Barclays Center and Brooklyn Nets CEO Brett Yormark said in a prepared statement. “Many of the borough’s greatest all-time players have been drafted into the NBA, making this night a perfect fit for Brooklyn. We are honored to host the 2013 NBA Draft as we continue to bring many of the most high-profile sports and entertainment events to Barclays Center.”

Barring a trade, the Brooklyn Nets will have the 22nd overall pick in the first round.

NBA , Nets

Brooklyn Nets 4th, D-Will 6th in NBA in merchandise sales

Posted on: April 9th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian No Comments

 

Deron Williams

Deron Williams (AP)

What a difference a year makes. In their first year in Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Nets top out at 4th in the NBA in merchandise sales this season, behind only the New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Deron Williams's jersey is sixth among all NBA players in sales.

Despite playing in a league with only 30 teams, the Nets were 31st in merchandise sales in their final year in New Jersey. They trailed all 29 other NBA teams, plus the now-defunct Seattle Supersonics. Modell's, the Nets' official sporting goods retailer, sold more Nets merchandise during the first day of the new branding than all of last season.

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony's jersey topped the NBA in sales in the most recent sales period.

Read More: New York Post -- Melo's jersey named top-seller on NBA list

NBA , Video

Video: Javale McGee Can Dunk In Ways You Can’t

Posted on: February 13th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian No Comments

 

Watch Nuggets center Javale McGee convert two ridiculous alley-oops, the first from about 55 feet out without touching the rim, and the second a little more conventional -- at least as conventional as Javale McGee ever gets.

NBA

Stackhouse: NBPA needs complete overhaul

Posted on: February 7th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian No Comments

 

According to Detroit Pistons beat writer for the Detroit News Vincent Goodwill, Brooklyn Nets guard Jerry Stackhouse thinks the NBPA needs top-to-bottom change, meaning the removal of not only executive director Billy Hunter (who has been placed on indefinite leave by the NBPA following an investigation into nepotism and questionable business practices) but also former NBA guard and current NBPA union president Derek Fisher.

Stackhouse, who does not have a role in All-Star Weekend, will travel to Houston during the weekend to "make his voice heard" to the players.

You can read Goodwill's full story here. Below are some select tweets from Goodwill on Stackhouse:

NBA , Video

Video: Kobe Bryant dunks all over Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace

Posted on: February 5th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian No Comments

 

Just when you thought Kobe Bryant did Gerald Wallace dirty enough with this crossover, he does it again: getting to the lane and throwing down one of the dunks of the year. Watch:

NBA , Video

Video: Kobe Bryant crosses up Gerald Wallace

Posted on: February 5th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian No Comments

 

Watch the ageless Kobe Bryant shake Gerald Wallace out of his shoes and hit a suddenly-wide open jumper:

Hard not to appreciate what Gerald Wallace brings to the game every night, but Kobe just took him to school.

NBA

Dwight: I Knew What I Wanted, It “Wasn’t Allowed”

Posted on: February 5th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian 1 Comment

 

Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard (AP)

In a conversation with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith this week, Los Angeles Lakers center and former apple of Mikhail Prokhorov's eye Dwight Howard confirmed that he's happy in Los Angeles, and neither anticipates nor welcomes a midseason trade. Howard notes that while his first choice destination was Brooklyn, it wasn't in the cards. "I know what I wanted to do. It wasn't allowed. And that situation is behind me."

"I understand about all the trade talks," said Howard. "But (Lakers president) Jim Buss has made it clear that nobody is getting traded. (GM) Mitch (Kupchak) has made it clear, and they're going to leave the decision at the end of the year up to me. But I think it's too early to separate this team."

Howard, who underwent season-ending back surgery last April and has struggled to return to 100% form since, says his back is about 75%. "This is my first year coming off back surgery. I really don't think people understand the severity of the surgery and how long it takes to recover."

As far as his expectations for the Lakers? "Getting to the playoffs and winning a championship. (It) hasn't changed."

Read/Watch More: ESPN -- D12 on Nets: Can't think about that

NBA , Video

Highlights: LeBron James’ First Game at Barclays Center

Posted on: January 31st, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian 1 Comment

 

In his first game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center, LeBron James disappointed Nets fans who wanted to see a Brooklyn victory, finishing the game with 24 points on 10-18 shooting, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals in 34 minutes and leading the Miami Heat to a 105-85 victory.

James did it all: attacking the basket, hitting from outside, finding open teammates, running the floor against the slower Brooklyn starters, and proving again why he's the best player in the world.

Watch:

NBA

Phil Jackson to join new Sonics franchise?

Posted on: January 21st, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian No Comments

 

As has been widely reported tonight, the controlling stake in the Sacramento Kings has been sold to a Seattle-based group for roughly $340 million, with plans to move the Kings to Seattle to reclaim the Seattle Supersonics.

According to a source connected to Peter Vecsey, should the deal go through, Phil Jackson will join the Sonics in a non-coaching role:

Phil Jackson is allegedly Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov's top target for head coach, and according to some reports would have contacted him after the season about his interest in the coaching job.

The sale to the Seattle-based group is not finalized, and Sacramento-based groups still have time to make a counter-offer to keep the Kings in Sacramento.

NBA

Pessimistic Philly: Brooklyn v. Brotherly Love

Posted on: January 8th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian No Comments

 

After a grueling stretch of six games in nine days and nine games in 14 days, the 19-15 Brooklyn Nets finally had back-to-back days off for the first time since December 22nd, and celebrate by traveling to Pennsylvania to take on the 15-20 Philadelphia 76ers.

The Sixers haven't had the best year -- they traded for All-Star Center Andrew Bynum in the offseason, only to watch him re-injure his knee bowling, sport a half-dozen absurdist hairstyles, and not spend a minute in a Sixers uniform.

Joining me to preview this game from the Philadelphia side is Michael Levin, Editor of SB Nation Philadelphia 76ers blog Liberty Ballers. As you'll be able to tell, Michael is not particularly enthused with this year's iteration of the 76ers.

Onward!

Michael Levin on the Philadelphia 76ers

 
Devin: The Sixers are 3-11 in their last 14 games, but have now had a few days rest after a grueling (I assume) 8-game road trip. Are you confident in their ability to win at home, or is this a freefall?

Michael: No. Wait, I have to keep going? OK. No, I don't feel confident their ability to do much of anything these days. They're a mediocre team and they'll finish around .500, but as they are currently playing, it's hard to imagine them beating any other team ever. Obviously they will, but the system in place is so painfully poor that I don't really think being at home will do much. Rest will help, sure, but their offense is predicated upon making long, contested jumpers and their defense simply isn't very good.

Devin: What is the biggest advantage the Sixers hold over their opponents?

Michael: They're young, they have outside shooters, and... they have tremendous hairstyles? You're catching me at a very pessimistic time (more than normal) but really, they're a tremendously undisciplined team in terms of what it takes to be effective at playing basketball. If/When Bynum gets back, they can play this kind of offense and he'll cover up some mistakes on defense, but at this point they are floundering with a coach that either doesn't seem to be getting through to them or has no idea how to score efficiently.

Devin: Would you say the Sixers have a "best" player?

Michael: I mean, it would be Bynum, but since he's scored as many points as I have with the Sixers, it's Jrue. And he's been fantastic. He gets lazy with his shot selection sometimes, but there's no denying how much he's improved. I'd be so excited to see him and Evan working with Andrew when the time came, but for now Jrue (and Nick Young's Nick Youngness) is the only reason to watch the Sixers. Thankfully they have him signed to a very fair contract.