Nets News & Analysis

Nets News

WOJ: Nets sign Alan Anderson

Posted on: July 26th, 2013 by Chris Hooker Comments

 

The Nets, who apparently stole Entertainment 720's money printing machine, have signed G/F Alan Anderson to a two-year deal worth an, as of right now, unknown amount of money.

This is borderline crazy because a vet-minimum deal (which is probably what this is) would cost something around $5M out of pocket for Mikhail Prokhorov due to the absurd luxury tax the Nets are at.

This is also crazy because Anderson isn't a bum. In 65 games last year, Anderson averaged 10.7 points and 2.3 rebounds, while being known as a excellent wing defender off the bench. How do the Nets keep doing this?

My take: after the playoffs, it was clear the Nets were lacking steady play at the 3 and 4, any and all defense, physical/emotional/mental toughness and a deep bench. They addressed and fixed every one of those -- before adding Anderson. Bringing in yet another piece who can help, all while way over the luxury tax, is simply amazing.

I love this.

Nets News

Nets preseason schedule

Posted on: July 25th, 2013 by Chris Hooker Comments

 

The moment you've all been waiting for!

Sort of.

The Nets announced their preseason schedule today. It features home and away games against Miami. Cue the excitement.

Here it is:

10/8/13, Tuesday, 7:00 PM, at Washington (Verizon Center)

10/12/13, Saturday, 7:30 PM, vs. Detroit (Barclays Center)

10/14/13, Monday, TBA, at Philadelphia (Wells Fargo Arena)

10/15/13, Tuesday, 7:30 PM, vs. Boston (Barclays Center)

10/17/13, Thursday, TBA, vs. Miami (Barclays Center)

10/23/13, Wednesday, 7:30 PM, at Boston (TD Garden)

10/25/13, Friday, 7:30 PM, at Miami (American Airlines Arena)

Nets News

Toko needs surgery

Posted on: July 25th, 2013 by Chris Hooker Comments

 

Tornike Shengelia will undergo surgery on Wednesday to repair a damaged meniscus in his left knee, Billy King announced today through an emailed press release.

That is all we know so far and there will be updates on his situation as we get them.

Nets News

Billy King releases statement on Jason Kidd

Posted on: July 16th, 2013 by Chris Hooker Comments

 

In the wake of head coach Jason Kidd pleading guilty to a DUI in July 2012, with a sentence of probation and a possible NBA suspension, Billy King has released the following statement:

Jason has taken responsibility for his actions, and fully realizes that he needs to grow from this experience. We are confident he will make these strides on a personal level and have a positive effect on others as well.

Stay tuned for more information on this as we get it.

Nets News

Kirilenko: Winning over money

Posted on: July 14th, 2013 by Chris Hooker Comments

 

Andrei Kirilenko has spoken with a Russian publication on why he chose talking less with the Nets. It's all about the rings.

Here are some of his quotes on the "dream" of playing in Brooklyn.

I got a unique chance to play for a team that is a real title contender. To step on the court with stars like Pierce and Garnett – one can only dream about it! This is a chance to join a crusade. This is the first time in my 12 seasons in the NBA that I will be playing for a team which is now one of the main title contenders.... MORE →

Nets News

Garnett to tribute late teammate

Posted on: July 13th, 2013 by Chris Hooker Comments

 

In a report that I tweeted about yesterday, and was written about in a story today from Yahoo! Sports' Kelly Dwyer, Kevin Garnett will don jersey number 2 in honor of late Minnesota teammate Malik Sealy.

Sealy died in a car crash a few hours before tip-off of Game 1 on the 2000 Western Conference finals between the Lakers and Blazers. Sealy was a widely respected teammate of KG and was driving back to his house after celebrating Garnett's birthday when a drunk driver hit him head on. Garnett was the last person to see him alive.

The story, as told by Dwyer, is as follows:

Sealy was an inspiration to KG, as the young forward sported the number 21 as a member of the Timberwolves in response to Sealy wearing the same number while at St. John’s. So when the Timberwolves traded for Garnett’s idol in 1999, KG was through the roof. Sealy spent two seasons as Garnett’s teammate, and though the team failed to get out of the first round in 1999-00, perhaps their season’s top highlight came when Sealy banked in a game-winning three-pointer in a nationally televised game on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Some 13 years later, Garnett is still grinding away. Now a member of the Brooklyn Nets, he’s paid tribute to his late in 2000-01, in an emotional, stirring game that saw KG score 40 points as the Timberwolves won their 11th straight contest.

Nets News

Nets-AK47 deal is official

Posted on: July 12th, 2013 by Chris Hooker Comments

 

At around 4:30, the Nets sent an emailed press release confirming the signing of Andrei Kirilenko.

Kirilenko agreed to a two-year contract worth $3.1M with a player option in year two.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Andrei to the Nets,” said Mikhail Prokhorov. “He is a true talent with tremendous versatility. As a fellow countryman, I am especially proud that the best Russian player in the history of the NBA will be wearing a Nets jersey.”

“We are very pleased to add Andrei to our roster,” said Billy King. “He is a proven NBA veteran with a unique skill set, and his addition provides our team with increased frontcourt flexibility.”

Last season, his lone with the Timberwolves, the Russian native averaged 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks.

In Brooklyn, Kirilenko reunites with point guard Deron Williams. The two were teammates with the Jazz for five-and-a-half seasons in Utah between 2005-06 and 2010-11, before Williams was acquired midseason by the Nets. In 2006-07, the duo led the Jazz to a Western Conference Finals appearance.

Nets News

IT’S OFFICIAL: Nets acquire Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry and DJ White from Boston

Posted on: July 12th, 2013 by Chris Hooker Comments

 

Official.

The Nets announced around 2:15 in an emailed press release that the trade which gives them Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry and (a new addition) DJ White, is official.

The Nets are slated to introduce the three big names in the deal in a press conference on Thursday at noon. Billy King and Jason Kidd will join the new Nets at the Barclays Center.

On draft night, the Nets and Celtics struck a deal to acquire the trio, giving up Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks, Kris Joseph, Keith Bogans and three first round draft picks (2014, 2016 and 2018), as well as the right to swap first round picks in 2017.

“Today, the basketball gods smiled on the Nets," said Mikhail Prokhorov, in a statement. "With the arrival of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, we have achieved a great balance on our roster between veteran stars and young talents. This team will be dazzling to watch, and tough to compete against. "

“We are excited to welcome Kevin, Paul and Jason to Brooklyn,” said King. “All three players have championship pedigree and possess the veteran qualities that will make us a stronger team.”

This past season, Garnett averaged 14.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game; Pierce averaged 18.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists; and Terry put up 13.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists.

The unknown in the trade, DJ White, averaged 2.4 points and 1.1 rebounds in his lone season with Celtics.

Join us in welcoming your new Brooklyn Nets!

Nets News

Woj: League suspicious of AK signing

Posted on: July 12th, 2013 by Chris Hooker Comments

 

In a new column from Woj, he admits NBA GM's are feeling a little funny about the deal the Nets got for Andrei Kirilenko.

Woj states that teams have been suspicious of Prokhorov since he entered the league and that the Kirilenko deal is almost too good to be true.

Prokhorov is being accused of paying Kirilenko under the table, so to speak, so he can fit into the Nets salary cap.

I don't really have any comment on this, because it's pure speculation from GM's, but an interesting read nonetheless.

It looks like the Nets are not really held to in a high standard around the league, because of Prokhorov.

Nets News

NETS SIGN ANDREI KIRILENKO

Posted on: July 11th, 2013 by Max Weisberg Comments

 

Billy King's Plan B's are the best... Peter Vescey is reporting that the Brooklyn Nets have agreed to a deal with Russian small-forward Andrei Kirilenko.

After failing to come to an agreement with Bojan Bogdanovic's Turkish Club just days ago, the Nets were set to move onto "plan B." Of the names that were mentioned, none of them sounded too alluring to Nets fans.

Now, says Vescey, the Nets have acquired owner Mikhail Prokhorov's fellow countryman and 11 year NBA veteran for the mini-mid level exception.

Kirilenko recently opted out of his $10 million player option for next season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Many thought that he would be seeking a larger, longer-term deal this off-season. When the market for AK47's services began to dry up, the Nets stepped in and signed the 6'9", 32-year old Russian.

As David Aldridge notes:

Kirilenko played in 64 games for Minnesota last season and averaged 12.4 PPG, 5.4 REB, 2.8 AST, 1.4 STLs, 1.9 BLKs on 50.7% shooting from the field.

Though he has been a starter in almost every season he has been in the league, he will assuredly be coming off of the bench next season for the Nets.

As Ken Berger of CBSSports notes, this signing will cost Mikhail Prokhorov roughly $15 million when luxury taxes are taken into account. #HELLOPLANB

Nets News

Nets make Shaun Livingston signing official

Posted on: July 11th, 2013 by Chris Hooker Comments

 

In a second emailed press release at around 12:30, the Nets officially announced the signing of back up point guard Shaun Livingston.

The terms of the contract were not officially released, but sources say the deal is one-year, worth the vet minimum.

Livingston said in a 2:15 conference call that the decision was not a difficult one, and the main reasons for picking Brooklyn was to be able to play under Jason Kidd, with Deron Williams and be apart of a contending team.

He also repeatedly stressed that the Nets are a contender "on paper," but need to follow through on their expectations.

Livingston averaged 6.3 points, 3.3 assists in 22 minutes, playing 66 games last season.

For more quotes from Livingston, check out the official @TheBKGame Twitter account.

Nets News

Nets make Blatche re-signing official

Posted on: July 11th, 2013 by Chris Hooker Comments

 

In an emailed press release at 12:30, the Nets officially announced the re-signing of Andray Blatche.

Per team policy, the terms were not disclosed. Per Twitter, the terms are a two-year $2.8M contract (with a player option in year two).

“Andray was a vital member of our team last season,“ said King. “He provides valuable front court depth, and we look forward to his continued contribution.”

Blatche discussed loyalty quite a bit in his conference call at 1:15. He stated that his decision to re-sign here was about loyalty and sticking with the organization "who gave me a chance when no one else did."

Blatche also remarked that he and KG buried the hatchet on their supposed rivalry. He said that during a game, KG "surprised" him and told him to keep fighting and keep his head up. "I guess we're cool now," said Blatche. He and Garnett haven't spoken since the trade.

Blatche was a key contributor off the Nets bench this season, averaging 10.3 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 51.2% from the field in 19.0 minutes per game. He was also the only Net to appear in all 82 games.

For more quotes from the conference call, check out the official @TheBKGame Twitter account.