Nets

Brook Lopez: Winning is all that matters

Posted on: May 18th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian No Comments

 

brook lopez mickey mouse disney shirt

Shirt game Brook Lopez.

Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez put together a career year this season on both ends of the floor. He averaged 19.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game on 52.1% shooting, recorded a PER that ranked fifth in the league, and committed to a stauncher defensive effort than in any of his previous seasons. Lopez earned the first All-Star appearance of his career this season, was Brooklyn's best player during the playoffs, and his overall production this season will likely earn him his first appearance on an All-NBA team.

I, in a wonderful bout with homerism, suggested the first team, but Lopez himself shrugs off those comparisons.

"It's not really personal – there's not much left personally," Lopez told Ben Couch of the Brooklyn Nets. "It's just a matter of winning. That's the bottom line. I think that really separates the best of the best in the league from the rest."

Lopez certainly can't slouch this offseason. He's got a lot of work to do to improve his overall game, most notably continuing his evolution on the defensive end and improving his non-scoring offense. But this year was the first step towards that peak. Next step: leading a team past the first round.

Read More: Brooklyn Nets -- Brook Lopez's Game Grows in Brooklyn

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Nets

Nets will work out prospect Jamaal Franklin

Posted on: May 18th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian 2 Comments

 

Jamaal Franklin

Jamaal Franklin (AP)

Franklin, a 6'5" junior guard from San Diego State, averaged 16.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game this past season, shooting 40.4% from the field. He measured out at 191 pounds with a huge wingspan of 6'11.25", but only shot 27.9% from beyond the three-point line this season.

Here's what DraftExpress had to say about his game in April:

While playing primarily as a jack-of-all-trades combo forward for the Aztecs, Franklin projects to be a shooting guard at the NBA level, with good size for the position at 6'5”, to go along with a solid build and what appears to be a long wingspan. He also stacks up very well athletically, and should have an easier time than most NBA rookies adjusting to the NBA game from a physical standpoint.

Playing as San Diego State's primary playmaker and shot-creator, Franklin carried a large load for the Aztecs as a junior, and he displayed tremendous versatility, leading the team in scoring, assists, rebounds, and steals per game.

His best asset, however, may be his outstanding motor, as he appears to be a great competitor, playing with major intensity and toughness on both ends of the floor.

This is on display on the offensive end, as he always seems to be in attack-mode, using his quick first step and aggressiveness to make his way towards the basket in transition and in the half-court, where he's able to finish effectively at the rim and get to the free throw line at a high rate.

Despite his strong scoring instincts and ability to create off the bounce, Franklin struggles to score efficiently (48 2P%, 28% 3P% as a junior), as he too often settles for long range jumpers and difficult shot attempts. He also turns the ball over a high rate (4 times per-40), as his aggressive mentality causes him to over-penetrate and get a bit out of control at times.

Some of this may be attributed to a large burden he carried for the Aztecs offensively, but he'll need to play more within himself and show better decision-making in order to find a role at the NBA level, where he'd likely be more of an opportunistic scorer.

DraftExpress has Franklin projected as the 21st pick in the draft. The Nets pick 22nd.

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Brooklyn Sports

NYRR Brooklyn Half 2013 (AD)

Posted on: May 17th, 2013 by The Brooklyn Game 1 Comment

 

Nets

Billy King at NBA Draft Combine

Posted on: May 17th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian 1 Comment

 

Now that the inaugural Brooklyn Nets season has come to a close, Billy King's next major step comes on June 27 during the 2013 NBA Draft, hosted this year at Barclays Center. The Nets currently have the 22nd pick in the draft, and King attended this year's NBA Draft Combine in Chicago to scout.

"You're just trying to see guys' skill level," King told Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com. "You've already seen a lot of them at college. So at this point, you're seeing how they interact, how they take instructions from the coaches, and see how hard they play."

King said the combine is not a "make-or-break" for most potential draftees, but an added component to consider when looking at a player's body of work. He said he puts more stock in their season performance and individual team workouts. He also did not tip his hand about potential players, positions, or roles he's looking to fill, or if he's looking to draft based on talent or need.

"This is good for the measurements you get, for the interviews ... this can't be the only thing you base your decision on, this is only a part of it," he added. "You get to learn about them as people."

Watch: NBA.com -- Billy King on Draft Combine

Nets

Mirza Teletovic: Frustratingly entertaining (SEASON GRADE)

Posted on: May 17th, 2013 by Benny Nadeau 3 Comments

 

In honor of Brooklyn's inaugural season, we're rolling out analysis, highlights, and more on each Brooklyn Nets player, one per day. Welcome to Mirza Teletovic Day, AKA #Fearza.

Wizards Nets Basketball

Brooklyn Nets forward Mirza Teletovic (33) defends Washington Wizards forward Trevor Ariza (1) during their NBA preseason basketball game at the Barclays Center Monday, Oct. 15, 2012 in Brooklyn. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

By the numbers: 53 G, 0 GS, 9.4 MPG, 3.5 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 0.4 APG, 0.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG,  .384 FG%, .818 FT%, 47.4 TS%, 46.2 eFG%

Advanced: 12.3 PER, 105 ORtg, 107 DRtg, 19.4 USG%, 7.8 ORB%, 14.8 DRB%, 11.2 TRB%, 7.7 AST%, 1.4 STL%, 1.2 BLK%, estimated 0.9 win shares.

The 2012-2013 season was supposed to represent a new beginning, the Brook Lopez revenge tour, the Deron Williams revival tour, the Andray Blatche traveling circus, etc. But there’s one pre-season storyline that people forget about. This year was supposed to be the Year of the Mirza.... MORE →

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Nets , Video

Mirza Teletovic: Highlight Mix

Posted on: May 17th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian No Comments

 

In honor of Brooklyn's inaugural season, we're rolling out analysis, highlights, and more on each Brooklyn Nets player, one per day. Welcome to Mirza Teletovic Day, AKA #Fearza.

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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."

Manhattan Knicks Rivalry , Nets

Study Concludes Nets Have NBA’s Worst Home Fans, Knicks Have Best

Posted on: May 16th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian 4 Comments

 

The Nets lead the Knicks in Oculus, but not in fan equity, study finds. (AP)

When looking at brand equity, or "capturing the size and intensity of a team’s fan base," the Brooklyn Nets were ranked 30th out of 30 NBA teams for the second straight year, according to a study done by Mike Lewis & Manish Tripathi of Emory University. The New York Knicks rank first, also for the second straight year.

The study focuses solely on the difference between predicted home revenue and actual home revenue, calculating predicted home revenue with a number of factors, including market size, winning percentage, and all-star players. The study does not consider television revenues or corporate presence in the cities.

The study adds that the Nets ended last despite having the 5th-largest improvement from last season of any team, which gives you an idea of the brand identity crisis the franchise had in New Jersey in the first place. "The Brooklyn Nets are a fascinating example, given the hype that surrounded the move to Brooklyn, and Jay-Zs 'ownership,'" Lewis & Tripathi added in the article.

The Nets don't seem to put much stock in the methodology.

"With all due respect to Emory University, that is a seriously flawed study," Barry Baum, Chief Communications Officer of the Brooklyn Nets & Barclays Center, told The Brooklyn Game.

Read More: Emory University -- Which NBA Team has the Best Home Fans? And Who has the Worst? Hint: It’s New York!

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Contests

The BK Playoff Game: Two On The Line

Posted on: May 16th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian No Comments

 

1) Indiana closing it out. After splitting the two games in New York and then sweeping the two-game home stretch in Indiana, the Indiana Pacers hold a commanding 3-1 lead on the New York Knicks and are one more road victory away from guaranteeing a spot against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. Outside of a dominating 105-79 victory over the Pacers in Game 2, the Knicks have looked exceedingly vulnerable, a chilling contrast from their record-setting start to the season -- fewer three-pointers, Carmelo Anthony at small forward instead of power forward, and a lot of one-on-one offense. In Game 4, the Knicks shot just 35.6% from the field, and 61 of their 87 field goal attempts came from three players (Anthony, J.R. Smith, and Raymond Felton). If the Knicks continue their freakish stagnancy, they won't last beyond tonight.

2) Golden State staying alive. This is a personal choice. I'm a big fan of the Golden State Warriors and want to see them survive. They're down 3-2 to the San Antonio Spurs, but this is their last stand at home to force a Game 7. Earlier in the playoffs, Zach Lowe of Grantland called the Warriors' new offense -- particularly, Stephen Curry's new role thanks to the absence of David Lee -- "a glitch in the program." There's few things I enjoy more than watching a shooter dismantle a team from afar. Here's hoping Stephen Curry can do that tonight.

3) Golden State's Backcourt. On the heels of my gushing over Curry, I'd be remiss not to mention his partner in crime, Klay Thompson, whose production has plummeted since his 34-point, 14-rebound career night in Game 2 -- 17 points in Game 3, 10 points in Game 4, and just 4 in Game 5. The Warriors will need another great night from Thompson along with Curry to extend the Warriors' season to Game 7 -- will they get it?

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Nets

Doc Rivers returning to coach Boston Celtics

Posted on: May 16th, 2013 by Devin Kharpertian No Comments

 

Doc Rivers, once considered a long-shot candidate to become the next coach of the Brooklyn Nets, will return to the Boston Celtics to coach next season, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.

Rivers, who has two years left on his contract with Boston, said after the season that he would take some personal time to figure out whether or not he wanted to return to coach again. Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge downplayed Rivers's decision to mull over his future, saying that he's "always unsure" and only needs a few rounds of golf to recharge and get ready for the next season.

Rivers, who has six consecutive winning seasons with Boston including a championship in 2008-09, was reportedly someone the Nets would have been interested in had the Celtics granted him permission to seek other employment.

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Nets , Photos

Tyshawn Taylor: Season Gallery

Posted on: May 16th, 2013 by raya lim No Comments

 

@tee_y, via Instagram

Check out Tyshawn Taylor's season retrospective and final grade here.

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Nets

Tyshawn Taylor: First Step Is The Hardest (SEASON GRADE)

Posted on: May 16th, 2013 by Justin DeFeo 2 Comments

 

In honor of Brooklyn's inaugural season, we're rolling out analysis, highlights, and more on each Brooklyn Nets player, one per day. Welcome to Tyshawn Taylor Day, AKA #TyTy.

Anyone not named Deron Williams who plays point guard for the Brooklyn Nets over the next four seasons is in a lucky and unlucky position all at once.... MORE →

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