In an interview with YES Network, Andrei Kirilenko lists off his top 5 NBA nicknames, first noting that he's not a big fan of Kobe Bryant's Black Mamba. He says he'd call him "Killer Instinct," which for some reason he likes better.
Kirilenko also lists two of his new teammates from the Boston Celtics, though he says he prefers "KG" to "The Big Ticket." When told that Dirk Nowitzki's nickname is "Big Mummy," Kirilenko smartly says "I have my own opinion on that," laughing.
Brooklyn's home opener is tonight. (AP)
It's finally here. The Brooklyn Nets take on the Miami Heat in the team's home opener at Barclays Center, marking the first time that Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry, Andrei Kirilenko, Alan Anderson, and Shaun Livingston step on Barclays's herringbone-patterned floor in the regular season as members of the Brooklyn Nets.
Because of that, because of the monumental nature of this game, with the defending champion Miami Heat as opponents, here's a position-by-position breakdown of tonight's matchup. Let this serve not only as a guide to tonight, but a brief on how the teams match up overall throughout the season -- and, hopefully, in the playoffs.
We also compare how the players have looked in head-to-head matchups, and break down their middle names, because The Brooklyn Game has analysis you just can't get anywhere else.
The Brooklyn Nets take on the defending world champs tonight at 7:30. Here’s what is important.
TV: For the first time this regular season, the Brooklyn Nets won’t be on National Television. Well, excuuuuuuuse me. Tonight’s game will be featured on the YES Network and WFAN radio.
Starters: Since we’ve heard no change on a Brooklyn lineup, the Nets are expected to start Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Keith Bogans, Kris Humphries and Brook Lopez tonight. Bogans will start in place of the injured Gerald Wallace. Miami will be going with the usual starting lineup Mario Chalmers, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, Shane Battier and Chris Bosh.
Season Standings: The Nets are 1-1 after blowing a 22-point lead to Minnesota Monday night, while the Heat have won 3 games in classic fashion, and blew one in an emotional post-Sandy Knicks opener.
The Nets will win if... They manage to hold the Heat to under 90 points. The Nets have given up over 100 points in the last two games. Brooklyn is a very good offensive team and will be able to secure a win if they can at least try and stop the Heat. This probably isn’t going to happen.
The Nets will lose if... The Heat play like the Heat and go on an offensive terror all night. The Nets are not a good defensive team right now and Miami will likely take advantage of that. If the Heat put up a regular Heat game, they will probably win.
In NBA 2K13: Nets... uh... win? Yup, even without Gerald Wallace, in my simulation the Nets beat the Heat 117-114 in 48 minutes of hellscape back-and-forth basketball. MarShon Brooks started and hit the game-clinching three with 10.7 seconds left, finishing with 18 points. D-Will dropped a superstar-esque 30 points and 14 assists in 40 minutes, Joe Johnson chipped in an efficient 22, and despite a herculean 46-point effort from Dwyane Wade, the Nets eked it out.
Nets 2K13 record: 3-0
2K13 prediction record: 1-1
Enjoy the game!
