After the questionable and seemingly inflammatory comments made by Reggie Evans about LeBron James and the defending champion Miami Heat before Wednesday night’s blowout, Evans was nowhere to be found in the Nets’ locker room after the game. So this morning when he was interviewed on SiriusXM radio, he attempted to clarify what he had or hadn’t said the previous day.
Here are his follow-up comments on the radio as quoted by Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com/newyork in his story from this afternoon... MORE →
LeBron James
Reggie Evans found himself mired in a bit of controversy last night. After comparing Miami Heat forward LeBron James to teammates Joe Johnson and Andray Blatche, saying that he was "no different" from those two, he added that the Heat's championship wasn't a "real" championship because it occurred during a lockout season.
James responded with a LeBronian 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in a blowout victory over the Nets, and had some sharp words for Evans after the game... MORE →
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:
LeBron James, in response to Brooklyn Nets forward Reggie Evans' quotes from earlier today that the Heat aren't "real" champions because their championship came in a lockout season, and that defending LeBron is no different than defending Joe Johnson or Andray Blatche:
LeBron's reaction to Reggie Evans running his mouth: "Who?" "Reggie Evans.""Exactly."
— Joseph Goodman (@JoeGoodmanJr) January 30, 2013
LeBron James spoke out against how the Brooklyn Nets played under Avery Johnson, saying that it "sucks" that Avery had to get the axe when his team didn't "want to play at a high level."
LeBron's full quote, from the New York Daily News, after the jump... MORE →
LeBron James: NBA Champion, NBA MVP, NBA Finals MVP, Olympic Gold Medalist, and just another guy, according to Brooklyn Nets starting power forward Reggie Evans. From the New York Daily News:... MORE →
After taking down the Orlando Magic in sloppy fashion, the Brooklyn Nets swing to South Beach tonight to take on the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat. The Nets, riding a five-game winning streak, will see that streak tested tonight- the Heat dismantled the Nets to the tune of 103-73 in their last meeting, and Brook Lopez will sit for the second straight game to rest his right foot.
Joining me to talk tonight's teams and matchup is Tom Haberstroh of ESPN's Heat Index, one of the smartest hoops writers around and someone who's covered this Miami Heat team since LeBron James joined it in 2010. I've asked Tom three questions on the Heat, and he's asked me three on the Brooklyn Nets.
Onward!
Tom Haberstroh on the Miami Heat
Devin: Brook Lopez is out for tonight's game. The Nets already had a minor chance at best at stealing this road game; would you say that chance is all but eliminated now?
Tom: Did you catch Thursday's game against the JV Spurs?... MORE →
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!












