Brooklyn Nets forward Mirza Teletovic hasn't had the smoothest road in the NBA: in 53 games, Teletovic has logged spotty playing time, punctuated with similarly inconsistent play. But when he's on, he's on. Check out his full highlight reel from the first half of the season, complete with insane fallaway shots, rhythmic spot-up threes, and SKY MIRZA.
Mirza Teletovic
The Brooklyn Game
Seems like a lifetime ago. (AP)
Though it hasn't always been good, the first half of the first season in Brooklyn Nets history has been nothing if not interesting. A franchise-record start led by Jerry Stackhouse and Reggie Evans, a Coach of the Month fired less than a month later, a sudden resurgence led by an interim coach nobody expected to last long, an inevitable slide, a first-time All-Star voted in only after being snubbed... It's been a roller-coaster ride worthy of Coney Island.
As we slide into the All-Star Break with the Nets all but assured a playoff spot and still very much in the hunt for first place in the Atlantic Division, it only makes sense that we take our game-by-game feature -- grading the game -- and stretch it across the season. In honor of the first half, what follows are midseason grades for each Brooklyn Nets player, plus interim coach P.J. Carlesimo.
Enjoy. (Or don't. Don't let me tell you what to do.)
| Start: Andray Blatche |
Devin Kharpertian
With the half closing, Brooklyn Nets forward Mirza Teletovic makes good on his first touch of the game, launching a three-pointer from orbital distance and knocking it down with 1.8 seconds left in the half. Watch:
Max Weisberg
It's time for Mirza Teletovic to get his minutes. (AP)
It’s becoming more and more evident that a change at the four-spot must be made. Currently, Nets coach P.J. Carlesimo has been sticking with 11-year veteran, Reggie Evans; a lifelong bench player whose ability to rebound and go after a loose ball is arguably unmatched in today’s NBA.
Reggie Evans is not a bad player; he is valuable, and simply fits better with the Nets' second unit. What many people often confuse is the idea that the Nets need a “starting caliber PF,” when in fact they don’t. They need a PF that plays well with the starters, whether or not he is a starting caliber PF in the NBA is essentially meaningless.
Over the last four games before Friday night, the Nets averaged 15.7 turnovers per game. Their season average is 13.8 per game, which slots them as the 9th best team in that department. In the last two third quarters vs. the Miami Heat, the Nets have turned the ball over 14 times. Seven of those 14 belong to Deron Williams. Twelve of those 14 belong to Joe Johnson, Deron Williams or Brook Lopez while the other two were committed by none other than Reggie Evans. But why? Why so many turnovers?... MORE →
Devin Kharpertian
With Reggie Evans routinely throwing up scoreless games, Mirza Teletovic racing through hot and cold streaks, and Kris Humphries buried at the end of the bench, one of the louder concerns recently stemming from Brooklyn is the need to upgrade the power forward position, most likely via trade. It's a legitimate concern: the roster is otherwise rock-solid, the team's succeeding, and the only major issue it seems to have is at the 4 spot.
Or does it? What the debate ignores is that the Brooklyn Nets, whether they think so or not, already have a starting-quality power forward... MORE →
AP
Or does it? What the debate ignores is that the Brooklyn Nets, whether they think so or not, already have a starting-quality power forward... MORE →
Devin Kharpertian
AP
Recently, Brooklyn Nets fans have clamored to fill what seems like the team's #1 weakness: the need for a power forward/big man that can defend and score. As endearing as Reggie Evans' beard is, his lack of an offensive game has begun to wear on some folks, and it's clear he's best suited coming off the bench to provide energy in the second unit. Mirza Teletovic & Kris Humphries both have had hot & cold stretches all season.
But it isn't that easy. Nets GM Billy King can't just pick a great power forward off the Great Power Forward Tree, and boom, all the problems are fixed and the Nets cruise their way to championship behind their big man tandem of Brook Lopez and Great Power Forward. But similarly, there's no question that there are big men out there that the Nets can at least make a phone call about.
So we're going roundtable-style at The Brooklyn Game: our writers & analysts look at five potentially available power forwards (and the one center that we have to look at, because, well, we have to), how they fit with Brooklyn, and how realistic an acquisition is.
Onward!
Devin Kharpertian
Check out the advanced box score from Monday night's 97-77 Brooklyn Nets victory over the Orlando Magic here.
Some brief takeaways after the jump... MORE →
Devin Kharpertian
Check out the advanced box score from last night's 119-106 Brooklyn Nets loss to the Houston Rockets here
A few takeaways after the jump... MORE →
Devin Kharpertian
It's working. (AP/Frank Franklin II)
The Brooklyn Nets fired Avery Johnson with the team reeling at 14-14, replacing him with assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo and slapping him with the interim tag. However, 13 games and an 11-2 run later, the Nets will likely let the fiery Carlesimo ride out the season before re-evaluating their coaching needs. (You don't need a source to tell you that one, though for whatever it's worth, I've heard this from two Nets officials.)
But before they re-evaluate, we must evaluate. Why are the Nets so much better? What's changed? Ahead are five theories on why the Nets are so much better under P.J. Carlesimo than they were under Avery Johnson.
Devin Kharpertian
Expect another dogfight. (AP)
Today, Martin Luther King Day, marks the final of four matchups between the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks. unless the playoff alignment Gods dictate it so, these two teams won't face off again this year. After the Nets took the first matchup on November 26th, New York responded with two victories: one a 100-97 squeaker that came down to the final play, the other a 100-86 laugher that was done by the third quarter.
In honor of tonight's final Clash of the Boroughs AKA the Battle for New York's Soul AKA Excuse for Spike Lee to Yell A Lot AKA a regular season NBA game, we at The Brooklyn Game have broken down each of tonight's positional matchups, the benches, and the coaches, just to get an idea of what to expect tonight.
Start Here: Deron Williams vs. Jason Kidd
Full list:
Deron Williams vs. Jason Kidd
Joe Johnson vs. Iman Shumpert
Gerald Wallace vs. Carmelo Anthony
Reggie Evans vs. Amar'e Stoudemire
Brook Lopez vs. Tyson Chandler
Bench Mob vs. Knicks Bench
P.J. Carlesimo vs. Mike Woodson
Devin Kharpertian
Mirza Teletovic with his best quarter, if not his best game, of the season. Though P.J. Carlesimo espoused about his passing ability after the game, it all stems from the one thing you hope Mirza Teletovic can bring: a consistent three-point shot to put points on the board and space the floor. In the second quarter, Teletovic hit three long bombs that helped the Brooklyn Nets cut into and eventually take the lead. Watch:
#Fearza
Devin Kharpertian
Starting with a Mirza Teletovic block, the Brooklyn Nets executed an absolutely sublime fast-break with multiple-give-and-gos and a beautiful behind-the-back pass from Deron Williams to an open Andray Blatche for the slam. If you love basketball, you'll love this highlight. Watch:
Players
I done seen hell .. so it's nothing anybody can so to hurt me .. I'm takin all shots like it's nothing ...
11 hours ago "When you ballin everybody want a part .. But even your shadow gunna leave you when it's dark"
15 hours ago#NETS
RT @BrooklynNets: NYC, heads up: there's a new #Nets Shop by @adidas opening in Coney Island this Thursday! More info here: http://t.co/i9nBOeLXii
6 hours ago
Will Bojan Bogdanovic get full mini-MLE from #Nets? Probably but that $3.2M can be split up.
8 hours agoTHE BK GAME STAFF
OMG RT @Jpdabrams: This is pretty awesome: The evolution of rappers referencing Alonzo Mourning h/t @deadspin http://t.co/dEjxKdCqeH
11 hours ago Poll on Nets official website indicates fans want "winning experience" in next coach. Avery was all-time leader in W-L% when they hired him.
13 hours ago-
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