Life without Spencer Dinwiddie will not be easy for the Nets

Michael Dwyer/Associated Press

The Kyrie Irving, D'Angelo Russell Debate

This past season, The Brooklyn Nets shocked a lot of the NBA world by making the playoffs as a 6th season, finishing at 42-40. This was in large part because of D'Angelo Russell. Brooklyn ended up losing in the first round in 5 games to the Philadelphia 76ers but the Nets exceeded expectations. After the gruesome injury to Caris LeVert, who was well on his way to being an All-Star before the injury, Russell took off. The Nets did struggle right after injury. Their low point of the season was when they were sitting at 8-18, Nets fans everywhere were calling for the team to tank, including myself. But after that low point, Brooklyn took off. Over a span of 26 games the Nets went 20-6, positioning themselves well for the playoffs.

Russell was everything Nets' fans hoped Deron Williams would be. Russell showed his leadership on the court. He matured greatly since his Los Angeles Lakers days. He also posted career highs in every major category, 21.1/7.0/.434/.369. Also making the All-Star team for the first time in his career. Nets fans everywhere were sure they finally found their point guard of the future.

Russell is set to become a restricted free agent when free agency opens on June 30th at 6 PM ET and just a month ago it seemed certain Russell would be back in a Nets uniform next season. Not so fast, though. Brooklyn has been heavily linked to 6x All-Star and NBA Champion, Kyrie Irving. Early reports were that there was mutual interest between Irving and the Nets and they wouldn't shy away from pairing Irving with Russell. Throughout the past few weeks most thing on the Irving front have remained the same with a lot of reports basically stating Kyrie to Brooklyn is as done as it can get before free agency actually opens. But a report last week from Ian Begley had Nets fans worried. According to Begley, if the Nets landed Irving, Russell would unlikely be back and that caused a huge stir around Nets twitter and Nets fans everywhere.

It's well known around the league that Plan A for Brooklyn is pairing Irving and Kevin Durant, which would make Russell the casually in that situation. The Nets have been making moves the past few weeks to get to that second max slot. Trading Allen Crabbe, now extending a qualifying offer to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and trading a first round pick in Thursday's draft which cleared another $1 million in cap. It's clear, the Nets are going big fish hunting and their goal is Irving and Durant.

A lot of Nets fans have mixed opinions on this. Especially after Durant tore his Achilles in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. But most fans are in agreement that the Nets shouldn't let Russell go for anybody but Durant or Kawhi Leonard. Personally, I disagree. Don't get me wrong, Russell was a huge part of the Nets' success this past season but I feel if you get the chance to land someone like Kyrie you go for it. A 6x All-Star, NBA champion. There aren't many players more talented than Irving in the league. Personally, I have him ranked as the 10th best in the league.

People worry about how Kyrie might effect the team chemistry and I get that concern, I had the same concern but I also started to think; this is the first time Kyrie has been able to choose his own team. He also never seemed he liked being in Boston. I feel when he comes to Brooklyn, he will buy into this team culture that has been being built since 2016. Kyrie is also in his prime and clearly is better Russell. Irving also attracts other stars and players, I don't believe Russell has that dynamic quite yet. I would love Russell back on the Nets and I myself am not against pairing the two together but it seems the Nets are and if we're choosing between the two, I'm taking Kyrie. I feel Kyrie gives the Nets the best chance to win and to actually contend in the East.

I love the idea of the Nets landing Irving and Durant. But then again, who doesn't? That gives you one of the best duos in the NBA. I know there are concerns about how good Durant can be coming back from his Achilles injury but I'm not too worried. I take the risk on it because it's Kevin Durant. Even if he's 80% of what he was, that's still a top 10 player in this league. And in 2020/21, that's a legit title contender in the Eastern Conference and I trust Sean Marks' ability to build a good bench around those two.

I have been on the record myself as saying I don't agree with letting Russell go for anyone other than Durant or Leonard and to an extent I agree with that but as of now, I'm team Kyrie and if Kyrie tells you he's in, you don't say no even if that means Russell is the casualty. Many fans grew way too attached to the name on the back of the jersey and not the name on the front and taking this next step isn't "skipping steps" which is how many fans see it. This started in 2016 when Marks was hired. They started a full rebuild and in 3 seasons they continued to improve until making the playoffs this past season. Which, in my opinion, especially with 2 max spots available, has given the Nets the best opportunity to seize the moment by chasing star free agents. The move was always to free up cap space for this summer. That what the Timofey Mozgov trade was about.

It will be a fun off-season, regardless. It's a great time to be a Nets fan, regardless of what happens in free agency. The worst case scenario is bringing back Russell and adding someone like Tobias Harris. That isn't that bad of a worst case scenario. And we all know best case scenario is Irving with Durant or Leonard. It's been a long time coming for Nets fan to be in the running for star free agents, much less frontrunners. It'll be fun to see how these next two weeks play out.

Buzz in Brooklyn

There's a lot of buzz going on in Brooklyn. And it's the basketball team in Brooklyn getting that buzz, the Brooklyn Nets. Yes, that's right. The Brooklyn Nets are relevant again and it's mostly in large part because of General Manager Sean Marks.

Billy King absolutely gutted this franchise with the Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett & Jason Terry trade. Trading away 3 future first round picks and a pick swap in 2017. Those picks ended up being James, Young, Jaylen Brown, Collin Sexton & the pick swap ended up being Markelle Fultz as the Sixers traded up from #3 to grab him. The Celtics ended up taking Jayson Tatum with the 3rd pick.

Trading away what ended up being 3 very high draft picks, 3 of the 4 picks landed in the top 10. Safely to say, that trade was a disaster. Gutted your franshise's future for 2 older stars well past their prime.

After that failed project of going all in for a championship with KG, Pierce, Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and company, the Nets started emptying house. Brooklyn bought out and used the stretch provision on the former face of the franchise, Williams. The next season then new Nets GM, Sean Marks came to terms on a buyout agreement with Joe Johnson. Stating Joe had the right to play on a playoff team if that is what he wished. And then started the Brooklyn turnaround.

Next season a few days before the 2017 NBA Draft, the Nets came into agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers on a trade sending longtime Net Brook Lopez & the #27 pick in the draft (Kyle Kuzma) in exchange for the former #2 overall pick in the 2015 draft, D'Angelo Russell & Timofey Mozgov. The Nets got themselves possibly a player to build around.

Marks made some other sneaky moves as well. Taking on the contract of DeMarre Carroll for Justin Hamilton & a 2018 first round pick & second round pick. The trade was more for getting picks but Carroll has been a good leader and veteran for the young squad in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn wasn't good in 2017, as expected. But there were plenty of bright spots. The most notable has to be Spencer Dinwiddie. When Lin went down he was instantly going to get more minutes as the backup PG. And then Russell went down for an extended period of time and Dinwiddie started making a name for himself.  He was definitely a pleasant surprise tallying 12.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG & 6.2 APG. Becoming a possible future piece for this Brooklyn team or as a possible asset in a trade, either way, Spencer Dinwiddie is making a name for himself.

Also a nice surprise was 2017 first round draft pick Jarrett Allen out of Texas. Showing Nets fans he can most definitely be the center of the future for Brooklyn with his crazy athleticism and great shot blocking ability, it's going to be exciting to watch the continued growth of the young big man.

Nets were faced with some questions this off-season. Could they dump the terrible contract of Timofey Mozgov? Would Jeremy Lin be traded? How about Dinwiddie or Carroll? Would they throw money at more restricted free agents as they had in the past couple seasons? Well, one of those questions was answered pretty quickly, actually, before the draft. Brooklyn & Charlotte came to an agreement on a trade involving Timofey Mozgov & Dwight Howard. Mozgov & 2018 second rounder (Hamidou Diallo, later traded to OKC) to Charlotte, Howard to Brooklyn. My initial reaction was "How did he get rid of that horrid contract?" I honestly thought we'd be stuck with Mozgov but Sean Marks came through.

The next question was, is Dwight Howard even going to play on the Nets. That was answered very quickly. Reports came out saying Howard & Brooklyn would reach a buyout for Howard to become an unrestricted free agent. The trade wasn't for Howard, it was to get rid of Mozgov's contract. Most thought Howard would back up Allen in Brooklyn if he stayed which Dwight probably wouldn't of taken lightly.

In the draft the Nets took Dzanan Musa with the 29th pick, the Bosnian Scoring Machine & Rodions Kurucs with the 40th pick. Both already signed their rookie deals. Neither expected to make an impact right away but could be important pieces in the future

Nets quickly struck deals right as free agency opened up with backup center Ed Davis on a 1 year, $4.4M deal to the disappointment of many Blazers fans and writers. Davis considered by many to  be the best backup center in the game. Nets also came to an agreement with sharshooter Joe Harris, bringing him back on a 2 year $16M deal.

Marks made some more moves that made Nets fans happy, well some, not all. He traded Jeremy Lin & a 2025 second round pick to the Hawks. Nets received a 2020 second round pick and the rights to Isaia Cordinier. Teams also agreed on the rights to swap 2nd rounders in 2023. It was an expected move with the backcourt logjam.

On the same night, Brooklyn reached a deal with Denver in a salary dump sending Kenneth Faried, Darrell Arthur, 2019 top 12 protected first round pick & 2019 second round pick to the Nets in exchange for Isaiah Whitehead who was released shortly after the trade. Nets get a very tough nosed athletic player in Faried who can rebound very well & a player in Arthur who can stretch the floor and knock down the 3. But, I think the real reason behind the trade is the draft pick, it is top 12 protected but many expect the Nuggets to make the playoffs this season. I'd be very shocked if Brooklyn doesn't end up with the pick. Even if they don't get the pick this year they will get the Nuggets first rounder by 2024 (All top 12 protected), if it hasn't conveyed by then Brooklyn receives Nuggets' 2024 & 2025 second round picks.

Nets later signed Shabazz Napier to a 2 year deal making a lot of fans wonder about Dinwiddie's future in Brooklyn.

All in all. Sean Marks has done a heck of a job turning this franchise around. Setting Brooklyn up for a possible banging Summer of 2019 with two max salary slots expected to be available for the Nets, contingent of restricted free agency of D'Angelo Russell & Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. The likes of Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson and more are expected to be available next off-season. Most of the trades made were to set the Nets up for a possible splash in 2019. Nets only have 6 players under contract next season, Allen Crabbe, Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen & Joe Harris, Musa & Kurucs. The Nets will have plenty of space & it'll be interesting to see how this all plays out.

But I do believe this team will shock some people this upcoming season and could fight for the 8th seed in the playoffs. If you're a Nets fan, you should be excited, regardless. This team is heading in the right direction. There is definitely a buzz in Brooklyn. A good buzz.

Nets, Kings discussing possible Deron Williams trade

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported earlier today that the Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings are in trade talks centered around former All-Star PG, Deron Williams.

The reported offer from Sacramento included, Darren Collison, Derrick Williams and Jason Thompson in exchange for Williams. 

It's also reported that the Kings also want Mason Plumlee from Brooklyn but the Nets are very reluctant to give up the young big man as they see him as a future building block.

The Nets would certainly be getting much more athletic with this trade, something they extremely lack. 

They also would be unloading a huge contract in sending off D-Will as he's due over $20 million per season over the next 2 years.

Williams and Thompson definitely have the athletic ability the Nets need on this team. Especially Williams. He reminds me of Gerald Green. He has that type of athleticism. He hasn't played to his potential, though.

Collison would give the Nets a very young point guard who is athletic himself. He's averaging about the same numbers as D-Will is. He's obviously not better than Deron Williams but he's younger and has some talent.

This may not be the best trade the Nets can get for Deron but Billy King better seriously consider this because I don't know if he'll get any offers for the aging former All-Star.

Here's what Deron would look like in a Kings uni. Via @VNDSGN.

To Say the Nets are Struggling is an Understatement

Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports

After 10 games in the new season, the Nets find themselves at 4-6 currently on a four game losing streak. The Nets had been playing well until Joe Johnson came out and criticized the team; stating the Nets were playing "selfish". Johnson made those comments following a Nets home victory over the Orlando Magic. Since that game the Nets are 0-4.

Obviously Johnson's comments aren't the reason for the Nets' sudden four game losing streak but when you call your team out like that, it gets a lot of attention, especially playing in the Big Apple. Johnson himself hasn't been the same since he made those comments. Joe has been very selfish himself the last few games. Forcing bad shots and trying to go through double teams.

Of course, the Nets are playing under a new head coach in Lionel Hollins so everything wasn't expected to click right away but the play these last four games have been absolutely atrocious. Starting with the Phoenix game last Wednesday night when the Nets jumped out to a big first half lead and everything went downhill from then. Brooklyn was outscored 63-41 in the second half of that game. Just terrible. Inexcusable.

What's tough for most Nets fans has got to be the play of former All-Star center, Brook Lopez. Lopez has struggled mightily so far this season. Brook is coming off of foot surgery but this is the absolute worse I've seen Brook play in his entire career. Lopez is clearly frustrated with himself which is clearly visible on the court. Lopez is taking it personal. So far this season, Brook is averaging over 15 points per game and just under 5 rebounds per game on 46.9 shooting. Those are certainly not Brook Lopez type numbers.

Lopez used to be the guy the Nets had their offense centered around. Throw it down to Brook and let him go to work. It was a great strategy for a while because when Brook is on, he doesn't miss much but we've yet to really see that Lopez yet this season. Hollins has benched Brook quite a bit in the fourth quarter of games this season. Lopez is currently only averaging 27.3 minutes per game. To compare, Nets rookie Bojan Bogdanovic is averaging 29 minutes per game. Just shows that with Hollins as coach, you have to earn your minutes.

I don't know how much worse the Nets would be without 20 year veteran Kevin Garnett. With Lopez not being a very good rebounder at all, the 38 year old Garnett has picked up the slack, averaging 8.5 rebounds in 23.7 minutes per game. He also had a Vintage KG game against Detroit where he dropped 18 points and grabbed 14 boards.

The thing I think that the Nets lack is consistent ball movement. Going back to that game against Phoenix, Brooklyn moved the ball very well in the first half and had a nice lead at the half. They went with a lot of isolation basketball in the second half and that lost them the game. They lack consistent ball movement for a full 48 minutes of the game and that's really going to hurt them if they can't fix that up. Deron Williams is only averaging 6.5 assists per game which is a bit low. He needs to have that number up to around 8.

With the talent this team has, there is no reason this team shouldn't be getting 25 assists a night, like D-Will said the other day. When you have talented players like Joe Johnson, Kevin Garnett and Brook Lopez around, it shouldn't be hard to get assists but the Nets have to stop going into isolation basketball when they get down. That's why it's hard for them to get back in games because the lack of ball movement.

There hasn't been much to be proud of the Nets so far this season but there are a few positives. First, rookie Bojan Bogdanovic has shined as he continues to improve each and every game. The rookie now has two games with 22 points this season and he has adapted to the NBA game quicker than most people would have expected. After 10 games, Bojan is averaging 10.5 points per game on 47.6% shooting and 37.5% from three. He has grown much more confident the past few games. It's still early, but Bojan Bogdanovic could be a leader in the Rookie of the Year conversations.

Another bright spot for the Nets is none other than Deron Williams. So far, Deron is averaging 18.2 points per game and 6.5 assists per game. Of course, he would like to get those assist numbers up. He's actually shot the ball pretty well lately. He's shot 50% or higher in 6 of the last 8 games. Overall Deron is shooting 46.4% from the field while playing a whopping 36 minutes per game. Who knows if the old D-Will is back but after 10 games, he looks pretty good and most of all, his ankles look good.

So many negatives to look at concerning the Nets early this season. Not many positives but one positive is that there is still 72 games remaining in this very young season. Remember, a season ago the Nets started off terribly at 10-21 and they regrouped and finished 44-38 with the sixth seed in the East. Plenty of season left. Can't press the panic button 10 games in.

The Nets will look to end this four game skid Wednesday night against Jason Kidd's Milwaukee Bucks. That will be a fun one. Barclays Center will be ready for that one. Will be a fun to see the crowd's reaction to Kidd.

Recap: Nets Beat Short-Handed Spurs

Nets beat the Spurs tonight 103-89.

The Spurs were very short-handed tonight coming off a double OT victory over Washington.

Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard, Manu Ginobli, Boris Diaw, & Tony Parker all sat out tonight for San Antonio.

But you can never count out the Spurs.

They jumped out to an early double-digit lead.

But from halftime on, it was all Nets.

San Antonio never led in the second half.

Alan Anderson was huge for the Nets. Scoring 20+ points off the bench to tonight.

Deron Williams banged up his knee in the second quarter and seemed in serious pain. Went to the locker room. Returned and finished with 16 points & 8 assists on 50% shooting.

Nets improve to 22-25 and are now 12-4 in 2014.

Nets play tomorrow night in the Motor City against the Detroit Pistons.

Nets All-Star news: Mason Plumlee was drafted by Team Webber (Chris Webber) for the Rising Stars Challenge and Joe Johnson was selected to compete in the three point competition.

Recap: Nets Hold on to Beat Sixers

Nets nearly blew another game.

They got out to an early double digit lead in the first but that didn't last very long.

Deron Williams finally seemed back into some form. He scored 21 on 8/19 shooting adding 6 assists. Paul Pierce added 25 points and was 14/14 from the free throw line.

Nets got out to 15 point first quarter lead which Philly continued to cut into to.

By midway through the second quarter, Philly had a four point lead.

Similar situation happened in the third quarter.

Nets jumped out to an 78-59 lead. In the fourth quarter that lead was cut to two.

Shuan Livingston again had himself a game. Recording a career high 7 steals along with 13 points 6 rebounds & 8 assists.

Nets get a couple days off before hosting the San Antonio Spurs Thursday night. Game will be on TNT.

Nets improve to 21-25.