Despite having a slow start to his pro career, chatter among members of the Brooklyn Nets organization suggests that rookie center Nicolas Claxton is primed for a breakout sophomore season. Over the past few years, the Nets have built a reputation by taking on reclamation projects and swinging on raw players with potential. So, it…
Tagged Kevin Durant
2020 NBA Draft: 4 Inherent Biases in How I Evaluate Players
Earlier this spring, I wrote a piece on Tyrese Maxey as a draft prospect, focusing on his lack of 3-point shooting as a reason for my pessimism when considering him as a future NBA player. The article was framed through the lens of my bias towards shooters. From there, several conversations about bias have come…
The Numbers: Clyde Drexler & Hakeem Olajuwon Go for 40
On May 5, 1995, Clyde Drexler (41) and Hakeem Olajuwon (40), both grilled up 40 burgers in beating the Utah Jazz during Game 4 of their first-round series. It was just the third time in NBA history that teammates went for 40 in a playoff game. Drexler added six assists and nine rebounds; Hakeem added…
Which Big-Name Coaching Candidate is Best for Brooklyn Nets?
Sean Marks and the Brooklyn Nets are big-name hunting. Per Marc Stein’s recent report, the general manager is building a head coaching wish list that includes several prominent former options. Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, Tyronn Lue are all on the list, along with former Nets coach Jason Kidd and interim head coach Jacque Vaughn.…
The Numbers: Klay Thompson Turns it Up to 11
On May 28, 2016, Klay Thompson went absolutely bonkers from deep. He drained 11 threes while leading the Golden State Warriors to a 108-101 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was a performance that had historic ramifications beyond the fact that it still stands as the playoff record for a single game. Thompson also…
The Numbers: Russell Westbrook Goes for 40/10/5
On May 27, 2014, there was still hope for a championship in Oklahoma City. Though the Thunder had dropped their first two games to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, a Game 3 win and marvelous performance by Russel Westbrook in Game 4 had evened things out. Westbrook notched 40 points, 10…
How Brooklyn Nets Can Integrate Kevin Durant
At some point this year, the Brooklyn Nets will finally have a chance to unleash Kevin Durant. Whether it’s during a late-summer postseason or the beginning of the 2020-21 season, the veteran forward’s debut will be much-anticipated for the Nets and the league at large. Given Durant’s Achilles tendon injury, uncertainty surrounds his durability, explosiveness…
NBA PODCAST: Top Offseason Questions for Celtics, Nets, Knicks, Sixers & Raptors
In this episode of The NBA Podcast, Morten Jensen (@msjnba) and Bryan Toporek (@btoporek) discuss the top offseason questions for the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors. How can the Celtics bolster their frontcourt? Will Kevin Durant’s return make the Nets a legitimate title contender? How should the Knicks…
We May be Missing the Greatest Men’s Basketball Tournament Ever
The fate of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo had been hanging in the balance ever since the COVID-19 outbreak began in China months ago. However, pressure truly began to mount on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the virus rapidly spread throughout the world. The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced last weekend that they…
What Lies Ahead After Brooklyn Nets, Kenny Atkinson Divorce
On July 1, 2019, the Brooklyn Nets turned the corner from one of the worst rebuilds in league history, emerging from their dark days with two of the game’s preeminent free agents. Two of the most sought-after superstars of the summer loot, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving agreed to join forces and come to Brooklyn…