Brooklyn Nets Rumors
Jeff Zillgitt: All-bubble first team: Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, Luka Doncic, James Harden, TJ Warren. Second team: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Kristaps Porzingis, Caris LeVert, Michael Porter Jr.
Marc Stein: Clippers assistant coach Ty Lue and Lakers assistant coach Jason Kidd are expected to be prime candidates for the Pelicans’ coaching vacancy, league sources say, with Lue and Kidd also both on the Nets’ list of prospective candidates when Brooklyn’s search starts in earnest soon
Among those coaches expected to be part of the Pelicans search: Lakers assistant Jason Kidd, Clippers assistant Ty Lue and former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson, sources said. The Pelicans are also expected to have an interest in Brooklyn interim coach Jacque Vaughn, should the Nets decide not to retain him, sources said.
“No brainer, Kenny Atkinson,” one NBA scout told HoopsHype. “It’s a young team. He will do for Chicago exactly what he did for Brooklyn. He’ll have them overachieve, outhustle and outwork teams on a nightly basis. They will be physical, smart, and tough to guard because they will share the ball. Plus, he’s a no-nonsense, direct, fair coach who relates very well to players. He’d be my pick.” In Chicago, Atkinson would be reunited with assistant coach Chris Fleming, whom he worked with for three seasons in Brooklyn.
ESPN Stats: James Harden has won his third consecutive scoring title. 6 of the other 7 players to win as many as three straight scoring titles have been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. The lone exception is Kevin Durant (2009-12) who is still active.
Nets serious about pursuing Gregg Popovich?
The lovable underdog days of the Nets are numbered, with league sources, including those familiar with the Nets and the Spurs, expecting Brooklyn to explore bringing the NBA’s biggest coaching name — Gregg Popovich — to the Nets’ sidelines.
Brooklyn, according to sources, almost certainly will be unsuccessful because the Spurs coach’s legacy is so closely tied to San Antonio, where he’s built a life and a legacy over the past two decades. Plus he’s under contract. There’s a “never say never” element according to one NBA executive, but it’ll probably never happen.
Marc Stein on Tyronn Lue: When he turned down the Laker job, a lot of eyebrows were raised, but it was it was the right call. He didn’t like the terms that the Lakers were offering. It was a shorter-term deal. It was lower money. He’s like, hey, I’ve already got a championship on my resume. He didn’t want to just be tied to how long LeBron is gonna stay a Laker and totally agree with you there’s a possibility that all four of those jobs (Pelicans, Sixers, Rockets, Nets) open he will be in the mix.
Brooklyn Nets star DeAndre Jordan is doing his part to personally assist those combating the coronavirus — by surprising 200 frontline workers with free meals!! TMZ Sports has learned — the 6’11” center popped up at the myCovidMD in Los Angeles on Thursday … teaming up with Postmates to provide the large group of workers administrating COVID tests with food from one of his favorite local joints — Harold & Belle’s.
Kellan Olson: Tyler Johnson on the Suns’ run: “Those guys played their hearts out and deserved to have that opportunity to fight for a playoff spot. It’s unfortunate that they’re not going to be able to do that going forward.”
Kellan Olson: Tyler Johnson called Ricky Rubio one of his favorite teammates ever: “Maybe it wasn’t as good of a basketball situation for me but I did meet some incredible people with Ricky, little Ty Jerome, Dario, D-Book, Kells, DA — I met a lot of good guys while I was there.”
It’s an example of the perspective chief business officer Mike Zavodsky, who was hired in June to oversee sales, marketing and creative operations, brings to the Pistons. He was lured from entertainment agency Roc Nation, where he served as an executive in charge of sports and event sales. The new position reports to Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem. Prior to his stint with Roc Nation, Zavodsky cut his teeth with the Nets organization, where he spent 14 years. Zavodsky recently spoke with Pistons.com and in just under 20 minutes, he discussed J. Cole, the attractiveness of the Pistons brand and his plans for the new position.
Tommy Beer: Over the final 11 games of the #Nets 2019-20 season, Caris LeVert averaged: 26.1 points, 6.4 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 made 3-pointers 1.3 steals. Nets went 7-4 in those 11 games despite playing without Kyrie Irving and KD, and w/out Dinwiddie and Deandre Jordan in the bubble
Nick Friedell: Jacque Vaughn on trying to defend Dame: “We gave him the full boat tonight. What a compliment. What a player. He’s changing the game — the ability to cross half-court and shoot the basketball with ease and accuracy. You give him a lot of credit.”
Spencer Dinwiddie: Y’all don’t listen, I’ve co-signed that lol
The first game-worn jerseys from the NBA’s restart in Orlando have hit the auction block. NBA Auctions has launched a group of 58 jerseys from the league’s first few games in the “bubble” including those donned by LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson. Jerseys worn by members of the Lakers, Pelicans, Spurs and Nets are the first to reach the auction block from games played after the league stopped play in March due to COVID-19. Most of the jerseys are game-worn while a few were made for players who didn’t see action.
Marc J. Spears: Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn says he is using same starting lineup of late against Portland and “our guys have the mental makeup to play a competitive game.” pic.twitter.com/NSjGByNwnT
Duane Rankin: Memphis 119, Milwaukee 106 Final. Grizzlies are in. #Suns need Brooklyn to beat Portland to join them in the play-in.
Nets making Joe Harris No. 1 priority in free agency
Brian Mahoney: Nets GM Sean Marks, asked about re-signing Joe Harris in pregame interview with Yes Network today. “Priority number one. It’s that simple, yeah.”
Brian Lewis: #Nets GM Sean Marks spoke w/ @YESNetwork, discussed resigning free agent-to-be Joe Harris: “Priority number one. It’s that simple, yeah. Joe, I think we’ve talked about plenty of times…Seeing him with this group will certainly be a priority for us.” #NBA
The Nets will conduct a formal coaching search after the season, ESPN first reported. Jacque Vaughn has been brilliant in the bubble, leading Brooklyn to a 5-2 record despite missing Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan, Wilson Chandler and Taurean Prince. Vaughn will get strong consideration to retain the job, per sources, but with Durant and Irving returning from injury next season and the Nets expected to contend for a championship, ownership prefers a national search.
Adam Wexler: With Pacers win, the East playoff matchups are set. (1) Bucks vs (8) Magic (2) Raptors vs (7) Nets (3) Celtics vs (6) 76ers (4/5) Heat vs (4/5) Pacers
NBA Central: Kevin Durant responds to LeBron James being called the greatest player of all time “That’s crazy.” (🎥 @Coolkicksla ) pic.twitter.com/1dkIHJApSN
Alex Schiffer: Jacque Vaughn said Chris Chiozza didn’t practice today. Left yesterday’s game with right adductor tightness.
Spencer Dinwiddie: Listen folks, I didn’t make that rule lol 🤷🏾♂️
“That’s the most important game of our lives,” Lillard told TNT in an on-court interview after the game, looking ahead to Thursday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets. “Tonight was great. We said we need one win. We’re going to focus on one game. We got this one done. And that’s the most important one. We got to finish it out right.”
Aaron J. Fentress: FINAL Blazers 134 Mavericks 131 Damian Lillard tied career-high with 61 points. Blazers moved into eighth-place in the West, ahead of Memphis, which lost earlier today to Boston. Portland can lock in at No. 8 for the play-in round with a win Thursday over Brooklyn. #RipCity
Josh Robbins: Final: Nets 108, Magic 96 Playing time: Vucevic: 20:44 Fultz: 22:28 Augustin: 21:53 Birch: 27:16 James Ennis and Gary Clark: 23:13 each Iwundu: 30:09
Nick Friedell: Steve Clifford says the Magic are only dressing 10 guys today against the Nets because of all the injuries the team is dealing with — and they will play all of them. In an unrelated note — Clifford is predicting a 2-1 Orlando City victory later tonight.
The Brooklyn Nets will begin their head coaching search at the end of their season to find the person they want to lead a championship contender around Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, sources have told The Athletic.
Nets owner Joe Tsai wants a full-scale head coaching process to identify the best partner for team ownership, the front office, coaching staff and players, sources say. Current head coach Jacque Vaughn is the incumbent and will be a significant candidate to retain the job he currently holds. Nets GM Sean Marks will work closely with ownership and his front office on the task of finding the proper leader for the position with Brooklyn as a leading title threat for the 2020-21 season.
Brian Lewis: Vaughn says injured Jamal Crawford has provided a calming force for the #Nets and great leadership, especially for Caris LeVert. “We still think after these net few games he’ll help us going forward. Not sure he’s going to play in the next two.”
