Last year, this writer started his tenure with Basketball Insiders writing about who had the best case for Coach of the Year. One year later, we’re revisiting the same discussion. This time, with an entirely new slate of candidates. The Coach of the Year Award produces one of the most fascinating races in the NBA
Brooklyn Nets
Last year, this writer started his tenure with Basketball Insiders writing about who had the best case for Coach of the Year. One year later, he’s revisiting the same discussion. This time with an entirely new slate of candidates. The Coach of the Year Award produces one of the most fascinating races in the NBA
D’Angelo Russell has always had a knack for flair, a player whose ability to hit game-winners or throw mind-bending passes seems to only grow as his own confidence does. That growth and confidence have been on full display this season as Russell has elevated his game, emerging as an All-Star and, in his own words
Whatever happens from here until the end of the 2018-19 season would fall in the category of windfall profits for the Brooklyn Nets. The franchise was left for dead for the remainder of the decade after the Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett trade but, unexpectedly, finds themselves very much alive in this season’s Eastern Conference playoff race.
While the Atlantic Division has been the class of the league in 2018-19, it is also ripe for change come free agency. I covered the potential for change in Toronto last week – the Raptors looked well-positioned for the present as well as the future– but it’s not only Toronto that could be in for
While the Atlantic Division has been the class of the league in 2018-19, it is also ripe for change come free agency. I covered the potential for change in Toronto last week – the Raptors looked well-positioned for the present as well as the future– but it’s not only Toronto that could be in for
Back in early December, the Miami Heat were struggling. Erik Spoelstra’s squad had a record of 10-14 and was in the early throes a six-game Western Conference road trip. Worse yet, the Heat were beset by injuries. For the second game of the trip — a roadie against the Clippers in LA — Miami knew
In recent campaigns, the importance of a good, reliable bench unit has soared out the window as the rise in superteams grew larger. This is not to say that the Golden State Warriors regret not having a consistent Sixth Man of the Year contender in their second unit because, well, their back-to-back championships speak for
Zion, Zion, Zion. With a splash of Ja Morant and R.J. Barrett mixed in for good measure, this college basketball season has been all about Duke’s Zion Williamson. The flash card-worthy facts are astonishing — 18 years-old, 6-foot-7, 285 pounds — but his highlight reel moves, both offensively and defensively, have everybody drooling. And although
Joe Harris’ fortunes and those of the Brooklyn Nets appear to be traveling on the same trajectory. Harris’ personality and approach embody the softer side of the Brooklyn Nets’ team persona: he is loyal, hardworking and humble. And while Jared Dudley and DeMarre Carroll provide veteran leadership and Spencer Dinwiddie and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson offer personality,
Throughout the week, Basketball Insiders has released post-deadline rankings on teams in various divisions around the NBA, and next up is the Southwest Division. The Southwest is incredibly diverse this season. It features a team that is gunning for the NBA Finals, teams that can’t decide to what extent they want to tank and everything
Ed Davis, renaissance rebounder for the surging Brooklyn Nets, isn’t content to just jump over or box out opposing players to grab that board. Davis wants to get rebounds by showing up first where the ball is going to be, because he knows before the shot even goes up. “If you look at the court
Back by the popular demand of pretty much only myself, it’s the second annual edition of Around the NBA in 15 Trades. We’re taking all 30 teams in the lead up to the Feb. 7 trade deadline and finding a happy middle ground for prosperous barterdom. The Clippers started out the season strong but faded down the standings
Kyrie Irving did not play Monday night, but that did not stop the crowd in Brooklyn from chanting about his looming free agent status. For what it’s worth Kyrie Irving has said he will re-sign with the Boston Celtics, and team president Danny Ainge has said they will keep him. But that won’t stop speculation
BROOKLYN, NY – DECEMBER 18: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Jarrett Allen #31 of the Brooklyn Nets blocks a dunk attempts during the first quarter against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Barclays Center on December 18, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets defeated the Lakers 115-110. NOTE
The NBA Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching and the number of teams looking to add talent grows with every day and new injury. Chatter is beginning to heat up with rumors and speculation picking up in the last few days. We kicked off a new series this week at Basketball Insiders, examining each division across
Discarded from the team that drafted him and overshadowed by his backup for most of the season, D’Angelo Russell is finally taking over in Brooklyn. As a former No. 2 overall pick and point guard for the league’s premier franchise in the Los Angeles Lakers, D’Angelo Russell burst into the NBA with high expectations and
For the last few years, the only thing that really mattered about the Brooklyn Nets was where their first-round pick would land. Brooklyn had traded seemingly every pick in its arsenal to the Celtics in the ill-fated Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett deal, and right up until the summer of 2018, that swap kept paying
Grit-and-Grind is unfolding, and it’s unfolding fast. After a blistering 12-5 start to the season, the Grizzlies are falling hard in the standings. The team has only won seven of its last 27 games – good for a record of 19-25 – which has them placed currently 14th in the bloodbath that is the Western
Just over a month ago, one Basketball Insiders writer foolishly suggested that the Brooklyn Nets — despite all their youth, determination and overall grittiness — should strongly consider tanking out for the remainder of the 2018-19 season. At the time, the Nets were floundering without do-it-all playmaker Caris LeVert — holders of a dismal 3-10
The Brooklyn Nets’ process is far from complete, but Brooklyn is already seeing some results in the form of a respectable winning streak. Being in ninth place in the Eastern Conference is not typically anything to get excited about, but the Brooklyn Nets should be thrilled to be one spot away from a playoff berth
Is there any word that excites fans more about an individual player than “potential?” Hardly anyone comes into this league a finished product. With rare exceptions like Tyreke Evans and Michael Carter-Williams, almost every player that makes it in the NBA gets better after their rookie season. Some young players need more time than others.
Last season the Rookie of the Year debate was alive and well with a handful of names. Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell dominated the conversation, but players like Kyle Kuzma, Jayson Tatum and Lauri Markkanen received plenty of traction as well. All of these athletes had incredible rookie campaigns and clearly deserved the praise heaped
Ballin’ Out will break down the best performance by a role player from the previous week, weighing both individual and team performance. After starting in over 70 percent of the Brooklyn Nets’ games last season Spencer Dinwiddie saw his role change from the go-to guy, to the first man off the bench. Despite the change,
Now armed with their draft picks and cap space, the Brooklyn Nets finally appear to be on a path they can follow. How will the offseason additions affect their team’s timeline? The Brooklyn Nets have slowly been climbing out of the NBA basement since their last playoff appearance in 2015. As a result of the
Furkan Korkmaz stretched out his legs and eased into a chair just off to the side of the Sixers’ practice court. For the next 20 minutes, he talked about growing up in Turkey, moving to the United States to play in the NBA and even painted a visual of performing as Michael Jackson in high
The Brooklyn Nets, fresh off three straight seasons of disappointing results, finally looked halfway competent to start the 2018-19 campaign. Fueled by the impending breakout of Caris LeVert, the Nets began the year a very manageable 6-7 — a record that had them in the mix for a postseason berth within a muddied Eastern Conference.
Ever since taking hold of the Golden State Warrior reins in 2014, Steve Kerr has had an embarrassment of riches to work with. The mainstays—a two-time NBA MVP in Stephen Curry, a three-time All-Defensive first-teamer in Draymond Green, a four-time All-Star in Klay Thompson—got their first taste of gold in year one of Kerr’s tenure.
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 09: Caris Levert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on November 9, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images
The game was on the line and Gary Harris was in Caris LeVert’s grill, practically tucked inside his Brooklyn Nets jersey next to him. But the third-year wing was unfazed. He twisted and turned, took two dribbles to his left and hesitated. Harris relented for a brief moment before reaching into LeVert’s airspace and putting