Center Norvel Pelle played just 17 minutes before fouling out Saturday in his first game with the Nets, but he showed how he can help the team as a rim protector, writes Alex Schiffer of The Athletic. Pelle, who had to wait through a seven-day quarantine after signing last week, blocked three shots during his short stint. Coach Steve Nash expects better things once Pelle works through conditioning issues.
“He’s out of shape a little bit for NBA standards,” Nash said. “You could see him out there. I was proud of him for fighting through, trying to get his legs and his lungs going. He obviously has some instincts blocking shots, which is I think his reputation and why we looked at him. I was proud of the way he conducted himself and worked hard.”
Iman Shumpert, the Nets’ other free agent addition, didn’t play at all Saturday, and Nash isn’t sure when he’ll make his debut. He also had to quarantine and won’t participate in his first practice with the team until Monday.
There’s more from Brooklyn:
- Landry Shamet seems to have rediscovered his shot and could be a valuable scoring option off the bench, Schiffer adds in the same story. He’s averaging 12 PPG and shooting 40% from 3-point range in his last five games. “Just change a few things mentally, stay solid, simplify,” Shamet said of breaking out of a slump. “It’s not the end of the world. It’s basketball. It’s just knowing what I’m capable of and knowing that I’m doing everything I’m supposed to be doing, working hard, taking care of my body, doing everything I’m supposed to be doing. It’s mostly mental.”
- Kyrie Irving‘s sprained finger isn’t expected to be a long-term concern, according to Greg Joyce of The New York Post. Irving missed Saturday’s game and is being considered day-to-day. “(Irving) genuinely has a swollen finger and took a knock to it (Friday),” Nash said. “So hopefully it’s day-to-day. I think everybody’s proceeding as it is.”
- ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is the latest media figure to comment on the possibility of the Nets acquiring Cavaliers center Andre Drummond after a buyout. On Friday’s pre-game show, Wojnarowski said Drummond might be willing to take a buyout if the Cavs don’t trade him by the March 25 deadline. He suggests the Nets could offer Cleveland Spencer Dinwiddie, who is out for the season with an ACL injury, but other teams are also interested in the 27-year-old guard.
Per article
Other teams also are also interested in Dinwiddie
How many teams? 5 or 10?
two alsos
Even though be wasn’t rocking a Sixers jersey, it was nice to see Pelle out there again doing his thing. Wish him the best, homeboy is great defensive energy off the bench.
Kyrie will be out for 4 weeks because he got the Tom Haverford “I hurt my fingie” injury lol.
How in the blazes would Brooklyn “offering” Dinwiddie help in any way towards them acquiring Drummond via buyout? He wouldn’t even help them get very close to acquiring him by trade, either, due to salary matching rules.
That’s what I was thinking. They have to add money to Dinwiddie. Nets get desperate they will move him though. Dinwiddie can bring back good value.
Knicks for >>>> Noel , Nttilikina
If I’m Cleveland I make that Spencer trade. He’d be great to have off the bench next year.
Guess how pleased x%sure would be if the Cavs got Dins. Very
Dinwiddie wants to stay in BRK. Nets would trade him for value to help them win this season, but not for Drummond. They would have to attach player(s) beyond Dinwiddie to pull it off. Its a lousy strategy with Jordan already there.