Nets head coach Steve Nash is not worried about how the return of Kevin Durant and the incorporation of newcomer Blake Griffin will affect Brooklyn’s forward rotation, per Chris Milholen and Matthew Brooks of Nets Daily.
“We cross it when it comes because who knows who will be available when Kevin is available,” Nash said. “We are presuming everyone’s available when Kevin is, but if the season is any indication that might be full-hearted, so we’ll see.”
There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:
- The Sixers will be without All-Star center Joel Embiid, out multiple weeks with a bone bruise, prompting Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer to assess how the 76ers can adjust to temporary life on the floor without the big man. The team will have to lean on the scoring output of forward Tobias Harris and the passing and defensive acumen of All-Star guard Ben Simmons more than ever.
- Second-year Knicks shooting guard RJ Barrett has elevated his game during his sophomore season, according to Barbara Barker of Newsday. Barrett is playing a crucial role for a 20-19 New York team that is currently the No. 7 seed in the East, including recording a career-high 32 points against the Thunder in a 119-97 Saturday win. He is averaging 17.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 2.9 APG, and currently sports a markedly improved slash line of .452/.359/.730.
- The second half of the Knicks‘ thus-far charmed 2020/21 season looks to be a real test for the upstart squad, says Steve Popper of Newday. Popper contends that new head coach Tom Thibodeau and newly-minted All-Star Julius Randle will be nothing if not prepared.
Wizards announcer said that Ben Simmons is the most overrated player in the NBA?
IMO
Lakers can adjust to life on the floor without Davis
And Nets can do without Durant
But not 76ers without Embiid
The 76ers bench can only beat the bad teams
This is what I am saying
76ers need to make good trades to upgrade the roster as soon as possible
The difference is the nets and lakers have two top 10 players…so yea, they are better equipped to handle losing one versus the rest of the teams that would struggle, Sixers included. Take giannis, kawhi, or luka away from their squads and see how they adjust. It’s not easy to replace the production of an mvp player unless you are fortunate to have multiple on your team.
Lakers can adjust to anyone not on the floor except lebron, he’s the best player in the league and gets coddled by referees so he’s double best, the Lakers lose him and they are the Pelicans with Davis, low seeded fast outs
LeBron was the best player in the league, but he hasn’t been so for years. Since Davis got hurt the Lakers have gone 4-7.
In his prime LBJ could carry a team by himself, but at age 36 he’s no longer capable of doing so. They are a much better team with AD.
Your predictable hates have dipped into reality. Yes they are better with AD. Bron ‘s on-off is plus 12, and the team does not get ambitious when he subs out.
Right now the Lakers are depleted except for character, and finding trade targets are more difficult with that factor being considered. But they don’t have much to deal anyway.
No LBJ team could EVER beat this Nets team. This team is better than the Durant warriors.
There is a 0% chance anyone other than Brooklyn wins the chip. I have spoken.
Relax man. They might even get out the East. Celtics, Heat, Bucjs will make moves by TD. Any team that can play D will give Nets trouble in 7 gm series. No surprises in 7 gm series. Sixers, Heat, Celtics, Bucks all can go 7. Nets looking good but they don’t fear me.
B.S. This is the greatest collection of talent since the Durant Warriors. These dudes have gelled, they’re sharing the ball, they are riding into the home stretch looking almost unbeatable. Believe that, chief.
Durant hasn’t played since 2-13 chief – how could the team have gelled when Harden didn’t even get traded to BK until a few weeks before that?
Because he is practicing with them bruh. Before he went out they were on a dominant run, what was it 10-1 (off the top of my head)?
Throw in Blake, who is going to buy in on D because he genuinely wants to win. And Jordan who can still dominate on D. Watch, they’ll get Drummond too. Harden has been REALLY unselfish. When KD comes back, who is stopping that group? It’s impossible.
So where are all the RJ critics now …. ????
Never understand how you can hate on a young player. All develop in their own time. Some sooner than others. If you don’t get why he was the 3rd pick in the draft. Then you should try another sport. Reason Knicks are a playoff team this yr. Is Randle and RJ both have stepped up their gm. RJ still has a way to go. This yr RJ has shown me he can play SF. He’s definitely a wing (2-3) player. So I can see why Thibs would be looking at SG for more scoring. I think RJ reminds Thibs of Jimmy. He became a great player under Thibs. RJ has the same commitment. Will be a great 2way player like Jimmy.
According to my eye test, RJ is 30% better than Anthony Edwards for now
People would expect more if you are first overall pick
Rookie Wiggins is a little better than Edwards
I’ve been saying all along RJ is better at the 3 and the Knicks need a lights out shooter at the 2 spot. They haven’t had a reliable guard since Allan Houston. Maybe IQ can start once they get a better PG. Someone like Beal would be nice as well.
imo, Bullock plays pretty much like a 2, so RJ gets plenty of time at 2 and 3. To me, the positions are pretty fluid and don’t matter much currently. I agree with you, though. They should pursue a strong SG to pair with RJ rather than an SF for next year.
I like Bullock, but he’s a position they could massively upgrade on this offseason. A star SG or even a star PG to pair with IQ would be great.
IQ, free agent/draftee/trade, RJ, Randle, and Robinson as the starting 5 next year is a good team. Not championship caliber, but a solid mid-seed playoff team.
If they could get a player like Seth Curry or a Terry Rozier that would be ideal.
The Quickley-RJ-Randle trio looked really good in extended minutes against OKC. Those three really play off each other well. Add Mitch to that core when he gets back and I like what the Knicks have going right now.
RJ is better suited to sf . I have been saying this from day one. He has potential to be like t-Mac . Hopefully Thibs can help him
Develop more defensively. I like Randel improvement. Still think the Knicks need a pg who can be a floor general .
So 4 of 4 posters think Barrett is a better 3 than 2… I think that was the conventional view? And a fifth poster said he was 30% better than someone else. Actually Barrett and Edwards are pretty good comparisons, though I predict a better future with Barrett, regardless of ppg.
I was surprised to read that Barrett was so statistically sound and not just a phenomena of potential. And yes a 3 bc he prefers to angle in to the lane, at least he did in college.
Barrett is a 2/3; that’s how he’s being used and I don’t see that changing. Nor should it, you don’t pigeon hole a player with flexibility. I think it’s really about the skill set of the guy(s) playing on the opposite wing, more than his position designation. That guy needs to be a plus 3 pt shooter and, ideally, be able to guard 2’s and as well as bigger 3’s (Barrett is a relatively big wing, but he lacks the ideal length to guard bigger 3’s).
Bullock may not be a great player, but he fits the profile (because of his length). We’re a defense first team (and wouldn’t be close to .500 if we weren’t), so Bullock starts. As long as Thibs is the HC, I don’t see a modest sized SG taking Bullock’s starting spot. Burks kind of fits too, but less so.
Knicks are looking for scoring. They will get it at the 2 or 3. RJ and Jimmy are basically same size. Jimmy pretty much plays either wing. RJ is becoming that player. He has a longer reach than Jimmy. Thibs has has played him there to see him there. It’s why they talk about SG coming to NY. Knicks to take next step need another proven scorer. Seems to me that’s why they are looking at 2, 3 scorers. Randle has been the big surprise this yr. RJ is becoming that other star. We still need a proven scorer 20 a gm guy to become a real playoff team. A healthy Oladipo could of done it. I would like to see Knicks make a move for Fournier.
Agreed. Although, ideally, I’d like a plus 3 pt shooter (40%) on the other wing, they’ll work with what’s available in FA. Or if a younger player (e.g., Devin Vassell) were available, they have assets to trade.
I like the Burks mention. Different things have been asked of him over time… I see him as a second chance creator, deep shooter, and defender. David Nwaba would be a model for the latter. Neither impresses most fans IMO but if schemed in with a role, would boost winning; they could also be overlooked, being not good enough to build around.
K.Al… Jimmy? IDK who you mean.
Jimmy Butler
That might be a high ceiling for RJ but he’s young enough that it’s at least a possibility