With James Harden sidelined, Bruce Brown‘s role has expanded and the Nets guard is thriving, Peter Botte of the New York Post writes. Brown blanketed Khris Middleton while piling up 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and no turnovers in Brooklyn’s Game 2 blowout of the Bucks on Monday. “Bruce just comes in and plays extremely hard,” Kevin Durant said. Brown’s value is rising at an opportune time, as he’ll be a restricted free agent this summer.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Blake Griffin, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, continued his resurgence with another strong defensive outing against Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 2, Brian Lewis of the New York Post notes. The Nets big man only took four shots, making three, after his 18-point, 14-rebound performance in Game 1. “He always plays with that good energy, fire to him,” Brown said. “They counted him out at the beginning of this year, so he’s got something to prove.”
- Sixers coach Doc Rivers has compiled a series of video clips to demonstrate to the league that Ben Simmons doesn’t get a fair shake when guarding smaller players, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “You should never be penalized for playing straight, solid, legal, physical defense,” Rivers said. Rivers has an ulterior motive to lobby for Simmons since the Sixers would prefer to have him guard the Hawks’ top scorer, Trae Young, during the conference semifinals.
- The Raptors have enough versatile defenders to get by without a traditional center, Eric Koreen of The Athletic argues. Finding a big man with athleticism and agility should be the priority, with a free agent such as JaMychal Green, Daniel Theis, Richaun Holmes or Nerlens Noel filling that need.
Blake Griffin doesn’t look “resurgent” he looks like he’s playing his last games of basketball and is playing recklessly, as if he’s trying to hurt himself, which historically has been an easy thing to do. He clearly wants to leave it all out there, win a chip, then retire.
Or maybe with so much space on the floor, and him playing the position he should have been all year, he actually fits
I think that is his usual style, being a bully-boss and happily getting beat up in response… Even,in Oklahoma… and thus gets his share of dislike!
Losing Harden helps Brooklyn, with Bruce Brown finally starting, which I’ve campaigned for since the offseason
Really wish Simmons would attack the paint more offensively. Atlanta has nobody that should be able to guard him, and whenever he did attack the paint in game 1, which was very rare, good things happened. Obviously, Doc Rivers doing as expected, leaving important pieces on the bench hurt (shockingly those guys helped them win game 2), but they need Simmons to score in this series, in a favorable matchup for him
Simmons only attacked in the 3rd Qtr, then it seemed to be Maxey’s turn in the fourth. Rivers seems to be rotating the team leader on purpose. Not sure if that’s the best idea… He doesn’t seem to have brought the 6ers together, but maybe that was an impossible ask. With Simmons “turned on”, the pace was frenetic, but there was no clear points advantage.
I can see Atlanta tonight tried to give TraeY an on-court rest, with Huerter as this games’ leader. This got announcer comments. Did not work, tied 1-1.
IDK what PHL is set up to do best. Fun to warch, if only to compare.
Can’t believe Bucks got rocked. Really thought they would make run this yr. There is no excuse for this kind of blowout. In The Playoffs ….. (hearing Colts coach “Playoffs” Playoffs!!!!). I screamed fire coach after last yrs Bubble performance. Getting out coached by Spoelstra. If they lose to Nets without Harden. They should all be fired. Seriously do Bucks know what time it is. Is time to go home and watch the NBA Finals.
Geeezzz Deer Fear the Playoffs …..
The Bucks get two days off to let the loss sink in.
It’s funny how the aforementioned Jim Mora went 7-1 during the postseason as a head coach in the USFL before going 0-6 during the “playoffs” as a coach in the NFL.