Nets guard Mike James stepped up in the absence of James Harden (hamstring) during the team’s Game 1 victory oevr Milwaukee, Jonathan Lehman of the New York Post writes.
James pitched in 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists off the bench in the win, shooting 5-of-11 from the floor in 30 minutes. The team will continue to rely on his production as it plays without Harden, who has already been ruled out for Game 2 on Monday.
“It’s happened to us all year where something’s happened, some sort of adversity, someone goes down and the next man’s up,” head coach Steve Nash said. “Mike, who would have thought before the game he’d play 30 minutes?
“Scored the ball, rebounded, made a few plays and hustled. It was great to see guys who haven’t been in the rotation get an opportunity, step up and play well.”
Here are some other notes from the Atlantic tonight:
- Despite making good progress this season, the playoffs showed that the Knicks must continue making upgrades for the future, Steve Popper of Newsday writes. New York finished with the fourth-best record in the East at 41-31, though the team lost its first-round series against Atlanta in just five games.
- Alex Schiffer of The Athletic examines whether the Nets could continue to win without James Harden available. In addition to Mike James‘ strong play, Brooklyn also received solid production from Kevin Durant (29 points and 10 rebounds), Kyrie Irving (25 points and eight assists), and Blake Griffin (18 points and 14 rebounds), winning the contest 115-107.
- Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe explores where new Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens could turn to fill the team’s head coaching job. Boston will consider multiple candidates for the position — both internally and externally — as Stevens looks to find someone for his old role.
Knicks
4th best + significantly upgrade = 1st best
4th best + wrongfully upgrade = insane
Nah, even if they add a great FA like DeRozen they still won’t have the talent that Brooklyn has
Honestly what team has the talent the Nets have collected. I’m disappointed Aldridge couldn’t be a part of the Nets run to the Finals. Adding DeRozan would be a solid addition and move RJ to small forward. If Knicks somehow get another top 4 finish will be a great accomplishment.
Yeah I’m disappointed for Aldridge too but I bet he gets a ring if they win it. I’m sure though it won’t feel as special for him.
Yeah I don’t think this year was a fluke for the Knicks, I’m sure they will be a playoff regular for the next couple years at least.
Derozan would be the absolute worst move they could make. Do you guys watch basketball? He can’t shoot threes. Knicks need a PG and shooters.
Nope. Don’t watch basketball at all. You got me.
Do you even watch basketball? DeRozen avg. 7 assists a game. He can’t play PG but his playmaking and ball handling can help them. Also Knicks were 3rd in 3pt % in the league last year but 4th in attempts probably because had the slowest pace in the league. They are fine. They just need to either speed up or take more.
Kemba Walker and Nesmith for Kevin Love and Osman
Who says no?
Celtics have 16th pick this month to trade for a point guard
I would want Nesmith, but getting Kemba for more money than Kevin Love over the next two years while taking away playing time from an up-and-coming Garland doesn’t make too much sense. At least Love is filling a position of need compared to Kemba. Sooo Cavs I assume would say no.
Sillyman is on a trade Walker binge.
Fine with me, as long as they don’t trade him to Houston.
I sort of was too with Kemba until I realized I haven’t seen him do well in a while.
Why would any rational team take on Kemba’s contract??? Ok, the Cavs might … But the Celts would have to thrown in a lot more in terms of money and picks to offload him … He’s a mediocre NBA player at this point …
Yeah Cavs wouldn’t want him as I explained above. Throw in some first rounders though as you point out and there might be some traction there. Maybe
Is Kevin Love more than a mediocre NBA player though?
Steve Popper, pointing out the obv
I think Mark Jackson could be a really good surprised candidate.
First of all Stevens and Jackson are both men of faith haha.
Jackson is actually a really good coach and Steven Kerr did often give him some credit for laying the platform for the Warriors dynasty. Jackson is very smart, really knows his basketball and how to get the best out of players. Stevens will really respect that. Jackson particularly really knows defence and Boston ain’t bad in that area but with the likes of Tatum, Brown and Smart plus young Rob Williams he could make this team even better.
I just think it would be a really Brad Stevens type of hire and I actually think they would work well and he would get good results with this playing group
Really?
Wrong type of faith (beliefs) don’t count… so that point is mute, right?
I think with the moves Brooklyn made around the edges they could still win it even with Harden out, assuming Durant is 100%.
People forget, this team was supposed to be a contender when Kyrie and KD signed. Not absurd they could pull it off.
That’s true, especially with all the injuries other teams are dealing with themselves. If either Klay or KD hadn’t been injured two years ago then their team almost certainly would have defeated the Raptors.
That’s a given, IMO. The Warriors would have beat the Raptors if Thompson had not gone down. Trust me, I can’t stand Northern California in general, but the only reason the Warriors lost that championship was due to Thompson’s injury. Durant piggy-backed on their team’s success to win, but the loss of Thompson is what did them in.
Yeah but with Allen, Dinwiddie, LeVert. They should not beat Bucks without Harden.
Except the Bucks have folded in the playoffs during Giannis’s big years. Quite frankly, that guy needs to man up and dominate when it matters most. He doesn’t have the assets around him that Durant has, but, I agree, the Bucks should not lose with Harden out. I just question Giannis’s ability to take over.
Nets FO deserves credit for identifying James and prioritizing him over NBA vets on the buyout market. He’s played every role they’ve asked well, without any drama.
Bucks can’t lose to Nets without Harden. If they do I break them up fire coach. Teams today have no sense of urgency. Never seen the Bulls take anyone for granted. I guess that’s why they won six.
Best move Knicks can make for next yr. Is trade up the draft for Kuminga, Mitchell, or Giddey. What would it take to get that #5 pick. Kuminga and signing Dinwiddie works for me. Getting Luca might mean Quickly, Toppin will be moved. I give them up plus a pick for Kuminga. Mitchell could be had for Toppin straight up. He’s a PG who can start for us. I believe Knicks will try and move up draft for a player they like. This is a deep draft. We all know we need a traditional PG. And we need another scorer.
I thought it was pretty clear what NY needs. Upgrade at PG. A upgrade for 3nD. Maybe couple more shooters and maybe an offensive minded coach to assist Thibs