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Nets Notes: Jordan, Griffin, Durant, Big Three

April 9th, 2021 at 9:05am CST by Arthur Hill

Two big-name additions on the buyout market have cut into DeAndre Jordan‘s playing time, but the Nets aren’t considering buyout talks with the veteran center, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Jordan has played just 12 minutes in each of the last two games, with much of his time going to Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge. Even though Jordan has fallen down the rotation, Brooklyn appears content to keep him on the roster.

“It’s never been discussed,” one source told Lewis about the possibility of a buyout. “Nothing going on there,” another source added.

The 32-year-old center was part of the Nets’ 2019 free agent bonanza, joining the organization at the same time as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. He averaged 8.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game during his first season and was putting up similar numbers this year before Brooklyn added Griffin and Aldridge. Today marks the deadline that players must be waived to preserve their playoff eligibility with a new team.

“(Jordan’s) got to stay ready. Who knows when it might be? It might be Sunday. It might be in two weeks. But everyone’s got to continue to prepare and stay ready and see what happens,” coach Steve Nash said. “We’ve got a lot of centers. We’re going to work through it and see what our rotation is going to be come playoff time.”

There’s more on the Nets:

Griffin believes he benefited physically from the time he spent preparing to return to the court after signing with Brooklyn, Lewis adds in the same story. The Nets had him work his way back into condition before he began playing again, and he has looked more like his old self, with five dunks in his seven games with the team. “From top to bottom this organization does an unbelievable job of taking care of their guys and thinking of everything,” Griffin said. “Just being able to come here and take a couple of weeks and get with the performance staff and work on the things they wanted me to work on was huge.”
Durant was in top form Wednesday as he returned after a 23-game absence with a strained hamstring, notes Nick Friedell of ESPN. In 19 minutes, Durant made all five of his shots from the field and posted 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a blocked shot. “I expected to come out here and play the way I played,” he said. “I wasn’t trying to ease into the game. I just wanted to go out there and dive right into the action.”
Injuries to Durant, Irving and James Harden have limited their time playing together, which Nash admits is “not ideal” heading into the postseason, Lewis writes in a separate story. The three stars have only been available at the same time for seven games since Harden was acquired in January.

Health Updates: Harden, Durant, Drummond, More

April 1st, 2021 at 12:57pm CST by Luke Adams

The Nets announced today that James Harden, who left Wednesday’s game with hamstring tightness, has also been ruled out for Thursday’s contest vs. Charlotte. However, according to Shams Charania of Stadium (video link), the injury isn’t considered to be serious, and Harden will be day-to-day going forward.

Harden’s teammate, Kevin Durant, has been dealing with a more serious hamstring issue, having not played at all since February 13. But Charania says Durant is “closing in” on a return to action, adding that if this were the postseason, the star forward would already be playing. Durant still isn’t expected back until possibly sometime next week.

Meanwhile, Blake Griffin will rest on the second night of a back-to-back for injury management purposes, but the Nets will have their other buyout-market addition, LaMarcus Aldridge, available on Thursday for the first time, tweets Brian Lewis of The New York Post.

Here are a few more health updates from around the NBA:

Andre Drummond‘s debut with the Lakers didn’t exactly go as planned. The veteran center left the game with a right toe bruise, a diagnosis that understated how painful the injury was, as Dave McMenamin of ESPN writes. “I didn’t really think anything of it,” Drummond said, referring to a play where Brook Lopez stepped on his foot. “I came back in the second quarter and it was hurting a little bit more. And then after halftime, I finally took my sock off to look and my whole toenail was gone. So, it was just all bad from there. I couldn’t walk or run. So I just told Coach (Frank Vogel) to take me out.” Drummond is considered day-to-day.
Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova has yet to appear in a game this season due to a concussion and an appendectomy, but that may change on Thursday. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said on Wednesday that Dellavedova is close to being ready, and that he’s hopeful of a “Delly sighting” against Philadelphia, tweets Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
Suns big man Frank Kaminsky isn’t injured, but he’s on the shelf for now after being placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, writes Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.
As we relayed earlier today, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will remain sidelined through at least mid-April.

Nets Notes: Durant, Irving, Griffin, Johnson

March 21st, 2021 at 10:29am CST by Arthur Hill

The Nets will remain careful with Kevin Durant, who isn’t expected to return for another week or two, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Durant has already been sidelined for more than a month with a strained hamstring and Brooklyn doesn’t want to take any chances, considering that he recently returned from an 18-month absence caused by a ruptured Achilles.

Durant, who has missed 14 straight games, hasn’t played since February 13, and that appearance came after he sat out the previous week due to contact tracing. Lewis talked to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Laith Jazrawi, who said six weeks should be considered the minimum time needed to recover from a hamstring strain.

“It’s almost involved in every movement, every sort of twisting and cutting,” Jazrawi said. “So, it’s so hard to manage these patients, rest it or even rehab it because it’s just such a big muscle unit that resting it is almost impossible. It’s very difficult. Anytime you engage, do a sprint or cut quickly, the hamstrings fire.”

There’s more from Brooklyn:

Kyrie Irving is excited about what the Nets can be with the eventual return of Durant and the addition of Blake Griffin, writes Ryan Dunleavy of The New York Post. Griffin is listed as probable to make his debut with Brooklyn today and will be on a minutes restriction, tweets Malika Andrews of ESPN. “It’s just high-level talent out there,” Irving said. “So, when you can just prepare for the game and go over the X’s and O’s, you can look to your left and right and know the guys next to you have your back and you’re able to play at a high level offensively and defensively and make an impact. I look forward to it, for sure. As a competitor wanting to be on the main stage, we want all our guys healthy.”
After bouncing around the league for a couple of seasons, Tyler Johnson seems to have found a home as a three-point specialist in Brooklyn, writes Chris Milholen of NetsDaily. Johnson only plays about 15 minutes per night, but he’s connecting on a career-best 41.8% beyond the arc. “The shooting is the cherry on top but the rest of the stuff is what we love about Tyler,” coach Steve Nash said. “Just the competition, fight and energy.”
Alex Schiffer of The Athletic doesn’t expect general manager Sean Marks to be busy leading up to the trade deadline because the Nets don’t have many draft picks or young players left to offer. Schiffer believes the team will concentrate more on the buyout market and sees JaVale McGee as a better addition than Andre Drummond if both are bought out by the Cavaliers.

Blake Griffin Ready To Make Debut With Nets

March 20th, 2021 at 5:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

Nearly two weeks after signing with the Nets following a buyout with the Pistons, Blake Griffin will likely play his first game with his new team on Sunday, tweets Malika Andrews of ESPN. Brooklyn’s injury report lists Griffin as probable for tomorrow night’s game with the Wizards.

Griffin decided to join the Nets immediately after clearing waivers, but has been held out of the lineup for conditioning purposes. He hasn’t played since February 12, as Detroit kept him sidelined while trying to work out a trade. Brooklyn coach Steve Nash told reporters Friday that Griffin was close to being ready to play.

The 32-year-old forward appeared in 20 games this season for the Pistons and is averaging a career-low 12.3 points per game while shooting 36.5% from the field and 31.5% from three-point range. He played just 18 games last season before having surgery on his left knee.

Griffin talked about changing teams during an appearance Friday on “People (the TV Show!),” according to a Yahoo Entertainment story. He was promoting a new show, but the conversation also touched on basketball.

“It’s time for a change and I’m looking forward to it,” Griffin said. “It’s been great so far, and honestly I’m just looking forward to getting out there and competing and playing basketball.”

Atlantic Notes: Griffin, Nurse, Curry, Toppin

March 19th, 2021 at 10:47pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Blake Griffin is close to making his Nets debut, coach Steve Nash told the media on Friday (hat tip to NetsDaily.com). Griffin is traveling with the team on its current road trip. “He looks good, is improving, and is working hard off the floor as well,” Nash said. “I think he is addressing all of the things he needed to address to land safely back in the game and transition into our team, which is not always easy. … He has to adapt to the way that we play, new teammates, new system, and new style.”

We have more from the Atlantic Division:

Raptors coach Nick Nurse hinted that his team’s troubles go beyond COVID-19 related absences, Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports tweets. With OG Anunoby returning on Friday, the Raptors have all of the players who were under the league’s healthy and safety protocols back in action. Toronto lost to Utah on Friday, its seventh straight defeat, and Nurse seemed to indicate the team needs more help. “We’re getting our (butts) kicked at the rim on both ends, not rebounding,” he said. “I mean the ship has got holes all over the place that we’re trying to patch up.”
Sixers guard Seth Curry will miss at least two games due to a sprained left ankle, Derek Bodner of The Athletic tweets. He’ll be re-evaluated after Sunday’s game against New York. Philadelphia plays Sacramento on Saturday.
Knicks lottery pick Obi Toppin has seen his playing time drop in recent games, Barbara Barker of Newsday notes. Toppin has played single-digit minutes in his last four outings and has gone scoreless the last three games. Julius Randle has averaged 40 MPG over that stretch, which has led to Toppin’s lack of activity.

Atlantic Notes: Thompson, Griffin, Knicks

March 16th, 2021 at 6:20pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Celtics center Tristan Thompson will miss Tuesday’s game against Utah after being placed under the league’s health and safety protocols, Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston tweets. A number of Boston players, including stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, have sat out games this season for the same reason. Thompson played against Houston on Sunday, contributing eight points and 13 rebounds. He’s averaging 7.9 PPG and 8.4 RPG.

We have more from the Atlantic Division:

Blake Griffin is “healthy enough to play,” according to coach Steve Nash, but the Nets aren’t in any hurry to get the former All-Star forward back in action, Brian Lewis of the New York Post writes. Griffin’s debut with the club has been delayed as they focus on ensuring his surgically-repaired knee holds up. “We’re just trying to work on some of his physical deficiencies, to improve and help the knee, and also ramp up his activity so he can have a safer return to play,” Nash said. “So, we’ll just keep monitoring it, keep building, and we’ll have him back at some point here.”
Griffin’s desire for a ring is why he chose the Nets in free agency after getting bought out by Detroit and clearing waivers, he told ESPN’s Malika Andrews (hat tip to NetsDaily.com). “That’s my main goal: to win a championship,” he said. “After being in the playoffs and missing the playoffs through a certain period of time, that hunger stays alive and it grows. And that’s where I’m at. I know myself and I know what I can do, so, I’m just ready to get out there.”
The Knicks have the most current salary-cap space at $15.7MM as the trade deadline nears. What should they do with it? ESPN’s Bobby Marks and Kelvin Pelton take a closer look at what types of moves they could make before the deadline and during the offseason.

Atlantic Notes: Nets Rotation, Embiid, Barrett, Knicks

March 14th, 2021 at 1:41pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

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.

Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin Out Again For Nets

March 13th, 2021 at 10:58am CST by marksuleymanov

Nets superstar Kevin Durant (hamstring) will miss his 11th straight game on Saturday while new acquisition Blake Griffin (knee management) will also sit out Brooklyn’s tilt against the Pistons, the team announced.

As we relayed earlier in the week, Durant is set to undergo more tests on his injured hamstring next week to set a clearer timeline for his return. The 2021 All-Star has not played since Feb. 13 and head coach Steve Nash said the team will be cautious with its star player.

“He hasn’t played in a month,” Nash told reporters, including ESPN’s Malika Andrews. “So no matter what the scan says, there will still be an appropriate ramp-up time to make sure we put him in a position to finish the season strong.”

When healthy, Durant has performed at an MVP level, averaging 29.0 PPG and 7.3 RPG in 19 games.

As for Griffin, he has not played in nearly a month since he and the Pistons agreed to part ways. Nash said the team’s new acquisition needs time to ramp up back to game speed and should see action as a small-ball center who can space the floor with three-point shooting.

Atlantic Notes: Griffin, Knicks, Celtics, Raptors

March 12th, 2021 at 12:27pm CST by Ben Stinar

Blake Griffin came into the NBA as the high-flying athletic forward from Oklahoma who became a fan-favorite for his never-before-seen dunks. On the Clippers, he had over 1,000 dunks spanning from 2010-18, but this season he has zero dunks, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Griffin was an All-Star in 2019, averaging 24.5 PPG and 7.5 RPG. Since then, he has dealt with injuries that have slowed his athleticism even more.

“He’s had a history of knee issues, where he used to be a player who lived above the rim. He’s adapted and become a guy that handles the ball very well. He passes very well, he’s making threes. He’s adapted and changed his game,” Nets head coach Steve Nash said, per Lewis.

Griffin has not shot the ball well this season (36.5% FG, 31.5% 3P), but playing with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden, he is likely to get many more open shot attempts than he got in Detroit.

“We’ve got Joe in the corner and Ky in the corner. … We’ll have a ton of different options,” Nash said. “But Blake has developed his jump shot, so short rolling, he can knock that shot down.

Here’s more from around the Atlantic:

Rival teams around the NBA do not expect the Knicks to make a big splash at the trade deadline on March 25th, reports SNY’s Ian Begley. The Knicks, who currently sit as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, are more likely to make a smaller move to bolster their roster, with J.J. Redick believed to be among their potential targets. “I know they’re looking at all the possibilities,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said of the front office. “If something makes sense for us, we’ll do it. If not, I love the team that we have. I love the guys that we have on the team. We’ll just keep working with what we have and (team president) Leon (Rose) and Wes (senior executive William Wesley), they’re combing the league. (GM) Scott Perry, that’s their job.”
Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston takes a look at some trades that would make sense for the Celtics at the trade deadline. He looks at players such as Bulls forward Thaddeus Young, Cavs forward Larry Nance Jr. and Magic guard Terrence Ross.
Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri has a long history of winning trades, including the 2011 deal between the Nuggets and Knicks that sent Carmelo Anthony to New York and the one-year rental of Kawhi Leonard that landed the Raptors a championship. With the Raptors holding the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference, Dave Feschuck of the Toronto Star looks at what the future holds for the roster and for face of the franchise guard Kyle Lowry. “If I can look at a crystal ball, I will tell you,” Lowry said. “(But) I don’t know what the crystal ball says.”

USA Basketball Expands Finalist List for Olympic Roster

March 11th, 2021 at 11:31am CST by Arthur Hill

Fifteen players have been added to the list of finalists for the U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team, USA Basketball announced today in a press release. The group will eventually be pared down to 12 players who will participate in the Olympic Games, which are set for July 23 to August 8 in Tokyo.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will serve as coach for the U.S. team, with Warriors coach Steve Kerr, Villanova coach Jay Wright and former Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce as his assistants.

No tryouts will be held this year. Instead, USA Basketball will choose the final roster by early summer. Training camp is scheduled to being in early July before the conclusion of the NBA playoffs.

“With the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics from 2020 to 2021, it’s important that we continue to remain flexible and consider all players who can contribute to our efforts to field the best USA team possible,” USA Basketball men’s national team managing director Jerry Colangelo said. “These additions we are announcing today will help ensure that we are doing that. Having a larger player pool than what we normally have is critical because of all of the uncertainties we face about availability. But for USA Basketball to receive the commitment of so many outstanding players remains an indicator of the great honor of representing your country means to these men.”

The new names under consideration are:

Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers)
Eric Gordon (Rockets)
Jerami Grant (Pistons)
Blake Griffin (Nets)
Jrue Holiday (Bucks)
DeAndre Jordan (Nets)
Zach LaVine (Bulls)
Julius Randle (Knicks)
Duncan Robinson (Heat)
Mitchell Robinson (Knicks)
Fred VanVleet (Raptors)
John Wall (Rockets)
Zion Williamson (Pelicans)
Christian Wood (Rockets)
Trae Young (Hawks)

Forty-two players remain from the original list, which was announced in February 2020:

Bam Adebayo (Heat)
LaMarcus Aldridge (Spurs)
Harrison Barnes (Kings)
Bradley Beal (Wizards)
Devin Booker (Suns)
Malcolm Brogdon (Pacers)
Jaylen Brown (Celtics)
Jimmy Butler (Heat)
Mike Conley (Jazz)
Stephen Curry (Warriors)
Anthony Davis (Lakers)
DeMar DeRozan (Spurs)
Andre Drummond (Cavaliers)
Kevin Durant (Nets)
Paul George (Clippers)
Draymond Green (Warriors)
James Harden (Nets)
Montrezl Harrell (Lakers)
Joe Harris (Nets)
Tobias Harris (76ers)
Gordon Hayward (Hornets)
Dwight Howard (Sixers)
Brandon Ingram (Pelicans)
Kyrie Irving (Nets)
LeBron James (Lakers)
Kyle Kuzma (Lakers)
Kawhi Leonard (Clippers)
Damian Lillard (Blazers)
Brook Lopez (Bucks)
Kevin Love (Cavaliers)
Kyle Lowry (Raptors)
JaVale McGee (Cavaliers)
Khris Middleton (Bucks)
Donovan Mitchell (Jazz)
Victor Oladipo (Rockets)
Chris Paul (Suns)
Mason Plumlee (Pistons)
Jayson Tatum (Celtics)
Myles Turner (Pacers)
Kemba Walker (Celtics)
Russell Westbrook (Wizards)
Derrick White (Spurs)

Two players removed from that list are Warriors guard Klay Thompson, who is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, and Celtics guard Marcus Smart. Sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic that Smart turned down an invitation because of injury concerns due to having a short offseason and playing late into consecutive seasons (Twitter link).