Sean Marks

Atlantic Notes: Atkinson, Tucker, Thomas, Knicks

March 9th, 2017 at 7:10pm CST by Milo Taibi

Chris Mannix of The Vertical spoke with Nets coach Kenny Atkinson about the team’s rebuild; a process Atkinson admitted can be overwhelming.

“I look at it like I deserve … like I deserve to start at the bottom. This is how it should be. I shouldn’t be handed some prime job,” Atkinson said. “I really believe that I have to pay my dues, and it’s great. It’s funny the situation we are in, without our picks, we never use that as a crutch. We never talk about the past. We’re talking about getting better in the here and now, and getting better in the future.”

Atkinson certainly has paid his dues; the Nets are currently 11-52, having won just 3 of 34 Eastern Conference games. Atkinson discussed the vision he shares with GM Sean Marks.

“Sean and I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy task,” Atkinson said. “We needed guys that were going to be able to keep pushing through and guys with high character that, despite the won-loss record, they’re going to come in here with a smile on their face and keep working their tails off, and that’s exactly what we’ve gotten from one to 15. We push these guys pretty hard, but everyone wants to be coached, accepts coaching. That attitude, that work ethic, that’s eventually going to pay off.”

Nets Notes: Lopez, Lin, Dinwiddie, Nicholson, McDaniels

February 24th, 2017 at 10:43pm CST by Milo Taibi

Nets GM Sean Marks spoke to the press about Brooklyn’s trade deadline activity. While the team held onto Brook Lopez and Trevor Booker (each of whom have another year left on their contract), Marks was involved in a few lower-profile transactions.

“We’re very familiar with Andrew [Nicholson]…he’s a system fit for us,” Marks said. “He’s a stellar young man and another guy with high character and that’s exactly we’re trying to do.”

The Nets acquired Nicholson along with a first-round pick and Marcus Thornton (who was subsequently waived) in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic and Chris McCullough. Bogdanovic performed well for the 9-47 Nets, but was a restricted free agent-to-be, and was dealt for an invaluable draft pick. Marks spoke about his team’s position in the upcoming draft.

“Now having two first round picks, it all helps,” Marks said. “It helps give us another vehicle where were can be systematic with the draft and see what happens. We obviously value the draft or we wouldn’t have done it. It’s about being strategic and having two picks now gives us an opportunity to move up with those picks, you can hold them where you are if your players are there at the time.”

Atlantic Notes: Jackson, Okafor, Atkinson, Ibaka, Porzingis

February 19th, 2017 at 2:19pm CST by Milo Taibi

Knicks legend Willis Reed had an interesting take on the team’s leadership woes. The Hall of Famer suggested Phil Jackson take the helm as head coach, replacing Jeff Hornacek.

“Unfortunately for us as Knicks fans, if Phil Jackson had been coaching all year, we would’ve won more games,’’ Reed told Marc Berman of The New York Post. “His toughness and ability to make guys concentrate, that’s what I loved about him as a coach. He got guys to play harder and smarter…He’s got a history with Kobe, Jordan and Shaquille and made them champions.”

Reed was critical of Jackson’s inability to find a suitable head coach during his run as Knicks president, citing Mike Woodson, Derek Fisher, Kurt Rambis, and Hornacek as disappointments. Jackson’s most recent season as a head coach came with the Lakers in 2010/11, in which L.A. finished with a 57-25 record.

Nets GM: Lin’s Setback Won’t Alter Plans

January 23rd, 2017 at 8:52pm CST by ChrisCrouse

GM Sean Marks said Jeremy Lin‘s latest setback won’t change the Nets‘ future plans nor will it increase the chances that the team deals Brook Lopez before the deadline, Brian Lewis of the New York Post tweets. Lin will miss an additional three-to-five weeks after re-aggravating his strained hamstring during a rehab assignment.

The point guard signed a three-year, $36MM deal with Brooklyn during the offseason, but he’s only been able to play in 12 games because of his hamstring troubles. He’s averaging 13.9 points and 5.8 assists in 25.0 minutes per game this season.

Lopez has been the subject of trade rumors for practically his entire tenure in Brooklyn. The Nets would obviously like to evaluate how Lopez and Lin – the team’s two highest-paid players – coexist on the floor, but Lin’s injury has made that difficult to accomplish. The Lopez-Lin pairing has played only 179 minutes together this season and the team has been outscored by 14 points while the duo was on the court.

Lopez has one more year remaining on his deal after this season and the Nets are reportedly looking for at least two first-round picks in exchange for the big man. The Stanford product is averaging 20.5 points and a career-high 2.7 assists per game while shooting 47.0% on the season.

Atlantic Notes: Raptors, Patterson, Lin, Marks

December 11th, 2016 at 9:02am CST by Arthur Hill

The Raptors continue to enjoy the benefits of the Rudy Gay trade from 2013, writes Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Sun. Three years ago, Toronto sent Gay to Sacramento, along with Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray in exchange for Chuck Hayes, Patrick Patterson, John Salmons and Greivis Vasquez. Since then, the Raptors have the fourth best record in the NBA, while the Kings haven’t challenged for a playoff spot. While none of the players Toronto received turned into stars, the deal created greater opportunities for DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, who have become one of the league’s best backcourts. “I don’t think anybody expected it, even us players, but the unexpected is always the best,” Patterson said. “I think everyone is happy and proud of how far along we have come.”

There’s more this morning from the Atlantic Division:

Patterson has become what he calls “a multi-faceted glue guy” for a team that again leads the division, notes Tom Ziller of SB Nation. Patterson is valuable because he can guard power forwards and centers, but is also a threat from 3-point range. A free agent next summer, the 27-year old is averaging 7.7 points and 6.0 rebounds in 23 games, all as a reserve. “Throughout my life being able to cope, to change, and to adjust and being in the NBA it’s the same exact thing,” Patterson said. “You have your superstars. You have your No. 1 and No. 2 and then the rest of the guys you have to figure out how to be effective and cause change in the game. That’s what I learned throughout the years.”
Nets coach Kenny Atkinson doesn’t plan to grant Jeremy Lin‘s wish to play 40 minutes in his first game back from a hamstring injury, relays Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Lin returned to practice Friday and hopes to be ready for game action soon. Brooklyn has gone 4-13 without him and has sunk near the bottom of the East. “I’d be expecting a minute restriction,’’ Lin said. “We just wanted to make sure everything is strengthened, not just to back where it was but above and beyond where it was, so I don’t ever have to deal with it again.”
Nets GM Sean Marks is leaning heavily on his background with the Spurs as he tries to build the organization, according to NetsDaily. About a quarter of the staffers the former San Antonio GM has hired since taking over in Brooklyn previously worked for the Spurs.

Atlantic Notes: Nets, Raptors, Valanciunas

December 6th, 2016 at 10:05pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The Nets pursued several restricted free agents since Sean Marks took over as the team’s GM, but they weren’t able to land any of their targets. Marks said the team’s failures will not deter the franchise from pursing those types of players in the future, as Net Income of SB Nation writes.

“The fact that we have cap space, and the cards have fallen the way they have, we’ll obviously continue to try and be as aggressive and creative as we can in building this team; and if that means going through restricted free agency, that’ll be the path we go through,” Marks said.

Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:

Marks added that the Nets won’t necessarily limit themselves to picking up a point guard if they makes any additions despite the lack of proven options on the roster, Anthony Puccio of SB Nation relays (Twitter link).
Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Sun isn’t convinced that Jonas Valanciunas is a good fit with the Raptors. The scribe argues that the big man’s value lies in his offensive production, but his talents are being wasted with Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan taking on such large roles. Wolstat adds that Paul Millsap would be an ideal target should the team look to make a trade.
The Raptors wouldn’t be strong fit for DeMarcus Cousins, Wolstat contends in the same piece. Wolstat believes the team could only offer Cousins a role similar to the one it offers Valanciunas, which Cousins would likely scoff at.

New York Notes: Rose, Kilpatrick, Marks

December 3rd, 2016 at 1:14pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Derrick Rose said he hopes to spend the rest of his career with the Knicks and he “would be cool” with an in-season contract extension, Marc Berman of The New York Post writes. “[A contract extension] would let me know I’m playing the way they want me to play and I’m on the right track. But if not, I haven’t heard anything. So I’m not thinking about it,” Rose said. The 28-year-old went on to praise the organization’s atmosphere and environment . “As for my future, who knows? I’ll have to wait but I’d love to be here though,’’ Rose added.

Here’s more from New York:

Sean Kilpatrick has thrived this season for the Nets and and coach Kenny Atkinson believes the guard plays a certain way because he came from the D-League, Tom Dowd of NBA.com passes along. “Sean has a chip, there’s no doubt about it. I think there’s an angry chip and a healthy chip, and his is healthy. It’s in a good spirit,” Atkinson said. “He’s not putting anybody down, but he feels like he didn’t get what he deserved. His personality is such that he keeps that chip on his shoulder. Every practice he’s trying to prove himself. I don’t think it’s sunk in, you’re an NBA player now. But I love that he has that chip.”
Kilpatrick said that Nets GM Sean Marks gave him confidence by telling him to simply go out and play, Dowd relays in the same piece. “Just go out there and play your game. Honestly, I think it’s something that every player in the league will want to hear. When you have a GM like that who really has supreme confidence in you it gives you a lot more confidence personally.”
The Long Island Nets, Brooklyn’s D-League affiliate, are playing their games in the Barclays Center this season and the franchise is thrilled about the convenience, Filip Bondy of The New York Times writes. “We’re fortunate to have the D-team based in our building,” Marks said. “Our coaching staff watches them. Our coaching staff watches them. Our front office is able to watch practices. They’re really under our noses”

Atlantic Notes: Rose, Brown, Marks, Celtics

November 13th, 2016 at 7:21pm CST by Arthur Hill

There are indications that Knicks point guard Derrick Rose is getting frustrated with his new team, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. Rose, who was acquired from the Bulls in an offseason trade, had promised to wait 20 games to judge the team, but a 3-6 record and a dreadful defense are testing his patience. “Losing hurts, period,” Rose said. “I’ve never been a loser in my life. We got to figure ways out, we’re getting closer. We’re getting a lot closer, but the effort we have, we got to have that effort throughout the entire game.”

There’s more out of the Atlantic Division:

Sixers coach Brett Brown should be safe for the rest of the season, says Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders. In a video interview, Kennedy said Brown won’t have to be overly concerned about wins and losses until the first year that all the young players are healthy and the front office believes the team has a shot at the playoffs.
Nets GM Sean Marks deserves an A-plus for changing the culture in Brooklyn, according to NetsDaily. The web site grades every significant move that Marks has made since taking over the position in February. The conclusion is that Marks has the organization headed in the right direction and it might be much more attractive to free agents next summer.
Both draft-and-stash players that the Celtics picked up in this year’s draft are off to good starts overseas, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE. Sixteenth pick Guerschon Yabusele is averaging 16.0 points and 9.4 rebounds for the unbeaten Shanghai Sharks, while 23rd pick Ante Zizic leads the Adriatic Basketball Association in scoring with 23 points per game and rebounding at 9.0. The Celtics wanted both players to spend a year overseas before being re-evaluated in the offseason.

Marks, Atkinson On: Lin, LeVert, Lopez

September 21st, 2016 at 9:00am CST by Eddie Scarito

With the Nets set to open their training camp on September 7th, Nets GM Sean Marks and new head coach Kenny Atkinson addressed members of the media on a number of topics regarding the team and its season ahead. Here are some of the highlights from Tuesday’s press conference (h/t Cory Wright of NBA.com for the transcription):

On how the team will measure its progress moving forward:

“The season won’t be measured entirely by wins and losses,” Marks said. “It’ll be measured by the progress that’s made throughout the season and the buy-in from our players. Our goals aren’t necessarily six months down the road goals. It’s this next block of five games and asking did we improve from the last block of five games. Hopefully with all the interaction the coaches will have throughout the year and the performance staff, you’ll see guys’ bodies improve, physical abilities improve and also the way they play the game.”

“The fans, media and everyone around the team will see a team that’s building, improving, competing at a high level every night,” Atkinson added. “Individual improvement and our young players are getting better. We are interested in advanced stats, so we’ll see improvements in statistics in areas we think are important and the style we want to play.”

On the status of 2016 first-rounder Caris LeVert, who is still recovering from offseason foot surgery:

“Caris is progressing well,” Marks said. “We’ll be progressing him slowly and building him in and hopefully has a long career ahead of him. He’s a guy that we’re certainly going to monitor.”

On Jeremy Lin, who the front office feels is ready to be a leader on the team:

“He came off the bench in Charlotte last year and did a heck of a job, but this is a different deal here,” Atkinson said. “You’re kind of the quarterback, the Eli Manning, those guys have a different level of responsibility and that’s new to him. He can be a darn good defender with his athleticism and his competitiveness and I think he feels a little slighted that he’s not considered a better defender, so we need to hold him accountable there. There’s a lot of things, but the last thing is make this team work, make it work on the offensive end and make sure everyone’s touching it and get that right feel of where we have balanced scoring and a balanced team. It’s a heck of a challenge, but he’s prepared for it, I think it’s the right time of his career and I think he’s smart enough and will grow into being a better leader as this thing goes on.”

On how the team expects to play, with the focal points being defense, sharing the ball and taking uncontested shots:

“Down the line there’s certainly a feel for how we’d like to play, simply from our backgrounds – San Antonio and Atlanta,” Marks said. “An unselfish style of play, don’t take contested shots, move the ball, make the extra pass. A lot of it will be predicated on what the roster looks like, you can’t say we’re only going to be a 3-point shooting team if you also have to involve Brook Lopez down there. Kenny will argue that Brook will shoot the corner 3 as well. We’ll be flexible, but he’s the guy with the system.”

“Emphasize team defense,” Atkinson added. “It’s not easy to overachieve in the NBA, but if there is a way to do it, we can do it with good team defense. On the offensive side it’s the same thing, we’re going to have to share the ball, we’re going to have to hopefully be a high-assist team that plays together.”

On the continuing development of Brook Lopez:

“The first thing we’re going to do is to challenge him defensively to improve,” Atkinson said. “Rebounding – I know that’s been a thing in the past – pick and roll defense and we have to find the right scheme that fits him. Offensively – I think it’s with all of these guys – become even more efficient than you are. Taking better shots, getting to the rim more, mixing in some 3-point shots to balance your game… We’re going to challenge to improve in those areas and again that fit our style of play and we do believe that he can take another step.”

New York Notes: Holiday, Knicks, Booker, Nets

September 3rd, 2016 at 10:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

Headed to his fifth team in four years, Justin Holiday wants to show the Knicks that he’s more than a throw-in from the Derrick Rose trade, relays Marc Berman of The New York Post. Holiday, a 6’6″ shooting guard, divided last season between the Hawks and Bulls, moving in February after a three-team trade that also involved the Jazz. Holiday said he started to feel comfortable in Chicago after the deal, appearing in 27 games, starting four and averaging 6.5 points per night. However, the 27-year-old brother of the Pelicans’ Jrue Holiday found himself on the move again with the June trade to New York. “As far as talent goes, I think we’re one of the more talented team tins his league, especially in the East,” Holiday said of the Knicks. “Hopefully we do some stuff [the Warriors] did.’’ Holiday was a reserve on the Golden State team that won the NBA title in 2015.

There’s more NBA news tonight out of New York:

The Knicks may not live up to Rose’s “super team” designation, but they raised their talent level considerably this offseason, writes A.J. Neuharth-Keusch of USA Today. New York’s addition of Rose, Joakim Noah and Brandon Jennings makes the team interesting, but their collective injury history limits the Knicks’ offseason grade to a B-minus.
The Nets are counting on Trevor Booker to help replace the production lost when Thaddeus Young was traded to the Pacers, according to NetsDaily. Brooklyn signed the former Utah power forward to a two-year, $18.5MM deal shortly after free agency began. The 6’8″ Booker averaged 5.9 points and 5.7 rebounds with the Jazz last season, and he will be counted on to help improve the Nets’ interior defense.
The Nets might be in the worst position of any team in the league, writes Shaun Powell of NBA.com. Powell likes the additions of GM Sean Marks and coach Kenny Atkinson, as well as some of the other offseason moves, but cautions that it will take a long time to change the situation in Brooklyn.

Load More Posts