Tag: Brooklyn Nets

Pelicans vs. Nets Preview: Unofficially kicking off bubble play

For the first time in 136 days, the New Orleans Pelicans will take to the court on Wednesday in their first scrimmage against the Nets.

Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Brooklyn Nets

When: Wednesday, July 22, 7:00 p.m ET

How to watch: NBA TV

For the first time in 133 days, the Pelicans are set to take the floor together for an NBA contest. The last time New Orleans was set to play on March 11, only Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram took the floor as the season was in the midst of shutting down entirely. Officially, the last time the Pelicans played a game against another team was on March 8 against the Timberwolves, 136 days ago.

Wednesday marks the beginning of an entirely new era. The Pelicans will be among a handful of teams that will kick off play in the NBA’s bubble in Orlando. For a variety of reasons, gameplay in the bubble will be as oddly-fascinating as it’ll be important, at least in terms of seeding games.

One of the biggest on-court differences for Wednesday’s scrimmage will be a shortened game as teams will be playing in four 10-minute quarters, leading to a 40-minute game as opposed to the normal 48-minute game.

Both sides will be having a feeling out process to different degrees as well. The Pelicans will be without Zion Williamson, but the Nets have one of the most decimated rosters in the league as they do a lot more than feeling out in their scrimmages.

More than anything, though, Wednesday marks a return to some form of normal as the NBA is finally coming back.

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How to watch Nets’ first scrimmage in Disney bubble

The Brooklyn Nets are finally getting back to game action. They will play their first scrimmage in Disney World on Wednesday.

Wednesday, July 22 marks the return of live NBA basketball. Even though the games are just scrimmages to warm up for the eight-game seeding schedule, these contests mark a big step for American professional sports as the NBA, MLB and NHL try to play amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of course, that’s all big-picture stuff. For Brooklyn Nets fans, it’s time to watch Caris LeVert and company go to work; time to see who will stick around when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are ready to go in 2020-21.

Brooklyn’s first scrimmage in Disney World starts at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Just like normal regular season games, the Nets game will be broadcast on YES Network.

Before the game starts, YES will air their “Brooklyn Nets Restart Special” at 6:30 p.m., which will include the following:

  • Interviews with Nets general manager Sean Marks, head coach Jacque Vaughn and players Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Joe Harris, Garrett Temple, Dzanan Musa and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, as well as new additions Jamal Crawford and Tyler Johnson
  • Nets roster segment broken down by YES’ Nets broadcasting team Ian Eagle and Sarah Kustok
  • Preview of the Nets schedule, team goals and the league-wide reaction to the NBA campus
  • Segment on what the Black Lives Matter movement means to Nets players and the organization

Nets fans looking to watch the game out of market can do so on NBA TV, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.

Mountain West Alumni In NBA Bubble

Ten Mountain West basketball alumni are inside the Disney World NBA bubble as the 22 teams are getting ready for the 2019-20 season to resume.

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Mountain West alumni in the NBA bubble

Five Mountain West schools will be represented as the NBA resumes

Contact/Follow @cisabelg & @MWCwire

The NBA is getting ready for a restart at the end of this month with the 22 teams that made it into the bubble in Florida. Among the players who made the trip are 10 Mountain West alumni representing five schools in eight NBA teams.

JaVale McGee – Los Angeles Lakers 
Nevada Wolf Pack (2006–2008)

Before the season was paused, McGee was proving to be a valuable asset for the Lakers, the team that currently sits at the top of the Western Conference with a 49-14 record. 

He’s played in 61 games this season. In the 16.8 minutes he is averaging, the 7’0 center is getting 6.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. Before the pause, he was shooting at 64.0% from the field and 50.0% from beyond the arc.

McGee has asthma, and was even hospitalized with pneumonia for three days in 2018. However, he has made it known that he feels the organization will take the necessary precautions to keep him and others safe in the bubble.

 

Kawhi Leonard – Los Angeles Clippers
San Diego State Aztecs (2009–2011)

Leonard delayed his trip to Orlando due to family matters but he has arrived and participated in his first practice on July 13. 

He is eight overall in the league in scoring this season with an average of 26.9 points per game. He is also contributing 7.3 rebounds and 5 assists per game to his team. His talent is obvious, the main question is his health. Leonard is known for load management, and was struggling with an old knee injury when the NBA was suspended.

During media availability on July 13 head coach Doc Rivers said he didn’t expect limits on Leonard because “Kawhi is healthy, for the most part” but that they were still going to be smart about how they maintained him and the rest of the players to get to the playoffs with a healthy team.

Paul George – Los Angeles Clippers
Fresno State Bulldogs (2008–2010)

Like Leonard, George wasn’t fully healthy when the world of sports stopped turning. He was recovering from offseason surgery on both shoulders but the last four months have given that recovery some extra time.

George is the Clippers’ second highest scorer, contributing 21.0 points. 5.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.

The Clippers are No. 2 in the Western Conference standings, just below the Lakers, a team the Clippers have already beat twice this season. The two LA teams will face off on the first day of reopening. 

Brandon Clarke – Memphis Grizzlies
SJSU Spartans (2015–2017)

This is Clarke’s first season in the NBA. He has appeared in 50 games, averaging 12.0 points 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. The 6’8 power forward suffered a quadriceps injury late February, but the four-month break gave him time to recover so he can finish his rookie season on the court.

Memphis will reopen the season with a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on July 31. When the Grizzlies beat Portland on Feb. 12, Clarke tied his season-high 27 points by going 12-of-14 from the field. That wasn’t completely out of character because he has been shooting at 62.3% this season.

 

Zylan Cheatham New Orleans Pelicans
San Diego State Aztecs (2015–2017)

Cheatham went undrafted in 2019 but his participation with the Pelicans during Summer League that year helped him sign a two-way contract with the team.

The rookie has only appeared in three games for the Pelicans so far, but he’s had good experience with Erie, the Pelican’s G-League affiliate. In 34 appearances there he averaged 16.2 points and 11.6 rebounds. 

Patrick McCaw – Toronto Raptors 
UNLV Rebels (2014–2016)

McCaw has won three championship rings in his first three seasons in the NBA. He’ll continue chasing a fourth one alongside the Raptors, the team that has surprised the league by reaching second place in the Eastern Conference even without Kawhi Leonard.

McCaw has seen the court in 37 games this season, with an average of 4.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. The Raptors had all 17 roster members go into the bubble. The players and other members of the organization have been in Florida since June 22.

Paul Watson – Toronto Raptors
Fresno State Bulldogs (2013–2017)

Watson started the season with Raptors 905, Toronto’s G-League affiliate, averaging 18.4 points and 7.2 rebounds in 13 games. It took almost three years after graduating from Fresno State, but Watson finally made his NBA debut with the Atlanta Hawks early January thanks to a 10-day contract.

After he was released by the Hawks, Watson signed a two-way deal with Toronto on Jan. 15. 

Derrick Jones Jr.– Miami Heat
UNLV Rebels (2015–2016)

Jones tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after the NBA began mandatory testing in preparation for the resumption of the season. The 23-year-old never reported any symptoms and he was cleared in time to travel to Florida with the rest of his team.

Jones has played in 51 games this season, averaging 8.9 points and 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.

Tyler Johnson Brooklyn Nets
Fresno State  (2010–2014)

Johnson is new to the Nets. The 6’4 guard signed with the team late June, but he brought plenty of experience with him. He appeared in 31 games with the Phoenix Suns earlier this season, averaging 5.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 16.6 minutes per game.

He has registered a combined 301 career games with the Suns and the Miami Heat.

Khem Birch – Orlando Magic
UNLV (2012–2014)

Birch was re-signed by the Magic in 2019, a two-year deal. The 6’9 center is not a scorer, but he is a valuable role player. Head coach Steve Clifford asked the 27-year-old to go way outside his comfort zone this season. Injuries were affecting the team and as a result, Birch was asked to play as starting power forward. 

The NBA is beginning scrimmages on July 22, and the Magic will get a good look at where they are at by having their first game be against the Clippers.

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Jamal Crawford confident in his hoop skills as restart approaches

Nets guard Jamal Crawford will bring a veteran voice to Orlando for the NBA’s restart.

Brooklyn Nets guard Jamal Crawford is battling the noise and the doubters, but what he sees is the hooper he’s still capable of being.

Crawford released an interview with The Players’ Tribune, and he spoke about the different stages of his career, likening them to albums musicians have over the course of their careers. Crawford, 40, is at a stage that would be the end for most players, but he feels he can still ball out:

In my heart of hearts, I’m like, I know I’m still the same player. I know at this age you’re not supposed to be the same player, but I know I am. That’s why that last month was so huge. Besides the 51-point game off the bench, right? I averaged 31 points in the month of April. That’s my highest scoring month of my career, in 19 years.

Crawford was speaking of his season with the Phoenix Suns during the 2018-19 campaign. He scored 51 points off the bench as the Suns lost 120-109 to the Dallas Mavericks. In four April games, he scored 31.3 points per game and shot 55.1% from the field.

A three-time Sixth Man of the Year winner, Crawford’s ability to quickly score will make him valuable for Brooklyn.

The Nets need all the offensive help they get, with Caris LeVert now being the No. 1 option. Crawford will be another important player in the team’s offense, with his mesmerizing handles helping him dissect defenders.

During his career, Crawford has scored 14.6 points per game, dished 3.4 assists a game and shot 41.0% from the field.

Brooklyn will be without Kevin Durant (right Achilles rehab), Kyrie Irving (right shoulder), DeAndre Jordan (opted out after testing positive for COVID-19), Nicolas Claxton (left shoulder), Wilson Chandler (chose to opt-out), Taurean Prince (won’t play after testing positive for COVID-19) and Spencer Dinwiddie (won’t play after testing positive for COVID-19).

With Crawford there as a veteran voice, he could help the Nets stay levelheaded in an environment no one in the league has ever experienced.

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Lob City: LeBron James and Lakers one of the NBA’s most prolific lob squads

In a recent article from Bryan Kalbrosky, we see how prolific LeBron James has been at throwing lobs this season.

LeBron James led the NBA in assists this season before the hiatus, averaging a career-high 10.5 assists per contest. And a significant part of his prolific assist numbers has been the lob, utilizing the dunking talents of Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee.

Only Brooklyn’s Spencer Dinwiddie had more assists on lob plays, according to research from HoopsHype’s Bryan Kalbrosky related to reports that Rudy Gobert has often worn on his teammates due to complaints he doesn’t get enough lobs from Donovan Mitchell. LeBron’s work has mostly been with Anthony Davis, with 34 lobs together, but he’s also delivered over 20 lobs each to McGee and Howard, who have alternated at the center spot for most of the season.

While James has always been an excellent passer, he’s taken it upon himself to play a more traditional point guard role. He has still been a great scorer as well, averaging almost 26 points per game, but his playmaking and ability to set up others has been a crucial part of the Lakers’ success this season. And if the Lakers are to have success in the postseason, he will need to keep doing it, especially in light of the injury to Rajon Rondo.

Brooklyn Nets sign Alabama’s Donta Hall for rest of 2019-2020 season

Former Alabama forward Donta Hall was signed by the Brooklyn Nets for the rest of the 2019-2020 season.

Former Alabama forward Donta Hall was signed by the Brooklyn Nets for the rest of the 2019-2020 season.

According to the Nets, “Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.”

Hall was also named to the NBA G League’s All-Rookie team.

In February, Donta was called up to the NBA’s Detroit Pistons for a 10-day contract. He played in four games.

In his first game for the Pistons, he recorded 4 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist in the 15 minutes of play against the Denver Nuggets.

Hall has averaged 15.4 points in 36 games this season with the Pistons’ Grand Rapids affiliate in the G League. He shot 67 percent on field goals, while racking up 382 rebounds, 38 assists, 38 steals and 53 blocks.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you up to date on the very latest!

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The Brooklyn Nets’ roster is going to look completely different in the NBA restart

Say hello to the new-look Nets in the bubble.

The Brooklyn Nets are a tale of two rosters heading into the NBA restart.

Before the pause due to the coronavirus pandemic, they were the No. 7 seed in the East at 30-34, with Kyrie Irving — who missed all the games after Feb. 1 with a shoulder injury — leading the team in scoring, with some hope that next season, they could make a splash with Kevin Durant returning from his devastating Achilles tear and Irving coming back healthy.

But as the NBA returned neared, we kept hearing name after name of players who would be out.

Durant said he wouldn’t return for the bubble. Irving was already out for the rest of the season. There’s center DeAndre Jordan, point guard Spencer Dinwiddie and forward Taurean Prince who are all bowing out, all of whom tested positive for COVID-19. Wilson Chandler said “the health and well-being of my family has to come first.”

That’s led to some free-agent signings and changes on the depth chart.

Justin Anderson replaced Chandler, Tyler Johnson took Dinwiddie’s place, there’s a report vet Michael Beasley’s on board, and three-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford, who did this the last time he played in the NBA (a reminder that he’s now 40!):

As of Thursday afternoon, the depth chart looks something like this:

PG: Chris Chiozza, Tyler Johnson

SG: Joe Harris, Garrett Temple, Jamal Crawford

SF: Caris LeVert, Timothe Luwau-Cabarrot, Michael Beasley

PF: Rodions Kurucs, Dzanan Musa, Justin Anderson

C: Jarrett Allen

Even though the expectations weren’t that high for the Nets heading into the restart, it’ll be interesting to see how the team performs with all these changes.

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Report: Jamal Crawford agrees to terms with Brooklyn Nets for Orlando bubble

Jamal Crawford has found a home in the NBA. After four players were ruled out for Orlando, the Brooklyn Nets signed the shooting guard.

Jamal Crawford has found a home in the NBA.

The shooting guard agreed to sign with the Brooklyn Nets to play in the Orlando bubble, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

This comes after four Nets rotation players have declared they will not play in the tournament. Taurean Prince, DeAndre Jordan, Spencer Dinwiddie and Wilson Chandler will all miss out on Orlando, which creates extra strain on a team saddled with injuries to Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Nic Claxton.

Crawford is one replacement player who will step into a role with the team.

A longtime explosive offensive option in the NBA, Crawford found a niche this past decade as a sixth man off the bench. Since 2010, he has averaged more than 14 points per game and only started 40 of 729 contests.

While fans throughout the league have clamored for a team to sign him, the Nets aren’t getting that version of the star role player; over the past three seasons, Crawford’s production has dwindled.

Last year, with the Phoenix Suns, Crawford averaged 7.9 points on 39.7% shooting and 33.2% from deep. He wasn’t a productive player on the 19-win Phoenix team, and has remained unsigned since.

But there is still some juice in him: Crawford finished his Suns tenure with a 51-point outburst. Over the final three games, in which he played 34 minutes, 27 minutes and 38 minutes, respectively, he scored 28, 27 and 51 points on 52.9% shooting from the field and 50% from 3.

The Nets hope some of that productivity remains as they try to keep their hold on the seventh seed.

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Why the Orlando restart could be a turning point for Caris LeVert

Brooklyn Nets wing Caris LeVert has a great opportunity to prove he’s the franchise’s third star while in the Disney World bubble.

Brooklyn Nets wing Caris LeVert is waiting to erupt.

A four-year player out of Michigan, LeVert is nicknamed “Baby Durant” for a reason. LeVert’s ability to score in multiple ways is his greatest strength, and it’s going to make him the Nets’ undisputed best player as the franchise hurtles toward the NBA’s restart.

LeVert had surgery on his right thumb in November, and he didn’t return until January. He has played in 39 games this season, and he’s still managed to improve. This season, LeVert averaged a career-high 17.7 points per game and shot a career-best 38.1% from the 3-point line.

Spencer Dinwiddie, one of the Nets’ primary ball handlers, won’t play in Orlando after testing positive for COVID-19 again on Monday. Considering Dinwiddie was the lead guard, that responsibility will now go to LeVert.

And as a budding shot-maker, LeVert is more than capable of achieving success.

LeVert has increased his scoring numbers each season he’s been in the league. His field goal percentage numbers have decreased each season, but that’s in part because his number of field goal attempts has gone up each season. This season, he took a career-high 15.6 shots a game.

On top of that, he’s shown he’s capable of commanding an offense for stretches. LeVert has averaged 3.5 assists for his career, and he has dished 4.1 assists per game this season.

He had his first career triple-double March 6, when he scored 27 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished 10 assists as Brooklyn defeated the San Antonio Spurs.

LeVert will have to shoot about 20 shots because of how much offense the Nets will lack. Along with Dinwiddie, the Nets will also be without Kevin Durant (right Achilles), Kyrie Irving (right shoulder), DeAndre Jordan (elected to opt-out after testing positive for COVID-19), Nicolas Claxton (left shoulder) and Wilson Chandler (elected to opt-out) in Orlando.

Perhaps he can have a 50-point outburst in Orlando, just like when he scored a career-high 51 points against the Boston Celtics on March 3.

The Nets aren’t even going to make it out the first round in, assuming they secure a playoff spot.

Brooklyn, currently ranked seventh in the Eastern Conference, hasn’t officially earned a playoff berth. But the Washington Wizards are 5.5 games behind the Orlando Magic, and Bradley Beal isn’t coming to Orlando because of a shoulder injury. The Nets should be able to comfortably have a playoff spot by the time the seeding games finish.

Brooklyn isn’t a contender, but LeVert has a great opportunity to leverage himself as the clear third option for next season, when Durant and Irving are supposed to be back healthy.

A wing player with LeVert’s skill is the perfect complement for scoring dynamos in Durant and Irving.

LeVert doesn’t project as a No. 1 and No. 2 option right now — and the crazy thing is, he did well as Dinwiddie’s scoring partner. This season, he’s had the Nets’ third-highest usage percentage (27.7%), right behind Irving and Dinwiddie. The usage percentage is also a career-best for LeVert.

LeVert playing with Durant and Irving means he’s going to earn the easiest of shots. He could end up having the best efficiency of his career next season.

And despite the Nets’ slim chances to make it out of the first round, what’s more important is how the early part of the restart could be a pivotal time in the young wing’s development.

The stage will undoubtedly be LeVert’s.

Nets’ Disney bubble scrimmage schedule set

The Brooklyn Nets will play three scrimmages at Disney World before they begin their slate of seeding games.

Like the other 21 teams who are set to take part in the NBA’s restart of the 2019-20 season at Disney World, the Brooklyn Nets will play three scrimmages before their eight-game slate of seeding contests that will preface the 2020 NBA Playoffs.

On Saturday, the league released the scrimmage schedule for everyone. Although the Nets won’t play their first regular season game until the second day of seeding play (July 31), they will participate in the first day of scrimmages.

The Nets will get rolling on July 22 at 7 p.m. against Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans, after the Orlando Magic play the Los Angeles Clippers and the Washington Wizards face the Denver Nuggets.

Brooklyn gets back to work on July 25 against the San Antonio Spurs at 4:30 p.m. Then the Nets face the Utah Jazz in their third and final scrimmage on July 27 at 5:30 p.m.

The league did not announce where the games will be televised. Here’s the entire NBA 2019-20 scrimmage restart schedule:

RELATED: NBA restart schedule: Nets face Magic first