According to ESPN, Irving was asked about how Wednesday night’s loss to a top team in the east, Philadelphia, reflects the room for growth for Brooklyn.
According to ESPN, Irving was asked about how Wednesday night’s loss to a top team in the east, Philadelphia, reflects the room for growth for Brooklyn.
According to ESPN, Irving was asked about how Wednesday night’s loss to a top team in the east, Philadelphia, reflects the room for growth for Brooklyn.
According to ESPN, Irving was asked about how Wednesday night’s loss to a top team in the east, Philadelphia, reflects the room for growth for Brooklyn.
Didn’t Kyrie Irving learn from some of what went wrong with him with the Boston Celtics the past couple of years?
Apparently not.
Let’s remember that Irving pointed fingers at younger players when things were going wrong with Celts, being a little too honest with the media instead of crafting answers that might motivate his teammates. He even later admitted he failed to be a good leader, and the hope was that he might have learned from his mistakes when he signed with the Brooklyn Nets.
But check out these comments from Wednesday after the Nets lost to the Philadelphia 76ers — their ninth in their last 13 contests — and see what they tell you:
Kyrie Irving was asked after tonight’s loss to Philly about this game against a top East opponent showing how much work the Nets still have to do in order to compete at the highest level while waiting for Kevin Durant to return. Here’s Irving’s answer: pic.twitter.com/NAqA4OvQk2
Here’s what “it’s pretty glaring we need one more piece or two more pieces” means to me: that Irving thinks the players who are on Brooklyn’s roster aren’t enough to win. That’s throwing his teammates under the bus (also, some people pointed out he didn’t mention names like Jarrett Allen or Joe Harris), the very same thing that got him into hot water in Boston.
Kyrie learned from calling out the weaknesses of his own team in Boston to…do the same in Brooklyn? https://t.co/sU1Ii776IY
here’s the thing about Kyrie: his statements aren’t usually wrong. they’re just harsh. but when you spend every moment making your teammates watch you dribble and listen to you explain why continuums caused The Big Bang, then tell them after they gotta go…facts dont matter. https://t.co/3Jibg6fM7F
He may be right — and also, one of those pieces next season will be Kevin Durant — but that’s not the point. You don’t tell the media that it’s “glaring” they need help. Leave that to the front office, and if you’re a superstar like Irving is supposed to be, lodge your complaints to the general manager privately.
Irving should have learned that kind of honesty with the media isn’t good for the locker room. The hope for the Nets is it doesn’t ruin the chemistry by next year when Durant returns.
Kevin Durant continues to rehab his right Achilles seven months after it ruptured during the 2019 NBA Finals.
Kevin Durant continues to rehab his right Achilles seven months after it ruptured during the 2019 NBA Finals. Tuesday evening, the two-time Finals MVP opened up about his mentality during rehabilitation.
Durant took over The Boardroom Twitter account, answering questions from fans.
Someone wrote in asking Durant about the hardest part of recovering from the injury, the fan explaining that he tore his own Achilles in August and was looking for perspective.
“Just the everyday grind, some days I get irritated by how slow the process is, some days I miss playing, some days I want to do more than I’m allowed,” Durant replied. “Then there’s the physical side, lifting weights and getting used to movement after 6 months off… It gets better every day but it’s good to have patience…Wishing u well on the road to recovery.”
The former Warriors star is not expected to take the court this season with the Nets (18-21), who he signed with during free agency.
Brooklyn head coach Kenny Atkinson recently evaluated Durant’s progress positively and may have given fans hope that the star is ahead of progress, but the coach reiterated last week that he doesn’t think there’s been any thought toward playing KD in the next few months.
Durant’s own insight Tuesday seems to say the same.
We are getting closer to a point in the NCAA and international seasons to get a better idea of what the 2020 NBA Draft class may look like.
We are getting closer to a point in the NCAA and international seasons to get a better idea of what the 2020 NBA Draft class may look like.
Midway through the campaign, it is nearly impossible to predict early entrant decisions. But as the board begins to materialize with a more clear indication of who could be a legitimate help to NBA teams next season, it is worth it to revisit a full mock draft factoring in where each team will be selecting.
Note that some highly-rated freshmen (e.g. Florida’s Scottie Lewis and Tre Mann, Florida State’s Patrick Williams, LSU’s Trendon Watford, Kentucky’s Kahlil Whitney as well as Duke’s Wendell Moore and Matthew Hurt) were not included because of their disappointing first-year campaigns. As such, they are likely to return to school for a sophomore season and improve their draft stock to where it once was.
Typically, selecting the best player available was the biggest factor though team fit was also carefully considered.
All stats are updated through January 14, 2020. The draft order is set via Tankathon on January 15, 2020.
1. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: LaMelo Ball, Illawarra Hawks
(Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
Guard, 6-foot-7, 18 years old
This is a draft where the No. 1 pick might not be selected in that position in prior classes. While there may not be a unanimous selection at this point in the season like Zion Williamson was last season, the youngest Ball brother arguably has the highest ceiling of anyone in this class. He was nearly putting up a triple-double each appearance against professional basketball players in the NBL, scoring 17.1 points with 7.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. He was not as accurate on his jumper as originally expected but he has also not a player who lacks confidence; expect him to keep shooting those and his three will develop over time. With his size and versatility on offense, he makes the most sense in the pole spot and his size would also allow him to guard bigger opponents, making him an option for nearly any team in the league even one as stacked as Golden State.
2. ATLANTA HAWKS: Anthony Edwards, Georgia
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Wing, 6-foot-5, 18 years old
Under head coach Tom Crean, the Georgia freshman has been a standout prospect. He is averaging 18.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game during his first collegiate season. But a lot of his output has been helped by his high usage rate. He is shooting just 28.1 percent on jump shots in a set offense, per Synergy, and is shooting just 24.6 percent off the dribble. He is also taking too many shots from deep midrange, shooting 25.8 percent on these looks. Fortunately, Edwards has been an above-average defender and is averaging 1.4 steals per game. The young star can stay in his hometown for this pick, too.
3. NEW YORK KNICKS: Killian Hayes, Ratiopharm Ulm
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Guard, 6-foot-5, 18 years old
Hayes has exceptional court vision and instincts as well as a true point guard mentality to create opportunities for his teammates. He is averaging 17.2 points and 8.3 assists per 36 minutes while facing professional talent in the Euroleague. He is also capable of creating his own shot off the dribble and many of his own buckets have been unassisted. As noted by Bleacher Report draft expert Jonathan Wasserman, the prospect is shooting 153-of-178 (85.9 percent) on free throws since the start of his 2018-19 campaign. Hayes has a very natural shooting stroke and is someone whose hype should continue to grow.
4. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Onyeka Okongwu, USC
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Big, 6-foot-9, 19 years old
The player who has helped his draft stock the most is Okongwu, who is putting up 16.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. He has 32 dunks so far this season, which ranks sixth-best among all NCAA players and can be one of the more immediately impactful lob threats in the NBA. The big man is 13-for-18 (72.2 percent) when rolling to the basket in pick-and-roll sets, which shows how he can fit into a pro scheme. On the defensive end, his block percentage (10.7 percent) trails just one player in college basketball this year. He would play a fantastic two-man game with Darius Garland and he can help their frontcourt depth with the likely departure of Kevin Love.
5. WASHINGTON WIZARDS: RJ Hampton, New Zealand Breakers
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Guard, 6-foot-5, 19 years old
The Washington Wizards are far from being close to a winning franchise but they do have extraordinary talent on the wing with Bradley Beal. If they add to that by selecting Hampton, who can develop under the leadership of Beal, the fans can sell some hope to a franchise that has gotten a taste of it with the impressive play of Rui Hachimura during his rookie campaign thus far. Like Hachimura, however, Hampton will need some time to develop.
6. DETROIT PISTONS: Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Guard, 6-foot-5, 20 years old
The Iowa State sophomore is one of the most polarizing prospects in recent memory. He is producing 16.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game so far this season. The guard has been a solid shooter, connecting on 41.3 percent of his attempts from three-point range. His assist rate (39.1 percent) ranks Top 5 among all underclassmen in the NBA. Haliburton also fits the bill as perhaps the lengthiest guard in this draft class, measured with a 7-foot wingspan. As a defender, the guard is averaging 2.6 steals per game and his steal rate (4.0 percent) ranks third-best in the Big 12. He seems like a perfect point guard of the future for the rebuilding Pistons, who don’t have much of a direction.
7. CHICAGO BULLS: James Wiseman, USA
(Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Big, 7-foot-1, 19 years old
The biggest reason why Wiseman is this high on draft boards is that he was the No. 1 overall player on RSCI, which combines all of the top high school rankings in the country. The other biggest factor is his massive size, notably his 7-foot-6 wingspan. While it will be hard to see what else he is able to add to his game while he is away from the NCAA following an incredibly brief stint with the Memphis Tigers, he can be an appealing development project. Much like Edwards in New York, the bright lights of Chicago would be an awesome way for Wiseman to start his professional career.
8. CHARLOTTE HORNETS: Isaac Okoro, Auburn
(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Wing, 6-foot-6, 19 years old
The hyperathletic freshman wing has shown a nice mix of offensive and defensive upside for his undefeated Auburn team, averaging 13.2 points with 4.5 rebounds per game. His jump shot is still a work in progress but he is finishing well near the basket, connecting on 65-for-88 (73.9 percent) for looks within five feet of the basket. As a defender, he is elite guarding the perimeter and has also averaged 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. They need a strong defender alongside their young backcourt and after hitting well on the PJ Washington selection, this could be another fantastic pick.
9. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: Obi Toppin, Dayton
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Forward, 6-foot-9, 22 years old
The New Orleans Pelicans are going to be a team likely defined by Zion Williamson for years to come. Much like Williamson, Toppin is a high-flyer who currently leads the NCAA in dunks with 3.2 per game. But he won’t clog the paint from the dunker spot as he is averaging 2.6 three-point shot attempts per game. When determining potential fits for the Pelicans, it is worth considering their ability in transition offense because of their schemes. As such, it is important to note Toppin is 27-for-38 (71.1 percent) on these opportunities.
10. SACRAMENTO KINGS: Vernon Carey, Duke
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Big, 6-foot-10, 18 years old
The Kings could continue their tradition of drafting big men from Duke by adding Carey to the mix. He would join Marvin Bagley and Harry Giles as former Blue Devils in the frontcourt for Sacramento. Carey has been an elite college basketball player, averaging 17.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He leads all freshmen in defensive rebound percentage (28.0 percent), ranks Top 5 among freshmen in total dunks (24) and Top 10 in block percentage (7.8 percent) as well. If he eventually adds a more constant three-pointer to his arsenal, he could be a starter in the NBA very soon.
11. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: Nico Mannion, Arizona
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Guard, 6-foot-3, 19 years old
Mannion is averaging 14.4 points and 6.3 assists per game, already an elite distributor at the NCAA level. He is a high-level scorer and passes well out of the pick-and-roll and his assist rate (36.5 percent) currently ranks as third-best among freshman so far this season. His assist-to-turnover ratio (2.3) is a good indication of his instincts. While he may be too young for a starting role next season, he is someone who projects in the first unit for a long time.
12. PHOENIX SUNS: Precious Achiuwa, Memphis
(Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Forward, 6-foot-9, 19 years old
After the absence of Wiseman, the Memphis Tigers have turned to Achiuwa as the face of their team under Penny Hardaway. He has responded well and his defensive rebound percentage (25.4 percent) leads the American Athletic Conference. As a defender, his block percentage (7.4 percent) ranks third-best in the conference as well. He has turned it on as a scorer lately but he would not be leaned on as the primary option for a team with Devin Booker leading the charge.
13. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Aleksej Pokusevski, Olympiacos B
Forward, 7-foot, 18 years old
One of the most fascinating, underrated prospects for the 2020 NBA Draft is currently playing in the Greek HEBA A2 league. With a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Pokusevski has the ability to play a bit bigger than his already impressive 7-foot frame. He is averaging 16.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.4 three-pointers per 36 minutes. The Serbian-born prospect has also connected on 32.6 percent from three-point range. As a defender, his size has helped him secure 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes as well. Portland could play him in several different places but could provide his most value as a necessary help on the wing.
14. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Josh Green, Arizona
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Wing, 6-foot-6, 19 years old
The Arizona freshman was a fantastic scorer on the AAU circuit playing for West Coast Elite, averaging 20.2 points per game. This season, he has put up 12.9 points per game for the Wildcats. Green has also grabbed 5.1 rebounds per game, which has allowed him to be an interesting option operating as the ball handler in a transition offense. Green is currently averaging 1.35 points per possession on these opportunities, per Synergy, which ranks in the 95th percentile. He also has a 6-foot-10 wingspan, which will help him a lot on the defensive side of the ball.
Previewing Wednesday’s Brooklyn Nets at Philadelphia 76ers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Brooklyn Nets (18-21) and Philadelphia 76ers (25-16) will tip it off at Wells Fargo Center at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday. We analyze the Nets-76ers odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.
Nets at 76ers: Key injuries
Nets
SF Wilson Chandler (hamstring) questionable
SG Garrett Temple (knee) questionable
SF Kevin Durant (Achilles) out
76ers
C Joel Embiid (hand) out
Nets at 76ers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.
The 76ers (-295) are heavily favored even with Embiid on the shelf, and you can’t risk nearly three times the return on them. The Nets (+230) are coming in on the second end of a back-to-back after getting knocked off at home last night by the Jazz, 118-107. PASS.
I don’t love the 76ERS (-7.5, -106) here, as they have really struggled without Embiid. In fact, they’re coming off a 101-95 loss in Indiana Monday, and they have won just four of their 10 games without ‘The Process’ this season.
However, the Nets (+7.5, -115) are on the second end of a back-to-back, and they didn’t cover at home vs. Utah. The Nets are 2-8 ATS in the past 10 games overall, 1-5 ATS in the past six as an underdog, and 0-6 ATS in the past six as a road dog. The Sixers are also 4-1 ATS in the previous five meetings. Those facts make Philly attractive, even without Embiid.
The UNDER 222.5 (-121) is the way to go in this one, especially with a big chunk of Philly’s offense on the shelf, and the Nets entering with tired legs. The Under is 5-0 in Brooklyn’s past five playing with no rest, while the Under is 5-1 in Philly’s past six overall.
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Previewing Tuesday’s Utah Jazz at Brooklyn Nets sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Utah Jazz (27-12) and Brooklyn Nets (18-20) will square off at Barclays Center at 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Jazz-Nets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.
Jazz at Nets: Key injuries
Jazz
SG Donovan Mitchell (illness) probable
PG Mike Conley Jr. (hamstring) out
Nets
SG Garrett Temple (knee) out
SF Kevin Durant (Achilles) out
Jazz at Nets: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 9:55 a.m. ET.
The JAZZ (-150) are favored, but wait to make sure Mitchell is well and will suit up before finalizing your bets. Even if he doesn’t play, the Jazz defense will be hard on the Nets (+125), as Utah ranks seventh in the NBA in field-goal defense at 44.1 percent.
New to sports betting? Every $10 wagered on the Jazz ML will profit $6.67 if they win.
The JAZZ (-2.5, -115) will cost you less money if you lay the points, and really, we’re only talking about two buckets here. If you feel they’re going to win on the moneyline, the only difference here is three points. There is only one way you can lose betting the line as opposed to the moneyline, and that’s if Utah wins by only 2 points or less. Take the better odds and roll with Utah to win by more than two baskets – or a 3-pointer. In addition, Utah is 16-6 ATS in the previous 22 meetings, and 4-1 ATS in the past five trips to the borough.
The OVER 217.5 (-115) is the play, as Utah is averaging 109.7 points per game, which is the exact average on offense for Brooklyn, too. The Nets are also coughing up 111.0 PPG to rank 17th in the NBA. These teams can fill it up. Again, you might want to wait to see if Mitchell is officially active, as he is good for a team-high 24.2 PPG.
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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.