The Brooklyn Nets closes out its preseason with an eye on progress, development, and improvement

Instead of starting this article at the beginning, I am going to start at the end of the first half of last night’s Brooklyn Nets’ preseason game against the New York Knicks.

The Nets ended the first half leading the Knicks by two points, with a score of 57-55. If you have watched the Nets in previous seasons since coming to the Barclays Center, you probably noticed a different style of play on the floor. The Nets under new management, general manager Sean Marks, and head coach Kenny Atkinson, have mandated and are stressing a new culture of “team” over “I” or “me” translating into unselfishness. Watching the Nets during the last two games, the team’s buy-in to the new system is apparent. Guys were playing unselfishly, the ball moved around, it was definitely team ball. In addition to the two-point lead at the half, the Nets led the Knicks in most of the measurable metrics that matter: field goal percentage 52.6 vs the Knicks 48.9 percent; three-point shots 46.7 vs the Knicks 20 percent, and the Nets made 91 percent of their free-throws compared to the Knicks 64 percent. However, the Knicks did outscore the Nets on rebounds; by half-time, the Knicks out-rebounded the Nets 20-18, which was a sign of things to come.

So, where did the Nets breakdown happen?

The Knicks took a nine-point lead in the third quarter on fast breaks, gaining 49 percent field goal shooting over the Nets’ 46 percent. The Knicks also out-rebounded the Nets; ending the third with a rebound score of 38-24, picking up 18 rebounds in the third quarter to the Nets’ four.

This was not lost on Atkinson.

“I think I said it before, I think rebounding is an issue right now and I think transition defense is something we need to work on, Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson said at the Nets post-game press conference. “They had a fair amount of fast break points so those are some areas we have to get better at.”

#Truth.

Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin led all scorers with 24 points and 10 assists. However, unlike the Knicks, the Nets only had two starters in double digits; the other being center Brook Lopez who supplied 12 points.

The Nets other double-digit scorers came from the bench Joe Harris scored 15 points, Bojan Bogdanovic added 12 points, and Justin Hamilton chipped in 11 points.

Carmelo Anthony led Knicks scorers with 21 points. Starters Courtney Lee dropped 15 points and five rebounds; and Joakim Noah supplied 12 points and six rebounds.

Both benches contributed 59 points; coming off the Knicks bench in double digits were Justin Holiday with 14 points, Kyle Quinn added 13 points and seven rebounds, and Mindaugas Kuzminskas chipped in 10 points.

“I was proud of our guys at the end,” Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek said about his secondary line. “They ended up putting their starters back in I think with a nine or 10-point game and when they went out it was eight points.”

Even in the loss, Atkinson complimented his players, as he should have.

“I complimented them on their effort and despite the record, I think we’ve made progress,” Atkinson told the media. “And that’s going to be our message all year, progress, development, improvement. We obviously have areas we have to improve in but again, 10 new players and I like a lot of stuff I see. I think where we are right now is be a little bit more consistent. And that’s the tough part in the NBA over a 48-minute game, to do it longer than the other team. So that’s the overall positive message.”

The Brooklyn Nets are now focused on the regular season. The Nets first regular season game is against the Boston Celtics in Boston on Wednesday, October 26 at 7:30 p.m. The Nets open up at home at the Barclays Center against the Indiana Pacers on Friday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Perhaps, the fans will give Thaddeus Young a warm welcome when he hits the hardwood for the Indiana Pacers.

The Nets dealt Young to the Pacers on NBA Draft night for Caris LeVert, the No. 20 overall pick and for a future second-round pick. Levert did not play last night because he is out with an injured left foot.

General Manager Sean Marks and Head Coach Kenny Atkinson presented Jeremy Lin, Anthony Bennett, Trevor Booker, Caris LeVert, Justin Hamilton, and Joe Harris

The long-awaited press conference to meet Jeremy Lin and the other new Brooklyn Nets players finally took place today at the HSS Brooklyn Nets Training Facility.

Yes, that’s right “Linsanity” is coming to Brooklyn. And, truth be told, it has already started.

By coming to the Nets, Lin is reuniting with Kenny Atkinson, his old coach during the Knicks Linsanity era. With Atkinson as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, Lin must have a comfortability level about his future with the Nets.

“That’s a huge thing for me because in free agency I kind of said I want to see how great I can become,” Lin said. “I’ve played a lot of different roles, I’ve sacrificed for a lot of teams I’ve been on in the past. I’ve taken smaller roles to try to help the team succeed. Now I have that chance to take a much bigger role and be a much bigger part.”

Judging by the media’s movements, Lin was the guy, but that’s not to say there was no interest in the other players. Anthony Bennett, the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft was certainly on the minds of many. The Nets will be Bennett’s fourth team in four seasons.

However, Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson known for developing young players knows he has a project on his hands when it comes to Bennett.

“I think because he’s been torn down a little bit and lost his confidence, I think in his case we’ve got to build him up again,” Atkinson stated. “Really narrow down what his role is going to be and then build his confidence back up.”

What’s on Bennett’s mind?

“Every year has been a learning experience,” commented Bennett. “It’s a business. You just got to be on your ‘A’ game every day, pretty much, or else someone’s going to take your spot.”

Are the Nets done with looking for more players to add to the roster?

“I don’t know that we’re ever done,” said Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks. “We’ll obviously listen and see what else is out there. We’ll continue to scout and scour and see what other teams are doing, other leagues around the world are doing, how the Olympics are going.”

Brooklyn Nets Sign Anthony Bennett, Joe Harris, Randy Foye, Caris Levert, Luis Scola, Greivis Vasquez, and Justin Hamilton

It is NBA free agency signing season and the Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent forwards Anthony Bennett and Luis Scola, and guards Greivis Vasquez and Randy Foye. Additionally, the Nets have signed to multi-year contracts, guard/forward Caris LeVert, and free agents guard Joe Harris and center Justin Hamilton.

“Justin is an energetic big with the ability to stretch the floor,” said Nets’ General Manager Sean Marks. “He is coming off a successful season in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues and will add depth to our frontcourt rotation.”

“We are pleased to welcome Joe to the Nets family,” said Marks. “We are confident that Kenny and his staff will continue to create an environment in which Joe and our other young players will develop and thrive.”

Regarding Bennett, the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, Marks stated, "We have been excited to watch Anthony's progress this summer with his national team, and look forward to the opportunity of having Kenny (Nets head coach) and his staff work with him to continue his development.”

In consideration of Randy Foye who has been with the NBA for 10 seasons, Marks is focused on backcourt depth, “He is a veteran guard who will provide us with additional scoring and depth in our backcourt.”

Marks is also big on culture and leadership, which is demonstrated with his selection of Luis Scola and Greivis Vasquez.

“Luis and Greivis are ideal fits for the team culture we are building in Brooklyn,” Marks asserted. “Both are terrific competitors who will provide leadership and veteran experience to our locker room. Luis adds toughness, scoring and passing ability to our frontline, while Greivis is effective from either backcourt position, both as a facilitator and a scorer.”

PLAYER BACKGROUNDS

Justin Hamilton

Hamilton (7’0, 260) joins the Nets after spending last season with Valencia in Liga ACB, Spain’s top division, where he earned All-ACB first-team honors after averaging 14.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in 22.5 minutes per game in 40 games with the club. Prior to heading to Spain, the 26-year-old appeared in 49 games in parts of two NBA seasons with Charlotte, Miami and Minnesota (2013-15), registering averages of 5.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game. In the 2014-15 season, Hamilton appeared in 41 games split between Miami and Minnesota, averaging 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game. He also saw action in 39 games with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA D-League during the 2013-14 season, posting averages of 19.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in 35.6 minutes per game en route to D-League All-Star, All-NBA D-League first-team, and NBA D-League All-Defensive first-team recognition. Hamilton began his professional career with stints in Croatia and Latvia during the 2012-13 season. The Alpine, Utah native was originally selected with the 45th overall pick in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and was traded to Miami on draft night before being waived by the Heat in advance of the 2012-13 season. Prior to beginning his pro career, Hamilton spent his first two collegiate seasons at Iowa State and his third and final season at LSU, where he earned All-SEC second-team honors.

Joe Harris

Harris (6’6”, 219) has appeared in 56 games in two seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2014-16), averaging 2.5 points in 9.1 minutes per game. He also appeared in six games during the 2015 postseason. This past season, Harris saw action in five games with the Cavs and 10 games with Cleveland’s D-League affiliate, the Canton Charge, registering averages of 16.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 33.1 minutes per game with Canton. The 24-year-old underwent right foot surgery in January before being traded to Orlando and waived by the Magic. Harris was originally selected with the 33rd pick (second round) in the 2014 NBA Draft by Cleveland after a four-year career at the University of Virginia. At UVA, the Chelan, Wash. native earned All-ACC first-team honors as a junior and helped lead Virginia to two NCAA Tournament appearances. As a senior, Harris garnered All-ACC third-team recognition while leading the Cavaliers to their first ACC tournament title since 1976, first outright ACC regular season title since 1981 and first Sweet 16 appearance since 1995. He finished his collegiate career second in school history in three-pointers made (263) and three-point percentage (.407)

Anthony Bennett

Bennett joins the Nets after spending the 2015-16 season with the Toronto Raptors. In 19 games, Bennett recorded averages of 1.5 points and 1.2 rebounds in 4.4 minutes per game. In 128 games in three NBA seasons split between Toronto, Minnesota (2014-15) and Cleveland (2013-14), the 23-year-old holds career averages of 4.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game. The Toronto native was originally selected with the first overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by Cleveland, becoming the first Canadian ever selected with the top pick in the draft. Prior to the NBA, Bennett spent one season at UNLV, registering averages of 16.1 points and 8.1 rebounds in 27.1 minutes per game in 35 games (32 starts) en route to Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year honors, as well as Associated Press honorable mention All-American recognition. Bennett is a member of the Canadian national team.

Randy Foye

Foye (6’4”, 213) joins the Nets after splitting the 2015-16 season with the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder. In 81 games, Foye averaged 5.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 20.3 minutes per game. He also appeared in 16 games in the Thunder’s run to the Western Conference Finals. The 32-year-old has seen action in 683 career games (393 starts) in 10 seasons with Minnesota (2006-09), Washington (2009-10), Los Angeles Clippers (2010-12), Utah (2012-13), Denver (2013-16) and Oklahoma City (2016), owning averages of 10.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 26.3 minutes per game. He’s also seen action in 27 postseason games. Foye finished in the top 10 in the league in three-pointers made in three consecutive seasons (2011-14) and is a career .369 shooter from three-point range. The Newark, N.J. native was originally selected with the seventh pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by Boston and began his career with the Timberwolves after a draft-night trade. Foye garnered All-Rookie First Team honors after he posted averages of 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 22.9 minutes per game in his debut professional season. Prior to the NBA, Foye spent four years at Villanova (2002-06), leading the Wildcats to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2005 and an Elite Eight berth in 2006. In his senior season, Foye was named a consensus first-team All-American and the 2006 Big East Player of the Year.

Luis Scola

Scola (6’9”, 241) joins the Nets after spending the 2015-16 season with the Toronto Raptors. Scola appeared in and started 76 games, averaging 8.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per game. In nine NBA seasons split between Houston (2007-12), Phoenix (2012-13), Indiana (2013-15) and Toronto, Scola owns career averages of 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 26.2 minutes per game in 707 games (504 starts). He has also appeared in 48 career postseason games, recording averages of 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game. The 36-year-old was originally selected with the 56th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by San Antonio but did not make his NBA debut until the 2007-08 season after his draft rights were traded to Houston. As a rookie, Scola earned All-Rookie First Team honors with averages of 10.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 24.7 minutes per game. Prior to the NBA, the Buenos Aries, Argentina native began his professional career in his home country with Ferro Carril Oeste in 1995-96 at the age of 15. He played three years in Argentina before moving to Spain, where he played nine seasons with three clubs, including seven seasons with Tau Ceramica (2000-07). Scola earned Euroleague First Team honors in 2005-06 and 2006-07, was named the MVP of the Spanish League in 2004-05 and 2006-07 and garnered Rookie of the Year honors in 2000. Scola is also a decorated player on the international stage. Representing his native Argentina, Scola will become a four-time Olympian when he competes at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. He earned a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, as well as a bronze at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Greivis Vasquez

Vasquez (6’6”, 217) has appeared in 398 games (157 starts) in six NBA seasons with Memphis (2010-11), New Orleans (2011-13), Sacramento (2013), Toronto (2013-15) and Milwaukee (2015-16), recording averages of 9.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 23.8 minutes per game. He has also appeared in 24 career postseason games, averaging 6.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 18.0 minutes per game. This past season with the Bucks, the 29-year-old saw action in just 23 games due to right ankle surgery, registering averages of 5.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 20.0 minutes per game. The native of Caracas, Venezuela was originally selected with the 28th pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Grizzlies, becoming the first Venezuelan-born player drafted in the NBA. Prior to the NBA, Vasquez spent four years at the University of Maryland, helping to lead the Terrapins to three NCAA Tournament appearances. Vasquez earned All-ACC second-team honors as a sophomore and junior before completing his standout collegiate career by garnering ACC Player of the Year, All-ACC first-team and consensus second-team All-American recognition as a senior. Vasquez is a member of the Venezuelan team that will compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

Caris LeVert

LeVert (6’7”, 205) played four seasons at Michigan and helped the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including trips to the National Championship game in 2013 and the Elite Eight in 2014. In 103 career games (70 starts) for the Wolverines, LeVert averaged 10.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 26.4 minutes per game. As a senior, the Pickerington, Ohio, native posted averages of 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 30.9 minutes per game while shooting .506 from the field and .446 from 3-point range in 15 games (14 starts) during an injury-shortened season. He earned 2014 All-Big Ten second-team and 2014 NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament team honors following his sophomore season when he averaged 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 34.0 minutes per game in 37 games.

Brooklyn native Isaiah Whitehead gets to start his NBA career in his hometown

The Brooklyn Nets have signed guard Isaiah Whitehead and free agent forward Trevor Booker each to a multi-year contract.

“Trevor is a seasoned big with a defensive mindset who will bring toughness, rebounding, and a competitive edge to our team,” said Nets’ General Manager Sean Marks.

Trevor Booker

Booker (6’8”, 228) has appeared in 393 games (112 starts) in six NBA seasons with Washington (2010-14) and Utah (2014-16), recording averages of 6.5 points on .515 from the field, 5.2 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 20.3 minutes per game. He also made a playoff appearance in 2014 with the Wizards, registering averages of 3.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game in nine contests. This past season, the 28-year-old saw action in 79 games with the Jazz, averaging 5.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 20.7 minutes per game while setting single-season career-highs in minutes played (1,632), rebounds (452), assists (84) and steals (59). The Newberry, S.C. native was originally selected with the 23rd pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft by Minnesota before his rights were traded to Washington on draft night. Prior to beginning his NBA career, Booker played four years at Clemson (2006-10), earning All-ACC second-team honors as a junior, All-ACC first-team recognition as a senior and All-ACC defensive team honors in each of his final two seasons. He helped lead the Tigers to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances and a school-record 93 victories during his four-year tenure.

Isaiah Whitehead

Selected with the 42nd pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Whitehead’s rights were acquired by Brooklyn in a draft-night trade with the Utah Jazz in exchange for the draft rights to guard Marcus Paige, the 55th overall selection, and cash considerations.

Whitehead (6’4”, 210) played two years at Seton Hall, most recently leading the Pirates to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2006. The Brooklyn native averaged 18.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 32.3 minutes per game in 34 games (33 starts) as a sophomore, earning unanimous All-Big East first-team honors and an Associated Press All-America honorable mention. He was also named the 2016 Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player after averaging 23.3 points and 5.7 assists in the Big East Tournament, where the Pirates claimed their first conference tournament title since 1993. As a freshman, Whitehead averaged 12.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 27.8 minutes per game in 22 games (19 starts) en route to Big East All-Rookie Team honors. A product of Abraham Lincoln High School and Coney Island, Whitehead was a McDonald's All-American and named Mr. New York Basketball by the state's Basketball Coaches Association in 2014.

In addition to signing Jeremy Lin, Nets acquire draft rights to Caris Levert from Indiana

As expected and rumored all over the place, particularly after the signing of head coach Kenny Atkinson, the Brooklyn Nets signed free agent guard Jeremy Lin to a multi-year contract.

“We are excited to welcome Jeremy to Brooklyn,” said Nets’ General Manager Sean Marks. “He is a high character and competitive individual who will fit our culture moving forward, as well as the style of play that Kenny will be implementing. Jeremy is a proven veteran point guard with strong leadership qualities, who is an obvious fit in this system and city.”

The Nets also acquired the draft rights to Caris LeVert, the 20th pick in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft, along with a future second-round pick, from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for forward Thaddeus Young.

Young had been the subject of trade rumors for months leading up to the NBA 2016 trade deadline. When Atkinson was presented to the media on May 16, 2016, it seemed to be some assurances that Young would not be traded and that he, along with Brook Lopez and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson would be the core that the Nets could build around. Obviously, that did not work out.

Young played in 101 games (93 starts) with the Nets after joining the team via trade from Minnesota on February 19, 2015, averaging 14.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals in 32.0 minutes per game. A nine-year NBA veteran, Young has appeared in 665 career games with Philadelphia, Minnesota and Brooklyn, holding averages of 13.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.4 steals in 30.6 minutes per game.

LeVert (6’7”, 205) played four seasons at Michigan and helped the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including trips to the National Championship game in 2013 and the Elite Eight in 2014. In 103 career games (70 starts) for the Wolverines, LeVert averaged 10.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 26.4 minutes per game. As a senior, the Columbus, Ohio, native posted averages of 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 30.9 minutes per game while shooting .506 from the field and .446 from 3-point range in 15 games (14 starts) during an injury-shortened season. He earned 2014 All-Big Ten second-team and 2014 NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament team honors following his sophomore season when he averaged 12.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 34.0 minutes per game in 37 games.

Sidelined by injury, Jarrett Jack won’t make his return to the Brooklyn Nets

As expected, the Brooklyn Nets have requested waivers on guard Jarrett Jack.

This past season, Jack appeared in and started 32 games, averaging 12.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.4 assists in 32.1 minutes per game before suffering a season-ending right knee injury on January 2.

In two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, Jack saw action in 112 games, posting averages of 12.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 29.2 minutes per game.

An 11-year NBA veteran, Jack has played in 803 career games with Portland, Indiana, Toronto, New Orleans, Golden State, Cleveland, and Brooklyn, recording averages of 11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 28.1 minutes per game.

The overhaul of the Brooklyn Nets organization continues with the formation of a new performance team

The Brooklyn Nets have named Zach Weatherford as director of player performance, Dan Meehan as head strength and conditioning coach, Lloyd Beckett as head athletic trainer/physical therapist and Aisling Toolan as director of physical therapy.

“We are extremely excited to announce the formation of our new performance team which is comprised of world renowned leaders in the fields of athletic performance and sports science,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks in a press release. “Together they bring a collective experience along with global industry contacts that will open doors for the Nets to have access to top performance programs and techniques from around the world. Working in conjunction with our elite medical team from the Hospital for Special Surgery, we will be able to provide our players with the highest level of care possible, giving them every advantage to reach their maximum level of performance.”

Zach Weatherford

Zach Weatherford joins the Nets after spending the past two years as human performance manager at the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command. Weatherford was appointed as the first Naval Special Warfare human performance program manager to facilitate the program across the Navy SEAL/SWCC Force of over 8,500 active duty personnel. From 2010-14, Weatherford served as a human performance manager for the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Group ONE. Prior to his military experience, Weatherford held multiple roles with the U.S. Olympic Committee. From 2007-09, Weatherford held the position of sports physiologist for the U.S. Olympic Committee, where he led a multidisciplinary team of science-based human performance professionals which implemented platforms across 17 U.S. Olympic Team programs. In addition, Weatherford served as the strength and conditioning/video specialist for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard team from 2004-07 and as strength and conditioning coordinator for the U.S. Olympic Committee from 2000-04. Throughout his time with the U.S. Olympic program, Weatherford was on the staff of three Olympic Games (2004-Athens, 2006-Torino, 2008-Beijing). A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Weatherford received a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology along with a sports science degree.

Dan Meehan

Dan Meehan comes to Brooklyn after serving the past six years as head strength and conditioning coach/sports scientist for the North Melbourne Football Club in Australia. In his role with the club, Meehan was responsible for developing and implementing individual training programs for 45 Australian Rules Football players, which included strength and power training, conditioning, speed and agility work, injury prevention and corrective exercise techniques. Meehan also worked in the same capacity for the Melbourne Tigers of the Australian National Basketball League during the 2011-12 season. Previously, Meehan spent five years as a physical preparation coach at the Victorian Institute of Sport in Melbourne working with Olympic and World Championship medalists in numerous sports. A native of Melbourne, Australia, Meehan received his Bachelor of Exercise Science degree and Honors research degree from Australian Catholic University in Melbourne.

Lloyd Beckett

Lloyd Beckett joined the Nets in 2014, and for the past two seasons has held the dual role of director of physical therapy and assistant athletic trainer. He was honored as the Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Year for the 2014-15 season. Prior to joining the Nets, Beckett worked with the U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations as a physical therapist in 2014. Beckett also spent two years as a physical therapist at the Vanderbilt Orthopaedic Institute and has held sports medicine internships with the Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, New England Patriots and Providence College. A native of Falmouth, Maine, Beckett received his Bachelor of Science and Doctorate of Physical Therapy degrees from Northeastern University. He also holds a Master of Science degree from Bridgewater State University.

Aisling Toolan

Aisling Toolan joins the Nets after spending the past five years as a physical therapist at the Hospital for Special Surgery Rehabilitation and Performance Center. In addition, Toolan served as the physical therapist for NYCFC during the 2015 MLS season. In 2014, Toolan completed a rotation at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, where she worked with National Team gymnasts, fencers, wrestlers, and weightlifters. Toolan received her Bachelor of Science degree in physiotherapy from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Stony Brook University. The former Irish international soccer player and native of Dublin is also a board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy.

VIDEO: Not a splashy name; but Atkinson gets high marks from other coaches and players

In this video, What's The 411Sports hosts, Keisha Wilson and Mike McDonald, are talking about the Brooklyn Nets hire of Kenny Atkinson as the new head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. 

Do you think the Nets made the best decision?

In final game of the season, Nets general manager gives strong signal that Tony Brown won’t be back

Today was the last game of the season for the Brooklyn Nets. They hosted the Toronto Raptors at the Barclays Center, a team the Nets bounced out of the playoffs in the first round in 2014.

I thought there was an outside chance that the Nets could close out the season with a win, particularly since Toronto head coach Dwane Casey told the media in a pregame press conference that the Raptors would be without DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, Cory Joseph, Luis Scola and Jonas Valanciunas. And, adding to the missing key Toronto players, the Nets started the game with a 21-4 run, which made me hopeful.

However, the 17-point lead seemed to vanish in an instant. By the end of the half, Toronto led Brooklyn 49-47; at the end of the third stanza, Toronto had a 12-point lead 78-66. When the music stopped, the Nets had lost to the Raptors 103-96, and in so doing, finished the season with a 21-61 record, the 3rd-worst in the league.

In the loss, Bojan Bogdanovic came up big for the Nets, scoring 29 points on seven 3-pointers. Sean Kilpatrick, a fan favorite, as they are still calling his name when he steps on the hardwood, added 12 points and tied his three career assist record. Donald Sloan scored 11 points, and Henry Sims chipped in 10 points and tied his career-high three blocked shots.

Like the Nets, the Raptors also only had four players in double digits; but they scored more points. Norman Powell led all scorers with 30 points and nine rebounds; Terrence Ross scored 24 points and 10 boards off the bench; Delon Wright added 18 points and seven assists; and Jason Thompson chipped in 12 points and eight rebounds.

Anyone following the Nets this season knows that this season is the team’s worst season in Brooklyn. The downward spiral caused the reassignment of general manager Billy King and the firing of head coach Lionel Hollins on January 10, 2016. Anthony (Tony) Brown, an assistant coach under Hollins was named interim head coach and played caretaker to a team that seemed to be in disarray. As one who followed the team, I don’t think the 21-61 record really reflects the potential of the Brooklyn Nets’ team as it is presently constituted. The team needs a stronger point guard, a defender around the rim, and a coach that has experience developing young players, and particularly millennials. The salary cap is expected to go up to approximately $89 million and with Nets current salary obligations it could have between $42.1 and $48.2 million for free agents. Attracting good free agents to the Nets will depend in part on who becomes the next head coach.

Sean Marks, the Nets new general manager has been in evaluation mode of both players and interim coach Tony Brown. There is no doubt some of the players will not be back next season and certainly Tony Brown won’t be back.

Brown told the media that the Nets’ young players are still being evaluated and was asked if he still believed he was being evaluated by Marks.

“I can’t answer that. I really can’t,” Brown said before Monday’s game against the Wizards. “We’ve got two games left. I feel like the situation has been tough from the beginning, I’ve tried to make the best of it and I’m going to continue to do that the last two games and whatever happens, happens. I’m not worried about my fate with this organization.”

As I watched Brown hustle out the door after the Nets final game against Toronto and there were no final remarks by Nets General Manager Marks, I guess we all have our answer soon enough.

Atkinson comes to Brooklyn Nets with rave reviews from Jeremy Lin and others

We knew it was coming, but we didn’t know the timeframe; but four days after the Brooklyn Nets season ended, the Nets announced its new head coach, Kenny Atkinson.

Atkinson will become the 21st head coach in the franchise’s NBA history and its sixth coach since 2012.

“We are thrilled to announce Kenny Atkinson as our new head coach and to welcome him and his family to Brooklyn,” Nets General Manager Sean Marks stated in a press release. “Kenny’s years of NBA coaching experience working under successful head coaches such as Mike Budenholzer and Mike D’Antoni have provided him with the foundation and experience we were looking for in a head coach. We believe that Kenny’s core principles, leadership, communication skills and exceptional background in player development make him an ideal fit for the culture we are building in Brooklyn.”

From the comments made by Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov, he is continuing to signal patience with the team’s building process.

“I’d like to extend a personal welcome to Kenny and wish all of us success as we begin a new era at the Brooklyn Nets,” said Prokhorov. “Aside from his tremendous skills and experience, he has the mindset we need to build a winning team day by day, step by step. Together, we can do great things.”

And, glowing comments about Atkinson are coming from people outside the Nets organization including Charlotte Hornets point guard Jeremy Lin, who was coached by Atkinson when Lin played for the New York Knicks.

"I’ve kind of been saying it was just a matter of time for him because I know how good he is, I know how much he was there for me in New York," said Charlotte Hornets point guard Jeremy Lin. "When you’re around him, you kind of understand there’s something different about him: his energy, his passion, the juice he approaches his work with."

Lin added: "He doesn’t leave any stone unturned. He’s always the first one in, and I’m saying first one in by, like, hours."

Atkinson joins the Nets after spending the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks under Head Coach Mike Budenholzer. The Hawks made playoff appearances in each of Atkinson’s four seasons, including the club’s first-ever trip to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. The 2014-15 Hawks registered a franchise-record 60 wins, including a franchise-best 19-game win streak, and captured their first division title in more than 20 years. Atkinson served on the 2015 Eastern Conference All-Star coaching staff, and he guided Team World in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star weekend in New York. Prior to his tenure with the Hawks, Atkinson was an assistant coach for four seasons with the New York Knicks (2008-12), helping the team reach the postseason in 2011 and 2012. Atkinson also spent one season as the Director of Player Development for the Houston Rockets (2007-08).

“I am truly honored and humbled to be named the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, and I would like to thank Nets’ ownership and management for this tremendous opportunity,” said Atkinson. “Together with Sean and his staff, we look forward to building a winning tradition here in Brooklyn. I also want to acknowledge and thank Mike Budenholzer and the entire Atlanta Hawks organization for their cooperation and support throughout this process. While I am eager to begin working with the Nets, I remain committed to my coaching responsibilities with the Hawks for the remainder of the postseason.”

A native of Huntington, New York, Atkinson has also held various coaching positions abroad, serving as Director of Player Development/Assistant Coach for Paris Basket Racing Club in France (2004-06), Director of Player Development/Assistant Coach for the national team of the Republic of Georgia in the summer of 2006 and as an assistant coach with the Ukraine national team at the European championships in 2011. Most recently, Atkinson was Head Coach of the Dominican Republic national team in last summer’s FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City.

Prior to beginning his coaching career, Atkinson played professionally for 14 years (1990-2004), beginning his pro career in the CBA and USBL before competing for teams in France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain. A standout collegiate player at the University of Richmond, Atkinson earned All-CAA First Team honors as a junior and senior and helped lead the Spiders to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 1988. He was also selected as the 1987 CAA Rookie of the Year.