Jarrett Jack’s defensive moves with nearly 30 seconds left in regulation panicked Atlanta’s Schroder

The Brooklyn Nets have been off to a rough start for the 2015-15 NBA Season. However, last night offered a glimpse of hope. The Nets toughed it out and survived a nail-biting, 90-88 win over the Atlanta Hawks, one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. And they did it all on the defensive end of the court when it counted the most.

After Jarrett Jack drained a jumper, tying the game at 88-all with 33.3 seconds until the end of regulation, Jack nearly forced a turnover from Hawks, Dennis Schroder on the ensuing possession. With the Hawks shot-clock expiring, Jack's defense compelled Schroder to dribble into no man's land, using the baseline as an extra defender. A panicking Schroder almost lost the ball and had to resort to a rushed floater, which was rebounded by Paul Millsap, who was blocked by Brook Lopez, on his attempt to tie the game.

The Nets defense, when it was needed the most, got a stop, giving the team an opportunity to win the game, which was executed by Thaddeus Young, who sank two free-throws after being fouled on the fastbreak. And that particular sequence involving Schroder mirrored the entire game. Atlanta's, Spurs-like makeup of a team scored 10-less points than they are used to, averaging 101.6 points per game, the 11th best in the league, according to ESPN.com.

Mike Budenholzer's team committed 20 turnovers, the most they've committed this year in a single game.

"I give Brooklyn credit," said Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer. "They played well. They forced the turnovers. We didn't take care of the ball. So we're going to have to clean that up."

The win, which improved the Nets record to (2-9), exhibited the solution to their season, which has been disastrous to say the least and it all derives from the defensive side of the ball.

As a team, the Nets racked up 14 steals and seven blocks which are the type of production that will help the Nets remain in games against teams with superior talent. Although their defense was the star of the game, five players scored in double figures, led by Lopez's double-double, 24-10. Shane Larkin, in his first season with the Nets, had another great game, posting 14 points and Joe Johnson nearly reached a triple-double in 13 points, 9 assists, and seven rebounds.

Nets Loss: It doesn’t help that Joe Johnson scored one point less than Jarrett Jack

In this 2015-16 NBA season, the Brooklyn Nets haven't gotten off to the start they envisioned. In three games, the Nets are winless, losing to the likes of the Chicago Bulls, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Memphis Grizzlies, a tough start for any NBA team. Fortunately for the Nets, the Milwaukee Bucks, their opponent on Monday night were winless as well but it didn't matter.

The Nets offensive execution crumbled in the fourth quarter and the Bucks capitalized on their mistakes, pulling out a 103-96 win, their first of the season. The Nets dropped their 4th straight (0-4) and are still looking for answers. Despite an ugly first half on both sides of the ball, the Nets improved drastically in the 3rd, especially on the defensive side of the ball. An improved effort helped the Nets force seven turnovers while closing in on the Bucks who held a 10-point lead after Jerryd Bayless drained a three with 5:36 mins to go, Bucks up 74-64.

A string of baskets by Thaddeus Young, Joe Johnson, and Markel Brown over the next three minutes allowed the Nets to close the gap towards the end of the third, highlighted by off-season acquisition, Andrea Bargnani, who converted a three-point play, tying the game at 80 all as time expired.

With the game tied going into the 4th, a victory was up for grabs and the Nets had plenty of chances to earn their first win of the year and gain the confidence that they are sorely lacking currently. In the 4th where the money plays are made that secure wins, the Nets came up empty and while the defense continued their strong second half, the offense struggled to match its counterpart.

After former New York Knicks guard, Shane Larkin hit a floater which gave the Nets their first lead since the 2nd quarter, 96-94 with 2:45 left in the 4th, Johnson and Jarrett Jack would combine to miss the Nets last four field goal attempts. In other words, Brook Lopez was severely missed. The 7-footer who led the Nets in points (18) picked up his 5th foul with 4:44 remaining in the final quarter, prompting Hollins to make a tough decision in removing him from the game.

“When Brook got his fifth foul we had to take him out,” Nets head coach Lionel Hollins said. “I didn’t want to put (Andrea) Bargnani on Monroe, and I came with T-Rob (Thomas Robinson), and we lost a little of the offensive dynamic that we had, but I saw a good game.”

Without Brook, the Nets lost arguably their best player and go-to-guy capable of winning a game for them which spelled the Nets doom. Without Brook, newly signed Greg Monroe of the Bucks scored the tying points (96-96) on a turnaround jump-shot with 2:24 left, which set up a late Bucks’ run in the final minute that would propel them to victory.

“I was just trying to get it inside,” Monroe said regarding the shot. “I had a little mishap with the ball, but I was just trying to be aggressive and make big shots for my team.”

Monroe finished with a double-double, 23 and 13, Giannis Antetokounmpo “The Greek Freak” finished with 21 and eight and Jerryd Bayless, starting in place of O.J. Mayo recorded a team-high 26 points.

As for the Nets, Johnson logged in 14 and 6 assists, while Young, Jack, and Bojan Bogdanovic chipped in 13, 15 and 14 points respectively. It’s quite obvious that if Lopez is not on the floor in critical moments of the game or just in general, the Nets will lose their way. He is their best chance of winning and tonight after he occupied the bench following his fifth foul, the offense looked lethargic and lacked life and excitement.

There was a lot of standing around with no plan in sight and it doesn’t help that Johnson scored one point less than Jack. Behind Brook, Johnson is one of the Nets most important players and his production is essential to the Nets enjoying any type of success this season. Although the Bucks are still without their 2014 2nd overall pick Jabari Parker, Monroe and co. were able to get the job done.

“We got a good win for sure, but the way we won, it kind of showed a little toughness from the team,” said Monroe post-game. Monroe continued: “Especially coming into this game losing the first three, but going through adversity in this game and fighting through it, it was definitely a good win for us.”

The Nets are waiting to utter such words. How they respond to this 0-4 start will illustrate the rest of this November and it starts tomorrow at the Atlanta Hawks, another tough game. The Nets can’t wait for the second half to flip the switch. A full 48 mins of inspired ball is the only way the Nets can reverse their early troubles into fortunes and it all depends on the Nets big four. Lopez, Jack, Young and Johnson all have to bring their A-game.

It might not seem like it now, but the four guys mentioned above all have what it takes to lead this Nets team collectively and feed off of each other. If not, the Nets will be facing 0-5 on Wednesday night.

If the Knicks are to enjoy any success this season as overachievers, Carmelo Anthony has to be the star of the show

If you are a New York Knicks fan, there is no point in looking into the past. A brand new season is upon us. It’s a clean slate; and last season was one of the worst seasons in franchise history. As hard as it is to gain any sense of optimism regarding the Knicks chances this season, there’s actually a good reason why you should invest your precious time. Phil Jackson, the Knicks president struck out when it came to the top free agents like LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Monroe but what he did do was put together a team full of solid players who can play in the triangle offense.

Robin Lopez signed on for four years and $54-million. Kyle O’Quinn was acquired in a sign-and-trade with the Orlando Magic. Former Laker and Jackson disciple, Sasha Vujacic, a sharp shooter, provides the Knicks with a legitimate deep threat. Aaron Afflalo, a former teammate of Carmelo Anthony will start at the two. And other signees like Kevin Seraphin, Derrick Williams, draft picks: Kristaps Porzingis (4th overall), Jerian Grant (19th overall, traded to Knicks), Louis Amundson and Lance Thomas round out the offseason moves.

Anything done with the mindset of improving the team from last year should be commended and regarding the Knicks, they definitely improved. They got bigger, tougher, added some perimeter scoring and most importantly brought in players who they believe can be system players.

Although preseason doesn’t mean much, the new personnel showed signs of what to expect this season. Williams looked like an early candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year award. Melo was in mid-season form after enduring left knee surgery in February, which kept him off the court following the All-Star break. And for a change, the Knicks actually showed some life on the defensive end of the floor.

They looked energized, collecting steals and plenty of blocks, highlighting the athletic ability of Williams and the length of Porzingis, which will be a strength for the Knicks this season. In addition to Williams, Lopez was acquired primarily to anchor the Knicks on the defensive end along with Seraphin and O’Quinn, so the Knicks should be able to prevent teams from dominating on offense in the post.

Like the defense, the bench should also be a plus this season. Williams sports the kind of game that can lead the 2nd unit on offense. Rookie, Grant is a four-year collegiate athlete who does a great job penetrating the lane to make plays for himself and others. Langston Galloway, who plays on both ends, feels like he has a chip on his shoulder, going undrafted last year out of St. Joe’s and Cleanthony Early is looking to enjoy a better sophomore campaign.

The Knicks bench probably won’t lead the league in bench scoring, but you can bet that they will defend and provide a much-needed spark transitioning from the starters. And most importantly, they are young. There’s a lot to like with this Knicks team and in the bright spots that reflect the 2015-16 version of the Knicks, there are also many questions.

Questions surrounding Porzingis and how well he plays in his first season in the association will arise. Porzingis will play the most basketball he has ever played in his life and will matchup with the cream-of-the-crop in big men on a nightly basis. Can he handle it? Since he was drafted, Porzingis has spent this summer getting stronger, adding 11 pounds of muscle to his wiry frame to be able to bang down low with a game that represents Euro basketball well. According to multiple sources, Porzingis has spent significant time working on his back to the basket game after practice. But like every rookie, Porzingis, as talented as he is as a 7-footer, will experience some growing pains and how he handles adversity will be essential to his development.

Is Melo completely healthy? If the Knicks are to enjoy any success this season as overachievers, Melo has to be the star of the show like he is paid to be. Melo has to put this team on his back and be a reliable source of points whenever the Knicks need it, especially in the fourth quarter. Although Melo has to lead this team in scoring, he does have to be a model citizen as the leader of this group and with scoring, prioritize moving the ball and playing defense for the best possible outcome.

Can Derek Fisher coach and will the Knicks remain healthy are other questions that the orange and blue must answer this season if they plan to qualify for the playoffs. The Knicks will take on the Milwaukee Bucks in its season opener and it seems like health is already an issue.

Afflalo will miss the season opener due to a strained left hamstring, joined by Amundson (sore lower back) and Seraphin (sore right knee).

Not too long ago, Melo compared this Knicks team to the New York Mets who are currently in the World Series against the Kansas City Royals. Melo sees comparisons in how his Knicks and the Mets had to rebuild and craft a team that can win at a high level. Unfortunately for Melo and co. the Knicks aren’t World Series ready, but the 8th seed is definitely within reach.

At the start of the 2015-16 NBA season, the Brooklyn Nets are a team of questions

In Lionel Hollins’ first year as the Brooklyn Nets Head Coach, the team handled their business. Despite winning only 38 games, it was enough for the Nets to slip into the playoffs, but that says more about the state of the Eastern Conference than it does about Lionel’s squad. Deron Williams was consistently in-and-out of the lineup throughout the entire season due to injuries. Brook Lopez played well towards the end and Thaddeus Young was added to the mix-mid-season-to propel the Nets into the playoffs and it worked.

For this upcoming season, the Nets won’t have to worry about D-Wills health as the $100 million-dollar-man left for the Dallas Mavericks, his hometown. Instead, Jarrett Jack will most likely obtain the starting job duties, which is a job he knows all too well. Other than starting for the Portland Trailblazers, Indiana Pacers, and Toronto Raptors during his 10-year career, Jack, started 27 games for the Nets last season, averaging 15.9 points and 6.5 assists. The challenge and question for Jack are, can he produce or contribute more over the course of 82 games?

After Jack, Donald Sloan, and Shane Larkin will also compete for the starting job. At Nets media day last month, Hollins did state that there will be an open competition for the starting PG position so there is hope for Larkin and Sloan, even if Jack is the favorite. Sloan, a four-year NBA veteran is a steady point guard who can score off the bench and Larkin is looking to redeem himself after a disappointing season with the New York Knicks last year. Larkin struggled with the “Triangle Offense,” implemented by Knicks president, Phil Jackson and head coach, Derek Fisher and in Brooklyn, believes he will be better, playing in a pick-and-roll system.

Brooklyn Nets guard Shane Larkin

“I’m more of a pick-and-roll guy, up and down,” Larkin told ESPN. “And that’s the thing they told me they wanted me to come in and do. For them to tell me they wanted me to come in push the tempo, bring some energy to the team that was everything I wanted to hear.”

With familiarity and less pressure to conform to the triangle, Larkin should be a boost off the Nets bench, giving them a PG who can lead the break and use his speed to get to the cup and make plays for others.

As for the rest of the starting lineup, Joe Johnson is still there and will be asked to do what he’s been doing forever, which is score. Thaddeus Young re-signed with the Nets following the success he had with the team last season and Brook Lopez will now be the face of the franchise in Deron’s departure. With the addition of Young, the Nets went 17-13 in their remaining 30 games, giving the Nets another weapon while forming a formidable frontcourt with Lopez. In Young, the Nets have a versatile forward who can guard one through four and gives the Nets the opportunity to play small ball due to his versatility. While Young’s spot seems to be solidified as a starter, Hollins has a decision to make at the shooting guard position. I can see Johnson being moved to the three, but at the two, Hollins will have to choose from either Bojan Bogdanovic or Markel Brown.

While Bojan profiles as more of a shooter and scorer, Brown is an athletic perimeter defender who can get to rim, but he needs to improve his outside shooting. What could be a deciding factor is the fact that Bojan was inconsistent last season with his scoring. Bojan is the same player that would score 18 points on 7-12 shooting in a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers in March, and two days later, score only two points in a win against the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s what exactly might land Bojan on the bench and lift Brown into the starting lineup. Brown has a motor and continues to grow on the offensive end, and he is only 23 years-old. For the reserves, there are plenty of new faces for Hollins to choose from. Thomas Robinson, the fifth overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, will try to revive his career in Brooklyn. This is Robinson’s fifth team in three years. When healthy, Andrea Bargnani is a stretch four who can play center and drain three’s, bringing big men out of the paint for the guards. Wayne Ellington is another long-distance threat and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Chris McCullough represent the Nets 2015 NBA draft selections.

Unfortunately, McCullough will sit out the majority of the season, potentially the entire year due to a torn ACL. The Bronx native suffered the ACL injury last year at Syracuse University.
“Basically, this is a ‘redshirt year’ and secondly, somebody said it, he’s like our lottery pick for next year and I agree with that,” Hollins said at Nets Media day last month. “He’s a guy that is definitely part of the future, so hopefully, we can get him back early so he can get a lot of work in and then go through the summer and Summer League.”

As for Rondae, the former Arizona Wildcat is ready. Rondae is an athletic wing who I believe will prove to be very useful for the Nets. At 6’7 with a 7’2 wingspan, Rondae has a chance to be a Hollins favorite with his defensive skills on the perimeter along with an offensive game that highlights finishing at the rim with authority. Rondae won’t be mistaken for Reggie Miller anytime soon but according to Roderick Boone of Newsday, the rookie forward has been working on his lefty jumper after practice, hoisting up to 400 shots.

“There's things you have to do and you've got to put this work into get what you want out of basketball,” Hollis-Jefferson told Newsday. “So I feel like me coming in here and shooting is something I must do, I have to do, to be where I want to be.”

And there’s your 2015-16 Brooklyn Nets.

On paper, it’s a solid group that won’t have to deal with the Deron clouds. It’s a group that has some youth, and it is a group that has NBA talent. With age being a strength of this Nets team, there is an opportunity to run. Larkin, Sloan, Rondae and Brown will spearhead that attack for top plays on ESPN, hoping to improve a team that was among the worst in the league last season in fast-break points with only nine points a game. Despite the improvements that the Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and even dare I say the New York Knicks have made, there is an opportunity for the Nets to qualify for the 2016 playoffs, but a couple of things have to go right.

Jack has to have an All-Star caliber year and in the 15 and six he averaged as a starter last year for the Nets, 18 and seven should do the trick. Johnson has to continue to be a consistent source for points, especially in critical situations and Lopez has to dominate in the low-post like he did in stretches last season. And of course, health is key. Say what you want about Deron, but the former cornerstone of the franchise gave the Nets a public punching bag and someone to point the finger at when things went sour. There is no punching bag this year; only mirrors to look into. And if the Nets are competing for the lottery this season, they will only have themselves to blame.

Prediction: 37-45, Miss the Playoffs, 9th seed

On Media Day 2015, the Brooklyn Nets are team of uncertainty

With their first preseason game scheduled next Monday at home against Fenerbahce Ulker of the Turkish Basketball League, the Brooklyn Nets held their 2015 Media Day yesterday morning at their practice facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This day catered to the media and the Nets organization to bring the world up to speed on how they feel going into their 2015-16 NBA campaign. If I could use one word to describe the Nets state of mind, it’s uncertainty. There are no expectations and there are no guarantees.

When I asked Brooklyn Nets head coach Lionel Hollins how he feels about Jack starting, he also replied with a question.

“Who said Jarrett Jack was starting?

I responded, “I read that in the paper that those core guys are going to have the first dibs at training camp and then as we go forward, there will be one or two guys that are pretty much set in stone and then after that everyone has to earn the right.”

Despite promoting an open competition for the lead guard, with Donald Sloan, Ryan Boatright, and Shane Larkin, as the other candidates, Hollins has confidence in Jack due to what he accomplished last year. Jack averaged 12 points, three rebounds, and nearly five assists during the 2014-15 Season. Jack provided steady play for the Nets off-the-bench and as a starter on occasion. The 10-year veteran should be able to beat out his contemporaries, but Hollins wants to see it play out in training camp.

Hollins is also unsure of what the strength of the team will be this year, hinting to depth as a possible answer and wants to see who will solidify themselves as the team’s best wing defender. Markel Brown, the Nets second round pick last year had some great moments as a perimeter defender and Dahntay Jones, whom the Nets signed earlier this month, was brought in for that exact reason. The Nets first-round-pick this year, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has a reputation as a strong defender as well, giving Hollins plenty of options for, as he put it, “controlling” the other team’s best player.

Along with Jack, Brook Lopez, Thaddeus Young and Joe Johnson represent the other key returners for the Nets, and all feel that they need to step up in different areas on-and-off the court. Johnson, a veteran, talked about being a bit more vocal which will be needed on a particularly young roster and doing whatever Hollins wants him to do for the team to be successful.

Photo left to right: Brooklyn Nets team members: Brook Lopez (center); Joe Johnson (shooting guard); and Thaddeus Young (forward)

“Whatever position he wants me to play I’ll play it,” Johnson said. “I don’t consider myself as a two, three, four, I’m just a basketball player that can play multiple decisions.”

Heading into his 15th season, Johnson believes that he still has more years left in the association and credits working on his body to get through the 82-game stretch.

“Throughout this grueling season, if you’re not lifting weights and doing a lot of lower body stuff, that’s how you develop tendinitis,” Johnson added.

Young, who helped the Nets secure a playoff spot last year, talked about family being one of the main reasons for his return.

“TJ starts school this year, so that was one of the biggest things on my mind, was just to have them settled and not continue to move them around,” Young said.

For humor, Young poked fun at Brooklyn traffic saying that it is “Brutal” and regarding basketball, Young talked about how he gelled playing alongside Brook Lopez. According to Young, he and Lopez have known each other since the 8th grade and that relationship translated into wins during the Nets 2015 playoff push.

As for Lopez, becoming a complete player is his main focus. Lopez is more known for his scoring in the low-post, more than anything else and in moving forward, Lopez plans to move the ball, more than usual, to improve on the 1.3 assists he recorded in 2014-15. Chris McCullough, the Nets first-round pick this year who is recovering from an ACL injury, expects to play sometime, later this year but Hollins thinks otherwise.

“Basically, this is a ‘redshirt year’ and secondly, somebody said it, he’s like our lottery pick for next year and I agree with that,” Hollins said. “He’s a guy that is definitely part of the future, so hopefully, we can get him back early so he can get a lot of work in and then go through the summer and Summer League.”

The Nets also added former New York Knicks players, Andrea Bargnani to stretch the floor and Larkin, who Hollins likes because of his speed. Although the Nets had a lot of things to talk about regarding this upcoming year, you had to figure that a Deron quote was due and Johnson shed light on his former backcourt mate.

“I don’t know if he wanted the buyout or if they just bought him out, but if he wanted the buyout, I don’t think it was that bad [here]. That’s just me.”

There are a lot of questions surrounding Hollins and Co. for this upcoming season and with Nets owner, Mikhail Prokhorov slated to attend training camp, the Nets will have to answer them in a timely manner, which will hopefully amount to plenty of wins.

Video Discussion: Prokhorov going to Nets training camp could signal management and coaches are on the hot seat; Nets Media Day offers signals, too

This boss ain’t playing around!

Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov, took to Twitter to announce that he will be joining the Brooklyn Nets at training camp at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

Although the Brooklyn Nets have made it to the NBA Playoffs during the past three seasons in Brooklyn, the Nets haven't exactly had a winning record under Prokhorov.

The Brooklyn Nets win-loss record under Prokhorov stands at 177-217.  Additionally, the team has had four head coaches in Avery Johnson, P.J. Carlesimo, Jason Kidd and now Lionel Hollins. Only Hollins has lasted more than a season.

At the end of the 2014-15 season, the Nets also traded away its franchise player Deron Williams to the Dallas Mavericks.

Since sending Williams to Dallas, there appears to be some uncertainty with the team right now regarding the point guard position, which was evidenced today at Nets Media Day.

When I asked Hollins if Jarrett Jack would be the starting point guard at Nets Media Day today, he replied that the point guard position was up for grabs, it would be based on whoever earns the position.

Prokhorov going to Nets training camp could be making a tense situation even more tense. Many are speculating that the training camp visit seems to signal that several people may be on the hot seat, including Brooklyn Nets General Manager Billy King and head coach Lionel Hollins.

Could it also mean that Prokhorov might just want to better understand the various dynamics surrounding the team?

VIDEO Discussion: Brooklyn Nets Thaddeus Young says the Nets will be a running team

 On Sirius/XM NBA radio, Brooklyn Nets forward, Thaddeus Young stated that the team will look to increase the pace this season under head coach, Lionel Hollins.

VIDEO Discussion: Brooklyn is in New York City, and in 2016, it should have the money for top NBA talent; would free agent Kevin Durant give Brooklyn a look?

With its off-season moves, the Brooklyn Nets are in a good financial position to add an impact free-agent next season. However, is Brooklyn a viable option or popular enough to lure top-level free agent talent?

VIDEO Discussion: Barkley likes Phil Jackson's post-season moves; he likes acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis, Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant, and Derrick Williams 

Long-time Knicks critic Charles Barkley has heaped big praise upon Knicks President Phil Jackson saying that he actually agrees with the moves that Jackson has made this off-season.

VIDEO: Is Kobe Bryant delusional about the Lakers playoff chances, or, does Kobe know something that the rest of the world doesn't?

Oddly enough, Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant is in a story that is Flying Under The Radar. In a phone interview with yahoo.com (Yahoo Sports), Bryant believes that his Lakers team can make the playoffs this season.

In defense of Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles did make some post-season moves to help the team in Brandon Bass, Roy Hibbert, and D'Angelo Russell.

Also, Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach Byron Scott is no slouch.