Jul
19

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Ranking your 2013-14 Brooklyn Nets

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Listen, it’s the offseason. The Nets aren’t participating in anything currently taking place in Vegas, so times are tough here at Brooklyn’s Finest. And that’s why, until we receive enough tweets (@notjdaigle/@BKsFinestTHN) to pull off a Mentions Bag, I’ve reached for my patented Bleacher Report mace in order to bludgeon you to death with some sort of list.

But not just any ol’ list.

Since Orlando’s Summer League just finished up and the roster has been, at the least, revamped during the past month, it’s probably a good time to re-rank the players—according to their importance—however we deem fit (and, admittedly, because we don’t have any better ideas.

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Jul
18

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Your new Nets.

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Jul
16

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Billy King’s official statement on Jason Kidd’s DWI arrest

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“Jason has taken responsibility for his actions, and fully realizes that he needs to grow from this experience. We are confident he will make these strides on a personal level and have a positive effect on others as well.”

A pretty by-the-numbers press release, but it’s something. (Here’s the AP’s story from earlier today on Kidd pleading guilty to a DWI incident last year.)

Jul
12

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Using the Summer League to peek into J-Kidd’s offense

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SL4

This is the part where I should probably start off by saying something eclectic about Summer League basketball, but let’s be honest: It doesn’t matter.

I mean, sure. A few things here and there might result in something meaningful. But, for the most part, it’s more like that scene from This Is the End when everyone gathers around Seth Rogen to pull matches from his hand. In reality, we’re really trying to grasp the one ever-loving burnt match.

In fact, this actual commentary from the third quarter of the Nets/Pistons game pretty much sums it up:

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Jul
12

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Andrei Kirilenko, dragon of death

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Russian conspiracy jokes aside, Andrei Kirilenko and the Brooklyn Nets are a great fit for each other. Andrei’s arrival creates a situation where he, Paul Pierce and the Big Ticket can split minutes to preserve their bodies for the postseason. The ability to limit that trio to 20-25 mpg—and strategically rest them on some nights ala the Spurs—will be instrumental in keeping them healthy and fresh for the playoffs.

The injury-decimated Wolves lost their status as perennial League Pass favorites last season as their roster eroded into Ricky Rubio and the Replacement Level Players. But to the diehards who watched, it was evident: Andrei Kirilenko was the Wolves’ MVP. Without Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio to start the season, the Wolves needed to stay near .500 until they returned to have a realistic shot at the playoffs. Despite playing several games with 9 or less healthy players on the roster, they were able to tread water for the first month and a half of the season, largely because of Kirilenko’s inspired play. (I believe you remember the first game the Nets ever lost at the Barclays Center.) Unfortunately, Andrei was never supposed to play the heavy minutes and large offensive role he admirably fulfilled, and he clearly wore down by season’s end.

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Jul
5

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The primer on Mason Plumlee

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In 2009, Mason Plumlee was a top-10 recruit bound for Duke, a McDonald’s All-American in a high school class that produced John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Derrick Favors, Derrick Williams, Avery Bradley and little else. Back then, Plumlee was hailed not only for his size and elite athleticism, but for his skill set as a big who could push the ball in transition and step back to hit the open three.

Like many high-profile big men under Coach K’s watch, Plumlee isn’t the player he was expected to be. Four years later, gone are any vestiges of an emerging perimeter skill-set (DraftExpress estimates he took a total of 10 jumpers over his final two collegiate seasons.) What matters at this point, though, is that this is a player with size, athleticism and enthusiasm, a combination that doesn’t come along often, even in the NBA.

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Jul
2

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Brooklyn’s Finest Podcast 7/2/13: CelticsHub

Chris, Jeremy and CelticsHub’s Brendan Jackson (@celticshub) break down the Nets-Celtics blockbuster trade that sends Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn, what to expect regarding the future for both organizations, how Pierce’s exit compares to Nomar Garciaparra’s, and what the first interaction between Kevin Garnett and Andray Blatche will look like.