BROOKLYN– Brad Stevens is new to the NBA, and the Boston Celtics have had to grow familiar with his brand of coaching over the course of training camp and the preseason. With just about two weeks before the start of the season – and a new era for the franchise – the Celtics seem pleased with the progress the team is making under Stevens’ early stewardship. If general manager Danny Ainge’s plan for the franchise is for the rookie coach to grow
It’s always interesting to hear candid thoughts from former players or coaches about the situations of the teams they used to play for or coached. P.J. Carlesimo, the former interim head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, is now an ESPN analyst. Able to share all his thoughts in an objective matter, Carlesimo had plenty to say about what level of talent the Nets really have, why it’s bad for the league to be a players league, and what it really means
And just like that, the second round is upon us. If that felt a little abrupt, don’t worry: it was. Somehow the first series to be set is the last to get underway, which I’m sure Gregg Popovich and the Spurs won’t mind. Mark Jackson and the Warriors probably won’t mind too much either, with Andrew Bogut and Steph Curry’s ankle troubles. For more on the Warriors and Spurs, check out Jan Hubbard’s latest column. The other series that starts tomorrow
Deron Williams struggled to get going last night BROOKLYN — The buzzer at the end of the third quarter sounded. Some fans at Barclays Center clapped, but mostly there was just silence. Kind of like Deron Williams’ play. The same Nets fans who couldn’t get enough of their team’s 106-89 blowout Game 1 victory were silenced at the offensive end thanks to intensity and attention to detail by the Chicago Bulls. In stealing homecourt advantage with a 90-82 victory, the Bulls
“If you don’t see Brook Lopez play a lot, this is why he made the All-Star team,” explained a hyped up Jim Spanarkel, the YES Network color commentator, after Lopez blocked Jodie Meeks’ shot attempt from the weak side. “It’s plays like that at the defensive end of the floor – it’s not that they were non-existent – but they weren’t Brook Lopez of a couple years ago.” That play – and statement – so adequately sums up Brook Lopez’s season
It seems Deron Williams was very candid about his play and his likely spot in the 2013 All-Star game during pregame media availability tonight at the Barclays Center. Tim Bontemps of the New York Post with the news: [Read more…]
The media train wreck that was and is the Brooklyn Nets firing of Avery Johnson continues. A number of well respected media members have jumped on the story. Sheridan Hoops is also on the case: [Read more…]