GT: Nets (27-23) @ Boston (30-19) - 1/28/19

[MGrand15]

It's funny how some fans and media are trying to spin this Russell thing into some sort of controversy. Team wins a couple games and everyone forgets what got us here. Kenny's BEEN benching Russell when he lacks effort or focus and he's been conservative with the starters on B2Bs. It got us to where we are. Russell has developed and the team never no-shows games.

[NetsJets]

I just feel like Russell is on a short leash compared to everybody else and it isn’t fair. Guys make mistakes all the time and they’re not pulled because of it. When others have bad shooting nights they remain in the game, when Russell has a bad shooting game he gets benched. Luckily Russell has taken this in stride, but this sorta thing could kill a players confidence...

Coaches (and teachers) can be harsher on those who they see potential but for one reason or another (motivation, effort, etc) isn't living up to it.

Russell didn't have a good game with the exception of that 3rd quarter burst that brought us back.

Bad shot selection (heat check especially which killed the run), bad turnovers, lack of effort on the boards. Was not surprised when Kenny sat him out after the ball watching portion.

I know a lot of people here think I'm nit picking here, but any good to elite PG absolutely destroys Aaron Baines when they are switched on them.

Not Russell...

We've seen it all season long...Nene, Baines, Kanter, doesn't matter how slow and lumbering the big man is...

Russell doesn't get by him and settles for a pull up.

Without Caris and now Spencer, it's even more pronounced. He needs to figure out how to get by them.

That said, not a lot of help offensively last night with Joe not feeling it, Rodi not getting much looks, Rondae strictly a garbage man type on offense (more pronounced when we force feed him the ball). There just isn't any guys who can create off the dribble consistently (now down to shabazz whose shot selection can be sketchy), and since Russell can't get by bigs and rondae/Allen can't really create, all a defense needs to do is switch and disrupt our three point shooting to really limit our offense.

Thought we stuck with the zone too much too.

But as we noted before the game, this was likely going to be a loss.

We just gotta buckle up, hope we get hot enough just in time for guys to get healthy.

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He’s not the most explosive or the most athletic he is what he is and I’m not making excuses for his mistakes. I’m saying that he’s one of the few players we have that can score and create for others why sit him in a relatively close game? You chew him out on the sidelines about it and keep it moving. If Dinwiddie does that you think Kenny sit him? I doubt it.

[SpeedyG]

I just feel like Russell is on a short leash compared to everybody else and it isn’t fair. Guys make mistakes all the time and they’re not pulled because of it. When others have bad shooting nights they remain in the game, when Russell has a bad shooting game he gets benched. Luckily Russell has taken this in stride, but this sorta thing could kill a players confidence...

Coaches (and teachers) can be harsher on those who they see potential but for one reason or another (motivation, effort, etc) isn't living up to it.

Russell didn't have a good game with the exception of that 3rd quarter burst that brought us back.

Bad shot selection (heat check especially which killed the run), bad turnovers, lack of effort on the boards. Was not surprised when Kenny sat him out after the ball watching portion.

I know a lot of people here think I'm nit picking here, but any good to elite PG absolutely destroys Aaron Baines when they are switched on them.

Not Russell...

We've seen it all season long...Nene, Baines, Kanter, doesn't matter how slow and lumbering the big man is...

Russell doesn't get by him and settles for a pull up.

Without Caris and now Spencer, it's even more pronounced. He needs to figure out how to get by them.

That said, not a lot of help offensively last night with Joe not feeling it, Rodi not getting much looks, Rondae strictly a garbage man type on offense (more pronounced when we force feed him the ball). There just isn't any guys who can create off the dribble consistently (now down to shabazz whose shot selection can be sketchy), and since Russell can't get by bigs and rondae/Allen can't really create, all a defense needs to do is switch and disrupt our three point shooting to really limit our offense.

Thought we stuck with the zone too much too.

But as we noted before the game, this was likely going to be a loss.

We just gotta buckle up, hope we get hot enough just in time for guys to get healthy.

Sent from my SM-G925T using RealGM mobile app

He’s not the most explosive or the most athletic he is what he is and I’m not making excuses for his mistakes. I’m saying that he’s one of the few players we have that can score and create for others why sit him in a relatively close game? You chew him out on the sidelines about it and keep it moving. If Dinwiddie does that you think Kenny sit him? I doubt it.

Chances are they probably sit him and bring him back if it looked like we could win. With it the 1st of back to back and the team really wasn't playing well, Kenny may have thrown the towel simply.

Kenny has been doing this all year to Russell, and for the most part, it has worked judging his improvement over the course of the season.

Different people respond to criticisms in different ways. Who's to say this isn't how Russell and Kenny's coach/player relationship works?

Sit Russell down, and then after the game they have a good conversation on what went wrong or what could have been better.

It's a testament to Russell that Kenny can have this approach and not only does it not affect him negatively but bounces back from it.

Sent from my SM-G925T using RealGM mobile app

[NetsJets]

Coaches (and teachers) can be harsher on those who they see potential but for one reason or another (motivation, effort, etc) isn't living up to it.

Russell didn't have a good game with the exception of that 3rd quarter burst that brought us back.

Bad shot selection (heat check especially which killed the run), bad turnovers, lack of effort on the boards. Was not surprised when Kenny sat him out after the ball watching portion.

I know a lot of people here think I'm nit picking here, but any good to elite PG absolutely destroys Aaron Baines when they are switched on them.

Not Russell...

We've seen it all season long...Nene, Baines, Kanter, doesn't matter how slow and lumbering the big man is...

Russell doesn't get by him and settles for a pull up.

Without Caris and now Spencer, it's even more pronounced. He needs to figure out how to get by them.

That said, not a lot of help offensively last night with Joe not feeling it, Rodi not getting much looks, Rondae strictly a garbage man type on offense (more pronounced when we force feed him the ball). There just isn't any guys who can create off the dribble consistently (now down to shabazz whose shot selection can be sketchy), and since Russell can't get by bigs and rondae/Allen can't really create, all a defense needs to do is switch and disrupt our three point shooting to really limit our offense.

Thought we stuck with the zone too much too.

But as we noted before the game, this was likely going to be a loss.

We just gotta buckle up, hope we get hot enough just in time for guys to get healthy.

Sent from my SM-G925T using RealGM mobile app

He’s not the most explosive or the most athletic he is what he is and I’m not making excuses for his mistakes. I’m saying that he’s one of the few players we have that can score and create for others why sit him in a relatively close game? You chew him out on the sidelines about it and keep it moving. If Dinwiddie does that you think Kenny sit him? I doubt it.

Chances are they probably sit him and bring him back if it looked like we could win. With it the 1st of back to back and the team really wasn't playing well, Kenny may have thrown the towel simply.

Kenny has been doing this all year to Russell, and for the most part, it has worked judging his improvement over the course of the season.

Different people respond to criticisms in different ways. Who's to say this isn't how Russell and Kenny's coach/player relationship works?

Sit Russell down, and then after the game they have a good conversation on what went wrong or what could have been better.

It's a testament to Russell that Kenny can have this approach and not only does it not affect him negatively but bounces back from it.

Sent from my SM-G925T using RealGM mobile app

Because Russell has a short leash. If it was about resting players because of a back to back then Joe Harris, RHJ, etc wouldn’t have been out there late. Russell has played well despite the short leash but this could’ve also have had the opposite effect which is killing his confidence.

[SpeedyG]

He’s not the most explosive or the most athletic he is what he is and I’m not making excuses for his mistakes. I’m saying that he’s one of the few players we have that can score and create for others why sit him in a relatively close game? You chew him out on the sidelines about it and keep it moving. If Dinwiddie does that you think Kenny sit him? I doubt it.

Chances are they probably sit him and bring him back if it looked like we could win. With it the 1st of back to back and the team really wasn't playing well, Kenny may have thrown the towel simply.

Kenny has been doing this all year to Russell, and for the most part, it has worked judging his improvement over the course of the season.

Different people respond to criticisms in different ways. Who's to say this isn't how Russell and Kenny's coach/player relationship works?

Sit Russell down, and then after the game they have a good conversation on what went wrong or what could have been better.

It's a testament to Russell that Kenny can have this approach and not only does it not affect him negatively but bounces back from it.

Sent from my SM-G925T using RealGM mobile app

Because Russell has a short leash. If it was about resting players because of a back to back then Joe Harris, RHJ, etc wouldn’t have been out there late. Russell has played well despite the short leash but this could’ve also have had the opposite effect which is killing his confidence.

But it hasn't affected Russell's confidence. If anything it's helped him this season. Can't really argue the results of this method between the two.

It's working.

Not every player can be "benched" and respond positively to it. Russell has.

I bet you we see a much better Russell vs the Bulls.

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[Claud]

Russell thing is a combination of 1st night of back to back + teachable moment.

Every time Kenny has done something like this before Dlo took it in stride and improved. Non-issue.

The game last night we battled but playing without so many key contributors + ref ball killed us.

[MrDollarBills]

I would prefer that the coach continues to coach/discipline Russell within the parameters that the two of them have set within their player/coach relationship. Russell trusts Atkinson enough to the point where he wasn't even questioning why he was taken out. He knows what he did, he knows what he needs to do to be better.

Russell is our best player, the only guy that can go off on scoring tears and can carry this team on his back when the team needs him. He's done it time after time this season. If Kenny's relationship with him is to be tough on him to get him to become even better, why is it an issue?

Russell is not some mental midget. There have been dudes that have come through here who would have lost their minds if they were coached like Russell has been. yet all we see is this guy continuing to get better, and when he makes a mistake, he owns it and tries to do better next time out.

[MrDollarBills]

Also, I put it like this...we're 3 months into the season and Russell has turned a major corner in his career....and Kenny is still kicking his ass. That says to me he knows that the guy can be way better than what we're seeing now.

[NetsJets]

Chances are they probably sit him and bring him back if it looked like we could win. With it the 1st of back to back and the team really wasn't playing well, Kenny may have thrown the towel simply.

Kenny has been doing this all year to Russell, and for the most part, it has worked judging his improvement over the course of the season.

Different people respond to criticisms in different ways. Who's to say this isn't how Russell and Kenny's coach/player relationship works?

Sit Russell down, and then after the game they have a good conversation on what went wrong or what could have been better.

It's a testament to Russell that Kenny can have this approach and not only does it not affect him negatively but bounces back from it.

Sent from my SM-G925T using RealGM mobile app

Because Russell has a short leash. If it was about resting players because of a back to back then Joe Harris, RHJ, etc wouldn’t have been out there late. Russell has played well despite the short leash but this could’ve also have had the opposite effect which is killing his confidence.

But it hasn't affected Russell's confidence. If anything it's helped him this season. Can't really argue the results of this method between the two.

It's working.

Not every player can be "benched" and respond positively to it. Russell has.

I bet you we see a much better Russell vs the Bulls.

Sent from my SM-G925T using RealGM mobile app

I see a problem with it because others don’t get coached that way. Guys can jack up shots make mistakes and they play. Russell jacks up shots now he must sit because he doesn’t have tonight, other players get to play thru their funk, he misses an assignment, has a bad turnover etc, now he must sit. Yet Napier can make bonehead plays last night and he gets to play thru it. And Russell is playing well inspite of it not because of it. He knows if he has a bad game Napier will be getting his minutes.

[NetsJets]

I would prefer that the coach continues to coach/discipline Russell within the parameters that the two of them have set within their player/coach relationship. Russell trusts Atkinson enough to the point where he wasn't even questioning why he was taken out. He knows what he did, he knows what he needs to do to be better.

Russell is our best player, the only guy that can go off on scoring tears and can carry this team on his back when the team needs him. He's done it time after time this season. If Kenny's relationship with him is to be tough on him to get him to become even better, why is it an issue?

Russell is not some mental midget. There have been dudes that have come through here who would have lost their minds if they were coached like Russell has been. yet all we see is this guy continuing to get better, and when he makes a mistake, he owns it and tries to do better next time out.

So take out our supposed best player in a 7 point game with 8 minutes left?

[MrDollarBills]

I would prefer that the coach continues to coach/discipline Russell within the parameters that the two of them have set within their player/coach relationship. Russell trusts Atkinson enough to the point where he wasn't even questioning why he was taken out. He knows what he did, he knows what he needs to do to be better.

Russell is our best player, the only guy that can go off on scoring tears and can carry this team on his back when the team needs him. He's done it time after time this season. If Kenny's relationship with him is to be tough on him to get him to become even better, why is it an issue?

Russell is not some mental midget. There have been dudes that have come through here who would have lost their minds if they were coached like Russell has been. yet all we see is this guy continuing to get better, and when he makes a mistake, he owns it and tries to do better next time out.

So take out our supposed best player in a 7 point game with 8 minutes left?

If the coach felt it was necessary to send a message, yes. This is about the long term success of this team, not short term.

[NetsJets]

I would prefer that the coach continues to coach/discipline Russell within the parameters that the two of them have set within their player/coach relationship. Russell trusts Atkinson enough to the point where he wasn't even questioning why he was taken out. He knows what he did, he knows what he needs to do to be better.

Russell is our best player, the only guy that can go off on scoring tears and can carry this team on his back when the team needs him. He's done it time after time this season. If Kenny's relationship with him is to be tough on him to get him to become even better, why is it an issue?

Russell is not some mental midget. There have been dudes that have come through here who would have lost their minds if they were coached like Russell has been. yet all we see is this guy continuing to get better, and when he makes a mistake, he owns it and tries to do better next time out.

So take out our supposed best player in a 7 point game with 8 minutes left?

If the coach felt it was necessary to send a message, yes. This is about the long term success of this team, not short term.

But leave everybody else out there to make mistakes and not get yanked. Got it.

[Prokorov]

Nets twitter was in their feelings about Russell getting pulled last night. Both Russell and Kenny said it had to do with him watching the ball instead of rebounding while in the zone.

I personally don't think the Nets had a chance last night regardless (Boston went on an 8-0 run as soon as Russell went out) of the benching based on how that game was called and the talent disparity on the floor. But Russell admitted his fault and handled it in a more mature manner than some of these whining fans on twitter. He gave himself no excuses in his post game interview and took it in stride.

Yup. I'm not sure how it looked on TV, but being their live and close up (humblebrag, sick seats) it was clear as day Russell watched it hit the floor. I dont think it was an effort thing, it was more of a brain-fart. like "yeah Allen's got this board" and then was caught with his paints down when fro didnt get it.

It's clear that Kenny does not treat Russell like the others. He is a lot harsher on him. And at this point, I'm fine with it. Why? Because it's to make Russell, who may I remind everyone is still a 22 year old learning his way through this, a better player and professional, and if you guys have heard Russell speak he actually wants GUIDANCE. He said it in his interview last week and said it back in preseason he wants to be coached.

Spot on. And this is really why im so ride or die with Kenny. Just because we are a playoff team, on a huge 19-6 stretch, that doesnt mean you stop developing or stop coaching these kids. Even if it cost us a game, or even the playoffs im behind it. I'd rather russell reach his peak then make the playoffs if it came to it... luckily it looks like we can do both. Russell embraces it... when kenny took him out, he even like locked arms with him... they both acknowledge it.

Dlo and Kenny have the best possible relation ship for young player - coach. Dlo doesnt do things out of fear or out of responsibility, he does it because he doesnt want to let kenny down. thats a huge motivator.

I forgot who said it, i think it was one of his past coaches, but they said that the guy actually needs someone to stay on him. If he's out their having mental lapses and watching rebounds instead of being aggressive you're damn right he needs to be checked on it. The Nets are going to invest good money in this guy, and he wants to be pushed to become better so I have no problems with it.

No one should be above reproach here.

Yup... and it is REALLY easy for a 22 year old to think they have it all figured out when they are going well. I look at Devin booker and think how much better he would be under Kenny.

[Prokorov]

I just feel like Russell is on a short leash compared to everybody else and it isn’t fair. Guys make mistakes all the time and they’re not pulled because of it. When others have bad shooting nights they remain in the game, when Russell has a bad shooting game he gets benched. Luckily Russell has taken this in stride, but this sorta thing could kill a players confidence...

not fair to who? Russell embraces it. Russell has more confidence then the rest of the team combined. you have to treat guys different. lower level guys, you need to let them play through struggles to give them that confidence. Russell has it. Russell needs to be honed to perfection. he needs to be checked. and he has bought in.

[Prokorov]

Russell was not going to play all 12 minutes of the 4th quarter. Kenny got frustrated at the rebound effort, and pulled him to send a message, but he would've gotten him a couple of minutes of rest soon anyway.

If we were within about 7 with 4ish minutes to go, I'm sure Kenny would've put Russell back in, but it was double digits at that point. Nobody else was shooting well enough to help Russell overcome that lead.

Exactly, Russell came out 1-2 minutes earlier then he would have, but either way he would have been done with the back to back

[Prokorov]

It's funny how some fans and media are trying to spin this Russell thing into some sort of controversy. Team wins a couple games and everyone forgets what got us here. Kenny's BEEN benching Russell when he lacks effort or focus and he's been conservative with the starters on B2Bs. It got us to where we are. Russell has developed and the team never no-shows games.

^ This....

You dont just turn into a "win at all costs" coach and outlook because we have had a bit of success. this is still a team of 20-24 year olds and we still need to stay on the development plan.

if it costs us a handful of games and/or the playoffs so be it. this is a 10 year long term approach, not a quick fix. the fact that we are 27-24 and so far ahead of the game is the reason WHY we need to stick with it, not a reason to go to some win now/let things slide approach

[MrDollarBills]

So take out our supposed best player in a 7 point game with 8 minutes left?

If the coach felt it was necessary to send a message, yes. This is about the long term success of this team, not short term.

But leave everybody else out there to make mistakes and not get yanked. Got it.

Hey fam I saw Spencer get yanked and barked at by Kenny at least a week to two weeks ago, so it's not like I'm sitting here saying that Russell is the only one who deserves to be checked

[MrDollarBills]

yall need to listen to Russell's interview with Evan Roberts last week. the dude said the one thing that hurt the most in LA was that he had zero guidance or help on how to be a professional. zilch. Russell doesn't even like to talk about his time in LA so for him to say that says a lot about what he's getting here now in Brooklyn.

You think what Kenny is doing isn't apart of his emergence this season? Or having guys like Carroll and Dudley in his ear? Having a competitive and healthy environment to work in?

[MrDollarBills]

It's funny how some fans and media are trying to spin this Russell thing into some sort of controversy. Team wins a couple games and everyone forgets what got us here. Kenny's BEEN benching Russell when he lacks effort or focus and he's been conservative with the starters on B2Bs. It got us to where we are. Russell has developed and the team never no-shows games.

^ This....

You dont just turn into a "win at all costs" coach and outlook because we have had a bit of success. this is still a team of 20-24 year olds and we still need to stay on the development plan.

if it costs us a handful of games and/or the playoffs so be it. this is a 10 year long term approach, not a quick fix. the fact that we are 27-24 and so far ahead of the game is the reason WHY we need to stick with it, not a reason to go to some win now/let things slide approach

Yep. The Nets are ahead of schedule. We should be a bottom 3-5 lotto team and here we are casually sitting in 6th on the back of several injuries in season, with a whole mess of talent about to come back post all star break. The Nets have done everything the right way and its paying off, there's no need to change that now or panic because of 1 loss.

Last night was a throwaway game and we were still in for most of the night. Russell destroyed Terry Rozier. If we had our full squad who knows what we would have done.