Nets are now NBA title favorites

[Openheimer]

Harden now listed questionable for tomorrow with neck pain according to Malika Andrews

good news. "neck pain" im sure is "maintenenace day" but they are not allowed to say that anymore.

he needs the rest.

Actually he got hit hard and looked dazed just before half time. It’s legit injury

[MGrand15]

Kyrie out again for the next three games in Portland, Utah and Detroit. The issues regarding his personal matters and time offs can arise anytime

I think we have to make a hard choice during the summer, to keep Irving or not. I am tired of his nonsense, for his birthday matter he can play tonight's game, take the Jazz game off and return to play the Pistons, missing only one game during this road trip. Instead he just doesnt want to play. I am really pessimistic about our title chance this year, apart from KD's injury problem, we never know when Irving suddenly decides to disappear in the middle of the playoffs in a series tied 2-2 going to game 5. Imagine how you'd feel if you are KD or Harden, and Irving just quits on you like this.

If he does this during the playoffs, we can talk. Until then - whatever he needs to do to get his mind right is perfectly fine with me. Dude is averaging 28 PPG on 50, 40, 90 efficiency and gives it 100% every second he's out there. If we were talking about TLC taking personal time off, sure we can talk about not keeping him. Kyrie is outrageously good - has amazing chemistry with Harden and KD - that's all that matters. We're here to win championships - not to win some random Wednesday night road games in a condensed season.

I'm also sick of the speculation about what he's doing with his time off. Ya'll literally have no idea. I know he looked amazing when he came back last time.

[Whiskey Slick]

Re: Kyrie

My mother had advanced Parkinson's while my brother had ALS, both died and I used my bereavement time, but while they were sick and fading away (I wouldn't wish either on my worst enemy), I still went to work everyday because I had bills to pay and a family to support. Nothing heroic about that. That's just the way the normal (non millionaire) world lives. We can't just stop working every time there's a personal problem with the family, as much as we might want too.

Between losing my mother and my brother respectively, my father unexpectedly died of a massive heart-attack. Shortly thereafter my other brother and I had our hearts checked out because heart disease runs in my family and my father died so suddenly. It turned out my bother had a 90% blockage in his artery which required immediate open heart surgery. If it went undiscovered he (like my father) was already living on borrowed time.

BTW my brother who died of ALS had the same open heart surgery about two years earlier.

Bottom line: I think it's pretty clear that I understand "family issues" and no matter how much Kyrie loves his family, he doesn't love them anymore than I loved mine. Maybe the same, but not more, AND YET, with the exception of bereavement I still had a responsibility to get up and go to work everyday, but then again I wasn't fortunate enough to stop working anytime I felt like, nor is at least 90% of mankind. Good for him that he does, but he shouldn't abuse the privilege.

I'm not saying he is, but it's hard to imagine his "family issues" are any worse than mine, unless his baby is seriously ill, in which case nothing else matters. But that aside, IMO (having been there) he should not be walking off his job anytime he feels like it. The Nets are only tolerating that because he's Kyrie. Let TLC or even Tyler Johnson try that and watch how fast they get cut.

BTW if it's true that Bradley Beal can be had for the right price, I would offer Kyrie tonight.

Kyrie has more talent and is the better player, but Beal is no slouch and he's more reliable.

[Suwanee]

Harden needs help. He probably never imagined it when he joined the big 3.

[sashaturiaf]

Re: Kyrie

My mother had advanced Parkinson's while my brother had ALS, both died and I used my bereavement time, but while they were sick and fading away (I wouldn't wish either on my worst enemy), I still went to work everyday because I had bills to pay and a family to support. Nothing heroic about that. That's just the way the normal (non millionaire) world lives. We can't just stop working every time there's a personal problem with the family, as much as we might want too.

Between losing my mother and my brother respectively, my father unexpectedly died of a massive heart-attack. Shortly thereafter my other brother and I had our hearts checked out because heart disease runs in my family and my father died so suddenly. It turned out my bother had a 90% blockage in his artery which required immediate open heart surgery. If it went undiscovered he (like my father) was already living on borrowed time.

BTW my brother who died of ALS had the same open heart surgery about two years earlier.

Bottom line: I think it's pretty clear that I understand "family issues" and no matter how much Kyrie loves his family, he doesn't love them anymore than I loved mine. Maybe the same, but not more, AND YET, with the exception of bereavement I still had a responsibility to get up and go to work everyday, but then again I wasn't fortunate enough to stop working anytime I felt like, nor is at least 90% of mankind. Good for him that he does, but he shouldn't abuse the privilege.

I'm not saying he is, but it's hard to imagine his "family issues" are any worse than mine, unless his baby is seriously ill, in which case nothing else matters. But that aside, IMO (having been there) he should not be walking off his job anytime he feels like it. The Nets are only tolerating that because he's Kyrie. Let TLC or even Tyler Johnson try that and watch how fast they get cut.

BTW if it's true that Bradley Beal can be had for the right price, I would offer Kyrie tonight.

Kyrie has more talent and is the better player, but Beal is no slouch and he's more reliable.

Bro that is some story and after that I wouldn't blame you at all if you went onto the whiskeys at all. Respect for your resilience and hope you live to 100.

As for what Kyrie is doing - I mean it's different. He is Kyrie and even if he retired today he won't be starving nor his children, even if the Nets terminated his entire contract and banned him from the NBA he'd still be earning 5 figures for putting up an Instagram post so I doubt his choices are guided by money like the average joe or even your average NBA millionaire. I think Kyrie is one of the good guys in sports in that he's genuinely trying to make a change, the methods he uses are definitely challenging but I just hope he's there in full in the playoffs. Go nets

[sashaturiaf]

Harden needs help. He probably never imagined it when he joined the big 3.

Nets without KD and Kyrie are still better than that Rockets team he was carrying

[MrDollarBills]

Harden now listed questionable for tomorrow with neck pain according to Malika Andrews

good news. "neck pain" im sure is "maintenenace day" but they are not allowed to say that anymore.

he needs the rest.

Harden got nearly knocked unconscious in the Washington game with a brutal shoulder block to the jaw that left him dazed and slumped on the floor, I don't think they're faking it. I was shocked he came back to not only play but guide the team to victory, which goes to show you how tough that dude is.

Either way I'm glad. He needs to sit. He has carried this team on his back for far too long for too many minutes.

[MrDollarBills]

I am not speculating on Kyrie Irving. The reason given by the Nets was a family matter, that is all that we need to know. Beyond that, it is none of my business, and I hope that Kyrie and his family are okay.

[MrDollarBills]

Harden needs help. He probably never imagined it when he joined the big 3.

As a fan it is frustrating but we just have to be patient. KD will be back soon, Kyrie will probably be back once the Nets return home from the trip and we can start to ramp up for the real battles.

[MrDollarBills]

Kyrie out again for the next three games in Portland, Utah and Detroit. The issues regarding his personal matters and time offs can arise anytime

I think we have to make a hard choice during the summer, to keep Irving or not. I am tired of his nonsense, for his birthday matter he can play tonight's game, take the Jazz game off and return to play the Pistons, missing only one game during this road trip. Instead he just doesnt want to play. I am really pessimistic about our title chance this year, apart from KD's injury problem, we never know when Irving suddenly decides to disappear in the middle of the playoffs in a series tied 2-2 going to game 5. Imagine how you'd feel if you are KD or Harden, and Irving just quits on you like this.

If he does this during the playoffs, we can talk. Until then - whatever he needs to do to get his mind right is perfectly fine with me. Dude is averaging 28 PPG on 50, 40, 90 efficiency and gives it 100% every second he's out there. If we were talking about TLC taking personal time off, sure we can talk about not keeping him. Kyrie is outrageously good - has amazing chemistry with Harden and KD - that's all that matters. We're here to win championships - not to win some random Wednesday night road games in a condensed season.

I'm also sick of the speculation about what he's doing with his time off. Ya'll literally have no idea. I know he looked amazing when he came back last time.

For all we know someone could be on death's door. It is none of our business.

Kyrie has balled out in every game he's played in and has played at an All NBA level despite whatever may be going on in his personal life. his effort cannot be questioned at this point.

[Kiddlovesnets]

I wouldnt care if all 3 never played again if it was to be with family or to serve a higher calling (womens issues, social justice issues, etc)

Are you kidding me? You dont care, I care. Not saying he cant miss a game or two but, this is already way too much. So there will always be issues like womens rights and social justice, and every player should just not play at all whenever they feel like, using this as a perfect excuse? They are professional basketball players, they have contracts and they make millions. If they want to voice their frustration on what is going on in our society, nothing works better than winning a game and speak out in post-game interview. Sitting out games for this kind of things is effectively just, quitting on his teammates and the organization.

[Prokorov]

I wouldnt care if all 3 never played again if it was to be with family or to serve a higher calling (womens issues, social justice issues, etc)

Are you kidding me? You dont care, I care. Not saying he cant miss a game or two but, this is already way too much. So there will always be issues like womens rights and social justice, and every player should just not play at all whenever they feel like, using this as a perfect excuse? They are professional basketball players, they have contracts and they make millions. If they want to voice their frustration on what is going on in our society, nothing works better than winning a game and speak out in post-game interview. Sitting out games for this kind of things is effectively just, quitting on his teammates and the organization.

It is pretty simple. his contract is irrelevant as long as its excused by the team. in this instance it is so thats irrelevant.

If a player needs to sit for family/personal reasons whethers its preseason or the finals, thats fine be me. take care of yourself or your family. I know id laugh at my employer if they tried to get me into work if my wife or daugher was sick

If a player sees a higher calling on social, gender, etc issues and inequalities and sees that as more important than basketball and wants to pursue that and retire/take a hiatus, i would applaud them for it. This country is disgusting how it is hunting black men, Asians being targeted more then ever, and white supremecy being the biggest domestic threat to our safety and democracy.

Yeah it sucks i want the nets to win and their stars to play. but id much rather they do whats right or best for them first.

[Kiddlovesnets]

It is pretty simple. his contract is irrelevant as long as its excused by the team. in this instance it is so thats irrelevant.

If a player needs to sit for family/personal reasons whethers its preseason or the finals, thats fine be me. take care of yourself or your family. I know id laugh at my employer if they tried to get me into work if my wife or daugher was sick

If a player sees a higher calling on social, gender, etc issues and inequalities and sees that as more important than basketball and wants to pursue that and retire/take a hiatus, i would applaud them for it. This country is disgusting how it is hunting black men, Asians being targeted more then ever, and white supremecy being the biggest domestic threat to our safety and democracy.

Yeah it sucks i want the nets to win and their stars to play. but id much rather they do whats right or best for them first.

His contract is relevant, because hes supposed to play unless there is a serious personal reason to prevent that. Family issue/mental health, fine this is acceptable and we cant do much about that. But social justice, no I dont see this as valid excuse, this is not a personal reason at all but more like using political correctness as excuses for not wanting to go to work. If I am an employer and my employees dont go to work because he is spending this time for social justice, he is fired plain and simple. Theres a bottom-line about this, we are all grown-up men and theres such a thing called professionalism. Of course we all care about social issues and we all want equality and justice, but theres something better to do than protest by not going to work.

[Prokorov]

It is pretty simple. his contract is irrelevant as long as its excused by the team. in this instance it is so thats irrelevant.

If a player needs to sit for family/personal reasons whethers its preseason or the finals, thats fine be me. take care of yourself or your family. I know id laugh at my employer if they tried to get me into work if my wife or daugher was sick

If a player sees a higher calling on social, gender, etc issues and inequalities and sees that as more important than basketball and wants to pursue that and retire/take a hiatus, i would applaud them for it. This country is disgusting how it is hunting black men, Asians being targeted more then ever, and white supremecy being the biggest domestic threat to our safety and democracy.

Yeah it sucks i want the nets to win and their stars to play. but id much rather they do whats right or best for them first.

His contract is relevant, because hes supposed to play unless there is a serious personal reason to prevent that. Family issue/mental health, fine this is acceptable and we cant do much about that.

It is acceptable. so why complain like it isnt?

But social justice, no I dont see this as valid excuse, this is not a personal reason at all but more like using political correctness as excuses for not wanting to go to work. If I am an employer and my employees dont go to work because he is spending this time for social justice, he is fired plain and simple.

Depends on the employee. if its joe schmoe, yeah. if its a salesman who accounts for 70% of your revanue in a market so competitive its tough to get the best salesman, maybe not. either way, when you are in the top 1% of valuable employees in your line of work, you get a longer rope. whether its an athlete, a salesman, an engineer, etc.

Further, i didnt say miss games for it, i said retire/take seasons off for it. in which case, they wouldnt be getting paid.

Theres a bottom-line about this, we are all grown-up men and theres such a thing called professionalism. Of course we all care about social issues and we all want equality and justice, but theres something better to do than protest by not going to work.

1) we dont all care about social issues. and infact about half the country cheers on inequality.
2) "professionalism" is a fun word old white men like to throw around to keep young black men in line

Bottom line, there are things ALOT more important to work. and if an employee feels the need to pursue them, thats wonderful. if the employer feels the employee isnt valuable he can fire them. but that typically wont get you very far. as someone who is in charge of hiring, it isnt easy to find good people, and it takes a huge time/money effort to bring in someone new and train them and then a high cost to retain them and then they may leave too.

Value your employees, support whats good for them and their passions. thats what good orgs do. the NBA is a good org. the nets are a good org.,... and they knew who kyrie was coming in and support him.