Preseason: Wizards vs Nets - Sunday, 12/13/20, 6:00pm | YES & NBA TV

[ecuhus1981]

My small sample size hot takes:

1) Kyrie is ready. He was dialed in, masterful offensively and took the challenge defensively.

2) Kevin is baaaack! He's not in peak form, but he looks completely comfortable. Defensively, he's further along than I had hoped. His bona fides say he's the best defender on the team, but I worried that that expectation was unfair for someone coming back from an horrific injury. It's not, he's our stopper.

3) Spencer was the 5th starter ostensibly because we rested Caris, but don't be shocked if it stays this way. Single-game +/- is not the end-all, be-all, but his performance matched the numbers. Made plays for others so that our stars could shine, and defended decently. Nash keeps dropping hints that Caris is our Ginobili, could Spencer be the Stephen Jackson???The iffy part is whether his spot-up shooting materializes, he was 0-3 from distance. Finally, I hate to make this about trade rumors, but if you wanted to see how the Beard would look with the starters, the Goatee is a pretty close comparison...

4) TLC knows he's on a non-guaranteed contract, right? He sure didn't play like it. He gets some rope in my mind due to a strong Bubble campaign, but roster cuts are coming. He looked awful.

I've shared on DJ, JA and others. It's one game, and it's game one. I'm just happy my Nets are back, and I hold them to a ridiculously high standard. Go Brooklyn!

[MrDollarBills]

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6'10, 250. I would like to see him in with the first unit some more.

[NetsJets]

Team is deep

A lot of rawness too though. DJ and Green are the only true bench vets. Young depth is full of surprises good and bad. Vet depth gives you consistency.

Most of the bench are young veterans though.

[Prokorov]

Lets not forget we were missing Levert today. That puts Dinwiddie back on the bench.

And Shamet has a ton of experience too.

Nash was non committal on Caris starting. Mentioned he could take a Manu role.

Maybe Levert on the bench and start Shamet? I think we would be too small.

Otherwise we could start Prince and move KD back to the 3? I don't think that makes sense either.

I think Levert will probably start.

i didnt think id like spencer starting but it looked pretty good. more guys who can push and with the swtiches so many on-ball mismatches. i like levert in the manu role. he is clearly better when he can volume shoot

[Prokorov]

My thoughts on the game....

1) Love Shamut on this team. Hope people here start to change their tune on him. Dude is a legit player. People knock his defense but he is disruptive with tips, steals, and high IQ. he could be our Matt Barnes.

2) Kyrie letting his game do all the talking... and its saying STFU.

3) KD looks better then i thought. Shot wasnt on but did KD things. the referse in transition, the blocks, the mid range off pin downs. looked smooth. looked athletic. looked to not have lost a step. Maybe his strength is quite there looked like 1 or 2 times he got bodied off balance but they were called fouls on him and Hachimura isnt a small guy so we'll see. but based on tonight im expecting 95-100% KD.

4) our IQ as a team is off the charts good. Kyrie, KD, Harris, Shamet, TJ, Levert, all these guys have such a great feel for the game. it helps defensively when you dont have a team full of elite defenders. also nice we can switch so much better with KDs size at the 4 this year.

5) the KD-Jordan and KD-Allen pick and roll is and will be our best play. the times we ran it we got a jordan dunk, an allen would-be dunk if he was looking for the ball, an easy KD jumper, 2 open threes, Kyrie on a mismatch after a swing.

6) Stop it. stop doing it. you are doing it again. Stop the enormous over-hype of reggie perry and the massive allen/DJ hate. Everyone seems to like Reggie Perry. Reggie Peryr may one day become a rotation player. he isnt starting, he isnt playing big minutes, he is going to be DNP-CD most nights and thats ok. Can we get through pre-season without calling for DJ to be benched fo rperry the way last year people wanted to cut/trade allen and start claxton? Allen/DJ are both very good starting centers. both played very well last season for stretches. its good comp. let it be.

7) Tauren Prince is just flat out a better player when he can play his role. Last year in the games Kyrie played prince's numbers were outstanding. We saw another glimpse last night.

8) The shooting on this team is off the charts. Kyrie, KD, Harris, Shamet, Prince are all 40% from three types who can shoot off balance or on ball. TLC in a small sample last year showed he had promise. Dinwiddie/Levert can make them enough to keep you honest. Kurucs and Green from the 5 can make that shot if you dare them to.

My last thought was this. D'antoni is going to turn Kyrie's volume way up. Kyrie with MD is going to do some scary things offensively. KD is obviously abeast. but Kyrie with MD getting him in the right spots and 1 on 1 with spacing all over is almost unfair.

[Sharcm1]

I think the same about the Allen vs Jordan duel. They are different players with different strengths and weaknesses. Last night was an example of when Allen should have started. I thought Jordan played pretty poorly. I know it’s the first game but it was more about the match up than anything. When the opposing center is also a shooter we can’t play Jordan against him. Jordan does not leave the paint. He does not attempt to run down shooters. He did this all last season and did it again last night. Allen at least tries.

That being said Allen can’t guard big back to the basket centers. Jordan is much better at that. What should happen with these two is one starts when the starting opposing center is a back to the basket player then Jordan starts and when the opposing center is more of a shooter then Allen starts.

[MGrand15]

I don't see any Reggie Perry hype Just telling that he got a decent amount of first half minutes. Maybe we're just building DJ and JA up slowly since they're big men. Maybe Nash likes the idea of playing a legit stretch 5 for a few minutes a game.

DJ is an important vet for the team to have but when he looks bad, he looks REALLY bad. Not overly concerned but we'll see how things progress. Offense won't be a problem for this team. It's all about getting the defense as solid as possible. We're not the most athletic team so we need max effort + smart play.

[Prokorov]

Kyrie goes for 18 points on 7/8 shooting in 17 minutes.

Media: Kyrie takes 8 shots away from durant. no-show in the second half. Chiozza closes out game with game winner. Looks like Nash trusts Chiozza more to close out games.

[Prokorov]

I think the same about the Allen vs Jordan duel. They are different players with different strengths and weaknesses. Last night was an example of when Allen should have started. I thought Jordan played pretty poorly. I know it’s the first game but it was more about the match up than anything. When the opposing center is also a shooter we can’t play Jordan against him. Jordan does not leave the paint. He does not attempt to run down shooters. He did this all last season and did it again last night. Allen at least tries.

That being said Allen can’t guard big back to the basket centers. Jordan is much better at that. What should happen with these two is one starts when the starting opposing center is a back to the basket player then Jordan starts and when the opposing center is more of a shooter then Allen starts.

I agree with you in theory.

but specifically regarding the wizards and thomas bryant. bryant hit 4 threes with allen not even getting a hand in his face in a 20+ point effort in the bubble. and that was a game that counted. so i wouldnt give jordan too much crap on that for last night. it seems more philisophical. teams will eventually start respecting bryant from three. he wasnt a shooter in colege, barley took any his rookie year but since has added it.

[Hello Brooklyn]

Nash was non committal on Caris starting. Mentioned he could take a Manu role.

Maybe Levert on the bench and start Shamet? I think we would be too small.

Otherwise we could start Prince and move KD back to the 3? I don't think that makes sense either.

I think Levert will probably start.

i didnt think id like spencer starting but it looked pretty good. more guys who can push and with the swtiches so many on-ball mismatches. i like levert in the manu role. he is clearly better when he can volume shoot

Its not going to work if Spencer continues to be a poor shooter from 3. I'm not a fan.

I still think Levert should start or if not him then Prince at the 4.

[MrDollarBills]

My thoughts on the game....

1) Love Shamut on this team. Hope people here start to change their tune on him. Dude is a legit player. People knock his defense but he is disruptive with tips, steals, and high IQ. he could be our Matt Barnes.

2) Kyrie letting his game do all the talking... and its saying STFU.

3) KD looks better then i thought. Shot wasnt on but did KD things. the referse in transition, the blocks, the mid range off pin downs. looked smooth. looked athletic. looked to not have lost a step. Maybe his strength is quite there looked like 1 or 2 times he got bodied off balance but they were called fouls on him and Hachimura isnt a small guy so we'll see. but based on tonight im expecting 95-100% KD.

4) our IQ as a team is off the charts good. Kyrie, KD, Harris, Shamet, TJ, Levert, all these guys have such a great feel for the game. it helps defensively when you dont have a team full of elite defenders. also nice we can switch so much better with KDs size at the 4 this year.

5) the KD-Jordan and KD-Allen pick and roll is and will be our best play. the times we ran it we got a jordan dunk, an allen would-be dunk if he was looking for the ball, an easy KD jumper, 2 open threes, Kyrie on a mismatch after a swing.

6) Stop it. stop doing it. you are doing it again. Stop the enormous over-hype of reggie perry and the massive allen/DJ hate. Everyone seems to like Reggie Perry. Reggie Peryr may one day become a rotation player. he isnt starting, he isnt playing big minutes, he is going to be DNP-CD most nights and thats ok. Can we get through pre-season without calling for DJ to be benched fo rperry the way last year people wanted to cut/trade allen and start claxton? Allen/DJ are both very good starting centers. both played very well last season for stretches. its good comp. let it be.

7) Tauren Prince is just flat out a better player when he can play his role. Last year in the games Kyrie played prince's numbers were outstanding. We saw another glimpse last night.

8) The shooting on this team is off the charts. Kyrie, KD, Harris, Shamet, Prince are all 40% from three types who can shoot off balance or on ball. TLC in a small sample last year showed he had promise. Dinwiddie/Levert can make them enough to keep you honest. Kurucs and Green from the 5 can make that shot if you dare them to.

My last thought was this. D'antoni is going to turn Kyrie's volume way up. Kyrie with MD is going to do some scary things offensively. KD is obviously abeast. but Kyrie with MD getting him in the right spots and 1 on 1 with spacing all over is almost unfair.

I don't think anyone is saying that Perry should start, but he definitely appears to fill a need on this roster with his mix of size and skillset. I would keep an eye on him for sure.

Jordan was horrible last night, but again I am not surprised. I really don't like the idea of him starting at all.

and YES on Shamet, I told yall that this guy can play man. There is no way anyone who watches this team play over the last few years should have been sleeping on him, Shamet is legit. I'm so excited for this team right now.

[Prokorov]

Maybe Levert on the bench and start Shamet? I think we would be too small.

Otherwise we could start Prince and move KD back to the 3? I don't think that makes sense either.

I think Levert will probably start.

i didnt think id like spencer starting but it looked pretty good. more guys who can push and with the swtiches so many on-ball mismatches. i like levert in the manu role. he is clearly better when he can volume shoot

Its not going to work if Spencer continues to be a poor shooter from 3. I'm not a fan.

I still think Levert should start or if not him then Prince at the 4.

That was kind of how I felt about it coming in. but really there were many (any?) sitations with Dinwiddie getting an open corner/wing look cause his man left him to help. small sample, but nets put so much pressure and screens force so many switches it really didnt factor in. it may end up being more valuable that defense cant avoid someone with the ball being able to create vs no avoiding someone who cant shoot.

i also like that it give us more guys who can push off a rebound or even a make. although shamet did some of that too

[Prokorov]

My thoughts on the game....

1) Love Shamut on this team. Hope people here start to change their tune on him. Dude is a legit player. People knock his defense but he is disruptive with tips, steals, and high IQ. he could be our Matt Barnes.

2) Kyrie letting his game do all the talking... and its saying STFU.

3) KD looks better then i thought. Shot wasnt on but did KD things. the referse in transition, the blocks, the mid range off pin downs. looked smooth. looked athletic. looked to not have lost a step. Maybe his strength is quite there looked like 1 or 2 times he got bodied off balance but they were called fouls on him and Hachimura isnt a small guy so we'll see. but based on tonight im expecting 95-100% KD.

4) our IQ as a team is off the charts good. Kyrie, KD, Harris, Shamet, TJ, Levert, all these guys have such a great feel for the game. it helps defensively when you dont have a team full of elite defenders. also nice we can switch so much better with KDs size at the 4 this year.

5) the KD-Jordan and KD-Allen pick and roll is and will be our best play. the times we ran it we got a jordan dunk, an allen would-be dunk if he was looking for the ball, an easy KD jumper, 2 open threes, Kyrie on a mismatch after a swing.

6) Stop it. stop doing it. you are doing it again. Stop the enormous over-hype of reggie perry and the massive allen/DJ hate. Everyone seems to like Reggie Perry. Reggie Peryr may one day become a rotation player. he isnt starting, he isnt playing big minutes, he is going to be DNP-CD most nights and thats ok. Can we get through pre-season without calling for DJ to be benched fo rperry the way last year people wanted to cut/trade allen and start claxton? Allen/DJ are both very good starting centers. both played very well last season for stretches. its good comp. let it be.

7) Tauren Prince is just flat out a better player when he can play his role. Last year in the games Kyrie played prince's numbers were outstanding. We saw another glimpse last night.

8) The shooting on this team is off the charts. Kyrie, KD, Harris, Shamet, Prince are all 40% from three types who can shoot off balance or on ball. TLC in a small sample last year showed he had promise. Dinwiddie/Levert can make them enough to keep you honest. Kurucs and Green from the 5 can make that shot if you dare them to.

My last thought was this. D'antoni is going to turn Kyrie's volume way up. Kyrie with MD is going to do some scary things offensively. KD is obviously abeast. but Kyrie with MD getting him in the right spots and 1 on 1 with spacing all over is almost unfair.

I don't think anyone is saying that Perry should start, but he definitely appears to fill a need on this roster with his mix of size and skillset. I would keep an eye on him for sure.

Jordan was horrible last night, but again I am not surprised. I really don't like the idea of him starting at all.

and YES on Shamet, I told yall that this guy can play man. There is no way anyone who watches this team play over the last few years should have been sleeping on him, Shamet is legit. I'm so excited for this team right now.

I thought Jordan looked ok. certainly looked better then perry, who people look at through rose glasses cause he is a rookie.

[Stone]

Read on Twitter

6'10, 250. I would like to see him in with the first unit some more.

I think Sara said last night that Perry is actually 6'8 because in collage they measure players with shoes on.

Maybe that is where Tatum got the extra few inches that has him at 6'10....

[Stone]

How weird was it to watch us play in empty Barclays arena?

I would really like to see the NBA allow them to "mike" a few of the games. It would be cool to hear the audio and discussion on the court between the players.

[Paradise]

I don't see any Reggie Perry hype Just telling that he got a decent amount of first half minutes. Maybe we're just building DJ and JA up slowly since they're big men. Maybe Nash likes the idea of playing a legit stretch 5 for a few minutes a game.

DJ is an important vet for the team to have but when he looks bad, he looks REALLY bad. Not overly concerned but we'll see how things progress. Offense won't be a problem for this team. It's all about getting the defense as solid as possible. We're not the most athletic team so we need max effort + smart play.

Read on Twitter

[MrDollarBills]

My thoughts on the game....

1) Love Shamut on this team. Hope people here start to change their tune on him. Dude is a legit player. People knock his defense but he is disruptive with tips, steals, and high IQ. he could be our Matt Barnes.

2) Kyrie letting his game do all the talking... and its saying STFU.

3) KD looks better then i thought. Shot wasnt on but did KD things. the referse in transition, the blocks, the mid range off pin downs. looked smooth. looked athletic. looked to not have lost a step. Maybe his strength is quite there looked like 1 or 2 times he got bodied off balance but they were called fouls on him and Hachimura isnt a small guy so we'll see. but based on tonight im expecting 95-100% KD.

4) our IQ as a team is off the charts good. Kyrie, KD, Harris, Shamet, TJ, Levert, all these guys have such a great feel for the game. it helps defensively when you dont have a team full of elite defenders. also nice we can switch so much better with KDs size at the 4 this year.

5) the KD-Jordan and KD-Allen pick and roll is and will be our best play. the times we ran it we got a jordan dunk, an allen would-be dunk if he was looking for the ball, an easy KD jumper, 2 open threes, Kyrie on a mismatch after a swing.

6) Stop it. stop doing it. you are doing it again. Stop the enormous over-hype of reggie perry and the massive allen/DJ hate. Everyone seems to like Reggie Perry. Reggie Peryr may one day become a rotation player. he isnt starting, he isnt playing big minutes, he is going to be DNP-CD most nights and thats ok. Can we get through pre-season without calling for DJ to be benched fo rperry the way last year people wanted to cut/trade allen and start claxton? Allen/DJ are both very good starting centers. both played very well last season for stretches. its good comp. let it be.

7) Tauren Prince is just flat out a better player when he can play his role. Last year in the games Kyrie played prince's numbers were outstanding. We saw another glimpse last night.

8) The shooting on this team is off the charts. Kyrie, KD, Harris, Shamet, Prince are all 40% from three types who can shoot off balance or on ball. TLC in a small sample last year showed he had promise. Dinwiddie/Levert can make them enough to keep you honest. Kurucs and Green from the 5 can make that shot if you dare them to.

My last thought was this. D'antoni is going to turn Kyrie's volume way up. Kyrie with MD is going to do some scary things offensively. KD is obviously abeast. but Kyrie with MD getting him in the right spots and 1 on 1 with spacing all over is almost unfair.

I don't think anyone is saying that Perry should start, but he definitely appears to fill a need on this roster with his mix of size and skillset. I would keep an eye on him for sure.

Jordan was horrible last night, but again I am not surprised. I really don't like the idea of him starting at all.

and YES on Shamet, I told yall that this guy can play man. There is no way anyone who watches this team play over the last few years should have been sleeping on him, Shamet is legit. I'm so excited for this team right now.

I thought Jordan looked ok. certainly looked better then perry, who people look at through rose glasses cause he is a rookie.

Absolutely not. Jordan was terrible last night. You can't have watched the game objectively to make this statement, Jordan didn't even bother contesting shots at the rim guys were driving right through and then he was allowing Bryant to take wide open threes. he was a negative on the floor last night.

[MrDollarBills]

I don't see any Reggie Perry hype Just telling that he got a decent amount of first half minutes. Maybe we're just building DJ and JA up slowly since they're big men. Maybe Nash likes the idea of playing a legit stretch 5 for a few minutes a game.

DJ is an important vet for the team to have but when he looks bad, he looks REALLY bad. Not overly concerned but we'll see how things progress. Offense won't be a problem for this team. It's all about getting the defense as solid as possible. We're not the most athletic team so we need max effort + smart play.

Read on Twitter

Yeah they said during the broadcast that the coaching staff has been raving about him. I don't want to jump the gun at all, but the guy is a unit physically and was very active defensively. I think he looked more NBA ready than Claxton was tbh just based on how big he is, but we'll see. It was just preseason.

[StepBackCrack]

DJ looked terrible in that first game. Allen is seriously much better. Allen should play more minutes at least even if DJ starts. That's what I think. I know DJ is KD's best buddy but I would really hate it if this friendships will get in the way of getting the optimal performance of this team. DJ will need to play better but I would still prefer Allen because he will keep improving. He is only 22.

[StepBackCrack]

KD's shooting looked off but everything else looked really nice honestly. His athletic ability and physicality are still there. His defense is still there which surprised me the most. He didn't look afraid to hurt himself out there even after all what he went through. As a KD fan, I was beyond happy to see him like that. Good sign. He will only improve. It will take some games for him to heat up again but that's totally ok.

Kyrie is the player that I expect to peak this season. This man's basketball skills are just insane. Having KD next to him will unleash him like crazy. He is also one of the few players that doesn't get affected by playoff defenses and can get a shot anytime he wants. Best handles ever. Rarely turns the ball over. I feel most people underrate him due to all the stupid drama. Just hope he and KD stay healthy.