GT: Nets @ Mavericks - Thursday, 05/06/21 | 7:30pm EST | TNT & YES

[Hello Brooklyn]

It’s Durant’s ball hogging that I had an issue with. I know he can hit those shots, but if you’re going to ignore teammates to take those shots, and you’re missing those shots...you want me to say “it’s ok KD, you’ll get em next time!”? Nah man, I’m gonna call you out for playing a terrible basketball game.

Also, Harris’s defense is a bigger problem than his offense imo. Gives up a ton of layups, gets broken down off the dribble like it’s his job, and commits a ton of dumb fouls. On top of that, he’s constantly out of position and it’s like always his man beating him to the loose balls or for offensive rebounds.

He’s actually a guy that might warrant playing less and maybe coming off the bench. Brown is playing well lately, I’d play him more. I also know that Claxton had some issues, but he was overall another solid positive tonight. Both of them should play more.

You're right.

Durant should've deferred to Joe Harris, Shamet, Brown and Claxton instead. They were clearly sizzling this game.

You see, I don't like it when people complain about a problem without offering a solution.

What else did you want KD to do? He CLEARLY deferred to Kyrie Irving and let him cook as much as he could. He tried to get other involved, but they weren't hitting any of their shots.

As the best scorer ever, KD absolutely needs to continue shooting, if his teammates not named Kyrie don't have it going.

Very few of his shots were rushed, bad or to the detriment of wide open teammates.

Please come to me with facts and not narratives.

"The shot wasn't falling for KD and he went cold at the worst possible time" is actual fact.

Everything else being said in here is over reactionary emotional takes.

Dude youre clearly a KD stan with no objectivity.

Is there anything he can do to warrant your criticsm?

Sure doesn't seem like it.

Yes I do want him to make passes if hes missing every single shot!

I don't think those other guys would have gone 1/7 if we made some passes. If youre gonna take that many shots you cant miss all of them.

[GTR11]

I had to much faith in this assistant coaches to a fault. Nash can handle their ego's but he ain't PO ready by any means.

I'm officially in a panic mode.

We need MVP back ASAP. He's ok to play 30 min a game we win chip without any doubt in my mind.

[Hello Brooklyn]

It’s Durant’s ball hogging that I had an issue with. I know he can hit those shots, but if you’re going to ignore teammates to take those shots, and you’re missing those shots...you want me to say “it’s ok KD, you’ll get em next time!”? Nah man, I’m gonna call you out for playing a terrible basketball game.

Also, Harris’s defense is a bigger problem than his offense imo. Gives up a ton of layups, gets broken down off the dribble like it’s his job, and commits a ton of dumb fouls. On top of that, he’s constantly out of position and it’s like always his man beating him to the loose balls or for offensive rebounds.

He’s actually a guy that might warrant playing less and maybe coming off the bench. Brown is playing well lately, I’d play him more. I also know that Claxton had some issues, but he was overall another solid positive tonight. Both of them should play more.

I hoped that Claxton and Brown would start.

Nash goes with Shamet and Griffin.

I have honestly lost faith in Nash tbh. I tried to give him a break but he has done this team no favors. We need to mix in some defense and rebounding, these small ball line ups aren't working

But how could Nash now that Harris and Shamet would miss every single wide open shot they took?

Doesn't it seem like a smart strategy to surround KD and Kyrie with shooters?

It just seems like hindsight to blame him for things that shouldn't be happening.

We lost this game in the 3rd Q when we bricked everything and couldn't establish a lead.

[gigantes]

Caught the second half, and my takeaways are like this:

- The current group showed repeatedly that they're still not all that used to each other. They repeatedly got caught in awkward offensive spots / spacing, producing too many turnovers and low-percentage shots as a consequence.

- As much as KD & Kyrie are masters of ball-handling, I'm still not sure they're particularly great as a point-forward and a PG, respectively. Tonight they looked like they had too much of a scorer's mentality to replicate a lead-passer's effectiveness.

- Just in general, Dallas' offense looked like it was far more comfortable with itself, moved better, and consistently produced higher-quality shots than the Nets.

- It sounds like Harden will be back soon, and it can't be fast enough given the team's current play. He's far and away the best offense-runner the team has, and KD / Kyrie / James should look that much better being more complimentary passers than they're forced to be right now.

- Love Claxton's versatility, and I have to think the team still has time to reach another level with his return, Harden's, and a little bit more familiarity with each other. The final games should be real interesting, and probably a better indication of how the playoffs might go than these recent games.

[YamaChan]

It’s Durant’s ball hogging that I had an issue with. I know he can hit those shots, but if you’re going to ignore teammates to take those shots, and you’re missing those shots...you want me to say “it’s ok KD, you’ll get em next time!”? Nah man, I’m gonna call you out for playing a terrible basketball game.

Also, Harris’s defense is a bigger problem than his offense imo. Gives up a ton of layups, gets broken down off the dribble like it’s his job, and commits a ton of dumb fouls. On top of that, he’s constantly out of position and it’s like always his man beating him to the loose balls or for offensive rebounds.

He’s actually a guy that might warrant playing less and maybe coming off the bench. Brown is playing well lately, I’d play him more. I also know that Claxton had some issues, but he was overall another solid positive tonight. Both of them should play more.

You're right.

Durant should've deferred to Joe Harris, Shamet, Brown and Claxton instead. They were clearly sizzling this game.

You see, I don't like it when people complain about a problem without offering a solution.

What else did you want KD to do? He CLEARLY deferred to Kyrie Irving and let him cook as much as he could. He tried to get other involved, but they weren't hitting any of their shots.

As the best scorer ever, KD absolutely needs to continue shooting, if his teammates not named Kyrie don't have it going.

Very few of his shots were rushed, bad or to the detriment of wide open teammates.

Please come to me with facts and not narratives.

"The shot wasn't falling for KD and he went cold at the worst possible time" is actual fact.

Everything else being said in here is over reactionary emotional takes.

Dude youre clearly a KD stan with no objectivity.

Is there anything he can do to warrant your criticsm?

Sure doesn't seem like it.

Yes I do want him to make passes if hes missing every single shot!

I don't think those other guys would have gone 1/7 if we made some passes. If youre gonna take that many shots you cant miss all of them.

Come at me with facts and not ad hominem, and I'll be more than happy to offer an actual valid critique of KD's performance.

Which is literally just that he wasn't hitting shots he usually hits in his sleep and hasn't been closing well.

Something that will iron itself out over time, as he's one of the best closers in the game.

You're not offering any critique; you're being hyperbolic. Not that I expect anything different from a fan.

[therealbig3]

The issue with KD is that it becomes very easy to deflect from the problem by saying “you want him to pass to other guys that are struggling instead of taking those shots himself?” But the problem is that he becomes a ball stopper who now forces the offense into a situation where it’s ISO or bust. So yeah, now KD becomes the best option. But he’s not really allowing actual plays to be run, which could probably generate better shots than an ice cold KD going ISO.

What GTR is saying about Kyrie is actually what KD did this game.

[Hello Brooklyn]

The issue with KD is that it becomes very easy to deflect from the problem by saying “you want him to pass to other guys that are struggling instead of taking those shots himself?” But the problem is that he becomes a ball stopper who now forces the offense into a situation where it’s ISO or bust. So yeah, now KD becomes the best option. But he’s not really allowing actual plays to be run, which could probably generate better shots than an ice cold KD going ISO.

What GTR is saying about Kyrie is actually what KD did this game.

Agreed.

Its just the way KD has always played.

KD is one of the few guys who can get away with being a "ball stopper" because hes so damn efficient.

One of the most efficient scorers in NBA history.

So who cares if hes doing it but hitting shots at such a high volume.

But when hes this off it becomes a huge problem.

You have to assume its just an outlier of a few games. But it really came at the worst time.

[andrewww]

Caught the second half, and my takeaways are like this:

- The current group showed repeatedly that they're still not all that used to each other. They repeatedly got caught in awkward offensive spots / spacing, producing too many turnovers and low-percentage shots as a consequence.

- As much as KD & Kyrie are masters of ball-handling, I'm still not sure they're particularly great as a point-forward and a PG, respectively. Tonight they looked like they had too much of a scorer's mentality to replicate a lead-passer's effectiveness.

- Just in general, Dallas' offense looked like it was far more comfortable with itself, moved better, and consistently produced higher-quality shots than the Nets.

- It sounds like Harden will be back soon, and it can't be fast enough given the team's current play. He's far and away the best offense-runner the team has, and KD / Kyrie / James should look that much better being more complimentary passers than they're forced to be right now.

- Love Claxton's versatility, and I have to think the team still has time to reach another level with his return, Harden's, and a little bit more familiarity with each other. The final games should be real interesting, and probably a better indication of how the playoffs might go than these recent games.

Shamet and role players are regressing back to the mean tbh...all I remember last year was Shamet repeatedly sucking when it mattered for the Clippers. If hes not hitting shots, his defense and basketball IQ are pedestrian and Im not sure what warrants him starting while TJ racked up a DNP tonight.

[Hello Brooklyn]

Heres the other thing:

We can't assume Harden will fix all of our problems.

We need to figure out our rotations and which guys are going to work in this offense and know what their roles our.

We can't just assume Harden will be the magic elixir that fixes everything.

Maybe he is but Im not betting on it.

[DarkXaero]

Anyways, looking ahead, next game against Denver on the road is an automatic L. So we're looking at a 5 game losing streak at least. At this point, I've conceded we're 3rd seed with no HCA against Bucks or Sixers, so I just wanna get to end of season. Nets are playing their worst basketball of the season at the tail end of the regular season.

[YamaChan]

Better to get his off nights and time acclimating to the team again out of the way now than in the playoffs, where his value will skyrocket.

James Harden returning to the roster will be a godsend to the overall flow of the offense, while KD works his way back into his rhythm.

But have any of you seen Durant's efficiency this season? It's literally unheard, and he was due for a cold stretch or he'd need to be tested for being human.

I'm not hitting the panic button unless injuries continue to be an issue for the Big 3. Otherwise, I like that they get to battle a little hardship and get re-focused for the playoffs.

[Hello Brooklyn]

Caught the second half, and my takeaways are like this:

- The current group showed repeatedly that they're still not all that used to each other. They repeatedly got caught in awkward offensive spots / spacing, producing too many turnovers and low-percentage shots as a consequence.

- As much as KD & Kyrie are masters of ball-handling, I'm still not sure they're particularly great as a point-forward and a PG, respectively. Tonight they looked like they had too much of a scorer's mentality to replicate a lead-passer's effectiveness.

- Just in general, Dallas' offense looked like it was far more comfortable with itself, moved better, and consistently produced higher-quality shots than the Nets.

- It sounds like Harden will be back soon, and it can't be fast enough given the team's current play. He's far and away the best offense-runner the team has, and KD / Kyrie / James should look that much better being more complimentary passers than they're forced to be right now.

- Love Claxton's versatility, and I have to think the team still has time to reach another level with his return, Harden's, and a little bit more familiarity with each other. The final games should be real interesting, and probably a better indication of how the playoffs might go than these recent games.

Shamet and role players are regressing back to the mean tbh...all I remember last year was Shamet repeatedly sucking when it mattered for the Clippers. If hes not hitting shots, his defense and basketball IQ are pedestrian and Im not sure what warrants him starting while TJ racked up a DNP tonight.

Agreed. Shamet sucks.

If hes not hitting his shot hes basically useless. I didn't like that trade from the start.

Bey is actually a high energy we could have used on defense.

Harris also has a history of disappearing in big games for whatever reason.

Once we have the Big 3 back, I think defense and energy might be more valuable than shooters.

[MrDollarBills]

How can anyone have any confidence in the Nets beating Boston, Miami, or the Knicks in round 1 with how they look right now?

We lack discipline on defense and the effort on the glass continues to be poor. This team is poorly coached and Nash would get destroyed by Steven's, Spoelstra and Thibs.

This is bad folks.

[Hello Brooklyn]

How can anyone have any confidence in the Nets beating Boston, Miami, or the Knicks in round 1 with how they look right now?

We lack discipline on defense and the effort on the glass continues to be poor. This team is poorly coached and Nash would get destroyed by Steven's, Spoelstra and Thibs.

This is bad folks.

Idk man.

If KD played even close to his normal self we probably win the last 2 games and all this panic goes away.

You have to assume he figures it out.

Not to mention Harden has basically confirmed he will come back.

I don't see us losing in Round 1. But if Harden doesn't come back at his previous level we could be in trouble in the 2nd round.

[MGrand15]

You guys can panic. Literally last week ya'll were in here puffing your chests out, happy with the team.

This stretch is concerning but we've lost 1 B2B to Portland, 2 close games to Milwaukee on the road, 1 close game to Dallas on the road. Let's not make this into more than it is. We're struggling but we've been elite all year. We'll bounce back.

[andrewww]

I dont think theres a need to panic however. Harden elevates the role players and force KD/Kyrie to concentrate on what they do best - score.

The biggest regret to me is LMA retiring. He’s the big body that offers floor spacing which you dont get from Griffin, Claxton, Green or Jordan individually.

[Hello Brooklyn]

You guys can panic. Literally last week ya'll were in here puffing your chests out, happy with the team.

This stretch is concerning but we've lost 1 B2B to Portland, 2 close games to Milwaukee on the road, 1 close game to Dallas on the road. Let's not make this into more than it is. We're struggling but we've been elite all year. We'll bounce back.

We are still 8-10 without Harden and just KD & Kyrie though.

We have drastically underperformed without him and its not changing.

Can we keep losing games like this? And we know if he just comes back at 100%?

[DarkXaero]

How can anyone have any confidence in the Nets beating Boston, Miami, or the Knicks in round 1 with how they look right now?

We lack discipline on defense and the effort on the glass continues to be poor. This team is poorly coached and Nash would get destroyed by Steven's, Spoelstra and Thibs.

This is bad folks.

Meh, I'm not worried about any of those 1st round opponents, especially the Knicks who I think we would sweep if we got them. Discipline and effort are both mental things for the most part, and in playoffs, mental focus tends to be a lot higher. The poorly coached stuff, I don't buy. Our issues are mainly related to effort/focus, not coaching.

[NyCeEvO]

Infuriating…

[Hello Brooklyn]

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