GT: The Evil Empire (Nets) vs. Rockets 3/31/2021 7:30pm EST (YES Network)

[Hello Brooklyn]

We need these kind of wins. Blake and Claxton and of course Kyrie were awesome. Start LMA and finish with the alchemist. Hamstring pulls are graded I pray it’s a 1.

Not even a pull. Just tightness. It could be nothing.

[Whiskey Slick]

discouraging to come out with such an awful start vs an awful team after having to continue to gut out lasts econd wins over awful team.

It's frustrating as hell. You keep waiting for them to have learned their lesson, that EVERY TEAM, even the worst teams in NBA, have professional pride and beating the Nets would be a crowning achievement for them, so we have to start these games like it's the 76ers or Bucks and run these scrub teams out of the building.

[ecuhus1981]

Nothing else reported yet. I think the only "good" thing was that there didn't seem to be one moment where it was obvious that he had a hamstring issue while he was on the floor.

Preciate the feedback. James has been Ironman all season, so I worry about wear & tear through the grind of multiple games. Hopefully it's nothing too serious then.

Hopefully it was a "i dont want to lose to my old team" fake injury

I wouldn't worry about that specifically. Backing down from a challenge is not in James' DNA.

[CalamityX12]

Is Harden OK? Just seeing this....

[ecuhus1981]

We need these kind of wins. Blake and Claxton and of course Kyrie were awesome. Start LMA and finish with the alchemist. Hamstring pulls are graded I pray it’s a 1.

Not even a pull. Just tightness. It could be nothing.

Even if it's nothing, I don't want him to play a single minute tomorrow. Give him a full 3 days' rest, he's more than earned it.

[CalamityX12]

Give Harden a week minimum....

He's needed AF

[Suwanee]

Rockets remain the only team in the league that Harden didn’t score 40+ on.

[Papi_swav]

Ok well we got punched in the mouth early on but we clamped down in the 4th when we needed to. Kyrie led the way and the others chipped in. Blake rewinded the clock a little, Clax with the energy , Uncle Jeff with timely plays and Joe making those 3s.

[Basileus777]

Also, not sure why TLC keeps getting minutes. Nothing against the guy, he's just not an effective player. Like he'll hit the occasional 3, but it's in addition to bricking a lot of wide open ones and playing way too reckless on both sides of the ball leading to sloppy TOs and bad fouls. Like, I don't think playing big lineups with Green at the 3 can be worse.

The problem is that there is literally no one else to give minutes to. With Shamet and KD injured our backup wings/guards are TJ and TLC. It's either TLC or play Bruce Brown 40+ minutes a game. And I get why they don't want to play 34 year old Jeff Green out of position.

If Harden misses significant time it's going to get ugly. We have a glut of bigs and horrible depth in the backcourt.

[sashaturiaf]

Also, not sure why TLC keeps getting minutes. Nothing against the guy, he's just not an effective player. Like he'll hit the occasional 3, but it's in addition to bricking a lot of wide open ones and playing way too reckless on both sides of the ball leading to sloppy TOs and bad fouls. Like, I don't think playing big lineups with Green at the 3 can be worse.

The problem is that there is literally no one else to give minutes to. With Shamet and KD injured our backup wings/guards are TJ and TLC. It's either TLC or play Bruce Brown 40+ minutes a game. And I get why they don't want to play 34 year old Jeff Green out of position.

If Harden misses significant time it's going to get ugly. We have a glut of bigs and horrible depth in the backcourt.

Have a roster spot so can always bring Shumpert back, wouldn't mind his energy right now

[Hello Brooklyn]

Also, not sure why TLC keeps getting minutes. Nothing against the guy, he's just not an effective player. Like he'll hit the occasional 3, but it's in addition to bricking a lot of wide open ones and playing way too reckless on both sides of the ball leading to sloppy TOs and bad fouls. Like, I don't think playing big lineups with Green at the 3 can be worse.

The problem is that there is literally no one else to give minutes to. With Shamet and KD injured our backup wings/guards are TJ and TLC. It's either TLC or play Bruce Brown 40+ minutes a game. And I get why they don't want to play 34 year old Jeff Green out of position.

If Harden misses significant time it's going to get ugly. We have a glut of bigs and horrible depth in the backcourt.

Kind of crazy we didn't ever sign any other guard and loaded up on big men.

[Whiskey Slick]

Is Harden OK? Just seeing this....

Until Harden gets his MRI (on Thursday?) it's hard to say one way or the other.

Nash said he believes it's minor, but he said the same thing about Durant when he first hurt his Hammy.

So while I'm glad Nash is optimistic, it's a good sign, IMO only the MRI can confirm or deny.

[Hello Brooklyn]

You guys are bugging. Harden will go to the strip club tonight and be ready to hoop in short order.

That man doesn't get hurt. Just needed a little rest.

[GTR11]

Read on Twitter

?s=20

I knew my eyes weren't lying. Such a huge addition, a must keep along with Din.

[NetsJets]

I really thought we were going to lose this one. We have to get off to better starts. These teams are going to bring their best against us. I hope Harden’s injury isn’t too serious and they rest him until the weekend. Claxton brought instant energy off the bench, Blake was solid. Kyrie is Kyrie. Joe hit some timely 3’s down the stretch. Another game that we made harder than it needed to be. I’ll take the win though.

[NetsJets]

I knew Blake had this in him.

Judging him off the Pistons was stupid. Basically been a 3 and D guy who makes smart players.

Him and Claxton also work great together.

Traditional PF’s can work in today’s NBA huh?

[therealbig3]

I knew Blake had this in him.

Judging him off the Pistons was stupid. Basically been a 3 and D guy who makes smart players.

Him and Claxton also work great together.

Traditional PF’s can work in today’s NBA huh?

Griffin is a traditional PF?

He can defend 3 positions, has range out to the 3pt line, is a fantastic passer, and handles the ball like a wing.

He's like the definition of a new age PF.

[Sharcm1]

I like the combo or Blake and nic on the floor together. I think they work well together both defensively and offensively. Nash should stick to it.

[NetsJets]

I knew Blake had this in him.

Judging him off the Pistons was stupid. Basically been a 3 and D guy who makes smart players.

Him and Claxton also work great together.

Traditional PF’s can work in today’s NBA huh?

Griffin is a traditional PF?

He can defend 3 positions, has range out to the 3pt line, is a fantastic passer, and handles the ball like a wing.

He's like the definition of a new age PF.

He is a traditional PF. I thought new age PF’s were guys that would be considered bigger SF’s in years past like Jeremi Grant or DeAndre Hunter.

[MrDollarBills]

While I agree that we need to start off better, the fact that the Nets are winning these close games is a silver lining. Especially when Claxton is on the floor in high pressure situations making huge defensive plays.