From the HSS Training Center Official news & notes Thread

LKIRNets · Post #1 » by **LKIRNets** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 9:00 pm

*This thread is specifically for practice updates and news updates on player development of our Brooklyn Nets.*

LKIRNets · Post #2 » by **LKIRNets** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 9:09 pm

Read on Twitter

Post #3 » by **CalamityX12** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 9:49 pm

Why not get Rental some LI stints to get some game speed conditioning in?

LKIRNets · Post #4 » by **LKIRNets** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 9:58 pm

CalamityX12 wrote:Why not get Okafor some LI stints to get some game speed conditioning in?

was wondering the same thing but apparently they have a regimen and plan for him.

First time I saw Trajan Langdon in a Nets facility twitter video.

DeRoma · Post #5 » by **DeRoma** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 10:08 pm

CalamityX12 wrote:Why not get Okafor some LI stints to get some game speed conditioning in?

He would just create bad habits there, since he would dominate the competition with his old ways of playing. He needs to recreate his mentality of the game in order for him to stop his tendencies. I think playing a lot of practice sessions with the guys, being around them in order to create chemistry, watching a lot of tapes, eating right, and being fit will get him into game shape.

MrDollarBills · Post #6 » by **MrDollarBills** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 11:38 pm

LKIRNets wrote:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

LKIR, are you calmer now that Okafor himself said he's not ready? Reading these quotes reaffirm that he's not only bought in to the program, but also that he is well aware the reasons as to why he didn't play yesterday and is okay with being brought along at a measured pace.

LKIRNets · Post #7 » by **LKIRNets** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 2:43 am

DeRoma wrote:
CalamityX12 wrote:Why not get Okafor some LI stints to get some game speed conditioning in?

He would just create bad habits there, since he would dominate the competition with his old ways of playing. He needs to recreate his mentality of the game in order for him to stop his tendencies. I think playing a lot of practice sessions with the guys, being around them in order to create chemistry, watching a lot of tapes, eating right, and being fit will get him into game shape.

I'm way more calmer tonight than last night. Last night I just wasn't thinking straight. It wasn't possible for me to think straight last night.

LKIRNets · Post #8 » by **LKIRNets** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 2:57 am

"We needed kind of like a barometer of where he is. Toronto gave us some information,” Atkinson said of Okafor, who recorded 10 points and 4 rebounds on Friday against the Toronto Raptors, the only game Okafor’s played with the Nets since arriving via trade earlier last week.

“Obviously we have other tricks we use, watching him in the performance room, in the weight room and then it was like let's talk. Where do you think you are? And I think collectively as a performance team we need to get better from a conditioning standpoint he was in agreement with it, which is good. Some guys like man let me play my way into shape.

It’s not that Okafor is out of shape, said Atkinson. Having only played 25 minutes --in two games-- the 6’11”, 255 pound center isn’t in basketball shape. There is a difference.

Okafor talked about the difference and his current situation.

Atkinson says Okafor has shown maturity in dealing with the issue when he wants to get out on the court so badly.
“He had the maturity and self-awareness to understand that,” Atkinson continued. “I think we put a plan in place, it's not like 'hey let's run around the track 10 times and you're ready.' There's a strategic plan in. We kind of do that with everybody. That's the performance team in collaboration with the assistant coaches putting in a plan to get him a little better condition."

Okafor says there are no issues with being integrated in the system.

There's no timetable on it right now,” offered Atkinson. “That being said, he's at a level where he could get out there and play, it's not like we're saying 'nope, he's not playing right now', that's not the case. I do think there is a level of conditioning he's got to get to if he wants to play good minutes, significant minutes."

Okafor was asked on his physical state currently. He says quite frankly he didn’t know where he stood. He feels like the season is just getting started for him.

“I think it’s safe to say that you really don’t know where you stand playing against one of the best teams in the east,” he said, regarding his experience against Toronto. “A lot of the guys, they’re in mid-season form, where I kind of feel like I’m at the start of the season because I haven’t really played.

“I feel like I have to catch up to a lot of guys. That’s why I’m happy that I’m here with an actual NBA coaching staff, they’re taking care of me every day. When I was in Philly, I was kind of figuring it out on my own. I had my own trainer (Rick Lewis) that I’ve been working with since the eighth grade working me out. It’s a different level when you’re actually working with an NBA staff.”

With his trainer, Okafor had been doing individual skill work while in Philly. As for his permanent, consistent return to action, there is no timetable, according to the center.

“I have no idea; it was just something that they presented with me yesterday. We both agreed that it was fair, and it was legit, to try to get in better shape and try to integrate myself better because what they’re doing, I’m all new to. I don’t have a timetable, but it’s a long season. I think they’re doing their best to help me out, so I’m appreciative of that,” he said.

What about a stint in the G-League? Is that going to give him minutes, but hurt his confidence? It hasn’t been discussed, said Atkinson.

https://www.netsdaily.com/2017/12/18/16793000/jahlil-okafor-and-his-coach-talk-conditioning-and-when-hell-return-it-wont-be-soon

MrDollarBills · Post #9 » by **MrDollarBills** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 3:09 am

He's in for the long haul. would not shock me if he signs for the 6 mil and plays for the next contract. that's not much of a gamble in reality.

Ror1997 · Post #10 » by **Ror1997** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 3:14 am

MrDollarBills wrote:He's in for the long haul. would not shock me if he signs for the 6 mil and plays for the next contract. that's not much of a gamble in reality.

I think he sees the bigger picture. He can go sign a bigger contract and move onto his third team, or he could take the do-over and seriously invest in his future. This opportunity he has with Brooklyn isnt something he can make the most of in only 7 months.

LKIRNets · Post #11 » by **LKIRNets** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 5:13 am

MrDollarBills wrote:He's in for the long haul. would not shock me if he signs for the 6 mil and plays for the next contract. that's not much of a gamble in reality.

I don't insult many organizations. But reading how Philly developed him, if that's true. :nonono:

Paradise · Post #12 » by **Paradise** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 5:39 am

Ror1997 wrote:
MrDollarBills wrote:He's in for the long haul. would not shock me if he signs for the 6 mil and plays for the next contract. that's not much of a gamble in reality.

I think he sees the bigger picture. He can go sign a bigger contract and move onto his third team, or he could take the do-over and seriously invest in his future. This opportunity he has with Brooklyn isnt something he can make the most of in only 7 months.

Which is not guaranteed whatsoever. He could find himself sitting on the FA pool for the whole summer. Teams won’t have any reason to offer him more than 7 million and the narrative that could kill his value across the league...

“The Nets are known for playing hard and fast. Kenny is known for working wonders, they had limited picks and look for young emerging talent...why couldn’t it work for you?”

If his answer is because of competition, being asked to get in shape, being asked to play D, being asked to come off the bench....he loses that money everytime.

The league sees this team, the Hawks and Sixers as mini branches of the Spurs. Therefore, if you don’t or can’t last in the Philly, Atlanta and Brooklyn culture...You damn sure won’t land on the Spurs, Warriors or Bucks.

Prokorov · Post #13 » by **Prokorov** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 1:10 pm

Great thread, thanks for starting it....

A few things that are glaring:

1) we do things the right way here. i think its easy to dump on phillys staff cause they appear to invest so little in guys and treat them like assets but i think thats closer to the norm then what the nets do here. we invest tons of money for a staff 2-3 times larger then most teams. we are investing in development and health and training and family lifesttyle/accomodation. goes a long way. players see it

2) i dont think okafor can really cash in this summer. like most id see is like 4/40-4/44. not a huge market for 1 way centers who dont shoot threes or arent D anchors. and for the teams that do like offesnive bigs, there are more/better ones available... Lopez, Cousins, etc...

3) its clear the guy knows where he is now and where he needs to be to get on the court and accepts that... it is also clear that atkinson knows what he wants okafor to get to and doesnt care if its today, tommorow, or next month... it happens when it happens. disciplined and patient but above all do it the right way

Paradise · Post #14 » by **Paradise** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 4:08 pm

This a great read. Kenny cussin’ like a sailor :lol:

“It’s like being with a startup; we’re in more of a search mode,” says Nets coach Kenny Atkinson. “We’re not the Spurs; they’re in a ‘we know’ mode. We’re searching. We’re very curious. We have a curious staff, diverse staff.

“We’re trying **** out.”

Atkinson is just as likely to cuss as he is to go the extra mile to help a player. “You can just tell how passionate he is about the game,” Nets wing Allen Crabbe tells me. “He just has that relationship. He has that demeanor. He’s an easy guy to talk to, he’s an easy guy to get along with, and I think guys look at him as more than just a coach.”

I’ll dive on the floor for that guy,” Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson says. “I’ll take a charge for that guy. That’s the type of respect he’s gained from us.”

When discussing how he manages his relationships with players, Atkinson paused, noting that he felt bad that he hadn’t sat down with Sean Kilpatrick (who has since been waived) for two or three days. “He just opened up a juice bar in Westchester [New York] and I haven’t even asked about that,” Atkinson lamented.

On DLO:

The next step is to improve his decision-making, take fewer risks, and adjust to the NBA’s speed and physicality. Russell tells me he’s learning how to play with pace through his on-court experience and film sessions with Atkinson, video coordinator Nate Babcock, and assistant coach Jacque Vaughn. “Russell is go, go, go. We want go, go, pause,” Atkinson says. “Mike D'Antoni used to say basketball is a rhythm; you can't go a thousand miles an hour. … We need him to change gears."

Russell says that Atkinson wants him shooting more 3s and fewer pull-up 2s, and that they’ve shown him analytics to underline the value of such a move.

Atkinson says the front office and coaching staff use analytics to guide their players through the developmental process. If they’re trying to get a big man to shoot more 3s, they’ll show the player his points per possession on a deep pull-up 2-pointer, and compare it to what it’d be as a spot-up 3-pointer. “We want to take high-value shots,” Atkinson says. “That's the goal of all coaches, pretty simplistic. I don't want to make it like we're reinventing the wheel here.”

This is VERY interesting tho...

Marks says they’ve thrown out dates internally regarding when the right time will be to go after an elite player. And the team, as it has since Marks arrived nearly two years ago, needs to stay fluid.

“You never know how different teams are evolving and what's going to happen,” Marks says. “A lot of it is knowing the temperature of the NBA landscape, making sure that you have flexibility.

“For us, it's patience.”

https://www.theringer.com/platform/amp/nba/2017/12/19/16794208/nba-brooklyn-nets-sean-marks-kenny-atkinson?__twitter_impression=true

Prokorov · Post #15 » by **Prokorov** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 5:45 pm

marks basically mirrors those sentiments

Well with Jahlil we have been following him for a long time... I think its a change of scenery, we are looking forward to getting him in our enviornment with our development coaches

LKIRNets · Post #16 » by **LKIRNets** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 8:12 pm

The Nets play a relatively positionless brand of basketball, with read-and-react elements used by Adelman and Budenholzer, particularly the “motion strong” offense Budenholzer took from San Antonio to Atlanta.

unpredictability is the goal of a motion offense. The ball swings from one side of the court to the other before the play even takes shape. The initial ball reversal causes defenses to shift, and any time a defense is moving, weaknesses can open up that can be exploited with a pick-and-roll, dribble handoff, or another play.

Here, the Nets run their motion strong, swinging the ball from one side to the other, but this time Crabbe sprints through stagger screens set by Hollis-Jefferson and Caris LeVert, resulting in an open 3 at the top of the key. If it looks like the type of play the Hawks once ran for Kyle Korver, it’s because it is. Crabbe isn’t on Korver’s level as a sharpshooter, but the Nets are trying to ease him into that role.

In this example, Crabbe drives and Hollis-Jefferson rolls for the layup.

Atkinson crosses his motion system with D’Antoni’s philosophy of fast pacing, lots of pick-and-roll, and shooting. The Nets rank near the top of the league in pace and just about league average in time of possession, while attempting the third-highest frequency of 3-point attempts. Atkinson’s first NBA experience came in 2007, when he was hired as the Rockets’ director of player development. Atkinson says now that his time under Daryl Morey and Sam Hinkie “opened my eyes up” to the world of analytics. “Now we argue about it; the debates are intensive. But at the end of the day, I really believe in it. I trust it,” Atkinson says. “It’s shaped my coaching philosophy.”

MGrand15 · Post #17 » by **MGrand15** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 8:54 pm

I think it's too early to say anything definitive about Okafor. It's easy for him to like the organization now and for the organization to like him now. He's on his best behavior. We have a young player that we can start molding. No adversity yet.

That article is fantastic. It's exactly why I have so much faith in the organization and the coaching staff now. Emphasis on analytics, development, sports science / performance, and personal relationships. I've been wishing for this kind of stuff for years.

Prokorov · Post #18 » by **Prokorov** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 9:31 pm

MGrand15 wrote:I think it's too early to say anything definitive about Okafor. It's easy for him to like the organization now and for the organization to like him now. He's on his best behavior. We have a young player that we can start molding. No adversity yet.

That article is fantastic. It's exactly why I have so much faith in the organization and the coaching staff now. Emphasis on analytics, development, sports science / performance, and personal relationships. I've been wishing for this kind of stuff for years.

I agree with this sentiment.... all the info above makes me more exicted about this teams infrastructure more so then the new players. thats a step towards sustainability.

okafor. who knows

LKIRNets · Post #19 » by **LKIRNets** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 9:42 pm

was anyone shocked reading how DLo's issue is making the homerun pass instead of going for the single? and not shooting enough 3's?

DeRoma · Post #20 » by **DeRoma** » Wed Dec 20, 2017 1:29 am

LKIRNets wrote:was anyone shocked reading how DLo's issue is making the homerun pass instead of going for the single? and not shooting enough 3's?

I think it's pretty obvious that he is which is why he averages so much turnovers. However, I do think it's a little bit of an exaggeration in Kenny's side. I think if we can get better players around him his turnovers will go down. All he needs to do is slightly adjust his game. IMO the key is to get a better rolling big that sets screens a lot more cleanly. IMO If Jarrett Allen can be that guy DLO's game will be A LOT better. This is maybe the reason why they got Jah so they can mold him to finishing big rather that has a face-up game.