Brooklyn Nets Blog – Page 113 – NBA Blog

CC Sabathia chimes in on LeBron staying or going

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

CC Sabathia told WFAN there’s a likelier chance of his friend LeBron James leaving for New York if Cleveland wins the NBA title.

Asked about James’ thought process, Sabathia told hosts Evan Roberts and Joe Benigno, “I think it depends on what happens this year in the playoffs and how they play, to see how close they get and if they win, how that weighs in his decision.

“I know he wants to go where he can win. I know he likes the idea of New York.”

Sabathia added, “I think if he won (a title), it would be easier for him to leave.”

Coach K would pass on Nets job offer

Chris Sheridan of ESPN reports:

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski told ESPN.com Monday morning that “I wouldn’t have any interest in the job,” even if incoming New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov offers to make him the highest-paid coach in the NBA.

The Bergen (N.J.) Record reported Monday that Prokhorov, despite Krzyzewski’s earlier public expressions of disinterest, has continued to target Coach K as his No. 1 choice to coach the Nets once the NBA’s Board of Governors approves his purchase of the majority ownership of the franchise from Bruce Ratner.

Nets win 4th time in 6 games, beat Hornets

The AP reports:

Rookie Terrence Williams is finally figuring out how to play in the NBA, and so are the New Jersey Nets to be honest.

Williams had 14 points and a career-high 14 assists and the Nets posted their biggest win of the season with a 115-87 decision over the slumping New Orleans Hornets on Saturday night.

“Terrence was terrific,” Nets interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe said.

Unstoppable might have been a better word because the Hornets had no answer for Williams, who was 7 of 13 from the field and was the undeniable catalyst as the Nets (11-65) won for the fourth time in six games…

David West, who had 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists to lead New Orleans, noticed Williams in the game in which the Hornets allowed 40 fast-break points.

InsideHoops.com Notes:

Obviously it’s a bit late in the season for the Nets to come somewhat alive, but better late than never.

Williams has had a slightly better season than some may realize, only shooting 39.5% from the field for 7.9 points and a well-balanced 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 21.6 minutes per game.

In his last five games, Williams has averaged 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists.

The Nets yesterday beat a Hornets team that looked to have very little interest in competing, but still, T-Will’s improved play as of late is a rare New Jersey bright spot.

Nets beat Spurs for 10th win of season

Playing in New Jersey, the Nets Monday night beat the injury-riddled San Antonio Spurs 90-84 for their 10th win of the season.

With the victory, the Nets surpass the nine-win mark, the lowest in NBA history.

The Spurs were playing without stars Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

For the Nets, center Brook Lopez (7-of-14) led with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Courtney Lee (7-of-13) had 19 points and six rebounds. Devin Harris (6-of-16) added 17 points and dished nine assists without a single turnover. As a team, the Nets only shot 37.6%, and they were outrebounded as well.

The Spurs were led by George Hill (8-of-19), who scored 19. Richard Jefferson, playing against his former team, had 16 points, five rebounds and five assists. Tim Duncan was kept in check, hitting just 6-of-15 for 13 points, 12 rebounds, and as many turnovers as assists. As a team, the Spurs hit just 41.5%.

New Jersey is now 10-64. Their remaining schedule includes games against the Wizards, Bulls and Pacers, so it’s possible the team can add to their current win total.

Career highs by Lopez and Yi give Nets 9th win

The AP reports:

The New Jersey Nets aren’t going to be the worst team in NBA history.

Career highs by Lopez and Yi give Nets 9th win

Brook Lopez had a career-high 37 points and Yi Jianlian had a career-best 31 and the Nets eliminated any chance of setting a record for fewest wins in a season, beating the Detroit Pistons 118-110 on Friday night for their first winning streak of the season.

“We’re smiling,” said point guard Devin Harris, who had 12 assists. “It’s good to get two wins in a row, but we’re not satisfied. We want to continue to be better and finish the season on a high note.”

Even if New Jersey (9-63) loses its final 10 games, it can do no worse than tie the league mark for the worst record (9-73), set by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1972-73.

Lawrence Frank will return to coaching… someday

Dave D’Alessandro of the Newark Star-Ledger reports

He’s preparing again.

Not for a game, or for a practice, or for anything immediate or specific.

Lawrence Frank will return to coaching... someday

But make no mistake, Lawrence Frank is preparing for something, and his specific purpose won’t be apparent until some general manager rings his phone in a month or two.

“I hope to get another opportunity to coach another NBA team, and only time will tell how soon that may come,” the former Nets coach said Wednesday. “So I’m working on some things, visiting people, doing some writing, formulating thoughts and ideas, putting together material about the components of coaching – mostly studying the DNA of successful organizations.”

And he’s doing all these things the way Frank does everything: at a whirlwind pace…

“A college team takes on the personality of its coach,” Frank said. “But when you study the NBA, you know a team takes on the personality of its best player. With any team on a high level, the top player embodies its winning culture. So if you’re going to upgrade, it can change quickly – as long as you’re fortunate to get the right franchise player.”

Mother of Kiki Vandeweghe passes away

Dave D’Alessandro of the Newark Star-Ledger reports:

Kiki Vandeweghe flew from California to New Jersey last night, only to learn this morning that his mom, Colleen, died Wednesday morning at her home in Newport Beach.

The Nets coach will stay on the job for a while, or until they work out the funeral arrangements. Colleen Kay Hutchins, who was 83, is survived by her husband – former Knicks star Dr. Ernie Vandeweghe – and two sons and two daughters.

Vandeweghe, who had left the Nets Sunday and skipped Monday’s loss to Miami to be with his family, had been contending with his mother’s illness for more than a year.

“I was happy I went back. I was very lucky to spend some time with my dad, it’s harder on him than anybody,” Vandeweghe said at the shootaround Wednesday morning.

Nets, Maccabi Haifa to play preseason game

NETS Basketball will host Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Basketball Super League, Israel’s top division, in a 2010 preseason game on Sunday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m. at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

The game will mark the first preseason game the NETS will play at the Prudential Center since the team announced it will play its home games in Newark for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.

Maccabi Haifa, owned by New Jersey native Jeffrey Rosen, is currently tied for second place in the Super League and has been ranked as high as 21st in Europe. Maccabi Haifa’s charity program, “Haifa Hoops for Kids,” a joint initiative between Maccabi Haifa and United Jewish Communities of MetroWest New Jersey, demonstrates the team’s commitment to assisting underprivileged and special needs children in Israel.

Maccabi Haifa’s 30-minute magazine show, “Inside Israeli Basketball,” is aired monthly on the YES Network. The show captures the intricacies of Israel and the Super League seen through the eyes of Maccabi Haifa’s American players and their Israeli counterparts.

“We are honored to host Maccabi Haifa at the Prudential Center and to offer our fans the chance to see one of the best teams in Israel and a team rich in history,” said NETS CEO Brett Yormark.

“We are thrilled to bring Maccabi Haifa to America to play the NETS in a preseason game,” said Rosen. “It has been our goal to build Maccabi Haifa into an international brand and playing an NBA team such as the NETS is just another step in the right direction.”

Maccabi Haifa, an Israeli Basketball Super League team, has a long and storied legacy as it was one of the original eight teams to form the Super League during the 1954 season. This past season under the ownership of American businessman Jeffrey Rosen, the team earned an appearance in both the Super League Finals as well as the State Cup Finals in the team’s first season back in the Super League after a 10-year absence. The team was purchased by Jeffrey Rosen in July 2007.

Nets CEO Brett Yormark snaps at bag-wearing fan

New Jersey Nets CEO Brett Yormark has a good reputation. But every once in a while, even the best executives are prone to get emotional, especially during an especially dismal season like this one. Here’s what went down in New Jersey Monday, as the team lost to the Miami Heat.

Julian Garcia of the New York Daily News reports:

With the Nets trailing 79-67 between the third and fourth quarters, Yormark left his courtside seat and passed Chris Lisi of Middletown, N.J., who was sitting in the second row and wearing a paper bag over his head. Yormark then walked back toward Lisi, and in full view of reporters and photographers got into a shouting match with Lisi and a pal.

As Yormark jabbed his finger toward Lisi as he shouted something, Lisi pulled out a pair of tickets and waved them back at the CEO, who then stomped away as security personnel approached.

A Yormark spokesperson said the executive had no comment regarding the incident, but Lisi claimed that Yormark had incited it by asking him why he had the bag over his head. When Lisi sarcastically answered, “Because the Nets are so good,” Yormark snapped at him. Neither Lisi nor his companion, who joined in the shouting match, is a season-ticket holder, and they seemed to be unaware of whom they were arguing with.

It’s probably best to chalk this one up to every human being needing to let some steam off once in a while.

Yi Jianlian is not good at basketball

New Jersey Nets forward Yi Jianlian is not a good basketball player. He can make open mid-range jump-shots, drive past slower defenders, and not a lot else.

Julian Garcia of the New York Daily News reports:

Nearing the end of his second injury-plagued season in New Jersey, Yi has already worn out his welcome with many in the organization, and his biggest supporter – GM/interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe – may not be around long after the season finale on April 14 since he is in the final year of his contract. With Vandeweghe gone, the Nets would be more likely to trade Yi in the offseason, or at least bring him back in a significantly reduced role.

Vandeweghe helped bring Yi to the Nets from Milwaukee as part of the Richard Jefferson deal two summers ago and has continued to stick with Yi while others have called for his benching, even putting him right back into the starting lineup last night against the Raptors after he missed six games and took part in just one practice after suffering a high ankle sprain two weeks ago.

In 31.8 minutes per game this season Yi is averaging 11.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game, but those scoring and rebounding stats are actually a bit inflated as quite often those numbers come when the game has already been decided.