Brooklyn Nets Blog – Page 32 – NBA Blog

Jeremy Lin injury update: out another 3-5 weeks

New Brooklyn Nets point guard Jeremy Lin has spent far more time this season watching basketball than actually playing it.

Nets General Manager Sean Marks released the following statement today:

“During the course of his rehab, Jeremy re-aggravated his strained left hamstring and will be out approximately three to five weeks as he continues to work towards a full recovery. We understand and appreciate Jeremy’s competitive desire to get back on the court with his teammates, however, we are going to be cautious with his rehab in order to ensure that he is at full strength once he returns.”

The Nets are 9-34 this season, which is the worst record in the NBA. Lin has played in just 12 of the team’s 43 games, averaging 13.9 points, 5.8 assists and 1.3 steals per outing.

Nets waive Anthony Bennett

Anthony Bennett’s struggle continues. The Brooklyn Nets waived Bennett today.

Bennett appeared in 23 games with the Nets this season, averaging 5.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game. He was originally signed as a free agent by the Nets on July 14.

Brooklyn’s roster now stands at 14 players.

Long Island Nets add R.J. Hunter

The Long Island Nets, the NBA Development League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, have acquired guard R.J. Hunter off waivers.

Hunter (6’5”, 185) appeared in three games for the Chicago Bulls this season before being waived on December 29. In 39 career NBA games with Boston (2015-16) and Chicago (2016), Hunter recorded averages of 2.5 points and 1.0 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per contest. He has also appeared in 13 NBA D-League games between Boston’s affiliate, the Maine Red Claws, and Chicago’s affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, averaging 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals in 32.2 minutes per game. Hunter was originally selected by the Boston Celtics with the 28th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Jeremy Lin returns to action for Nets

On Monday in Houston, Jeremy Lin and his balky left hamstring returned to the court for the first time since Nov. 2.

Considering Lin had five weeks of rust on his game and just a single practice under his belt, the Nets’ point guard was solid.

And that’s because he wasn’t trying to be spectacular.

“After five weeks off, I was really thrilled,’’ said coach Kenny Atkinson, who should see an even better Lin Wednesday against the Lakers. “You expect a guy to be a little rusty, but I didn’t see that at all. He had great energy, played with great poise and I was just happy that he didn’t try to do too much.

— NY Post

Quick Take: Lin is the most fun player on the Nets to watch, in my humble opinion. Even when what he tries doesn’t quite work out, him being on the court raises the team’s entertainment factor noticeably. Glad he’s back.

Nets bring Olympic legend Michael Johnson in to talk to team

In training camp, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson had basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin swing by to talk to his team. On Monday, it was track Hall of Famer Michael Johnson dropping pearls of wisdom. Now Atkinson can only hope his Nets pick them up, mired in an NBA-worst seven-game losing skid.

“Just to listen to him, talking about his process and how he was just so dedicated and focused,’’ Rondae Hollis-Jefferson said. “It definitely gives you that sense of I’m going on the right track, but there’s also more things to it than just coming in here every day. Your personal life versus the athlete’s life. We’re athletes 24/7; our image is being watched, so the things that we do when we’re home count to when we come here. Just thinking about that and setting goals for yourself is a big thing.

“In the offseason, this is what I’m training for. … What do I have to do to get there? If you’re thinking about that every day, it’s going to motivate you. You’re going to wake up, get in that car, take that ride and you’re going to be thinking about that: How do I get myself to where I want to be for my goal for this year? That’s something big that he touched on that stuck with me and will stick with me.”

— NY Post

Quick Take: A team can only play as well as their roster allows.

Nets sign Yogi Ferrell

The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent guard Yogi Ferrell from their NBA D-League affiliate, the Long Island Nets. Ferrell becomes the first call-up in Long Island Nets history.

Ferrell (6’0”, 180) originally signed with Brooklyn on August 5 and appeared in three preseason games with the Nets, recording averages of 4.3 points and 1.7 assists in 9.6 minutes per contest. The Indiana native was waived by the team on October 21.

The four-year Indiana University product was named to the All-Big Ten First Team twice (2015 and 2016) and garnered second-team honors as a sophomore (2014). As a senior, Ferrell averaged 17.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 34.7 minutes per game, earning Associated Press Third Team All-America honors and capping his career as Indiana’s all-time assists leader with 633. Ferrell also led Indiana to three NCAA Tournament appearances and helped the Hoosiers advance to the Sweet 16 twice. In 137 career games (all starts) at IU, Ferrell averaged 14.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 32.8 minutes per game.

Ferrell will be wearing No. 10.

Nets waive Greivis Vasquez

The Brooklyn Nets have waived guard Greivis Vasquez.

“Greivis did everything we asked of him and more to try to get back on the court at full strength,” said Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “The passion, grit and perseverance he has shown since he joined the team have been remarkable. We are thankful to Greivis for all of his efforts and wish him well in the future.”

Vasquez appeared in three games this season with the Nets, averaging 2.3 points and 1.7 assists in 12.9 minutes per game. He was originally signed as a free agent by Brooklyn on July 13, 2016.

Nets exercise contract options on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Chris McCullough

The Brooklyn Nets exercised their team options for the 2017-18 season on forwards Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Chris McCullough.

Hollis-Jefferson, selected with the 23rd pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by Portland and acquired via trade by the Nets on draft night, has appeared in 32 career games (20 starts), averaging 5.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.4 minutes per game.

McCullough, the 29th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, has seen action in 25 career games (four starts), recording averages of 4.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game.

Nets waive Yogi Ferrell

The Brooklyn Nets have requested waivers on guard Yogi Ferrell.

Ferrell, who originally signed with Brooklyn on August 5, appeared in three preseason games with the Nets, recording averages of 4.3 points and 1.7 assists in 9.6 minutes per game.

Brooklyn’s roster now stands at 15 players, which means the team doesn’t have to cut any more players before the start of the regular season if they don’t want to.

Nets waive Jorge Gutierrez, Chase Budinger, Beau Beech, Egidijus Mockevicius

The Brooklyn Nets have waived Jorge Gutierrez, Chase Budinger, Beau Beech and Egidijus Mockevicius.

Beech, who originally signed with Brooklyn on August 5, appeared in one preseason game with the Nets, scoring three points in eight minutes.

Budinger saw action in four preseason games, averaging 3.0 points and 1.5 rebounds in 10.4 minutes per game. He originally signed with the Nets on September 26.

Gutierrez, who originally signed with Brooklyn on September 26, appeared in three preseason games with the Nets, recording averages of 3.7 points and 2.0 assists in 9.3 minutes per game.

Mockevicius logged nine minutes of action in one preseason game with the Nets. He originally signed with Brooklyn on August 5.

Brooklyn’s roster now stands at 16 players.