The Nets bounced back from a bad loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday evening with a big win over the Magic on Thursday. It was a much-needed victory for a Brooklyn team that really needed it.
The story was Mikal Bridges who put on a massive scoring display in the first quarter on his way to 42 points overall.
Plus, Cam Thomas reentered the starting lineup, this time for the injured Dorian Finney-Smith. From a scoring perspective, he wasn’t all that efficient, but did post the second-highest assist total of his career.
The Locked on Nets guys break down the game.
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17 Comments
I just want those who demand JV to be fired after every loss to keep the same energy and acknowledge the work the coaches have done. We went from one of the bottom rebounding teams to one of the best. They're not perfect by any means but the pretend fans need to chill lol
B r i d g e s 💪
Ben out Sharpe in
Hello everyone. We have a lot to discuss. Besides the great game from Mikal Bridges, the Ben Simmons news was not only very worrisome but should have alarm bells ringing nonstop….
Based on the reports, Ben Simmons lower back injury did not heal and he's not doing anything such as running at full speed, strength work, or any on court action. Now he's gotten another epidural injection and will be reevaluated in two weeks…
It's so unfortunate that at only 27 Ben Simmons back is bordering that line of becoming a chronic issue and his constant unavailability is making it harder to see a legitimate future in Brooklyn past next year….
Brooklyn might seriously need to consider trading Ben Simmons at the trade deadline next year because if he can't return Brooklyn is essentially paying him $37 million while also not having adequate cap space to resign some key players that are currently helping this team….
One big reason Brooklyn needs to consider trading Ben Simmons at this upcoming trade deadline or the off-season is because of Nic Claxton and possibly Spencer Dinwiddie upcoming free agency….
Claxton has been a homegrown talent since day one in Brooklyn and has progressively gotten better as a defender and found some offensive punch too….
He's looking for a bigger contract next season which could be in the $70-100 projectile…
But Brooklyn management has some serious decisions to make concerning Claxton and if they should invest that type of money into Claxton when they aren't a contending team yet. But with Ben Simmons current contract on the books it makes signing Claxton to a bigger contract very tough….
In Spencer Dinwiddie's case he's made comments about this team having the core of Mikal Bridges Cam Johnson Nic Claxton and Cam Thomas to lead them and has accepted the fact he could be traded for more assets in the future if he isn't in Brooklyn's long term plans…
But given Ben Simmons constant unavailability Spencer has been very available and has adapted to being a good playmaker for his teammates and has had some good offensive performances as well. Brooklyn could look to sign Spencer to a shorter term contract which would eventually allow him to be a sixth man on this team when Brooklyn is ready to compete again….
But the problem again is with Ben Simmons contract Brooklyn doesn't have the cap space to lock them up and might need to make some tough decisions about Simmons future in Brooklyn….
Great job guys!
i was disappointed not to see a post game wrap up. i had no idea there would be no games today and only eight teams playing during Monday and Tuesday. Are the other 22 teams sitting on their Thumbs? Maybe this would be a good time for the other teams to participate in A “Superstars” competition. Bahamas for players on the East Coast and Vegas fir the West Coast teams.
I might be in the minority here especially since I’m a huge Cam Thomas believer but I don’t think he will or should be in the starting lineup IF his backcourt mate is Spencer. That Backcourt is just too small. Cam fits better with “Ben” in the backcourt. I think DFS will return to the starting lineup and Cam will only be restated IF Spencer is traded and/or Simmons is ever healthy enough to play.
Day’ron deserve a lot more Recognition for how he’s been playing lately, His performance in the Magic game was great, we even got a spin move but I think overall this season he’s been solid.
DSJ Defense was missed and Spencer kept that lead stead in the 3rd when the Magic were making a run. Great win for the Guys! 🤍🖤
Our interior game has been remarkable considering they’re so small!! Gang rebounding, crisp passing in running game….. Smith jr , Claxx, Sharpe, Finney Smith,
We'll, more than likely, get back to the regular starting lineup of Dinwiddie, Bridges, Claxton, DFS, and Johnson for a good reason: it's working and getting better with time. The chemistry that's developing between them shouldn't be interrupted at the cost of inserting Cam T into that lineup. We need the grit and defense of DFS in the starting lineup more than we need Cam T's scoring in it. I think the chemistry that DSJ, Thomas, Sharpe, Watford, and O'Neale coming off the bench, is showing positive results and should be allowed to continue. Walker, Giles, Clowney, and Whitehead PT should be situational and Ben could be written off as irrelevant to the Nets future.
My complements to the team for not only such a decisive victory against a high quality opponent, after a disappointing loss the previous night, but also to JV for being able to inspire this team to go out and redeem themself. Half the battle to success is won when a coach is able to get his players to buy into his philosophy. So far, he's succeeded. His success, going forward, will be terrible times for his doubters/detractors that're hoping for his failure… Good!!!!
Mihal Bridges and Cam Thomas get most of the accolades, of the players, mainly for being high volume scorers. Everybody love high volume scorers more that the players that do all the other "non glamorous" things that contribute to winning. The point guard is an extension of the coach on the floor. His role is the key and is indispensable to connect all the players together into a cohesive unit. JV has decided that Dinwiddie is his favorite to lead the Nets offense, from comments he's made in the past and continue to make in press conferences about him. Although he'll probably never get the accolades of our high volume scorers, he'll get a huge share of them for being the team's leader on the floor and big voice in the locker room. He's put in the work..he's earned it.
mann what a solid win! We got the next one !
Doug and Adam called this lineup and so far so good. Sometimes the most obvious one is the one that’s the answer.
I was a fan of moving Cam Johnson to the bench. However, I knew the politics of that weren’t gonna allow that to happen and then DFS got hurt so it made the decision easy. But then I got to thinking before the game if they moved Cam Johnson to the power forward spot, he actually fills a role that Nets fans have been clamoring for for a while, which is a true stretch 4. It is easy to forget, but Cam Johnson is actually taller than DFS. He’s 6”8 maybe taller. So, as long as they can rebound effectively, when DFS isn’t on the floor, they actually become more potent and spaced out offense. What also makes it work is having Dennis Smith Jr. back because now you have another point guard on the bench.
Hey, when are you guys gonna give us a video sending some flowers towards Nic Claxton‘s way? Come on Doug that’s supposed to be your guy!!!
This kid at 24 years old is just upping his game every year. Now he’s at almost 13 points a game, almost 9 rebounds and almost 3 blocks per game. Teams basically know if they switch on him. Good luck.
My question to Doug and Adam is, is there really any legitimate argument that they shouldnt pay Nic Claxton? And that when Ben returns he clearly should be coming off the bench and not the other way around?
Can we trade Ben like honestly,..I hate him
Love the haircut adam! Nice work guys. Still feel as if we will tread water
Above. 500 but lets see when cam is cruising at 26ppg