Adam Armbrecht here, the host of the daily Locked On Nets podcast, with your daily Locked On Nets newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Nets and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
The Mikal Bridges Trade Looks Even Better As Brooklyn Meets the Knicks in the NBA Cup
Nov 10, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) dribbles the ball while New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) defends in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images|Trevor Ruszkowski/Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
As the Brooklyn Nets gear up for a doubleheader against the New York Knicks this weekend, the spotlight is on Mikal Bridges and the implications of his trade. The Nets, trailing the Knicks by just one loss, are set to meet in the NBA Cup, marking their first game in the in-season tournament. This match-up is not just about the rivalry; it reflects on the decisions made by the Nets’ management and how they are playing out on the court.
Mikal Bridges: A Trade Under the Microscope
When the Nets traded Mikal Bridges, the trade raised eyebrows across the league. Bridges was once seen as a defensive stalwart but has struggled to find his footing with the Knicks.
His shooting has been inconsistent, starting the season at 30% from beyond the arc, and his defense has not lived up to expectations. Even basketball analysts like Nate Duncan have noted his regression, particularly in on-ball defense.
The trade, which brought a significant haul of draft picks for the Brooklyn Nets seems to be paying off. The Nets’ decision to part ways with Bridges is looking increasingly wise as the season progresses.
While Bridges was once a key figure in the trade package involving Kevin Durant, his performance in New York has not justified the high expectations. The Nets, on the other hand, have positioned themselves well for the future with the assets they acquired.
The Knicks’ Championship Aspirations
The Knicks, with their championship aspirations, are relying heavily on Bridges to fill a crucial role. However, his struggles on both ends of the floor have raised questions about the trade’s value.
Bridges’ inability to consistently hit three-pointers and his defensive lapses have been a concern for a team that needs him to excel in a three-and-D role.
Moreover, the Knicks’ decision to trade for Bridges, giving up multiple first-round picks, is under scrutiny. The pressure on Bridges to perform is directly related how much was given up by the Knicks to acquire him.
The trade was seen as a move to bolster their championship window, but early signs suggest it might not have been the right call.
As the Nets and Knicks prepare to clash, the narrative is not just about the games but also the broader implications of the trades and decisions made by both franchises.
The Nets’ strategic moves in the off-season are beginning to show their value, while the Knicks are left to ponder if their gamble on Bridges will pay off.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks rivalry, tune into the Locked On Nets podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Nets Podcast:
- The impact of the NBA Cup on the Nets’ season
- Analysis of the Nets’ recent performance and standings
- A look at the Nets’ draft picks and future prospects
- Discussion on the Knicks’ roster and championship hopes
After historic back-to-back nights over the weekend I hope the Kings’ De’Aaron Fox is on your radar. Fox delivered a 60 point game against the Timberwolves on Friday (the Kings, after all that, could not wrestle away the win) and then 49 points against the Jazz in a winning game on Saturday. While these scoring numbers are certainly a touch more astronomical than Fox’s norm, he’s still an athlete who’s averaged 25 points per game in the last three seasons.
Beyond pure shooting, Fox is a pleasure to watch. I mean that in an artful sense, like taking your time in a gallery or museum and letting your eyes rove over every flourish and detail. Fox has a knack for hang time, able to lightly adjust his body mid-air to tweak the angle of his jumper just so. It’s a bane to defenders because it’s nearly impossible to pre-calculate where Fox will wind up releasing the ball, but it’s startling, and fun, to see.
His passing follows the same rules. Namely: his own. One hand flings and scoops to teammates running down the lane, or flashing out to the wing, dependent on the sort of timing it takes trust and seasons of practice to nail. It speaks to the cohesiveness of the Kings, a team many are still quick to dismiss from contention but who will prove a difficult team to match up against once their roster returns to full strength.
Cade Cunningham
Admittedly, I hadn’t been paying that close of attention to Cade Cunningham, even with my well documented dedication to the Detroit Pistons. I changed that last Friday when the team was in Toronto to face the Raptors, and I spent a good chunk of pregame warmups watching Cunningham run through his drills.
There’s a new level of patience to Cade, who’s been — by circumstance — forced into holding pattern since he entered the NBA. This new level filters through his game. There’s still the juddery, at times mesmerizing, stop-start motion of his handle and with it the ability to force the pace he wants in a game, but now Cade’s letting the game come to him. Where there simply isn’t time to draw out a possession, or altering one might upend his team’s momentum (momentum has been something Detroit is relying on this season, to their benefit), Cade instead adopts the rhythm of the floor in motion. Now into his forth season, his maturation is evident, and it’s winning games.
Jabari Smith
It’s felt a touch disingenuous, how down on Jabari Smith those in the wider sphere of the Houston Rockets have been this season. Yes, he’s had some slow shooting nights, and made some frustrating decisions, but he’s also come back in the games that follow those less than stellar performances and done all the right things — leading to wins.
Smith’s a third year player in the league on a franchise that only really started to get the foundation of their rebuild right last season. He’s learning to adjust to quicker pace, tighter and more effortful defence (the Rockets are the league’s best rebounders), and what it means to actually compete versus playing at the whims of a single game, on a game-to-game basis. There’s continuity showing here, and it’s great.
Smith tends to have his best rebounding games when he’s also scoring, which just tells me that energy generated on one end of the floor is essential for him at the other. It’s also true of younger players — and teams, like the Rockets — learning what it is to stay consistent through a game’s many tide-turns.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Biz Deep breaths. The NBA has settled its broadcast lawsuits, and “Inside the NBA” is here to stay. (Sportico)
Preview Major changes could soon be coming to the All-Star Game. (ESPN)
Analysis The “unicorn” era of Anthony Davis may be over, but could the “Lakers AD” era just be starting? (The Ringer)
Recap The Nets couldn’t overcome a late deficit, falling 114-104 to the Knicks. Despite Cam Thomas’ efforts, Brooklyn struggled with turnovers and size mismatches. (NetsDaily)
Analysis Jordi Fernandez’s influence on the Nets is evident as he focuses on player development and building a winning culture. (New York Post)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Sunday’s NBA Fantasy Basketball Roundup
Nov 17, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts after being called for a foul against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images|Nick Wosika/Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
As we dive into the latest NBA action, it’s clear that Sunday was packed with intriguing performances and unexpected developments. With 10 games on the schedule, there was no shortage of excitement and fantasy implications to unpack.
Injury Updates and Opportunities
The Sacramento Kings are dealing with some significant injury news. Domantas Sabonis, usually a reliable presence, is doubtful with a back issue, potentially missing his second consecutive game. This opens up opportunities for players like Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles to step up. Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan is officially out for his third consecutive game.
Key Performances and Fantasy Implications
The Minnesota Timberwolves’ victory over the Phoenix Suns highlighted some strategic missteps by the Suns. Starting Mason Plumlee and Jusuf Nurkic together against Minnesota’s big lineup didn’t pay off, with Nurkic playing only 14 minutes. His inconsistent performances make him a risky fantasy option, as his playing time and production fluctuate wildly.
On the Timberwolves’ side, Mike Conley’s increased minutes are worth noting. While his scoring was minimal, his contributions in other areas helped secure the win. Naz Reid, despite his scoring potential, continues to struggle defensively, which could limit his fantasy upside.
Click the button below to see why one of KD’s newest running mates could be worth a look, and how Charlotte’s injury concerns will affect your lineup.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Nets podcasts.
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