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.
Brooklyn Nets: Grit, Grind, and the Cam Johnson Effect
Dec 4, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (2) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) and guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner/Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Brooklyn Nets have been a fascinating team to watch this season, defying expectations and pulling off victories in unexpected ways. With a recent win over the Indiana Pacers, the Nets showcased their resilience and determination, traits that have become synonymous with their play style.
Despite a rocky start to the season, the Nets have secured 10 wins, a testament to their “next man up” mentality.
The Cam Johnson Renaissance
Cam Johnson has been a beacon of consistency for the Nets, leading the charge with his impressive performances. In the game against the Pacers, Johnson was instrumental, scoring all his field goals from beyond the arc and contributing significantly to the team’s success.
His ability to hit contested shots and maintain a high level of confidence has been crucial, especially in the absence of other key players like Cam Thomas.
Johnson’s performance this season has been nothing short of remarkable. He’s not just a spot-up shooter; he’s taking and making tough shots, often pulling up over defenders.
This evolution in his game has made him an invaluable asset to the team. His scoring ability, combined with his rebounding efforts, has provided the Nets with a reliable offensive option.
Effort Over Talent
The Nets’ success this season can be attributed to their relentless effort on the court. They may not always have the most talent on the floor, but they make up for it with sheer determination. This was evident in their game against the Pacers, where they managed to grind out a win despite shooting only 43% from the field.
The Pacers, struggling themselves, were unable to capitalize on the Nets’ shooting woes, highlighting the importance of effort in the Nets’ victories.
Jordi Fernandez, the Nets’ coach, has instilled a winning mentality in the team. His passion for the game is evident in his constant challenges of calls and his drive to win.
This attitude has permeated the team, making them a tough opponent for any team that doesn’t bring their A-game.
The Nets have also excelled in forcing their opponents to play their style of basketball. By slowing down the pace and focusing on defense, they’ve disrupted teams that rely on fast-paced, high-scoring games. This strategy was effective against the Pacers, who struggled to find rhythm in a slower-paced game.
The Nets’ ability to adapt and overcome challenges has been a key factor in their success. Whether it’s dealing with injuries or facing more talented teams, they’ve consistently found ways to win. This resilience is a testament to the team’s character and the leadership of players like Johnson.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Brooklyn Nets’ strategies and performances, tune into the Locked On Nets podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Nets Podcast:
- The impact of Day’Ron Sharpe’s return on the Nets’ rebounding game.
- Analyzing the Nets’ bench performance and its role in recent victories.
- Discussion on potential trade scenarios and their implications for the team’s future.
- The role of Dennis Schröder in the Nets’ offensive strategies.
- Evaluating the Nets’ playoff prospects and potential seeding in the Eastern Conference.
Christmas lights are springing up, you can’t go anywhere without hearing Mariah Carey, and football players are making snow angels in the end zone. That means, somehow, the first quarter of the 2024-25 NBA season has come and gone. Let’s hand out some hardware!
Note: these aren’t forward-looking projections for the year-end choices. These are merit-based awards for the first 20-ish games that every team has played so far.
Eastern Conference MVP: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
There isn’t a single superstar in the game as well-rounded as Tatum. His headline ability, scoring, is understated and mathematically elegant. He’s averaging 28.4 points per game by taking advantage of the most valuable areas on the floor: he’s finishing at career-best levels (74% shooting at the rim, the same number as Giannis and a smidge above Anthony Davis), launching a monstrous 10.6 three-pointers per game, and earning the second-most free throws of his NBA life.
But all the high-wattage guys can score. It’s everything else that sets Tatum apart. He’s become an elite positional passer, as we saw in last year’s NBA Finals; he eats defensive rebounds with startling voracity; he’s a mean-as-hell pick-setter:
While star forwards around the league complain about having to guard centers, Tatum is quietly defending bigs more often than ever before (20% of the time, to be exact).
His one surface-level deficiency, offensive rebounding, has more to do with schematic choices than personal flaws.
With apologies to Giannis Antetokounmpo, doing his best to bring the Bucks back to relevance, Tatum is a no-brainer choice.
Western Conference MVP: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Jokic is currently third in scoring, second in rebounding, second in assists, eighth in steals (!), and second in three-point percentage. You already know who’s on top of every advanced metric leaderboard. The Nuggets post a 129.1 offensive rating with Jokic on the floor, miles ahead of the Knicks’ league-leading 123.7; they post a 96.4 offensive rating without him, a Mariana Trench-length beneath the Wizards’ anemic 103.8.
Frankly, I’ve been writing about the NBA for a while, and despite my pharaonic vocabulary (and access to online thesauri), I’ve run out of ways to describe why and how Jokic is the MVP. When we’re talking about the league’s most videogenic player, just listing stats feels wrong, but it’s also the best way to convey his overwhelming dominance.
Not even Tatum can reach the oxygen-deprived heights that Jokic routinely (and literally!) resides in. The Nugget is the MVP of the conference and the quarter, without question.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Must Read It was more than 1,000 days between games for Lonzo Ball. A look inside his grueling recovery and unprecedented return to the league. (ESPN)
Analysis Handing out early hardware for the 24-25 NBA season, including the rarely-seen “Unluckiest Team of the Quarter” award. (Basketball Poetry)
Analysis Is it time to worry about Nic Claxton’s performance? An in-depth analysis of Claxton’s recent struggles and what it means for the Brooklyn Nets. (NetsDaily)
Injury Cam Thomas discusses his rehabilitation process, indicating it’s still in the early stages. Learn about Thomas’ recovery and its impact on the Nets. (New York Post)
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NBA Fantasy Basketball: Key Takeaways from Tuesday’s Games
Dec 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) falls to the ground after rolling his ankle against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA Cup game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant’s Ankle Injury: What It Means for Fantasy Managers
Kevin Durant’s recent ankle injury is a significant concern for fantasy basketball managers. Durant, who has been a cornerstone for many fantasy teams, left the game after just 16 minutes, scoring 13 points with four rebounds. This re-aggravation of a previous injury could mean time on the sidelines, impacting his availability in the coming weeks. Fantasy managers should consider potential replacements or temporary fill-ins, such as Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neal, who might see increased roles in Durant’s absence. However, neither is a must-add in standard leagues, but they could provide short-term value in deeper formats.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Player Performances
In the clash between the 76ers and Hornets, Paul George’s resurgence was a highlight. Despite playing 37 minutes, George’s performance—29 points, eight rebounds, and six three-pointers—showed signs of his former All-NBA self. However, with a back-to-back game on the horizon, his availability remains uncertain, making it crucial for fantasy managers to monitor his status closely.
Tyrese Maxey’s shooting struggles continued, but his ability to contribute in other areas, such as free throws and defense, keeps him relevant in fantasy lineups. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr. delivered a solid outing with 14 points and four three-pointers, making him a viable short-term option.
Charlotte Hornets’ Frontcourt Dynamics
The return of Mark Williams was a notable development, albeit with limited minutes. This situation presents a sell-high opportunity for Nick Richards, who posted an impressive 22 points and 14 rebounds. While there’s a chance Richards could outperform Williams, the Hornets’ long-term plans likely favour Williams, making Richards a potential trade candidate for savvy fantasy managers.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Nets podcasts.
Trade season starting early? What is value for Cam Johnson, Dennis Schroder, DFS and more? Recent reporting has the Nets as obvious sellers when it comes to the NBA trade season. That much we already knew. But the real question now becomes what kind of value there will be for guys like Cam Johnson, Dennis Schroder, Dorian Finney-Smith, and even guys like Cam Thomas.
Brooklyn Nets blown out by Bulls, but Dariq Whitehead shines and Day’Ron Sharpe returns
The Brooklyn Nets were blown out by the Chicago Bulls on Monday evening, predictable considering how many injuries the team is dealing with right now.
Brooklyn Nets swept by the Magic and injuries piling up
The Brooklyn Nets lost Friday and Sunday, both to the Orlando Magic in games where they struggled to even stay competitive. Injuries are becoming a theme for this team, with Dennis Schroder sitting out Friday, Cam Thomas, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Noah Clowney already out.
